by T. A. Chase
“I’m sure I could find that out at least.” James wouldn’t forget about talking to Owain’s little sister.
He actually spoke to her quite often, making sure she was doing all right and didn’t need anything. They had an agreement: if she needed something that the money the townsfolk sent her didn’t cover, she came to him. When he’d first made the offer, she thought he wanted something in return. After he finished laughing, he explained he was gay and she didn’t have anything he wanted.
She had been hard to convince, but she finally got the point that he simply wanted to help her out for no other reason than he was friends with her brother.
“Tell you what. You find out what we have to do to that building to renovate it. Give the blueprints to me, and I’ll make sure the others get it without guessing you gave them to me.”
Owain grimaced.
Letting his head fall back so he could look up at the ceiling, James asked, “Why are we hiding what I’m doing? I mean, I understand people have their pride, but it’s not like I’m planning on rubbing their noses in all my charity work.”
“I told you: none of them, besides Ma, will think you’re doing it out of the goodness of your heart. They’ll believe you’re doing it because you own this town. Like in the old days when the mining company owned all the land and forced their miners to pay rent. Buy all their supplies at the company store. Shit like that.” Owain held up his hand as though he knew James was about to protest. “We know it’s not like that, but, shit, Jim, your pa would have a field day if he ever found out how much you’ve helped us.”
Pharaoh walked over and rested his chin on James’s knee, then nudged his hand. “You’re such an attention whore, you silly dog. How about you go outside? We’ll go for a nice long hike tomorrow after I’m done at the mine.”
He pushed to his feet, then walked over to let Pharaoh out. Night had fallen and James sat on the steps, staring up at the bright stars. One of the things he loved about being in Willow Hollow was being able to see the constellations so clearly without a telescope. Owain joined him, leaning against him while they listened to Pharaoh race through the underbrush. Then a chorus of hounds baying rang through the night air and Pharaoh joined in.
James bumped Owain’s shoulder. “Do you think we should take Pharaoh out hunting while I’m here? He might be good at treeing coons.”
“Raccoons aren’t really the animals he was bred to hunt,” Owain reminded him.
“True, but I don’t think you have any lions around here, do you?”
“Not that I know of.” Owain tipped back his beer, draining it. “I heard Cai and my pa talking about the new safety measures you’ve had them implement. Sounds like they’re working.”
James closed his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about work right now. How’s your writing going?”
Exhaling slowly, Owain seemed frustrated. “I’m stuck. I’m at this particular scene where the protagonist has just traveled back to Georgia during the Civil War. My guy’s a modern soldier, so he understands warfare and shit like that.”
“What’s the problem, then?” James liked listening to Owain talk about his stories. He was the only one who knew Owain wrote books and had actually published a few of them.
“I don’t know. I’m trying to imagine what a Civil War battlefield would look like to him. It has to have been far more brutal than a modern one, don’t you think?”
He thought about it for a few minutes and said, “I’m not sure. I would think battle is battle and death is death. It doesn’t matter how they died. They’re dead, right? I can’t imagine cannonballs cause as much damage as rockets do.”
They were quiet for a while, letting the night sounds soothe them. James figured Owain was working what he’d said around in his mind, probably coming up with some brilliant scene—or dialogue—to describe how his main character felt about war and killing.
Pharaoh dashed up, then flopped to the ground next to the steps and chewed on some stick he’d found. James took a deep breath of fresh pine air. “I miss this every time I have to return to the city.”
“Then why go back? You could just live here. This place has everything you’d need to work from home, or if your pa had issue with it, you could work at the mine. You can go and do anything you want. Why work for your pa when you hate it?”
“See, that’s the thing. I don’t hate it. I actually like my job, but it’s not going to be my life. I have a feeling Father’s never going to retire. He’ll die behind that desk, just like my grandfather did. To be honest, I’m more interested in the people than the bottom line, which is why I’ve been fighting for the new safety measures, the better hours, and health insurance. It might be expensive to begin with, but in the end, the money we save will be worth the initial payout.”
Owain clapped him on the shoulder. “You don’t have to try and convince me, man. I grasped your explanations when you presented them to the union.”
James gathered Owain’s bottle and went back inside, his friend following him. Pharaoh remained outside, which was fine with James. He’d bring him in later on before he headed to bed.
“You tell me to stop working at something I hate, yet you still work at the mine. Your books make you enough money, you don’t have to do it anymore. Why do you?” James went to the fridge and pulled out a beer. He held it up for Owain to see and grabbed another when he nodded. “Have you even told your family that you write books?”
“No. Bronwen’s the smart one in the family. She’s the one they all expect great things from. I’m the clown. They don’t think I’ll ever amount to much, but as long as I’m pulling my weight and helping out, no one bothers me much. Hell, we all live in each other’s pockets. If I’m not at the house with Cai, we’re over at my parents. I’m shocked they haven’t figured out what I do.” Owain snorted. “Well, no one but Cai.”
James thought about Cai Rees, Owain’s older brother, and shifted as his lower body tightened. Tall, dark-haired, with surprisingly green eyes, Cai was gorgeous. A hard worker and a good shift foreman. He was levelheaded and outgoing… at least with everyone besides James. For some reason, the oldest Rees son couldn’t stand him, and he didn’t know why. As cold as Cai was with James, he seemed to care very much for his family and the rest of the people in Willow Hollow.
He’d never mentioned his attraction to Cai, not wanting to listen to the teasing since he was pretty sure he wouldn’t live it down. Thank God Owain hadn’t turned his back on James when he told him about his orientation. It helped that Cai was gay as well, so Owain already knew other gay people.
“I’m not shocked that your brother annoys you. He’s not stupid, Owain. He knows there’s more to you than you show the world. No doubt he bugs you so that one day you’ll prove everyone wrong.” James sat on the couch and smiled when Owain sat next to him.
“So we’re both not living up to our potential. Is that what you’re saying?”
Lifting one shoulder, James answered, “Not really. I do think we’re doing what we want to do, though you’d be happier writing and not going down into the mine. Unless you like working in dark, dank tunnels with the constant possibility of a ceiling or wall collapse.”
Owain shuddered. “Thank you for reminding me of my worst fear.”
“Sorry.” And he really was. Cave-ins and gas explosions were a miner’s worst fears. He knew better than to talk about it. The superstitious mountain people believed if you spoke of it, it would come true. They usually refrained from saying anything.
He reached over and rapped his knuckles against the wood of the coffee table. “There. I knocked on wood.”
“You’re a dork, my friend.” Owain gave him a fond smile. “Did you bring any good movies?”
“Oh yeah. I brought the new dinosaur one and the new Matt Damon one where he’s trapped in space.” James gestured to the pile of DVDs next to the big-screen TV. “Which one would you like to watch?”
Owain seemed to think for a moment, then sa
id, “I’m in the mood for action, so let’s go with dinosaurs. Besides, isn’t the actor in it good-looking? If you like that sort of thing.”
“You mean if you like men?” James asked, even though he knew it was what Owain meant.
His friend wrinkled his nose at him. “Yes, if you like men. I don’t get it. Women are so soft and smell good. Why would you want a hard body that smells of coal dust and sweat?”
James poked him before he got up to put the DVD in. “Not all men smell like they work in the mine, dumbass. Remember the clubs and how most of them smell pretty nice.”
“All right. You’ve got me there.” Owain snorted. “But maybe you should take Cai to a club in the city. I don’t think he’s been laid in a while. At least he won’t admit to me that he’s had sex.”
“First of all, why would he tell you that? Do you tell him every time you sleep with some woman? Second of all, hell will freeze over before your brother would willingly go anywhere with me.” He returned to the couch before picking up the remote and pushing Play. “I don’t know why he hates me so much.”
Owain leaned his head on James’s shoulder. “I don’t think he necessarily hates you, Jim. To be honest, I think he might be attracted to you, but doesn’t want to do anything about it since you’re the boss’s kid.”
Shoving Owain away a few inches, James stared at him in shock. “You’re kidding, right? Cai can barely stand to be in the same room as me, and when we are together, he has other people there to talk to me so he doesn’t have to. All the signs point to the fact he really doesn’t like me.”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you when no one else can see him. He wants your ass, my friend.” Owain wiggled his eyebrows.
“Ugh!” James let Owain’s head drop back onto his shoulder. “Watch the movie. I don’t want to talk about your brother any more. All he does is confuse me.”
The movie started. He had to admit the lead actor in the film was pretty hot, but all he could think about was Cai. Damn Owain for saying anything. Christ! I’m going to have wet dreams now. It’s going to be like when I was a teenager. Can’t wait. It’s going to be hell to be in the same room with Cai.
Yet for some reason, there was a little ray of hope in his heart at the thought that Cai might not hate him as much as he thought. Even if there was only a small possibility, James would take it. He really didn’t like the idea of anyone hating him. God, he was such a people-pleaser.
“How can she manage to run through the jungle in those heels without turning an ankle?” Owain commented. “I mean, whenever I’ve seen Bronwen in heels, she always looks as unsteady as a newborn calf learning how to walk.”
“Obviously, she’s used to heels. My thought is why the hell hasn’t she broken a heel off or something? Those are like the toughest shoes in the world.” He remembered his friend Jeanna, who loved shoes. “I know a lot of women who would love a pair of those.”
Owain snorted, but didn’t reply. They both cheered when the bad dino bit it in the end. By the time the movie was over, it was late and Owain had had a few more beers, so James offered the use of his couch.
“You know there’s like no traffic on the roads at this time,” Owain reminded him as he grabbed some blankets and a pillow. “I could make it home just fine.”
James shook his head. “But there are deer and other wild creatures that don’t understand roads and motor vehicles. They have a tendency to jump out in front of said objects, which could lead to you hitting one or driving off the road because you’re impaired.”
“Christ! Have you never driven drunk before?”
“No.” At Owain’s suspicious look, James relented. “Mostly because when I’m in a big city, I have a driver. I don’t like all the traffic. I mean, Charleston is bad enough, but trying to drive in New York gives me a migraine.”
“Oh my fucking God, you’re such a spoiled brat,” Owain slurred, falling onto the couch and letting James toss a blanket over him. “Wake me up at five. I have to get home and clean up before I report for my shift.”
James patted Owain on the head. “I will. I’m also going to send your big brother a message because you know he’s going to drive by here and see your truck.”
“Nosy bastard,” Owain muttered. “You should tell him we’re having an orgy.”
“I’m not going to prank your brother, jackass. Go to sleep.”
“Be safe,” Owain mumbled, then snored.
Frowning at the rather odd statement, James pulled Owain’s phone out of his jacket and left a message on Cai’s answering machine about where Owain was and why. He figured it would ease the overprotective big brother part of Cai. Though knowing his brother was with James probably wouldn’t make him happy at all.
“You’ve got to let it go,” James told himself as he let Pharaoh out one last time before he locked up for the night. “Not everyone is going to like you. Hell, I’m pretty sure Father doesn’t like me a majority of the time. Get a grip.”
But Cai is gorgeous. He was pretty sure the lower half of his body whined, and James headed to the bathroom. He’d take a shower and get a grip on the problem. Maybe then he’d be able to sleep without any wet dreams.
Chapter Four
WHEN CAI got up in the morning, he wandered out to the kitchen, scratching his stomach and yawning. There was a used mug in the sink and crumbs on the counter. Owain must have come home to change before going into work.
Cai checked the coffeepot to see if it was still warm. Nope. He pulled a mug out of the cupboard and filled it. After putting it in the microwave to heat, Cai opened the refrigerator and grabbed the milk. He wrinkled his nose when he sniffed it.
“Fuck! Forgot to get some more milk,” he muttered. Oh well. It wasn’t the first time he’d drank his coffee black. “I’m surprised Owain didn’t throw that out.”
He poured it out then tossed the carton into the trash. As the microwave dinged, he got his coffee and wandered out onto the back porch. His bluetick hounds, Dean and Sam, greeted him with a few swipes of their tongues.
“He let you out then forgot to make sure you were inside before he left, huh?” Cai scratched their ears. “Don’t worry. We’ll go for a run in a few. Just let me drink my coffee first.”
The dogs ran around the backyard, black ears flopping and tails held high. The morning air was crisp with a slight chill that would burn off as the sun rose. It was earlier than he usually woke when he worked second shift, but that was a good thing. Meant he could get more things on his to-do list done.
Hearing his phone ring, he jumped to his feet then raced inside to answer it. “Hello?”
“Why don’t you have a cell phone?” his ma asked.
“You know I hate those things.” He leaned against the counter, watching as Dean and Sam raced around the side of the house. He heard them barking. “Someone’s arrived, Ma. Can I call you back?”
“It’s your sister. She’s bringing you some of that roast I cooked for sandwiches. Also, Owain told me you needed some milk. I guess he forgot to grab a carton yesterday at dinner. Dilys has those and some other staples. I’ve seen your refrigerator. You and Owain haven’t gone to the store lately.” Ma didn’t sound surprised.
Cai stretched the phone cord as far as he could and gestured for Dilys to come in when she knocked on the screen door. “We haven’t gotten around to it yet, Ma. It’s not like we’re starving. We do have food.”
Ma snorted. “I swear, if I weren’t around, you and your brother would starve.”
“Hey, Cai, here’s your food delivery,” Dilys called as she shoved her way into the house. “Because she seems to think if she doesn’t fill your refrigerator, her two strapping boys will starve to death.”
“Tell her I heard that,” Ma told him.
Sighing, Cai handed the phone to his sister. “I’m not playing telephone between the two of you. Why don’t you see where she wants you to go next while I put this crap away?”
They traded the grocery bags for th
e phone and he set the food on the counter. He finished about the same time Dilys hung up. She rolled her eyes before giving him a hug.
“How’s it going, big brother? I’m glad to see you. We’re having a birthday party for Davy on Sunday after church. You’ll be able to make it, right?” Dilys squeezed his arm. “That boy is crazy about his uncle Cai.”
“Even though your husband isn’t,” Cai muttered. “I’m shocked he lets me anywhere near you and the kids.”
Dilys shrugged. “Rich knows where I stand on that. While he might have a problem with you being gay, I don’t. You’re my brother, Cai, and who you love doesn’t change it. His brother is a meth head and I keep my mouth shut about the bastard, though I don’t allow him alone around the kids.”
“Umm… it’s not the same thing, Dilys.” Cai motioned to the coffeepot. “You want some coffee? I can warm it up.”
“Thanks.” She rubbed her extended stomach. “This fourth kid is giving me fits.”
Cai patted her shoulder as he walked past. “How about I make some decaf instead?”
Wrinkling her nose in disgust, she shook her head. “No, I’ll have water, then. Decaf coffee tastes like dirt to me.”
He chuckled and got her drink, then heated up another cup for himself. Once he sat at the table with his sister, he leaned back in the chair and put his hands behind his head.
“You know I do the best I can to get him from cutting you off. To be honest, I think he’s more afraid of Ma than me, so when she tells him to let you see the kids, he does it.” Dilys sighed. “I wish it was different. Unfortunately, it is what it is.”
“I appreciate all that you and the rest of the family do to keep me from getting my ass beat to a pulp every day.” It might’ve sounded sarcastic, yet he meant it.
For the most part, he’d grown up with a majority of the townsfolk, but there were still some who didn’t like the idea of a gay man in their midst. Those people would be more than happy to take care of the problem. The only thing stopping the dissenters was that Cai’s ancestors were one of the founders of Willow Hollow, which still carried a lot of weight in the community.
