Real Good Man

by Elise Whyles

  He smiled at the soft kiss on his shoulder, tugged Luke’s arm around him, and closed his eyes. He’d deal with everything later.

  Chapter 16

  “Mmm, we should do this more often.” Luke nibbled on Sean’s ear. “You’re so warm and hard. Makes getting out of bed a rather daunting task.”

  Sean laughed as he rolled over. Staring up into Luke’s gaze, he shivered at the want, the heat in it. “That may be, but then we’d get nothing done and we’d lose our jobs.”

  “It’s only the fact you’re a world-class ride that keeps me from resenting that brain of yours.” Luke groaned as he pinched Sean’s nipples. “That and the fact I know you’re right. Craig’s probably going to be calling soon. He’ll touch in once in a while, especially with a virgin in the house.”

  “Hey, I resemble that remark.” Sean slapped Luke’s hand away as he rose from the tangled sheets. He watched Luke get out of bed, his gaze locked on his toned ass as he walked to the dresser and grabbed some clean clothes. Sean grabbed a pillow as his cock stirred; the memory of how it felt buried to the hilt in that ass was enough to bring him back to life.

  “I’m gonna grab a shower, you wanna make coffee?”

  “Sure.” Sean offered a smile as Luke darted from the room, his briefs and jeans in one hand. Sean flopped back on the bed, his heart racing as he counted the thin red lines crisscrossing Luke’s back. “Damn, scratched him. Must have been good,” he muttered as the sound of the water running filled the bedroom. Rising from the bed, he threw on a pair of pants and headed for the kitchen.

  The sound of the shower echoed in the kitchen as Sean made coffee. Absently, he scratched at his chest, his gaze sliding to the view. Rolling hills covered in spruce trees wrapped in sunshine greeted him. Listening with half an ear to the radio, he sighed.

  “80 percent chance of dry lightning in the Banff area. High winds, gusting to ninety kilometers per hour.” The monotone voice crackled over the speakers.

  It looked like Luke might be working if the weather report was accurate. “Damn. Let’s hope the firebug doesn’t come out to play.”

  Inhaling the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, he opened a cupboard door and lifted down a cup. The angry peal of the phone drew his attention from the coffee. Pressing the receiver to his ear, Sean glanced down the hallway. “Hello?”

  “Is Lucas there?”

  “Uh, yeah, he’s in the shower. Can I take a message?” Sean frowned at the condescending note in the male voice on the other end of the line.

  “Who are you?”

  “Sean Tisman, I’m the conservation…”

  “Oh yes, the officer he works with. Well, regardless, you can certainly call him to the phone. Tell him I called.”

  “I will. What’s your name?”

  “Anthony.”

  Sean felt his stomach drop at the name. While Luke hadn’t gone into too many details, it had been clear he wasn’t missing his ex-lover. Which left Sean to wonder, why would he be calling now? “Is there a number…” He glanced down the hall, the sound of the shower falling away to reveal silence.

  “You don’t need my number. The man’s in the house. Call him to the phone.”

  “He may be in the office, but Luke’s indisposed at the moment. I need a number,” Sean snapped as Luke walked on bare feet into the kitchen.

  “Who is it?” Luke mouthed as he poured a cup of coffee.

  “Anthony.” Sean pressed his palm over the receiver. “Wants to talk to you.”

  Luke shook his head, a dark look crossing his face. He took the phone from Sean, his voice clipped, angry, as he spoke. “What do you want?” His shoulders tensed and knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone. “No, Tony, we don’t. I’m done. You had your chance and you blew it. No, end of discussion.”

  Pacing away from Sean, he seemed to vibrate with anger. “No. It’s not open for discussion. We’re through.” He paused and then looked at Sean.

  Sean swallowed at the guilt and shame in Luke’s gaze before he turned away. “If I wanted to fuck the entire CFL, it’s none of your business. Stay the fuck away from me.”

  “Trouble?” Sean leaned back against the counter, his gaze steady as Luke paced, slapping the phone against his palm.

  “Why can’t he take a hint? Man’s as predictable as the sunrise. Hasn’t figured out yet I was serious.” Luke shook his head and set the phone down.

  “I take it this is the ex you found in bed with someone else?”

  “Yeah, he is. Don’t worry about it at all. So. What do you say we do today?”

  “Well, might help to get some work done. There’s a weather warning for the area, may be lightning.” Sean pointed to Luke’s cluttered desktop.

  “Spoilsport. Here I was anticipating strip poker or something.”

  Sean chuckled, his unease at the one-sided phone conversation not gone, but he could manage it. “No, that was what you were hoping was happening. Come on, to work with you. Don’t have to do anything beyond monitor the storm for now.”

  Luke nodded and shuffled toward his desk, brushing against Sean’s body on the way past, his fingers tangling in the loops of his jeans before he slipped away to settle in front of his computer.

  What did you get yourself into, Sean, old boy?

  He watched Luke flip through the pages carefully, a frown drawing his eyebrows together as he checked the maps against the data Sean had already piled onto his desk. A periodic grunt and the rapid flutter of papers the only noise in the room. Heading for the coffee pot, Sean sighed. Something told him there was trouble brewing, and it had nothing to do with the coming storm.

  * * * *

  “Meddlesome kids. Don’t think I didn’t see their disgusting behavior.” Raking his knife down the narrow branch, he stared down at the building below. “Kissing, touching, ain’t right. In my day you did a man’s job, not the man. Need to get rid of them. But how? How do I get them out of here? Those two are sick, and they’re interfering with my hunting. Just ain’t right.” He glanced upward, taking in the rapidly swelling black clouds, and heaved a breath. “I’ll have to think on it a bit. Yes, yes, think on it beforehand and then I can kill them both.”

  He turned to the small black radio by his boot and sighed. Maybe his old friend would know. If not, then he’d just do what he’d done before. If they weren’t around, he could hunt all he wanted and no one would stop him. Of course, if his friend knew the bountiful bear to hunt he’d found, then he’d want in… No, it was best to do this by himself. He’d get them alone. A bullet would take care of them, and a fire would remove any traces of their existence.

  Straightening, he turned to hurry back to the dozing horse. Swinging into the saddle, he turned northward. He’d check his lines, see what he’d caught, and then he’d think on this problem. After all, how hard could it be to kill two fruits?

  Chapter 17

  With the memory fresh of the last message scrawled in the dust on the tank of the bike, Sean shifted a couple of inches away from Luke as yet another vehicle rolled into the yard. His gaze swept over the occupants of the car, every muscle on alert. He relaxed when he didn’t recognize any of them. Pasting a smile on his face, he ignored the questioning look Luke shot him. There were more important things to do than discuss his fears and doubts.

  “Luke, so glad you were willing to help us out with this.” A tall, sandy-haired man stalked across the yard, followed by a dark-haired woman and a group of children. “I am sorry we weren’t able to do this earlier this year. There were a few things we just couldn’t avoid and…”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Luke offered his hand before pulling the man into a hearty hug. “What are friends for, if not to help out. Gillian, what a pleasure it is to see you again. How are you doing?”

  “Good.” Gillian’s soft voice held a note of something Sean didn’t recognize as she glanced from him to Luke and back again. “How are you?”

  “I’m remarkably good. Jack mentioned you’d ha
d an accident. You look fantastic. I hope you’re healing up nicely.”

  “Yes, she is.” Jack pulled the woman tighter against him with a grin. “We’re getting there. So, who’s this?”

  Sean swallowed against the niggling fear as Luke turned to smile at him. He moved forward on automatic when his lover held out his hand. Tensing when he was pulled into the warmth of Luke’s body, Sean forced a smile to his lips.

  “This is Sean, my partner. He handles the animals, I handle the fires.”

  “I’ve heard you’ve had a few so far this year.” Jack offered his hand with a grin. “Jack Payle, and this is Gillian Hilliard.”

  “Yes, we have. We’ll be avoiding the areas where we’ve had fires.” Luke wrapped an arm around Sean’s shoulders and turned toward the house. His fingers brushing against Sean’s neck sent waves of heat through his body. “How long are you here for?”

  “Just today,” Gillian declared. “If all goes well, we’ll be doing a longer tour during the school year. Right now, these are kids who have special permission to be here.”

  “Well then, we’d best make sure they have a fantastic time.” Sean shrugged off Luke’s arm with a quick smile and hurried to open the door. “Be a good day for the tour.”

  “Indeed.” Luke frowned as he walked past him, the question in his gaze. Sean forced a quick grin and ushered him past; the last thing he wanted to do was explain to him the risks of being involved with him. If his father found out, it wouldn’t just be him that suffered; he’d make Luke’s life miserable and possibly harm him.

  “So who knows what communities lie within the boundaries of Banff National Park?” Sean hovered uncertainly. Amid the flurry of children’s voices and arms waving, he put a couple more inches of distance between him and Luke. It was far easier and safer than the alternative.

  * * * *

  “Who knew kids could be so much work.” Luke groaned, sinking into the overstuffed chair in the living room. “They never stopped asking questions all day. How Gillian managed is beyond me.”

  “She seems like it’s something she loves to do.” Sean leaned over the back of the chair, his fingers easing beneath Luke’s collar. A hesitant, almost uncertain note crept in his voice as he pressed closer. “Her friend was nice as well.”

  “Jack?” Luke chuckled and grasped Sean’s hand. He pulled him around the chair and tugged until he settled on the arm of the chair. “Man’s sex on legs, and he knows it, the bastard. Been teasing every gay man alive since he turned seventeen. Finally found the one; he and Gillian have been dating for a while. A few more weeks and it’s the end of the season for us and marks their seventh-month anniversary. Jack’s crazy if he doesn’t pop the question.”

  Sean chuckled. “Ah, he’s the firefighter.”

  “One and the same. She’s a historical teacher or something.”

  “Well, other than being exhausted, I have to say you handled it amazingly.”

  “Thanks.” Luke looked up at Sean. Swallowing, he shifted. “You seemed a bit off today.”

  “Off?”

  “Yeah.” The color drained from Sean’s face. “I tried talking to you but you just avoided me all day. Something wrong, babe?”

  “No, no, nothing’s wrong. Just a bit overwhelmed is all.” Sean huffed and looked away. “Not used to so many people around. Kinda got to like the way things are here, you know. The quiet, the calm. Just us.”

  With each word, doubt grew in Luke’s mind. His heart racing, he studied his lover with a careful eye. Worry and uncertainty tangled with want and need in Sean’s eyes. Stifling the sigh, Luke squeezed his hand and forced a smile. “Yeah.” He remembered all too well the response he’d gotten when he first came out; the animosity from those around him. It was just one more reason he was thankful he had Jack and Rick.

  “I’m going to grab a quick shower and then I’ll help with dinner.”

  “Sure, sure.” Sean all but ran from the room, and Luke’s heart dropped. What in the hell was going on? Why would Sean, a man who he’d thought was comfortable with his sexuality, be so odd today? There wasn’t once all day that he could point to and say, yep that’s the same old Sean I know and love… Whoa. He gulped in a huge breath. Where’d that come from, old man? You’re not in… Oh God, yes, I am.

  He’d never thought to guard against it. Sean was an office romance, something to be enjoyed … and he’d still been dealing with Tony’s betrayal. It didn’t matter, though. His heart hadn’t cared … still didn’t. He was in love with Sean, and there wasn’t anything he could do about it.

  “Damn, when did this get so complicated?” Rising, he headed for the kitchen as he pushed all thoughts of Sean’s odd behavior from his mind.

  * * * *

  The soft whimpers from the bedroom did little to soothe his nerves as Louis paced the living room. He was no closer to getting Sean home than when he’d first discovered his wayward interests. It was no longer a matter of needing assistance with the harvest; he’d hired several men to do the work. No, it was now a matter of recouping what had been lost.

  “Hello?” The familiar voice of his neighbor through the open house door drew him from his thoughts.

  “Why, Robert, what a pleasure to see you again.” Louis hurried to open the screen door. He shot a quick, furious glare over his shoulder at the closed bedroom door before pasting a smile on his face. “Come in, the wife’s just tidying up in the bedroom. She’ll be right out. Can I get you some coffee?”

  “Thank you.” Robert stepped into the house, the smell of dirt and manure swirling around his large frame. Louis stepped back. For all his hearty smiles, Robert was well known for his ferocious temper. Robert towered over him, instilling fear. It wasn’t an emotion he was fond of.

  “So what brings you by?” Louis led the way through the small house where he reached for a mug just as his wife scurried into the kitchen. All traces of her tears were gone, her dress and hair were perfect, her eyes downcast. He nodded his approval even as he made a mental note she’d need a fresh reprimand later.

  “Just stopped by after selling a hog to Henley. Was wondering how your crop had turned out.”

  “Fine, fine.” Louis settled at the table as Rose set the cups before them. He noted the faint tremble in her fingers as she set the sugar and creamer. Reaching out, he clasped her fingers, tightening his grip in warning.

  “How’s that boy of yours?”

  “Good. Working hard. He’s coming home soon.” Louis forced a smile. “Says working away from home is too hard.”

  “That’ll be a welcome relief for you and the missus.” Robert fixed his coffee with ease, offering a brief nod when Rose set a plate of cookies on the table.

  “I’d best see to the wash. If you need anything…” Rose murmured as she scurried from the room.

  “Heard your daughter’s in Calgary or some other big city. Martin’s sure upset about her leaving. Says he ain’t had a chance to see his boys in over two years.”

  “Don’t rightly know what happened there.” Louis shrugged. “I expect she’ll be home before too long. Living beyond the community is a lot harder than kids figure. Be glad to have ’em both home.”

  “I’m sure you will.” Robert sipped at his coffee. “Heard something I’m not sure you’re aware of.”

  “Oh?” Louis tensed, his mind racing. What had he heard? He hoped it wasn’t anything to do with what was out back of the barn. Or had he heard about…

  “Yep, heard Marcia’s married. Expecting a young one too. Spoke to her pa the other day; he was sure happy with how things turned out. Saddened a bit by the break between you, but overall he’s happy his daughter’s made a good match.”

  “She always was a smart girl. If only she’d waited, Sean just needed to blow off some steam. He’ll be home to stay soon and then, well, I hope, he’ll wed. Needs an heir.”

  Robert nodded slowly, his dark gaze steady. A frown tugged his thick brows together before he shrugged aside whatever thought he’d
had. Leaning back in his chair, he sighed. “Well, it’ll be good to have kin home. Family’s important.”

  “That it is,” Louis agreed as Robert rose to his feet.

  “I’ll see myself out. You take care. We’ll see you at the meeting on Saturday?”

  “Yes, we wouldn’t miss it.” Louis watched him until he was out the door. The soft click of it latching seemed loud in the silence. He stood, the chair scraping over the worn flooring beneath it. Leaving his cup on the table, he reached for his belt as he headed down the hallway.

  “Rose, you get your worthless self in here,” he hollered, slamming the bedroom door open. A second later, Rose appeared, her eyes downcast, face pale, as she hovered in the doorway. “How you disgrace me so! Hiding away when there was a guest as though you were ashamed.” Louis roared, the belt swinging over his head.

  Chapter 18

  Luke rubbed at his jaw, the scratch of stubble beneath his palm a welcomed distraction from his thoughts. With mixed emotions, he watched a vanload of tourists heading for town. They’d arrived for a tour around noon, and he’d spent the entire afternoon watching Sean walk on eggshells.

  It was as if his lover didn’t want or need him. Every attempt to touch him or even look at him had been met with a distant, vacant response. There had been more distance between them than when they’d first arrived, and he had to admit it hurt. Sean hadn’t said more than three words that weren’t work-related all day, or at least, since the tour had arrived. Luke sighed, pain dragging through him as Sean gathered paperwork from his desk. Every moment was precise, as if he wanted to tidy, but there was a stiffness there belying the mundane.

  What the hell was going on? He’d noticed it more and more in the last few weeks: every time someone showed up, Sean pulled away. Was he ashamed? Or was the newness of the relationship making him uneasy? This late in the season, was the reality of what he’d done sinking in? Had Sean decided he didn’t want him, didn’t want to be involved with a man? Determined to uncover the truth, Luke headed for the bedroom.