No More Tears

by Sandy Appleyard

  “Really?” I giggle.

  “Ah, he’s just joking with me, of course. But, no. Hawk doesn’t get upset easily. Especially over things like that.” He starts arranging a bag of firewood that he brought from the ranch, into a teepee in the middle of the fire pit. “Besides, he knows I needed to get out of El Paso. He knows how many times I tried to dry out, and he knows that if I’d stayed at home, I would have started drinking again. It would just be a matter of time.”

  “I think you should give yourself more credit, Grayson.” I tuck bits of newsprint from the bag in between the slats of kindling, helping him.

  “That may be so. But I don’t ever want to head down that road again. It’s an odd thing to say, but, I already feel like I’m a different person since moving here.”

  “Well, I think you are. It’s only been a short while. But you know what they say; what a difference a day makes.”

  “That’s true.”

  Grayson pulls a lighter out of the bag and lights the newsprint, watching it catch on the kindling. When a healthy flame is produced, he starts piling larger chunks of wood on the fire. As it begins crackling happily, we both sit down again. Drawing in a deep breath, taking in the beautiful scent, I say. “This is so nice. I’m really glad you thought of this.”

  “You like it, do you.” He says, placing his hand on my back. We’re sitting close enough that our legs are almost touching. He starts rubbing my back, and then massaging my neck, and I feel so at peace I could sleep.

  “You see…this…is why I think the simple life is best.” I comment. “I don’t own a television, the horses keep me exercised, and I keep all my staff under my own roof. Almost like my own little family. I don’t need contact from the outside world, just to connect with nature.”

  He grins at me. “Deep.”

  I giggle and punch him playfully on the shoulder.

  “Of course, you don’t need a television. With all the nosey neighbors and town folk, you hear just about everything by way of conversation. Heck, Lisa is like a foghorn with gossip sometimes, too. And Lloyd, well, if he doesn’t know something, there’s something wrong.”

  “This is true.” I snuffle a laugh.

  “Although, I must say, I’m surprised that my little run-in with Matty this afternoon hasn’t hit the press yet.”

  I look at him pointedly. “Your little run-in?”

  He nods.

  “What happened?” I ask, turning slightly, so that I can watch his expression easier.

  “I figure you should know, just because, well, I think you ought to lower your opinion of him just a little bit.” He pinches his finger and thumb together, and I detect irritation in his voice.

  I roll my eyes. “Trust me, Grayson. You’ve got nothing to worry about with him. He may come off strong, but he’s harmless.”

  “Laura, that boy is pure trouble. Now, I know that you’ve known him a lot longer than you’ve known me, but…I don’t go running off at the mouth about you the way that he does, in fact, I don’t know anyone who runs their mouth off about anyone like he does. There’s a thing called discretion that that boy isn’t too familiar with. Here’s hoping that after today, he’s become better acquainted with the concept.”

  My jaw drops. “What happened?”

  “Let’s just say that he had some pretty choice words to spread about you. I wiped those words out of his mouth good. Warned him about saying any more. I’m sure the clerk at Ben’s Clothing wasn’t too pleased over it.”

  I give him a warm grin. “Trying to save my honor already, are you.”

  He looks at me and searches my eyes. “I’d do anything for you, doll.” And the way that he says it, brings a lump to my throat.

  “I believe you.”

  Sliding a finger down the side of my cheek, he kisses me softly on the lips. “All this time, I never thought I’d be able to look at another woman again the way that I look at you.”

  “Time can be a wonderful thing, Grayson.”

  “I guess it can. And I guess timing is everything.”

  As he leans towards me, I feel the warmth of his lips as they reach mine. He plants a soft kiss on my mouth. The way that the fire is casting a warm glow on his face, he looks almost angelic. He’s removed his hat, and his soft little curls frame his face like a set of custom drapes made to bring out the innocence in such a clear display of masculinity. Eyes, bluer than the sky on a clear day, and lips as soft-looking across from his chiseled cheek bones as they feel against my skin. Grayson Thomas is the most beautiful man I’ve ever known.

  The night sky is a soft grey. The grassland emits a faint whisper as the evening breeze softly kisses each blade. Chirps from tiny crickets and tree frogs balance the monotonous noise of the wind. Complete darkness hasn’t befallen us yet as Chip lays beside the tent, with his snout wrapped delicately in his own paws. The horses stand happily, grazing on blades of grass, being pleasantly tickled by the warm draft. It’s the perfect night.

  Grayson’s lips meet mine once again, and then a dozen more times, before he pulls me into his lap, draping his arms around my waist. Our kisses turn hungry as his hands find the hem of my shirt and slide up my needy skin. Suddenly, it’s like I have an itch that only Grayson can scratch. With a quick motion, he pulls his shirt off and begins unbuttoning mine as I explore every inch of his abs and pecks, as if seeing and feeling them for the first time.

  As he removes my shirt, his lips are on me, trailing kisses all over my skin, as though I’m covered in sugar.

  His voice is husky with need when he says. “Let’s go in the tent.”

  I follow him inside, as he takes my hand. We remove the rest of our clothes quickly as we stand on the ready sleeping bag. Cupping the back of my neck with his hand, he draws me to him, kissing the length of my neck, as my hands skate all over his body. “Lay down.” he murmurs in my ear.

  He hovers over me, gliding his lips over mine, and with every second, I feel more of him making contact with me, until we’re joined as one. For hours, amid the crackling of the fireplace, the humming of the insects, the gurgling of the water, we make love. After little sleep, we seem to have newfound energy in our love for each other and find ourselves searching for the other’s touch time and time again. When we find our release, both of us carrying our own unique rhythm that somehow meshes into one, the cries from the tent stir something outside.

  “Chip!” Grayson barks breathlessly, turning his face away from me. “Quiet down!”

  His breathing is ragged as he breaks away from me, grabbing his pants. Chip continues to bark. “Is something wrong with him?” I ask. Then I hear the horses whinny as if someone is out there.

  “Stay here.” Grayson says, leaving the tent. I stick my head out and see him pulling his shirt over his head. He looks over at me. “Laura, I said get back into the tent.” He gestures at the fact that my breasts are exposed.

  “It’s probably a raccoon or a possum.” I say, trying to calm him. Grabbing my pants, I pull them on and grab one of the pillows to cover myself so I can grab my shirt.

  Chip barks loudly, baring his teeth. I hear a growl from him as I pull my shirt on and do up the buttons.

  “Who’s out there?” Grayson demands, raising his voice.

  Chip growls again and barks. “You better come out if you know what’s good for you.” He says, heading to the brush area a few yards away. Chip is on his feet, barking as he follows Grayson into the brush. We have a lot of animals out here, so I’m sure it’s just a fox or some other small creature.

  I hear Grayson’s boots crunching on the floor of the brush. Twigs snapping against his footsteps as he walks. The flashlight option on his cell phone beams rays of light before him, poking in and out of the area. Tempted to follow him, I pull my boots on, but by the time I reach the woods, Grayson and Chip emerge.

  “Anything?” I ask.

  “I didn’t see anything. Something was definitely running though. Had Chip
been a hound, we’d have probably found whatever was in there.”

  “The animals are probably used to wading in the water at night when we’re not around. We’re on their turf tonight.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.” He gives me a quirky smile. “All the noise coming out of that tent, whatever it was, likely thought there was another animal in there, mating.”

  I wrap my arms around his neck. “Well, we were mating.”

  His voice is low. “Yes, we were.” His lips meet mine. “Sorry if I…killed the mood. I didn’t want my girl to get attacked by some woodland creature.”

  “You didn’t kill anything, Grayson.” I kiss him again. “I’ve had a lovely time.”

  We feel droplets of rain start coming down. “Now, shoot. Where did that come from?” Grayson almost whines, looking up at the sky.

  “I don’t know. Help me get everything packed up.”

  We trot back to the campsite, and it starts to pour. Over the din, Grayson asks me. “Do you want to ride it out in the tent, or do you want to head back?”

  I wish that I’d been better prepared, with what, I don’t know, but at least with something. “If it’s okay with you, we’ll head back. Try this another night.”

  He nods as a bolt of lightning strikes, startling the horses. “Shoot! Leave all the camping gear here. I’ll put the fire out and we’ll get these beasts back to the stable.”

  As we hop on to the horses, I look towards the wooded area where Grayson and Chip went to look and see what caused the upset.

  …I could swear I see someone standing at the mouth of the brush.

  Chapter 18

  Grayson

  As much as I was reluctant to do it, Laura convinced me to move my stuff into the house with her. It’s no secret that Laura and I are together. So she easily twisted my arm. I’ve been very nicely rewarded, I must admit. Waking up next to her every morning gives me great incentive. Kissing her good morning this morning, a week after our failed campout, I ask her if she wants to give it another try tonight.

  “It’s Saturday.” She shrugs. “Sure.”

  My hand slides up her backside and she draws in a deep breath, pulling her hands up my chest. When they wrap around my neck, I gently force her on top of me, kissing her hungrily. Her naked body on mine instantly wakes all parts of me up, and things are about to get very interesting, when I hear a knock at the front door, and a female voice call from downstairs. “Laura? You up?” It’s Lisa.

  “Shit.” I whisper, hitting my head against the pillow. Another few seconds, and Lisa would have had way more to spread around town. “Don’t you ever lock your door?” I ask, under my breath, through gritted teeth.

  Laura giggles. “You’re cute when you’re sexually frustrated.” She climbs off me, yelling towards the door. “Yes, I’m up. I’ll be down in a second.”

  “I’ve got some bagels and stuff for breakfast.” Lisa calls in a singsong voice. “And your brother’s right behind me.”

  I hit the bed with my palm face down. “Jesus Christ, are we having a parade?”

  Another giggle. “It’s Saturday. It’s always like this on Saturdays.”

  “Next time, if I could please see the schedule?” I say, walking to the bathroom for a shower…a cold one. Laura follows me, hugging me from behind…naked. “A lot of help you are.” I say smiling, pulling her in front of me.

  “I’ll make it up to you later.” Laura says, gesturing towards the soaker tub next to us. “You…me…suds…that’s it.”

  “What about making love under the stars…you not up for that again?”

  “We can do that.”

  We both shower quickly, and Laura braids her hair while I shave. When we get down the stairs, the place smells like a bakery.

  Lisa hugs Laura and Lisa turns to me with a smile. “Morning, Grayson. Sorry for the coitus interruptus.”

  “There was no coitus going on.” I say, failing miserably at hiding my disappointment.

  Clint’s face is pink. “T…M…I.”

  “Oh, he’s a tiger without his Saturday morning lovin’, isn’t he.” Lisa comments.

  I’ve never wanted to hit a woman before.

  She sees the look on my face. “I’m sorry, Grayson.” She says kindly, and I realize that she’s being trite. Lisa hands me a fresh bagel. “Here.”

  “Thank you.” I tip my head.

  “I take a little getting used to. I’ll take it down a notch.” She says, and I soften.

  “A little.” Clint scoffs. “I’ve known you for as long as Laura has, and I’m still not used to you.”

  “It’s okay. I’m just a little…grouchy is all.” I add.

  “How about some freshly squeezed orange juice?” Lisa asks, and I look at Laura, expecting either one of them to tell me that the oranges are in the fridge, when Lisa hands me a glass of orange juice. “I just made it now.”

  I’ve never wanted to hug a woman before. “Wow. Thank you.”

  Laura, who is buttering bagels for me and Clint, turns around. “It’s worth it when she comes around on Saturday mornings, isn’t it?”

  I must admit. I’m converted. “Absolutely.”

  “Now, you two sit.” Lisa says. “Have I got a story to tell you.”

  “Here she goes.” Clint says, using a knowing tone.

  Pulling a chair out for Laura, I kiss her on top of her head. “Uh oh. The foghorn is at it again.” I chuckle, good-naturedly.

  Lisa is impressed with herself. “I was over talking to Julian at the clothing store.”

  Laura interrupts. “The men’s clothing store?”

  “Of course.” She shrugs.

  “What were you doing at Ben’s Clothing Store?” I ask her, knowing exactly where the conversation is going.

  “Julian said you gave Matty Herald a fat lip last week?”

  I shake my head, chuckling. Feeling a lot better now that I’ve had freshly squeezed orange juice and I’m working on a bagel. It’s not quite as sweet and fulfilling as having Laura, but if this is all I’m getting for now, I’ll take it.

  Lisa continues while Laura chows down hard on her bagel. “And just when were you planning on telling me this, Grayson?” She asks, as though she’s fully entitled to know.

  “Never.” My voice is flat. “Didn’t know there was a law.”

  “Well, everybody always tells me everything.” She says it like I should know this.

  Clint raises a finger in the air. “I don’t.”

  Laura, ignoring her brother, chimes in playfully. “Yeah, Grayson. Get with the program.”

  I smile and kiss her.

  “Anyway, Julian was telling me that Larry and Sophie Herald kicked Matty out of the house later that same day.”

  Laura cranes her neck back. “Kicked him out? What for?”

  Lisa is enjoying herself way too much. “Apparently he’s been messing with Larry’s books. Says he’s been doing it for years.” She waves.

  Laura’s face falls. “Poor Larry and Sophie. They’ve owned that lumber store since before those boys were born.”

  “Well, they did the right thing then.” I say, adding in my two cents. “I’d a done the same thing.”

  “Really? To your own flesh and blood?” Lisa probes.

  “Hell yeah.” I swear. “Kids today don’t know the difference between a hard, honest day’s work and getting things handed to them. My own father fired one of my brothers once.”

  Lisa might as well have a bag of popcorn in front of her. She looks like a horny woman watching a juicy movie at the theatre. “Really. Do tell.”

  Laura blurts out a laugh. “You two.”

  Clint is growing bored. “Hey, Lisa. You want to go out again?” He teases, trying to divert her attention.

  She looks at him like she’s not taking the bait. “Drop dead, Clint.”

  He smiles, finishing chewing on his bagel, and walks toward the mouth of the kitchen. �
�I just came over to say hello and see my sister. It’s too early for this soap opera stuff for me. I have to go to work.”

  Laura rises. “Okay, Clint. Nice to see you.” She walks over and kisses his cheek.

  Saluting him from the table, I say. “See you later, Clint.”

  “Take care, Grayson.”

  When the front door closes, Lisa is on me again like white on rice. “So…tell me.”

  I chuckle with an air of frustration. “There’s nothing to tell, really. One of my brothers needed a reality check and my daddy gave it to him. That’s all. Nothing to tell.”

  The disappointment on her face is palpable. “Well, aren’t you mister excitement.” She sighs. “I guess that’s what I get for interrupting you two love birds.”

  Laura, sensing the stalemate, speaks up. “Got any more hot gossip?”

  Lisa face brightens. She gasps. “Oh, I forgot to tell you the best part!”

  I roll my eyes.

  “Matty is missing!” She’s so pleased with herself.

  “Missing.” I repeat, like it can’t be possible. Like she’s making it up.

  Clapping her hands together, she smiles, shaking her head. “Yep. Larry and Sophie tried to get in touch with him, to bring him back, and they tried the usual spots, like The Arches, but he’s nowhere to be found. They even told the Sheriff.”

  “Well, I hope he’s okay.” Says Laura, ever the hopeful.

  “I hope he got what was coming to him.” I say. “Just why in the hell would they want to take him back?”

  Lisa shrugs. “Guess they had a change of heart.”

  “Or they were stupid enough to co-sign his loan for that car. Probably realized their faux pas. Hope he didn’t memorize any of his daddy’s credit card numbers. Matty could be halfway to Canada for all we know.”

  Laura places her hand on mine. “Matty’s not like that.”

  “Don’t be foolish, honey.” I say politely. “If he was cooking his daddy’s books, he’d do just about anything. Trust is trust. Break it and it’s gone forever.”

  “He’s right, Laura.” Lisa says. She sighs. “Well, I have spread enough joy for today.”

  “Have you got a photo shoot?” Laura asks.