by Carol Lynne
“I didn’t know that.”
“No one does, not even Garron.” He opened his door. “And I hope he never does because he’s told me about a million times how special it was to him.”
“I won’t say a word,” Rawley said.
Sonny got out and stood in front of the door. “I know this is supposed to be a brother bonding-session, but I think I’m bonded out for the day. Think it’d be okay if we called Garron and see if he’d like a tenderloin?”
“I don’t mind at all, but if he comes you won’t be able to have your beer,” Rawley reminded.
Sonny grinned. “I suppose he’s worth giving up a beer for.”
* * * *
Bright and early Saturday morning, Ryker honked as he pulled up with a trailer hooked to the back of his truck. “I heard it was tree day.”
Garron stared at the sparkling green Polaris Ranger quad sitting atop the trailer. “Holy shit, that’s a thing of beauty.”
Ryker joined Garron at the door of the barn. “Where’s Sonny?”
Garron glanced over his shoulder. “Sonny, come on out here.”
Sonny set down the pitchfork and stepped out of the barn. “What’s goin’ on?” When he got within sight of the Ranger, he stopped and whistled. “Wow.”
“Glad you like it because it’s your Christmas present from my family, Rawley and Jeb,” Ryker announced, sliding the ramps out on the trailer.
Sonny shook his head. “No. No. That’s way too much.”
“Too bad. We’ve been planning it for months, so I’m not taking it back.” Ryker climbed on up and eased the Polaris off the trailer. “There’s a few attachments that I have to go back to the house for. Go ahead and get a feel for it, and I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Garron waited for Ryker to get back in the truck and pull out before addressing a stunned-looking Sonny. “Well, what do you think?”
“Did you know about this?” Sonny asked, opening the cab attachment door. He sat behind the steering wheel of the utility vehicle and looked around at the interior.
“Yeah. Rawley asked me about it last summer.” Garron climbed into the passenger seat. “They were talking about a Gator, but I told them I liked the safety harness on the Polaris better, plus the roll bar.”
“Do you have any idea how much something like this costs? You could damn near buy a pickup.” Sonny turned the key and began to fiddle with the stereo.
“I know, but I also know they paid wholesale for it. Some guy they do business with at the feedlot owns a dealership in Lincoln. They wanted you to have a little more freedom around the ranch.” Garron had suspected Sonny would put up a fuss about the extravagant gift, so he’d already prepared the explanations.
“Are you telling me that you won’t let me drive the pickup but you’ll let me drive this?”
“On the ranch, absolutely.” Garron reached either side of him and slid into the harness. He fastened the upgraded seatbelt. “Buckle up and let’s take it for a test run down the drive.”
Sonny made no move to put on his safety harness. “Is this like a motorized wheelchair for a washed-up cowboy?”
“Nope, it’s a very nice gift that any cowboy would love to have. Just be grateful, and stop reading so much into it.” Garron grabbed the right strap of the harness and settled over Sonny’s shoulder. “Remember, though—I get to play with it, too.”
Sonny smiled for the first time and nodded. “As long as you’re careful with it. No donuts in the pasture.”
“Sure,” Garron agreed.
Chapter Five
Garron stood in front of the fireplace waiting. They should’ve been out of the house and on their way to Ryker and Ranger’s over twenty minutes ago, but, as usual, Sonny was running late.
It had taken Garron a long time to come to terms with being late everywhere they went, but he’d become used to it. He’d also learned that it didn’t do any good to yell about it or try to hurry Sonny along, so he continued to stare at the lopsided Christmas tree while he warmed his ass by the fire.
“Almost ready,” Sonny said, rushing from the bedroom into the kitchen. “If you wanna pull the truck around and load the presents that would be good.”
Garron didn’t move. He’d wait another ten minutes before warming the pickup. He knew part of Sonny’s problem was nerves. In less than twenty-four hours, he would check into the hospital. Garron felt damn scatterbrained himself, so he couldn’t imagine how Sonny was dealing with it.
Sonny walked back into the room and stopped when he noticed Garron. “What’re you doing? We’re going to be late.”
“We’re already late.” Garron glanced back at the tree. “Do you think it would help if we turned it about forty-five degrees?”
“What? No. The back has, like, four branches.” Sonny shook his head and started out of the room again. “Load the truck!”
“Sure thing, boss.”
The tree was probably the worst one they’d ever cut, but Sonny had chosen it because of its imperfections and proximity to the ranch. He hadn’t said it, but Garron had a strong feeling that Sonny didn’t want to go through the empty pastures on the way to the wooded area of the ranch. Selling the cattle had been harder on Sonny than he’d admitted, but the truth was obvious to Garron.
Several minutes after getting yelled at, Garron went outside and stopped on the top step of the porch. It had begun to snow, but the weathermen hadn’t predicted it would be enough to cover the ground. Still, it was pretty.
Garron tilted his head back on the way to the truck, trying to catch one of the big fat flakes with his tongue. He loved winter. Hell, he loved all the seasons, but winter held always held a certain magic for him.
After loading the truck, Garron sat inside and blasted the heater for another fifteen minutes with no sign of Sonny. “Shit.”
Going back inside, Garron stopped on the mud rug. “You almost ready?”
When he received no answer, he became concerned. With his boots still on, he headed straight for the bedroom. He found Sonny sitting on the edge of the bed, staring off into space.
Garron moved over to sit beside him. “What’s going on?”
“It happened again, but I’m okay now,” Sonny mumbled.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve been in here for you.” Guilt settled heavily on Garron’s shoulders.
“You shouldn’t have to follow me around twenty-four-seven.” Sonny took a deep breath before getting to his feet. “Let’s go.”
It was on the tip of Garron’s tongue to suggest they stay home, but it was Christmas Eve and not only did Sonny need to be around his family, but they needed to be around him. “I’ll get your coat.”
* * * *
The front of Ranger, Ryker and Lilly’s stone and timber home dripped with swag and white lights. “It’s gorgeous,” Sonny said in awe, grabbing two big sacks of presents. He still felt funny not bringing food, but Ranger had said they had it all taken care of. Since Lilly wasn’t allowed to be up on her feet, Sonny wasn’t sure what their dinner would consist of, but he hadn’t argued. It was the first time the family had hosted the party, so he’d let them have their way.
Loaded with several gift-wrapped boxes, Garron shut the pickup door with his hip and stared up at the decorations. “They sure did it up right.”
The front door opened, and Ranger hollered out, “You need help?”
“Nope, we got it,” Sonny answered, climbing the steps.
“Good, I didn’t want to put on boots anyway.” Ranger held the door for Sonny and Garron.
The inside was just as beautiful as the outside.
“When did you find time to do this?” Sonny asked.
“We do it every year. You just never come over anymore,” Ryker said, walking into the vaulted great room.
“That’s because I know how much you like your privacy.” Sonny carried the sacks over to the twelve-foot tree. He sat down and accepted the wrapped boxes from Garron. “Thanks.”
Garron bent
down and gave Sonny a kiss before leaving him to arrange the gifts. “You want something to drink?”
“I’ll get something when I’m done.” Sonny looked up at Ranger. “Where’s Lilly?”
“In the kitchen.” Ranger held out his hand to help Sonny to his feet.
“I thought she was on bed rest?” A wave of dizziness hit Sonny when he stood, but he managed to hide it from the all-seeing eyes of his brothers.
“Tell her that. We keep chasing her out, and she manages to sneak her way back in.” Ranger shrugged. “We decided it was less stress on her to just leave her alone about it.”
Jeb came into the room, a cookie in one hand and a beer in the other. “Hey.” He set down the bottle and shoved the entire cookie into his mouth before throwing his arms around Sonny. “Merry Christmas.”
Sonny hugged Jeb back. He’d been meaning to talk to Garron’s brother for the last several days but hadn’t been able to find the time or the nerve. Before he could pull Jeb away from the rest of the people in the room, Rawley came over and wrapped an arm around Jeb’s waist.
“Merry Christmas, baby brother.” Rawley leaned toward Sonny and placed a kiss on his cheek. Weird.
“Merry Christmas.” Sonny grinned at his brother’s tight white, silk-blend, long-sleeved shirt. “New shirt?”
Rawley narrowed his eyes at Sonny. “It was a gift from Nate, Ryan and Rio, so shut the fuck up.”
Yeah, Sonny could definitely see their friend, Nate, picking it out. He was certain Rio and Ryan had nothing to do with it. “Nice.”
“You’d better think so because they sent gifts for you and Garron, too,” Rawley informed Sonny.
“Oh, excellent.” Sonny stared at his brother’s chest—sick, yeah, but he couldn’t believe what he saw. “Are your nipples pierced?” He wasn’t used to seeing Rawley in something so tight and sheer.
Jeb ran a hand over Rawley’s chest. “Those are my Christmas present.”
“Did they come from Nate, too?” Sonny asked, chuckling.
“No, a guy in Lincoln,” Rawley answered with a straight face.
Sonny shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day when my older brother would let his freak flag fly.”
“Leave him alone.” Jeb rested his head against Rawley’s shoulder. “I love it, and he did it for me.”
Sonny held up his hands. “I won’t say another word, freak boy.”
“Sonny,” Rawley warned, his voice dropping even lower.
Garron strode into the room with Rachel perched on his shoulders. “What’s going on?”
Sonny gestured to Rawley’s chest. “He got his nipples pierced.”
“Excellent. You’ll love ’em,” Garron said with genuine approval.
Garron had pierced his nipples years ago, and although Sonny did love the way they looked and felt on his tongue, he still couldn’t reconcile Rawley having them. The thought of Jeb tugging and sucking on them was enough to make his stomach turn. “I’m outta here.”
Sonny left the group and entered the kitchen. Lilly was sitting on one of the bar stools with her feet propped up on the one next to her.
He stopped and kissed her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Momma.”
Lilly rubbed her stomach. “Back at ya, Uncle Sonny.”
Being nosy, Sonny walked over and opened the oven. “Crowned rib roast?”
“Yep, it’s Ryker’s specialty,” Lilly replied.
“Beef, I hope.” Sonny shut the oven, truly impressed.
“Of course, it’s the best,” Ryker said, coming into the room.
“You guys talking about me?” Ranger asked, joining them at the island.
Lilly rolled her eyes at Sonny before smiling up at Ranger. “Of course we are. You’re always the topic of conversation when you’re out of the room.”
“I figured.” Ranger gave Lilly a kiss before kissing her pregnant belly. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’m good,” Lilly answered.
“What about you?” Ranger offered Sonny, opening the fridge.
“Yeah, grab me a beer.” Sonny held out his hand.
“Garron’s in the next room,” Ranger reminded Sonny.
Since the earlier seizure, Sonny had done his best to hold onto the holiday spirit, but enough was enough. “I’ve already had my seizure for the day, so just give me the damn beer.”
Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and turned eyes on Sonny.
It was Lilly who finally spoke. “When?”
“Just before we left the house. So you see, the meds aren’t doing me any good right now, anyway.” Sonny unconsciously rubbed at the healing cut on his forehead. “Please.”
After a short, sharp nod, Ranger retrieved a bottle of beer and set it in front of Sonny. It was obvious he didn’t feel good about giving in to him, but at least he seemed to recognize Sonny’s reasoning.
“Garron!” Sonny yelled toward the great room.
Garron walked into the kitchen. “Yeah?”
“I’m having a beer with my brothers,” Sonny informed his husband, trying to lessen Ranger’s guilt and worry.
Garron stared at Sonny for a brief moment. “Okay, I think I’ll join you.”
* * * *
After a fantastic dinner and opening an impressive amount of gifts, Garron relaxed on the sofa with Rawley and closed his eyes. Sonny was upstairs putting Rachel to bed while the others tried to find a spot in the playroom for all Rachel’s new toys. “Those playhouse blueprints Sonny drew up are damn ambitious.”
“Yeah, but we’re all pretty good with our hands.” Rawley said. “Besides, we’ve got two or three years before it needs to be finished.”
They were silent for several minutes before Rawley spoke again. “I’ve been going back and forth with something that I think I need to tell you.”
“What?” Garron opened his eyes and looked at Rawley.
“Sonny confessed to me that he doesn’t remember your wedding, but he doesn’t want you to know.”
Garron was stunned. Although he and Sonny didn’t talk about their wedding often because of what had come afterwards, he had seen Sonny looking at their album of the day on quite a few occasions. He couldn’t imagine what he’d do without the memories that had carried him through the hard times. “I’m glad you told me.”
“Sonny’ll probably never forgive me for telling you, but I talked it over with Jeb, and he agreed that I should say something to you about it.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let on that I know.” Garron silently made a vow to himself. Once Sonny was through the surgery, Garron was going to replace all the happy memories that his husband had lost.
Sonny and Jeb came down the staircase with Ryker right behind them. “Although Rachel didn’t say it, I could tell that I read Green Eggs and Ham better than anyone else,” he taunted.
Garron rolled his eyes. “That’s only because you’re the only one who likes to read that book.”
“You’re just jealous,” Sonny said, dropping onto Garron’s lap. “You about ready to go? I think Lilly’s had enough merriment for one day.”
“Yep. I need to get you home. Santa’s coming.” Garron hugged Sonny before pushing him up to his feet.
“Good. I’ve got a surprise for you, too.” Sonny moved over to give Rawley a hug. “Lunch tomorrow, right?”
“Yep. We’ll be over around noon,” Rawley confirmed.
“Cool. Nothing fancy, just Mom’s fried chicken,” Sonny reminded his brothers.
“I’m sure we’ll choke it down okay.” Ryker handed Garron and Sonny their coats.
“Kicking us out? How rude.” Sonny punched Ryker on the arm.
“Yeah, well, Ranger and I’ve planned a little show for Lilly, so I’d like to get to it,” Ryker explained.
Sonny wrinkled his nose. “Stop right there.” He shivered dramatically as if trying to shake the image of his brothers together. “Let’s go, Garron.”
“Right behind you.” Garron shook everyone�
��s hands before following Sonny out to the pickup. “So, what kind of surprise do you have for me?”
Sonny buckled his seatbelt. “If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise. Let’s just say it’s something to wear and leave it at that.”
Garron thought of the silky underwear Sonny had made him wear before they were married. “For who to wear, you or me?”
“Me.” Sonny reached over and rubbed the crotch of Garron’s jeans.
When Sonny pulled back, Garron protested. “Don’t tease him or you’ll get nothing but coal for Christmas.”
“Just making sure he’s still working before I go to all the trouble of dressing up for you when we get home.”
“Now who’s teasing?” Garron headed home. Luckily, it was only a few miles away because he couldn’t wait to wrap himself around Sonny. It could very well be their last night together for several days…or, God forbid, longer…
Nope, he refused to follow that particular train of thought. Enjoy the moment, he reminded himself.
* * * *
Sonny couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he stared at his reflection in the full-length bathroom mirror. The x-rated Grinch costume had taken him weeks to make, but he knew the expression on Garron’s face when he saw it would be worth it. “You ready?”
“I’ve been ready since we left the party,” Garron complained.
Sonny threw open the bathroom door and stepped into the bedroom. “Ta da!”
Garron’s jaw dropped. “What the hell…?”
Sonny smiled and lifted the Santa coat, exposing the modified green body of the costume underneath. With a hole cut in the fabric for his cock to swing free, he flashed Garron. “And watch this.” He turned around and showed him the cut-out in the back, leaving his ass completely on display for Garron’s gaze and touch.
“I’m speechless.”
Sonny glanced over his shoulder. “Awesome, right?”
Naked, Garron sat up and ran his hand down his face. “I hafta say, in all my years of watching The Grinch, never once did I fantasize about fucking him.”
