by J. P. Bowie
“Oh, my God.” Blake couldn’t help but laugh at his friend’s story.
“Anyway, Wesley wouldn’t get out of the bed and I wouldn’t get back in, so John and I did it on the couch.”
“Carefully, I hope.”
“Of course, Mother. We had to raid Wesley’s stash ’cause John ran out.”
“What? How many times did you…? Never mind, your smug expression says it all. Go shower—and scrub well, young man.”
Duncan dropped his shorts and wiggled his plump ass at Blake. “Oh, what time are we meeting Jordan?”
Blake glanced at his watch. “In about an hour, so hop to it. I want to shower too then get some breakfast.”
* * * *
Jordan marveled at just how well the Seven Plus was run. There was fresh coffee brewing again in the common room when he passed through. Stu was talking with a young Hispanic woman holding a vacuum cleaner and she smiled at him as he poured himself a cup.
“This here’s Jordan,” Stu told her. “Jordan, this is Maria.”
This was the first time he’d seen any of the cleaning staff. He knew they had to be around, as the place was always clean and tidy. Even his room had been straightened and his bed made when he’d got back after the barbecue.
“Buenas dias, Señor Jordan,” the woman greeted him.
“Buenas dias. Cómo estás?” He tipped his hat at her. He’d picked up some Spanish on the circuit. Loads of Hispanics worked the rodeos in California, so it was almost a necessity.
Maria smiled “Muy bien, gracias. You are new cowboy?”
He grinned. “Old cowboy really, but new here.” He turned when the door opened and Seth, all smiles as usual, barged in. “Mornin’, Maria, Jordan, Stu. Mike had an early mornin’ call and didn’t make coffee. I may sue for divorce for that breach of our marriage contract.”
Jordan laughed. “You couldn’t make coffee?”
“Yeah, but this is better.” Seth poured himself a cup. “Maria is the coffee queen around here. Gracias, Maria.”
Maria giggled and went back to her vacuuming as Jordan, Stu and Seth left. “You have the teachers again today?” Seth asked.
“Yeah. I’m taking them out on the trail this morning. What about you?”
“I’m helping Stu and Clint with the Canadians,” Seth told him. “They seem like a nice group of guys. Mighty different from the Texans…well, that Wesley guy, anyway. Man, he just can’t keep his hands to himself. And that performance last night. Shit. Just as well Royce is so good with the ones that get out of hand.”
“I hear you. I think Royce has hypnotic powers. It felt like Wesley was trying to climb up me, then he just wilted when Royce took his arm.” They were laughing when they ran into Blake and Duncan exiting the guests’ diner.
“’Mornin’, men,” Jordan greeted them. “All set for some real riding?”
“You bet,” Duncan said with enthusiasm.
“It was nice talking with you and Mike last night,” Blake told Seth. “Your husband is a really nice guy.”
Seth nodded. “That he is, even if he was a tad neglectful this morning.”
“He didn’t make Seth’s coffee this morning,” Jordan explained. “A major mistake according to Seth, despite the fact Mike had an early morning call and just didn’t have time to make Seth’s coffee.”
“Then you should have been making his coffee, Seth,” Duncan exclaimed. “The poor guy. Bad enough he had to leave his cozy bed at the crack of dawn, but you sent him off coffee-less, into the cold morning mist!”
Seth gaped at Duncan while Jordan and Stu burst out laughing. “Your face,” Jordan chortled. It took Seth a second or two to realize Duncan was joking.
“Jeez, for a moment there I thought you were serious. Cold morning mist? There wasn’t any!”
When they got to the stable, Clint was already there with three young men Jordan recognized as the Canadians he’d met at the barbecue. “Mornin’, guys,” Clint sang out. “Y’all met Kyle, Clyde and Marty? They’re from Vancouver.”
Everyone said hi then Jordan took Blake and Duncan over to Midnight’s and Bonney’s stalls. “Okay, you’re gonna saddle up this morning. I’ll just watch and only say somethin’ if you look uncertain. But of course you can ask me anytime if you’re unsure. Okay?”
“Okay,” Blake and Duncan answered in unison then got to it.
Jordan watched Blake’s sure, almost graceful movements while he checked out Midnight’s coat, stroking the animal and talking softly to him. Jordan had always had an affinity with horses, and for him there was nothing quite so beautiful as seeing a man or a woman loving on a horse. Nothing kinky about it, he’d once told a guy at the rodeo when he’d mentioned how he felt and the guy had given him a wide-eyed stare. He’d seen a photograph of a young Native American kissing his horse’s muzzle, his arms wrapped around the animal’s head. Even in the glossy picture, Jordan had seen their connection and when he’d owned his own horse, Pinto, he’d felt that way. The saddest day of his life was when Pinto had died, so suddenly, of lung hemorrhage.
They’d been out riding the day before and Pinto had seemed just fine, not even breathing heavily, and the next day he was dead. There had been no words of solace from Grant, no sign that the man had felt anything at all. Jordan was alone with his grief and his resentment toward Grant had grown just a little more intense. Jordan sighed. It seemed that even when he tried to remember the good things in his past, they always ended up being tainted by Grant’s negative influence on his life.
“How’s that, Jordan?” Blake’s pleasant voice helped push away the shadows of those dark memories and he stepped forward to inspect Blake’s efforts.
“Good,” he said. “Real good.” He squeezed Blake’s shoulder gently. “You’re a good student, for a teacher.”
Blake returned his smile, their eyes met and Jordan felt a tightness in his chest. Blake’s eyes were just altogether too beautiful. Jordan turned away quickly to inspect Duncan’s work. “Not bad, Duncan,” he said after clearing his throat. “You can still go tighter on the girth strap. You don’t want the saddle slipping when you’re up there. Remember what Andy said, Bonney’ll let you know if she’s uncomfortable.”
They led the horses out of the stable and were about to mount when Duncan’s name was called and John came rushing toward them. “Couldn’t let you go without saying goodbye,” John said, sweeping Duncan into his arms and kissing him on the mouth.
“Wow…” Duncan looked dazed. “That was some goodbye. Don’t forget to text me when you get home.”
“I won’t forget, and I’ll keep in touch.” Another kiss and John sped off.
“Wonder why Wesley didn’t come say goodbye,” Blake said.
“He wasn’t looking too good this morning,” Duncan told him.
Jordan didn’t ask how Duncan knew that. What the guests did was none of his business, as long as they didn’t cause trouble. “Okay, let’s mount up and be on our way. If you have any problems when we’re on the trail, just holler.”
Parker had shown him the gate they used to get on the trail. He dismounted to open it up, then closed it once Blake and Duncan had passed through. Like Parker had told him, the terrain wasn’t rough, but there were passages through thick overhanging tree branches that darkened the trail. Once clear of the trees, the vista opened up to long stretches of grassland and to the west pastures where cows grazed in seeming contentment. Above them rose the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, some still capped with traces of snow.
“Wow, it’s beautiful out here,” Blake remarked. “Does this land belong to Royce and Parker?”
“Royce’s dad owns most of this, I understand,” Jordan replied. He was riding Lady behind Blake and Duncan so he could keep an eye on them and correct any bad habits or difficulties they might encounter on their first long ride. Could he help it if Blake became the center of his attention? Duncan was cute, but too boyish for Jordan’s taste. Blake was more the man, and definitely Jordan’s typ
e, but more importantly, the complete polar opposite of Grant. Not that it matters, he told himself.
There was no way he could show more than just a friendly interest in Blake. He hadn’t forgotten that the Seven Plus contract he’d signed expressively forbade any sexual contact between guests and employees. In addition, Blake would be gone at the end of the week. Back to San Francisco and his school, his students and his friends. In another week or so, Jordan would be forgotten, regardless of how close they became as friends while Blake was here. How much friendship can you create in four days anyway?
It was foolish of him to lust after the teacher. Foolish, and if he crossed the line, the end of his job after less than a week. Yep, better pull your horns in, Hendricks. It didn’t make Jordan any less horny watching Blake’s enticing ass sway in the saddle in front of him, or when he’d turn to look back at Jordan and give him one of those charming and sexy smiles. The guy was a sweetheart, and Jordan found it amazing that he didn’t have a boyfriend either with him on this trip or waiting for him at home.
He was only halfway listening to Duncan’s constant chatter. Man, that boy could talk. It amused him that Blake’s answers were pretty much one word or the occasional nod. From what he could gather, Duncan was extolling the sexual prowess of John, the guy who had swooped in for a goodbye kiss earlier. Blake turned to look at Jordan, and gave him a very pronounced eyeroll.
“You guys like to take a break?” he called out.
“Please,” Blake replied, reining in Midnight. “My butt’s still tender from yesterday.”
Duncan whispered something Jordan didn’t catch, but he figured it was lewd from the slap Blake delivered to Duncan’s arm. “Okay, we’ll stop by that bunch of trees. Should get some shade while we have lunch.”
“You brought lunch?” Duncan stared at him in surprise.
“All part of the deal, Duncan. A lunch will be provided on all rides off the ranch.”
“He doesn’t bother to read the itinerary,” Blake said, dismounting. He led Midnight to the side of the trail and spent a few moments stroking the horse’s muzzle and telling him what a good horsey he was.
Jordan chuckled, but he appreciated that Blake had developed a fondness for Midnight, even though their relationship would be a short one. Over the years he’d seen horses loved, and some sorely mistreated. For him, it was the measure of the man, or woman, that showed in the way they treated their horses.
“That’s a beautiful saddle, Jordan,” Blake said, running his fingers over the fine leather.
“Thank you.” Jordan inhaled the scent of the man standing so close to him. Everything about Blake called to him and he cursed the manner in which they’d met. But what were the chances they’d ever have come across each other outside of this situation? The dude ranch, he the trainer, Blake the guest. He didn’t think Blake was really the type to have attended any of the rodeos Jordan had competed in. Nope, this was one of those chance meetings destined to come to nothing…and he’d better remember that, and get used to it.
With Blake’s help, Jordan unbuckled the saddlebags that contained the coolers housing the water bottles and sandwiches prepared by the ranch staff. They settled at the base of a large tree and Jordan passed around the water and wrapped sandwiches.
“This is great,” Duncan enthused, biting into his ham and cheese roll. “I haven’t had a picnic lunch since Ca—” He paused and went a little red in the face. “Since, oh, I can’t remember when.”
Blake met Jordan’s gaze and shook his head slightly. “This is nice,” he said. “Sore butt be damned.” He laughed lightly, a pleasant sound Jordan enjoyed hearing.
“I bet they have something you can smooth on,” Jordan said. “Some kind of astringent.”
“Smoooth on…” Duncan ran his tongue over his lower lip. “Sounds kind of sexy, eh, Blake?”
“You and your one-track mind,” Blake muttered.
“You have a boyfriend, Jordan?” Duncan asked, ignoring Blake’s comment.
“Nope. Can’t say I do.” He didn’t miss the sly look Duncan threw at Blake.
“Have you had a boyfriend?”
“Nosy much?” Blake glared at his friend.
Jordan chewed thoughtfully. He could lay the story of Grant on them and watch them freak out. Then again they might think he was making it up or exaggerating the truth.
“He wasn’t what I’d call a boyfriend, exactly,” he said finally.
“What d’you mean?” nosy asked
“Well, for one thing, he was quite a bit older than me, so boy really didn’t fit.”
“Semantics.” Duncan waved a hand dismissively. “He was male, right? Therefore, boyfriend.”
Jordan chuckled. “Okay, so yes, I guess I had a boyfriend.”
“What was he like? Where is he?”
“Jesus, Duncan, cut it out.” Blake shot Jordan a look of apology. “Stop with the nosiness.”
“I’m not being nosy, just interested,” Duncan huffed. “And what do you want to talk about? Certainly not boyfriends.”
“Maybe something a bit more mature?”
Duncan sighed dramatically. “We’re on vacation, Blake. We’re supposed to be having a good time.”
“I am having a good time. I just don’t think you should be digging into Jordan’s personal life, or anyone’s for that matter. How would you like it if we started talking about ‘he who must never be mentioned again on pain of death’?”
Jordan laughed. “Wow. Now that sounds like an interesting story.”
“Well, it’s not,” Duncan snapped. “Not interesting at all.” He jumped to his feet. “Where do we put the trash?”
“I’ll take it,” Jordan said. “Sorry if I upset you.”
“You didn’t.” Duncan gave him a bright smile. “Water under the bridge, Jordan. Stagnant by this time, I should think.”
Chapter Five
Jordan was stepping out of the shower when he heard a tap at his door. Wrapping a towel around his hips, he opened the door and peeked out. It was Seth. He opened the door wider.
“Hey, me and Mike fancy Italian tonight if you’d like to join us? There’s a cool place this side of Sacramento, so it’s not far. What d’you say?”
“Yeah, that’d be good. Love Italian.”
“Excellent. We’ll pick you up in about an hour. Okay?”
“See you then.” Jordan smiled after closing the door. He liked Seth. An uncomplicated guy and one he figured would be a good friend. There hadn’t been anyone he could call ‘friend’ apart from Jed…and Paul. Paul was his brother, but he still considered him a friend. Which reminded him. He’d promised his mother he’d get in touch with Paul. He finished drying off and slipped on a pair of boxer shorts.
Paul sounded surprised to hear his voice. “Mom said she’d talked to you, but I thought you might be too busy with your new job. How’s it going?”
“Real good. Nice bunch of people, even gave me a horse of my own. Long as I’m working here, of course.”
“That’s good, but how are you really, Jordan?”
“I’m okay…when I don’t think about the bastard. At least here I have enough to keep my mind and body occupied. Have you been to see him?”
“They wouldn’t let me in last time I went there. Said he was having a bad day. Can’t say I felt sorry for him. Far as I’m concerned, the son of a bitch should never have another good day long as he lives.”
Jordan held that same opinion and loved his brother for being so supportive and caring. If it hadn’t been for Paul, Jordan might be dead now. The final confrontation with Grant had been so ugly that if a neighbor hadn’t called Paul, who had then called the police on his way over to Jordan’s house, Jordan might not have survived.
“That doesn’t make us bad people, Jordan,” Paul said, filling the silence that had fallen between them.
“I know it doesn’t. The bad guy’s locked up, for his own good, and ours too. It’s just that every time I think about him, I feel lik
e it was my fault, that if I’d done something sooner, not let him get away with so much shit, it would’ve stopped long before it did.”
“Jordan, you and I both know it wasn’t your fault. Grant was—is nuts. Slipping drugs into your food and drink so you couldn’t leave, couldn’t fight back, so he could take advantage of you whenever he wanted, under the pretense of you and him being partners. I know you said you couldn’t remember most of what he did, but the marks on your body were proof enough.” Paul sighed. “You still have the nightmares?”
“Not so much. I think this job will help me get myself together. It’s a whole different world here, Paul. Good people, the owners are fairly young and forward thinking. Everybody likes them as bosses, which, you’ll no doubt know, is unusual. Maybe you could come visit?”
“I’d like that, but if you get the time off, come visit Mom and me here. Let her see you’re doing good.”
“I will.”
“Okay, li’l bro.” Paul chuckled quietly. “Good talking to ya. Take care and stay in touch. Okay?”
“Yes. Love you, Paul.”
“Love you, too. Bye, now.”
“Bye.” Jordan sank back into the recliner with a sigh. He thanked God he had a brother like Paul. Anyone else would probably have screamed at him for staying with Grant after the first time he’d struck him. Jordan had told himself Grant hadn’t meant it. He had been drunk and upset and Jordan had just been in the way. It wouldn’t happen again. But it had happened again…and again. Someone on the circuit with him had asked why he let Grant hit him.
‘You’re not a wimp, at least you don’t look like one. You’re tall and built. Put the mofo down once and for all and he won’t come near you again. You stand there taking it, it just incenses him more.’
That was back when Jordan had still loved Grant. Had seen in him the father he’d never had. How could he have hurt the man he’d looked up to, had almost worshiped? He’d been kind and supportive. How could Jordan have ever known that all Grant had wanted was the adulation…and the money Jordan had made as a rodeo star? Seth had said he’d seen him in the magazines. For a while, there’d been pictures of him in almost every issue of Rodeo Rider magazine. He’d been big, and he’d been good, and he could’ve gone on for more years if Grant hadn’t crushed his knee and broken his thigh bone under the wheels of his motorbike.
