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Albie shot him a bewildered look. “What? How?”
Percy just laughed. “He misses nothing.”
“He thinks it’s good I have someone now who’s closer to me in age,” Albie justified. “I’ve never had that. He’d mistake us for nothing more.”
“He knows we share a room.”
“Yes, but that’s... that’s because there is little alternative. Unless you want to move back to the bunkhouse.”
Percy threw his head back and laughed. “You’re not getting me out of your bed that easy.”
“Even after last night?” Albie asked boldly. He really wasn’t one to say such things outright, but he’d noticed Percy shifting in his saddle more and more.
Percy rocked his hips forward and palmed his crotch. “Especially after last night.”
* * *
They rode into the farm around two in the afternoon. Tired, sore, and hungry, but oh-so happy to be home.
Elsie and Clara met them on the veranda, smiling widely. “Good to have you back, Albie,” Elsie said, immediately starting to unpack the food supplies.
“Everything well here?” he asked, sliding down off his horse and stretching his back.
“Oh, yes. Robert and Des went down to the west paddocks not too long ago. Said they’d be back by four. I kept a lunch aside for you both. Figured you’d be hungry,” she said, lifting out the bag of sugar from the saddlebag. She hefted it as if it were nothing and handed it over to Clara who struggled with both arms.
“You should remember I’m not accustomed to moving kegs of beer,” Clara said, giving her a cheeky scowl.
It was the first time Albie had seen any cheek from Clara, and it made him happy to see it now. It also made him happy to see Elsie grouse and fuss about it. She hefted the sack of flour up onto her shoulder and trudged up the steps, following Clara inside.
Then Albie noticed Percy walk around in front of Bandit. He limped and winced, giving Albie a sorry smile. “Remember how I said you should mind your own matters?” he whispered. “And how I’d let you run me a bath?”
Albie wanted to slide his hand along Percy’s jaw and pull him in for a hug, to rub his back, to maybe even carry him inside. But he couldn’t do that in case Robert or Des happened to come back and see.
“I shall draw you a bath. I’ll have Clara heat some water,” he said quietly.
Elsie came back out and saw Percy, making her frown. “What’s wrong with you? You’re being too quiet.”
“He came off his horse,” Albie said quickly.
Percy shot him a wild glare, because he’d probably rather tell her the truth than ever admit he fell off a horse. He huffed at Albie but softened at Elsie. “I’m fine, just a bit sore after the ride home.”
“Can we prepare him a hot bath, please?” Albie asked.
She ushered Percy inside. “Ah, sore and sorry is never a good combination.”
He stopped at the door. “Sore, yes. Never said I was sorry.” He shot Albie a parting glance over his shoulder as he went inside.
Albie finished unpacking the horses, then he led them to the stables. When they were looked after, he went inside. Elsie was serving up his plate of stew while Clara poured more water into the washroom, to the tub where Percy was, no doubt.
“Has Percy eaten?” he asked, taking a seat at the table.
“Not yet,” Elsie replied. She put the plate in front of him. “Fancy Percy coming off his horse. Never would have thought he’s come off a horse in his whole life.”
Albie didn’t like the innuendo in her tone or the way she hovered over him. He didn’t dare meet her eyes.
“And he landed right on his backside,” she added, not even trying to hide her smile. Then she gave Albie’s shoulder a gentle shove and lowered her voice. “And the day before he has to spend eight hours in a saddle, Albie.”
He felt his face flame from his hairline down to his toes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he tried.
