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Most of the kids in Weston and surrounding towns had grown up around horses, cows, and other farm animals, but that didn’t mean they were comfortable around them. And things had been different in the city, where Michael had spent half his life. Seeing those animals was for the State Fair or other special occasions, not daily life.
But what if...?
Kids also seemed to get a kick out of Dad’s welding, which was a useful skill to know in general and could lead to a good career. Over the last six weeks working at the ranch, he’d heard at least half-a-dozen stories from Hugo about the tourists who’d come on vacation at Clean Slate Ranch. City slickers who couldn’t mount a horse without steps, who sprayed air freshener in the barn, and who thought camping meant an air-conditioned, luxury RV. The idea of those sorts of visitors to Woods Ranch amused the hell out of Michael.
Not that Wayne Woods would ever allow such a thing. They were a working ranch that relied on their cattle to feed their family and pay their employees, and their horses were working animals, not gentle mares for trail rides. But what if the Weston area had something similar to draw folks out of Amarillo and other larger towns for a day of exploration? Horse rides and welding demos and...well, other stuff.
Dad had the land. Michael enjoyed his work at the ranch, but being a cowboy wasn’t a forever career for him. It was his job now, his identity right now. But would it still be his identity a year from now?
Not that he could do anything with this nebulous fantasy idea right now. Most of his paycheck from the ranch went toward paying Josiah, buying groceries, and paying whatever bills Dad’s own Social Security benefits didn’t cover. He didn’t have any cash to spend on a pipe dream that might actually be a terrible idea.
A terrible idea that could keep him in Weston for a long while yet, allow him to be his own boss again, and let him get closer to Josiah.
Across the table, Josiah laughed at something Hugo had said, the joyful sound ringing clear as bell. Michael smiled at his mirth, glad to see Josiah so happy and relaxed and enjoying himself. He looked at Dad, whose attention had been snagged by another elderly man who’d stopped by the table to chat. Over their shoulders, though, Michael saw him.
McBride stood two tables away, a plate in his hand, watching them. Probably watching Josiah, with an odd look on his face. Something akin to jealousy but that couldn’t be right; McBride had kicked Josiah out, so he had no reason to be jealous of Josiah being happy without him.
As if sensing his disapproval, McBride turned his head slightly and met Michael’s gaze. Michael stared back, expression calm, even though his insides blazed with still-smoldering anger toward the man. They held eye contact for a long time, Michael silently daring him to say something, do anything to disturb Josiah’s newfound joy.
McBride blinked first and walked away.
Chapter Fourteen
All three residents of the Pearce property were exhausted by the time they returned home that evening, no one more so than Elmer. He’d nodded off in Josiah’s car before they pulled into the driveway, and while Josiah hated waking him, he and Michael couldn’t exactly carry him into the house. Elmer was as tall as Michael and while he’d lost some weight since his stroke, he was still a big man.
Elmer grumbled a bit but didn’t complain openly while Josiah took him inside the house and straight to the bathroom to wash up for bed. It was only seven thirty, but even Josiah was ready to face-plant in the trailer as soon as possible. After more than eight hours in the bright sunshine, all he wanted was sleep.
Michael hadn’t followed them inside, so he was probably unloading Elmer’s ornaments and equipment from the pickup, instead of leaving it out all night. Even with the gate locked, he was careful about not leaving important things lying around the property. Probably a personality quirk about clutter, especially when he couldn’t do much about all the metal art strewn around the place.
Elmer drifted off before Josiah returned to his room with a glass of water, in case he got thirsty during the night. Josiah smoothed out the top of the blanket, overjoyed by the half smile on Elmer’s sleeping face, confident he’d had an amazing day at the picnic. He embraced a bubble of familial pride for the older man, whom he’d come to think of as a father figure. Elmer definitely treated him more like a son now than an employee, and Josiah wasn’t always sure how to feel about that.
Yes, Elmer promised Josiah had a place to live for as long as he needed it, but would that same paternal affection exist for Josiah when he was no longer their employee? Was Josiah getting too attached to something he’d lose in a month or so, when Elmer was more independent? Elmer might never regain the strength to ascend the stairs to the second floor, but Josiah was confident that one day he’d be able to move around the downstairs without the wheelchair.
Josiah wanted that for Elmer. He much preferred when his employment ended because his patient recovered, rather than because they passed away. Both reasons had their own built-in grief, though, especially when Josiah grew close to his patient and their family—if family was even in the picture.
He’d never had a family member in the picture the way Michael was now, all involved and attentive and so damned appealing to Josiah in every possible way. He’d never wanted a family member the way he wanted Michael, but reaching for him was pointless unless Michael planned to stay. Josiah wouldn’t be left behind again.
The front door opened and shut with a familiar squeal. With Elmer settled, Josiah went into the living room. No Michael, but he followed the sound of glass clanking to the kitchen. Michael had pulled a six-pack of longnecks from the fridge and a bottle opener from a drawer, and he seemed to be contemplating both.
“Hey,” Michael said with a familiar, warm smile that made Josiah grin right back. “I was thinking about taking the truck out into the back field to stargaze for a bit. Relax and unwind. It’s a clear night.”
“Okay.” That sounded stupidly peaceful, but he wasn’t going to invite—
“Wanna come with me? Share a few beers?”
Stargazing and drinking with Michael on a gorgeous autumn night? Yes, please. Also, danger alert! His endorphins from the great day still buzzed in his bloodstream, though, and Josiah couldn’t say no. “Sure, why not? Elmer’s fast asleep.”
“Awesome.”
Unsure if this was a good idea or not, Josiah grabbed his light jacket, because the temperature had dipped a bit since the sun set, and followed Michael to the pickup. Got into the cab with the beer and bottle opener. Michael’s presence filled the truck’s cab, everything from his body’s bulk to his cologne wrapping around Josiah’s senses like a warm blanket. So comforting and safe.
Michael didn’t drive them far, maybe a hundred yards from the house. Close enough the yard lights were still clearly visible, as were the very distant lights of Woods Ranch across the horizon. They got out, and Josiah wasn’t too surprised to see a faded quilt in the truck bed. Michael pulled down the tailgate and helped Josiah up, then climbed in himself. Spread the quilt over the slightly dirty, dusty bed.
Josiah settled on one side with the six-pack between them, his stomach quivering with nerves. How many times growing up had Michael parked like this with someone he was interested in? Josiah had never really dated, not in the traditional way most people did, and while this wasn’t a date, the teenage him who’d survived on the streets for too many years pretended it was. Just for a little while.
Michael popped the cap on a beer and handed it to Josiah. Beer wasn’t his favorite, but this was a pale American brand that wasn’t too strong, so Josiah sipped at his while Michael opened his own.
“It was a great day,” Michael said after taking a long pull from his bottle.
