Journey to Hope

by J. P. Bowie

  Josh shrugged. “He doesn’t trust me, but then I didn’t think he would. I just have to prove him wrong is all.”

  “Joel’s a nice guy,” Brett said, “but he is the sheriff.” He put his arms around Josh’s waist. “Was he mean?”

  “Not really. He’s very protective of you, though. Can’t say I blame him for that.” He kissed the tip of Brett’s nose. “Another one who thinks the sun shines out your ass.”

  Brett chuckled. “Don’t get jealous. Joel’s all harnessed to Jason, a young attorney.”

  Josh raised his eyebrows in surprise. “The sheriff’s gay?”

  “Yeah. Won the election three years ago running as an openly gay man. Ticked some old farts off, but Joel’s a popular guy…”

  “With some people, maybe,” Josh said dryly. “Okay, what do we have to do now? Don’t want you to say I’m a slacker.”

  “That you’re not,” Brett said, laughing. Playfully, he smacked Josh’s butt. “Let’s get Missy’s stall freshened up then we’ll bring her in for the night. Before it gets too dark,” he added, “I want to show you the organic vegetable patch I have here. It’s another much-needed source of income for the ranch.”

  “Oh yeah, you were going to tell me about that, before we got uh, distracted.”

  “That what you call it?” Brett teased him. “More than a distraction for me.”

  Josh gripped Brett’s arm. “For me too.”

  “So let’s get everything done, then we can get distracted all over again.”

  Laughing together, they left the barn and walked over to the corral. Brett haltered Missy then led her back to her stall, closing the gate securely once she started munching on the fresh hay.

  Josh could tell the organic ‘patch’ Brett showed him was much more than that. Brett pointed out the rows and rows of staked tomato vines spread out in front of them, along with red and green peppers, lettuce and cabbage, all of them in the early stages of producing a decent crop.

  “See the trees back there? Apples and pears. I planted ’em four years ago and they get better all the time. The soil’s pretty rich here and I keep it evenly fertilised. Only problem is rabbits. Jaz does a good job of chasing them off, but Dad and me entrenched the chicken wire fence you can see. It goes pretty deep down to keep the suckers out.”

  “You’re amazing,” Josh murmured. “All this by yourself?”

  “Only since Dad died, but I enjoy it, always have. In addition to some of the local stores selling the produce, twice a year there’s a produce fair in Denton and I take what crop I have ready. Usually do well.”

  “So every bit helps, right?”

  “Yep. Dad took out a loan five years ago to make some improvements here. Our previous stud had died, that’s when he bought Cesar and a couple more mares, and everything was good until Dad passed away. I didn’t realise the extent of the debt still owed until I saw the paperwork. It’s my goal to pay it off soon as I can.”

  The subject was obviously painful for Brett to recount, yet there was an optimism and a determination in his voice that made Josh admire him all the more.

  “Eventually, the valuable stock I have here will help pay the loan down, maybe off, but in the meantime they had to be fed, the ranch maintained, bills just don’t seem to stop comin’ in…” Brett chuckled. “Just listen to me, complaining like some old woman, when really—I’ve got all this.” He spread his arms expansively. “All this beauty in one place.”

  “And now you have someone to at least help share the load,” Josh said. He slipped an arm round Brett’s waist.

  “Yeah. Stick around, will you?” Brett leaned in to Josh’s side.

  “I intend to.” Josh ran his hand up Brett’s spine to the nape of his neck and squeezed gently.

  “Hmm. You’re making me hard, but we better round up the horses before you get me so I can’t see straight.”

  They went back to the stables and Brett opened a locker and brought out a working saddle. “This was my dad’s. He never went in for anything fancy, but it’s good, and you can use it to ride Little Joe. I’ve kept it clean and oiled so the leather won’t crack.”

  Josh fingered the well-worn leather. “Thank you. I’ll look after it like it’s my own. But just so you know, I’ve never rounded up horses before.”

  “That’s okay, there’s nothin’ to it really.” Brett pulled his own saddle from a hook on the wall of Hoss’s stall. He gave Josh a salacious grin and wink. “Well, nothing that you won’t catch on to, like you have everything else. Let’s go.” They walked over to the paddock where the horses had grazed and exercised all day. Brett chuckled. “They’re making it easy for you. Look at them all up at the fence waiting.”

  “They don’t normally do that?”

  “No, but it’s later than usual,” Brett said. “Animals are funny, just like humans they tend to be creatures of habit. They know their feed and a clean stall awaits them. I’ll handle Cesar, till he gets to know you. He can be a bit feisty. I don’t want you getting bit—at least not by a horse,” he added, winking at Josh.

  They went in and saddled up Hoss and Little Joe. Brett put a halter on Cesar then when they were mounted up, he led Cesar from the paddock, the other mares and geldings following. Josh hadn’t been on a horse in several years, but he had no trouble remembering how to strap on the saddle securely and slip the reins over the gelding’s head. When he swung up astride Little Joe, he felt a sense of accomplishment, probably because Brett hadn’t fussed over him, just let him get on with it in his own time. Was it way too early for him to feel this much at home here? Even the stiff confrontation with Sheriff Harper didn’t seem quite so intimidating now as it had at the time.

  Again he was filled with the hope that all of this might just work out. And from Brett’s earlier remark about him being the only one allowed to bite him—at least that was how he was going to interpret it—he could look forward to some more lovin’ from the handsome rancher.

  * * * *

  Once the horses were tended to and the chicken coops inspected and locked up, Brett suggested they take Hoss and Little Joe for a short ride before bedding them down for the night.

  “There’s a gate on the north side,” Brett told him as they mounted up again. “Links to the Double R. Mr Chandler’s the owner, so he won’t mind us crossing his land. Real nice guy. Him and my dad were buddies. His son, Royce, is an attorney in Sacramento. He’s gay too.”

  “Wow. What is it—somethin’ in the water around here?”

  Brett grinned at him. “Must be. Royce has a partner, Parker, who used to be the foreman at the Double R.”

  “Used to be?”

  “Yeah, he runs a dude ranch he and Royce have owned for a couple of years now. Royce’s business partner Charles lives with Jed, the guy who took over from Parker, and Jason, who is Joel’s boyfriend, works for Royce and Charles. Got all that?”

  “Jeez, I think so.” Josh chuckled softly. “So, at least you haven’t been short of gay friends, and here I was imagining you as so lost and lonely out here all by yourself.”

  “Not lost and lonely. I’ve been too busy for that—and now and then, Royce will have a barbecue and I get invited. So it’s all good.”

  “No boyfriend ever?”

  “Nope.” Brett dismounted and opened the gate that led onto the Double R. “How’s it feel to have a horse under you?” he asked as he led Hoss through the gate, then closed it once Josh and Little Joe were clear.

  “Good,” Josh said, taking note that Brett had changed the subject none too subtly. “Like riding a bike, I guess. You don’t ever forget.”

  “Give him his head a little. He won’t gallop, but he likes a fast trot. I’ll help you up if you fall off!”

  “Smart ass.” Josh grinned. It was so easy to forget Brett was actually his employer. They had already struck common ground, in that they found each other attractive, and as far as Josh was concerned he couldn’t wait to get Brett between the sheets again—or on top of the k
itchen table for that matter. He loosened the reins on Little Joe and let the horse canter forward.

  “That’s it,” Brett yelled, coming up alongside. “You’re doing great!”

  And it felt great. Josh grinned at Brett then looked up at the darkening sky, now streaked with vermillion and gold from the quickly setting sun, and he sent up a silent prayer. Please don’t let anything fuck this up.

  Chapter Five

  “I lied to you earlier,” Brett said as they walked from the barn to the house after brushing down the horses and locking up for the night. “Well, kind of a white lie. I did have a boyfriend once, but it’s not someone I think about much anymore.”

  “Why not?”

  Brett shrugged. “It just didn’t work out. Nothing overly dramatic, no cheating, no walking in and finding him in bed fucking someone else, like you read about. We just wanted too many different things. He was a city boy. There was no way he’d work on a ranch or live out here, so far from everything—as he put it.”

  “Were you upset when it didn’t work?”

  “For a while, then I decided it was just easier getting my rocks off now and then, rather than getting all tied up in a relationship. There’s a bar in Sacramento I go to now and then…”

  “Oh, yeah?”

  They stopped and sat down on the porch steps to remove their boots. “You hungry?” Brett asked, aware of the awkward silence that had fallen between them.

  “Some—but what I really need is a shower,” Josh said, standing up.

  “You mad?”

  “Nope.”

  “You’re acting funny all of a sudden.”

  “I’m just a little tired.” Josh grinned briefly. “The boss worked my ass off.”

  “Okay, go shower. I’ll fix us something to eat.”

  Josh nodded then went inside, while Brett pondered what had brought the sudden change in Josh’s mood. Telling him about having an ex-boyfriend? Well, he did ask. Maybe it was my mentioning the bar in Sacramento, but I haven’t been there in so long—and hell, I didn’t know him day before yesterday!

  Well, he made that plain enough, Josh thought as he made his way to his room. He’d rather have meaningless sex than a relationship. And what the hell’s the matter with you anyway? Day before yesterday you didn’t even know he existed… But now I do—and that’s the bitch of it.

  He threw himself on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, unbuttoning his shirt then tugging at his belt. Damn, but the guy’s already got himself under my skin, and that’s the reason I’m pissed at the fact he’ll go to some bar in Sacramento ‘to get his rocks off’ as he so sweetly put it. Shit… Maybe it’s because for the first time in so long I can’t remember, I’m actually attracted to a guy… I enjoy being with him. Enjoy everything about him really.

  He sat up and pulled off his shirt, throwing it on the floor. Trying to rid himself of his slightly teed-off feeling, he yanked off his boots and jeans then strode towards the door. Brett was on the other side, his hand raised to knock.

  Josh gasped. “I’m naked…”

  “Like I haven’t seen you naked?” Brett said with a wry smile. “Look, I came to say sorry for whatever I said. I’m just not sure what it was.”

  “You don’t have to go apologising to me, Brett. What you do with your life is your business, not mine. I’m just the hired hand, and—”

  “Fuck that!” Brett stepped forward and pressed himself to Josh’s nakedness. “We had sex earlier today. I’ve never done that with any of the hired hands.” He slipped his arms around Josh and kissed him hard on the mouth.

  “Brett…” Josh tried to pull back. “Look, I stink and—”

  “So shower, and I’ll join you.”

  “Brett.” He wanted to say no, but his cock was already saying yes.

  Brett smirked and took the hard length into his hand. “All we have to do is shower if that’s what you want,” he said slyly. “Though I think big Josh here is hoping for something else.”

  Josh groaned. “I thought you were fixing us somethin’ to eat.”

  “I will.” He reached behind Josh and smacked his ass. “After.”

  * * * *

  The strong, hot spray felt just as good to Josh as it had the day before, but now there was the added sensation of having Brett’s leanly muscled body pressed to his, his arms around Josh’s torso, lips scouring the nape of his neck, a hard cock pushing between his butt cheeks.

  Jesus… What it would feel like to be fucked by Brett? He’d hated every God damned minute of it in prison—but that had been different. Before he’d served time, he’d been fucked by a guy he really liked, and it had been okay. Not something he craved, but with Brett? He shuddered with pleasure at the thought. Brett caressed Josh’s chest then slid his soapy hands down to grasp Josh’s aching erection, massaging the hard, pulsing flesh, bringing him close, so close.

  He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself back from the orgasm that threatened to overwhelm him. He turned in Brett’s arms, kissed him and murmured, “You have to get my back too.”

  “Right.” Brett returned the kiss, the firm touch of his full lips sending Josh even closer to the edge. “You do me at the same time,” Brett whispered against Josh’s mouth. The double entendre hung in the steamy air as he soaped up his hands, handed the bar to Josh then pushed his way back into Josh’s embrace. Josh ran his hands up and down the length of Brett’s spine. Working up a lather, he slid them over Brett’s perfectly round butt, then very carefully probed his hole with one finger.

  Brett shivered. “Yeah. You already know what I like.”

  Josh smiled and added another finger, teasing Brett’s prostate, manipulating the sensitive gland, bringing soft moans and whimpers from deep in Brett’s throat. He writhed in Josh’s arms, the sensation of his soap-slicked body moving rhythmically, seductively over Josh’s fevered skin sending searing jolts of desire and lust through Josh’s blood. He wasn’t going to hold out much longer.

  Oh, yeah… “I’m coming,” he groaned into Brett’s mouth as their lips met yet again, and the warm spray he could feel mingle with his own cum on his belly told him Brett had joined him. Josh tightened his arms around Brett’s shuddering body and ground their mouths together, swallowing the hot, harsh breaths that pumped from Brett’s heaving chest.

  They stood for a time, not moving, bodies pressed tightly together, letting the hot water bathe them in its steamy heat.

  “God,” Brett finally whispered. “That’s never happened before. Coming without a hand on my dick, I mean. You’re too sexy for your own good.”

  “Never been told that before,” Josh said, chuckling weakly. He eased back a little and ran his hands over his and Brett’s torsos, helping the water wash away the vestiges of their semen.

  “Well, you are.” Brett leaned in for a quick kiss. “I really wanted you to fuck me, though.”

  “I can still do that.”

  “Mmm…” Brett met Josh’s teasing expression with a smile. “I just bet you can. But I can’t ignore Jaz much longer.” He reached behind Josh and turned off the shower, grabbed the towels and handed Josh his. “Listen to the ruckus he’s making. Bit like you I bet, when you’re hungry.” He laughed, dodging the corner of the towel Josh flicked at his ass and ran out of the bathroom.

  Smiling, Josh dried himself off and wrapped the towel round his hips. Back in his room he surveyed his scanty belongings and shook his head in disgust, wondering what the heck he could put on that was actually clean. Jeez…

  “Hey, Brett…” He’d walked down the hall to the kitchen, still wearing only his towel. Brett was there filling Jaz’s feed bowl. He looked up at Josh, his eyes glinting with rekindled lust.

  “If you want to stay undressed like that, suits me,” he said, leering with no subtlety whatsoever.

  “No, I need to use your washing machine if you have one. Haven’t got a darned thing that’s clean.”

  “Oh, sure. It’s right behind the kitchen. I’ll get it starte
d. Just bring your stuff through. I’ve a pair of sweats if you want to borrow ’em. Shame to cover up that great body of yours though.”

  “Thanks.” Josh smiled nervously. “Guess I need to get some new clothes when I go into town.”

  “Or not.” Brett sauntered towards him and wrapped his arms around his waist. “Mmm, you smell good.” He kissed Josh’s lips. “Sorry,” he murmured when Josh pulled back a little, “am I being too pushy—making you nervous?”

  “No. It’s just that I’m not used to this much attention, I guess.” He stared into Brett’s green eyes. What he was nervous about was that all this had happened so quickly, and he was afraid that it could fall apart just as fast.

  Brett seemed to understand. He stroked Josh’s cheek gently and met his gaze full on. “I like having you here, Josh.” He stepped back with a smile. “Go get your stuff while I turn on the machine, then we’ll eat. Oh, let me get those sweats for you.”

  Josh followed him down the hall, hoping to hell he hadn’t sounded like too much of a loser. No clean clothes. Fuck. What a thing to have to admit at his age. He didn’t follow Brett into his room but stood in the doorway and waited until he reappeared with a pair of dark blue sweats and white socks.

  “Here you go.” He gave Josh a wicked smile. “I still wouldn’t mind you walking around here nekkid though.”

  “You could make a man blush with those dirty-minded looks,” Josh said, taking the bundle. “But, thanks—and for the sweats too.”

  Brett chuckled. “That’s better, stud. Go get your laundry.”

  Josh went back to his room and grabbed his backpack, stuffing the clothes he’d worn since arriving at the ranch in with the rest of his dirty clothes. Man, but he really did need to buy some new stuff. Maybe a couple of T-shirts and new jeans. His dad had left him some money in a savings account, but he’d used most of that to buy the truck, not having access to any credit. The truck had been necessary though. Wheels had given him even more freedom and had enabled him to find his way to California, to Hope Ranch, and—did he dare even think it?—to Brett.

  Hopefully, he was here to stay.