The Carpenter’s Dilemma (Family Secrets Book 2)

by Noah Harris

  “Oh thank you, Dean. The older I get, summer seems hotter, and winter seems colder. Getting old certainly isn’t for the weak,” Davis gave another chuckle at his own joke.

  “Not just the old,” Dean told the man, “there’s a reason I was in the house when you pulled up. I tend to hide from the sun at this time of day.”

  “Hmm, you don’t look like it’s hurting you much,” Davis commented, eyeing Dean, “matter of fact, you look a fair bit better than the last time I saw you. Taking over your grandfather’s land certainly seems to agree with you.”

  Dean looked down at himself in confusion, drawing another chuckle from the older man, “Trust me you look better. It’s not just the tan you have either, though a bit of color on you certainly doesn’t hurt. You seem happier somehow. A lot of people nowadays think working hard like you have been here on the farm wouldn’t be fun, and it isn’t. But sometimes it works for people, more than they would think. It’s obvious you’re one of the people that hard work works for. You look almost like a weight has been taken off your shoulders, and you seem calmer, not so keyed up.”

  Dean was pretty sure a good chunk of that relaxation came from getting laid on a daily basis. He didn’t plan on telling the old attorney about the changes in his relationship with Mikael at all, or Mikael’s fondness of getting naked and sweaty with him as often as possible. Dean sometimes wondered if Mikael’s appetite for sex was due to the newness of their relationship, or if his libido stemmed from his animal half—like his insatiable appetite for food.

  “It’s been an experience,” Dean admitted, as he sat at the table across from the other man, “but I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”

  Davis nodded, “That’s good to hear. Does me good to see this place like it is now. Can’t lie to you, it broke my heart to see this place in the state it was in when you got here. Looks like you didn’t waste any time getting the land filled with a bit more life. Saw the chickens, and I know I heard a cow or two shuffling around in that barn.”

  Dean beamed, “Yeah, just a few of each. Didn’t want to push it before I really had a feel for everything. I’ll probably end up getting more after the harvest though. Caring for them isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s far easier than I thought it was going to be. Though now that I’ve said that, I’ll end up getting more, and something will go wrong and make a liar out of me.”

  That brought another smile, “Well, you can always ask for help, ya know. I can tell you got quite a bit of your grandfather in you. That includes being a bit stubborn and independent, but the people around here are willing to help their own. And considering how much you’ve done to build this place back up, people are going to be willing to help you. I’m not the only one that’s really happy to see what you’ve done.”

  “Really?” Dean asked with genuine interest. He’d been so busy trying to get the land back into a reasonable shape while also dealing with things with Mikael, that he had barely paid attention to much else. Sure, he had dealt with people in town on many occasions, but he hadn’t had more than passing conversations with them. He probably should try to put a bit more effort into building relationships with the people he would be spending the rest of his life around.

  “You know, your grandfather was loved around here,” Davis smiled, reaching across the table to pat Dean’s hand affectionately. “It was hard seeing the place fall apart—kind of an insult to his memory. If you hadn’t come along when you did, someone else probably would have done it. No one liked seeing the place like this. So, for you to drop your life and come out here, then work so blessed hard to bring this place back to what it should be? Yeah, people are happy and talking about it. You do remember how much people talk out here, don’t ya?”

  That made Dean grin. “Yeah, I remember Grandpa talking about it more than once, though complaining is probably a more accurate description.”

  “That’s the other side to living around the same small group of people,” Davis grimaced, “everyone knows everyone else’s business. Can’t really stop it. Seems to make it worse if you try, actually. But you should know they’re saying good things about you; that you’re doing real good and all. Even that you’re just like your grandfather . . . in most ways.”

  “Most ways,” Dean repeated a bit more slowly, sensing the slight change of tone in the lawyer’s voice, “Should I take that to mean people aren’t saying only good things?”

  Davis waved a hand in dismissal, “Like I said, folks in small towns like this like to talk. It ain’t nothing to be worrying over.”

  Dean cocked a brow, “Davis . . .”

  Davis sighed, apparently figuring he wasn’t going to leave this kitchen without explaining himself further, “Well, much as they loved your grandfather, people weren’t always too keen on the company he sometimes kept, either.”

  Dean made the connection almost immediately, “This is about Mikael.”

  Davis nodded gravely, “You’ve been around here enough to know how people feel about that sort of thing. Though some are worse about it than others. For some of them, it’s just something to gossip about . . .”

  That brought a frown to Dean’s face, “Mrs. Williams—she wasn’t happy about me being friends with him either, she was . . . quite honest about that. I just don’t understand it. Sure, they’re not a part of Town, and they might be a little off to people, but I don’t get how that somehow makes them bad. Mikael is a great guy.”

  “That’s just how it goes sometimes,” Davis explained patiently, “Different isn’t a good thing to a lot of folks out here.”

  “Doesn’t make it right,” Dean huffed.

  Davis shook his head, “Maybe not. But you’re used to living in the city, where all sorts of folk live, and different is normal. Out here? Different folk aren’t really trusted. There’s always been a sort of bad blood between Town and The Grove. Been that way even since I was a boy. I don’t recall ever knowing why really, but it is what it is. Only a few odd ones, like your grandfather, really had much to do with them. Seems Mikael is The Grove’s version of an odd one since he’s the only one from there who has much to do with us.”

  “So, people from both places don’t like the other, but no one can remember why? And instead of trying to work it out, everyone just accepts it, then have the nerve to butt in when others step out of that pattern?”

  Davis nodded, “People like their traditions, their habits. Ain’t no one saying much bad about you like that. And Mikael has been around long enough that most people have gotten used to him, some are even friendly to him. Not that they were rude before mind you, just . . . mistrustful.”

  “So, I’m not doing right by being friends with him?” Dean didn’t like his rising anger, but he hated this narrow-minded mentality even more.

  “Now, I didn’t say that, son. People aren’t saying bad things,” he paused at the disbelieving look on Dean’s face, “Well, most people aren’t. Like I said before, your grandfather was a lot like you about this sort of thing. People just think you’re taking after him, and only a few thinks that’s a bad thing. It’s just talk.”

  Dean grunted, refusing to be mollified by what seemed to be an attempt to compliment him through his grandfather’s legacy. He hadn’t liked the attitude Mrs. Williams had about Mikael back when she’d made her opinion on the matter known. The fact that there were more people out there who felt the same way, more than Davis either knew or was comfortable saying, only served to irritate him further. It didn’t help that deep down, he thought it probably had something to do with the less than human nature of the people who lived in The Grove.

  That thought lead him to another, and he looked at Davis curiously, “So, people are sort of okay with Mikael then?”

  “Well, I don’t have a problem with him,” Davis explained hastily, “though, I’ve only dealt with him a few times. I’ll admit, there is something different about him. Maybe I just think that because of all the stories I heard growing up, or because of the rumors about how od
d those from The Grove are. But other people notice the differences as well, although Mikael’s not nearly as strange as some of the others who have come out of there. Could be something to the stories, or maybe it’s just superstition. Might have said the second when I was younger, but you get a little more willing to believe when you get a bit older I think.”

  “Believe what?” Dean asked, feeling the wheels in his head spinning.

  Davis gave a light shrug, “You just believe. Maybe there is something different about them. Don’t know if that makes them bad, but your friend is much like the others from there. Just seems like maybe people are getting sorta used to his kind of different. Don’t hurt that he’s a hard worker who doesn’t cause trouble.”

  Dean took the information in, contemplating Davis’ words. Was it possible that there was something about Mikael, and probably the others like him, that people could pick up on without knowing why? Was there some deep, hidden instinct in the human mind that told people that something wasn’t quite ‘right’ about people like Mikael? If that were true, there was apparently a defect in his own brain, because all he had felt was dazzling amazement from the moment he met the other man. Sure, some part of him had felt that maybe something was off at times, but it had never bothered him. Hell, at times he had felt like that difference had actually drawn him closer instead of putting him off like it did everyone else in Town.

  Dean had to give the old man a small smile, “Don’t worry Davis. I’m not mad at you. It just frustrates me to think that a man like Mikael has to put up with people talking about him when he isn’t around. He’s a good man, and the first real friend I made out here.”

  “Don’t worry, I’m glad you’ve made yourself a friend, Dean. Your grandfather would have been mighty happy I think, and maybe a little tickled that it was someone from The Grove, too. I swear the man enjoyed the bit of scandal his associations caused,” Davis chuckled, shaking his head.

  Dean couldn’t argue with that, even if he had felt inclined to do so. His grandfather had been a wonderfully patient and understanding man. He wasn’t really known for causing too much trouble. If he had happened to cause trouble by doing what he wanted to do, it hadn’t bothered him a lick. On the contrary, Dean could easily see his grandfather taking some form of pleasure from it.

  “Sounds about right,” Dean returned the chuckle, “Mikael says he remembers seeing Grandpa a few times when he was younger. So, I think he would have liked Mikael.”

  “Well, you certainly do,” Davis commented, “he’s been spotted here a lot apparently.”

  “Lord,” Dean sighed, “Do people keep track of my visitors, too? Is there a log being kept somewhere?”

  That made the other man smirk, “His truck is pretty noticeable, Dean. Even all the way up here by the house. You would be amazed at the way people notice things like that. Sometimes I wonder if they’re just bored, and talking helps them to fill in the time.”

  Dean rolled his eyes, “Apparently it does. Well, you can be sure to tell them that my very good friend does come around quite often. I never have to wonder if it’s going to get lonely around here, having him around this much. Plus, Jax gets sad if Mikael is gone for more than a few hours.”

  The droopy faced dog picked his head up from the floor at the mention of his name, cocking it to the side in question. Dean hadn’t been lying about that. Jax had become very attached to Mikael in a very short amount of time. Jax had always been a dog who appreciated being around other people, but he had never really been attached to anyone besides Dean before. Now the dog moped when Mikael wasn’t around and became so excited at the sound of his truck that Dean was even a little worried the dog would hurt himself someday. Hell, the silly dog even slept on Mikael’s side of the bed if he could find or make the room, the little traitor.

  Davis followed Dean’s gaze and smiled, “Big guy here likes Mikael, huh?”

  Dean sighed, “Worships him. I’m all but forgotten now, despite the fact that I raised the little ingrate from a pup.”

  The older man laughed at that, “Can’t fault him I guess. Ya know, I was always told you could judge a man by how a dog acts around him. If Jax likes him plenty, I’d say his owner has a good gauge of character, too. Don’t let them get to you about this, Dean. If he’s a good man, don’t you worry none about what others might have to say. Friends can be hard to come by, so you keep on like you are.”

  Dean smiled at that, “Thank you, Davis. That means a lot to me.”

  Davis drained the last of his tea with a faint smile, “Good. Now, I don’t wanna keep you longer than I already have. Wanted to come up here and see things for myself, and I’m glad I did, too. Thank you for the tea, by the way, you certainly got that recipe down.”

  “Anytime Davis, you can bring yourself up here anytime you like. Maybe next time you come back around, I can even make you a proper meal.”

  “I might just take you up on that offer,” the lawyer chuckled, as he pushed out of the chair.

  They said their farewells and Dean stood on the front porch, watching the man’s car disappear back onto the main road. The visit had been unexpected, but nothing to complain about. It was a good reminder that he should probably get out a little more. Even with trouble waiting in the wings for both him and Mikael, he should at least try to make connections in Town since he had decided to make this his home.

  But before any of that, he had a sandwich to eat, and more work to deal with.

  chapter

  Three

  There hadn’t been any more visitors over the next few days, unless you counted one hell of a storm. Thankfully, nothing on the property had sustained any real damage, and even his crops had somehow miraculously survived the storm intact. Other properties hadn’t been so lucky though, with more than a few places in the area taking a hard hit. The winds and lightning had done their worst in the community, but though a few people were hurt, thankfully no one was seriously injured, and no one had been killed.

  The upside was that Mikael was getting a lot of work. Since the company he worked for only had a few workers, they suddenly found themselves very busy. Mikael was up and out of the house from sunrise to sunset it seemed, no longer able to linger around in the morning before leaving.

  Dean had been happy in a sense because Mikael enjoyed the work quite a lot, though there was clearly a toll of the hard work. Mikael would come back after dark, worn out and ready for sleep. He would manage to eat, and have a little bit of conversation, but would start nodding off soon after, resulting in an early bedtime. It only went on for a few days, but Dean had found himself missing the other man more than he thought reasonable.

  So, one day when Mikael’s truck was heard rolling up the driveway far earlier than it had for days, both Dean and Jax perked up. The sun was only just beginning to make its way toward the edge of the horizon, a definite improvement from the previous days when he was much later. Dean just barely managed more dignity than Jax, walking to the door to greet the man as he approached the house. Jax, on the other hand, just tore full speed through the screen door. In that moment, Dean was glad that he had asked Mikael to design the door to open easily rather than risk the dog going right through the screen.

  He managed to step outside just as Mikael’s feet hit the ground. Dean’s heart fluttered in his chest when the man turned towards him, grinning wide at the sight of him. It was so easy to feel like the most important person on the planet when Mikael looked at him like that. The man’s usually friendly expression lit up even more when he saw Dean after being away all day. Even when he had come home exhausted and ready for bed, the warmth had been there, but not the spark. When he wasn’t quite as tired, the change was startling.

  “You’re home early,” Dean commented as he watched him approach, pausing only for a moment to give Jax the demanded attention.

  “Yep,” Mikael grinned as he prowled closer. Dean didn’t miss the way the man was moving. One thing he had learned about Mikael was that the man’s
face didn’t often give away what was going on in his head. Instead, the safest bet was to watch the body language. Somewhere along the line, Dean had started picking up on the subtle, or not so subtle cues that Mikael’s body gave him. He sometimes wondered if the quirk was a sign of the Mikael’s animal side, but it was hard to tell. The line between the two sides could blur so easily.

  The way Mikael’s shoulders rolled as he climbed the steps toward Dean, the way those intense eyes swept over him as he approached and even the way the man curled his fingers in a mock fist told Dean plenty. Rather than comment further, Dean watched Mikael eagerly. Much to their shared disappointment, the past several days had drained Mikael’s energy. It had been a bit of the old adage about the spirit being willing but the flesh weak . . . or something. Though their affection and casual touches hadn’t decreased, the far more physical elements of their desire for one another had been lacking a bit.

  Mikael grabbed hold of him once he was in reach, pulling Dean tight against his long, well-muscled frame. His mouth crushed against Dean’s, immediately claiming Dean’s lips and tongue for his own. The noise Dean felt slip from him might have been embarrassing—if he wasn’t so eager to feel the man against him once more.

  “Missed you,” Mikael’s rough voice murmured against his lips, sending a shiver through Dean.

  Dean couldn’t think of anything to say in reply, only able to push himself up, so his mouth met Mikael’s once more. He felt Mikael pushing them backward, one strong arm wrapping around Dean’s waist. After a brief struggle with the door, the cooler air of the house met their skin. He was barely able to sense where they were before his back was against the wall with enough force to draw a grunt from him.

  Strong fingers dug into his hips, drawing a low groan from him as Mikael’s body pressed him hard against the wall. Faintly, Dean wondered if they might actually make it to the couch this time. It wasn’t as if either of them necessarily had a specific place where they had to have sex, but now and again they did manage to make it to a flat surface—the couch if not the bed.