Dreamspinner Press Year Three Greatest Hits

by Jenna Hilary Sinclair

  Frank looked at the floor. “You know that we’ve been friends with your dad and Len for years.” Geoff nodded. “But I don’t think I can sell you the farm. It wouldn’t be right.”

  “Wouldn’t be right? I don’t understand.” Geoff pulled out a chair. “Sit down and tell me what’s going on.”

  “I….” Frank’s discomfort increased before his eyes.

  “Frank, just tell me what’s going on.” Geoff sat down and waited for Frank to do the same.

  “I got a call yesterday from Penny’s sister, who told us we were selling the farm to….” Frank swallowed hard. “I can’t even say it. She said were selling the farm to someone who was sleeping with a child.”

  It took a second for the words to sink in. “What?” Geoff’s mouth hung open. “And you think I’m….” Geoff stood up so fast the chair tipped over backward. “That you’d believe such nonsense is disgusting.” Geoff could barely control his temper. Frank looked down at the table, immensely uncomfortable. Geoff took a deep breath to calm his nerves, and he heard Eli enter the kitchen.

  “Is everything okay? I heard raised voices,” Eli said.

  “Yes, I just got excited. Frank, I want you to meet Eli.” Geoff watched as Frank’s eyes went wide for a second before shaking hands with Eli.

  “Good to meet you, Frank.” Then Eli turned to Geoff. “There’re some things I need to finish. It was nice to meet you.” Eli shook hands with Frank one last time before heading out toward the barn.

  Frank had the grace to look embarrassed. “Is he the…?”

  “What, Frank? The man I’m involved with? Yes, and he’s no child. He’s almost twenty.” Geoff couldn’t keep the agitation out of his voice.

  Frank stood, looking extremely contrite. “I’m sorry, Geoff. I should have talked to you to find out if what I heard was true. I really should have known better than to take idle gossip at face value, and for that I’m sorry.” Frank got ready to leave. “Before Penny’s sister called, we’d decided to accept your offer on the farm; that is, if you’re still willing to buy the land. And for the record, I’d be happy to work with for you as your crop manager.”

  Frank extended his hand, and Geoff shook it, sealing their deal. “Don’t worry about it. If I’d heard something like that about someone, I’d have thought twice about doing business with them too. I’m just glad we got it cleared up.”

  “Me too.” Frank got up to go. “I’m sorry. I should have known better than to listen to Penny’s sister. She always had a big mouth.” Frank thanked Geoff again for understanding and then said his good-byes.

  Geoff watched him go, wondering how that rumor had gotten started. Living outside a small town did have its advantages. Everyone tended to help one another, and everyone knew everyone else. But that was also the root of the problem: everyone knew or thought they knew what was going on, and people tended to talk. An innocent comment could easily get blown out of proportion and twisted with each retelling. He was just glad Eli hadn’t heard the ridiculous rumor.

  Getting up from the table, he went outside and down to the barn. There was plenty to do in order to make sure they could take time off for Raine’s visit. Geoff had promised Len that the barn would be organized and the stalls cleaned.

  He found Eli already hard at work. Half the stalls had been cleaned, and he was working on one when Geoff found him. “Want me to help?”

  Eli smiled. “I won’t turn you down, but the tack room needs organizing, and I’m not sure how you want it done.” He scooped soiled straw into a wheelbarrow.

  “Then I’ll get busy in there and help you with the stalls when I’m done.” Geoff headed to the tack room, spending the next few hours making sure all the tack was organized and put away properly.

  When he was through, he looked for Eli and found him finishing up the last of the stalls. He couldn’t help himself; he watched as Eli finished laying straw in the stall, his muscles stretching and flexing as he lugged the bale.

  “Do you enjoy watching me work?”

  “I love watching you do just about everything.” Geoff stepped into the stall and helped spread the straw. “It’s going to be fun having Raine visit.”

  “Do you think he’ll like me?”

  “I know he will. Hell, he’ll be jealous… he’ll want you for himself.” Geoff laughed softly as they finished the stall. “We should think of some things to do while he’s here. Things you’d like to do too.”

  “Don’t you want to spend time with your friend alone?” Eli was biting his lower lip again.

  “I want to spend time with my lover and my friend together. I thought in addition to riding, we could go boating on Lake Michigan, maybe go back to the state park for some hiking and swimming, if Raine’s up to it. What do you think?”

  Eli shut the door on the now-clean stall. “I think we’ll have a lot of fun. I was wondering… does Raine know how to ride?” Geoff shook his head, and Eli smiled mischievously. “That should be interesting, teaching a city boy how to ride.”

  Geoff smiled in return and extended his hand, taking Eli’s in his and walking back to the house.

  Chapter 14

  GEOFF HEARD a car pull into the drive in front of the house. Without hesitating, he raced out the front door and down the steps, reaching Raine’s car almost before it had stopped. “Raine!”

  The car door opened and Raine stepped out, immediately engulfed in a hug that was returned with equal gusto.

  “God, it’s good to see you. How was the drive?”

  “Long and tiring. I need a drink.” That was the Raine he knew and loved.

  “Come on inside, and we’ll get you fixed up.” Geoff went around to the back of the car. “Pop the trunk, and I’ll help with your stuff.” He heard a click, and the trunk opened. “Jesus Christ, how long are you staying, a month?” The trunk was so packed with luggage, he expected the suitcases to come flying out at him any second. “God, it looks like you packed everything you own.”

  “Well, I wasn’t sure what I was going to need out here on the farm.”

  Geoff shook his head in bewilderment as he grabbed the two suitcases, and Raine took the remaining bags, closing the trunk and following him in the house.

  “This is really nice.” Raine had set down his bags, looking around the room. “Comfortable and homey—not at all what I was expecting.”

  “And what, pray tell, were you expecting?” Geoff folded his hands over his chest, smirking as he waited for Raine’s answer.

  “I don’t know, maybe deer heads on the walls and animal skins on the floor. Certainly not leather sofas and huge comfortable chairs.” Raine actually seemed impressed. “And I certainly wasn’t expecting a huge flat-screen television.”

  Geoff rolled his eyes. “We have all the necessities here, including satellite television. But this time of year, we’re outside most of the day.” He led Raine upstairs to the last empty bedroom. “We’ll put you in here.” Geoff set the bags near the dresser. “The bathroom is just down the hall.” He looked Raine over. “You might want to change.” He tried to keep the amusement off his face, but failed miserably.

  Raine was wearing a pair of Armani jeans and a thin, low-cut shirt decorated with wings and emblazoned with Armani Exchange across the front. “What, this isn’t good enough?”

  “We’re going riding, not to a fashion parade. Basic jeans and a T-shirt will do. I’ll loan you a pair of chaps.”

  Raine’s face broke into a wicked smile. “Oooooh, chaps.”

  Geoff ignored the obvious sexual overtone. “The seam on the inside leg of the jeans will rub your skin raw, the chaps stop that from happening. And these are anything but sexy.” Geoff stopped a minute—maybe they could be. He’d have to see how Eli reacted to him wearing only a pair of chaps. It could be fun.

  “Earth to Geoff.”

  “Sorry. Get yourself changed and meet me in the kitchen. Then I’ll show you around.” He shut the door and went back downstairs.

  In the kitchen
he got some sodas and a few snacks while Raine changed clothes.

  Raine strolled into the kitchen, and Geoff handed him a Coke. “So when do I get to meet Eli?”

  “He’s in the barn working, but he’s going riding with us.” Geoff put a plate of sandwiches on the table. “I figured you’d be hungry too.”

  “Thanks. Is there some rum for this?” He waved the Coke in Geoff’s direction.

  “No. You’d never drink and drive.” Raine nodded slowly. “Around here we don’t ride and drive.” Raine accepted the answer and took a swig of the soda, picking up a sandwich from the plate. They talked while Raine ate, Geoff catching up on news about the office, slipping back into the easy friendship they’d shared in Chicago. Geoff hadn’t been sure if things would change, and he was relieved by how easily they picked up their friendship. Raine soon finished eating, and they headed to the barn, laughing and joking as they crossed the yard.

  “How big is this place?” Raine craned his head as they walked.

  “Right now, about two thousand acres. I’m buying some more land that’ll add another two hundred and fifty. We have just over a thousand head of cattle.” Raine whistled, and his eyes went huge. “It’s the only way you can be profitable anymore. Smaller farms just can’t survive unless they have some sort of specialty.” Geoff opened the barn door, and they stepped into the dim coolness of the barn. The smell of fresh hay and clean stalls filled Geoff’s nose. “Eli is probably with Twilight.” Geoff led the way, opening the stall door. Eli was indeed in the stall, brushing the chestnut horse.

  Eli looked up and smiled when he saw Geoff. “I’m almost done.”

  Geoff nodded and shut the stall door, leading Raine to the next stall. “This is Belle. She’ll be the horse you’ll ride while you’re here. She’s really sweet and incredibly good-natured.” A big head poked out of the stall. “Wait right here.” Geoff went to the treat bin and brought back some carrots. “Give her one of these.” He handed the carrot to Raine. “Hold your hand flat.” Raine looked at Geoff and then the horse before backing away. “She won’t hurt you, just hold your hand flat.” Geoff demonstrated, and Raine followed suit, holding out his hand. Belle lowered her head and sucked up the carrot with her lips and began munching away. “That’s a good girl.” Geoff stroked her nose. “Come on, she’s not going to hurt you.”

  Raine stepped forward gingerly and stroked her nose the way Geoff had. “Her hair is soft.” He kept stroking gently. “Is Belle short for Bellamundo?”

  Geoff snorted softly. “No, it’s short for Tinkerbell.”

  “I’ll be riding a horse named Tinkerbell? Gee, thanks.” Raine’s eyes rolled, and then he burst out laughing. “A fairy horse being ridden by a fairy, how appropriate.”

  A stall opened and closed on the other side of the barn, and then Eli joined them.

  “Raine, this is Eli.” Geoff couldn’t keep himself from smiling. “Eli, this is my best friend, Raine.” Eli extended his hand, but Raine stepped forward, pulling the younger man into a hug. Geoff saw the surprised look on Eli’s face, but he returned the hug and then stepped back.

  “It’s great to meet you, Eli. Geoff’s told me so much about you.” Raine was grinning as he looked between Eli and Geoff. “Anyone who can make him smile like that has to be really special. He never smiled that way the entire time he was in Chicago.”

  Eli moved next to Geoff, putting his arm around his waist. “Belle is all saddled, and I got Kirk and Twilight brushed.” Geoff leaned to Eli, giving him a gentle thank-you kiss. “I’ll finish saddling Twilight if you’ll finish Kirk, and then we can go for a ride. You want to start him in the ring?”

  “Yeah, then we can go for a short trail ride. I’ve got picnic things for afterward. I thought we could go for a swim. It’s a hot one today.” Eli smiled, and they looked at Raine. “That okay with you?”

  “Sounds great. I’m already schvitzing like crazy.” Eli just shook his head and went to saddle the horse, not evening asking the question. Raine whispered. “He’s adorable, by the way.”

  Geoff looked at Raine seriously. “He’s the sweetest, kindest, most loving person I’ve ever met. He’s never selfish, works harder than anyone I’ve ever known, and he always puts himself last.”

  “So what’s got you worried?” Raine knew him so well.

  All of Geoff’s doubts and worries surfaced. “What if I’m not good enough for him?”

  “That’s the cop-out answer. What’s really got you scared?” God, he’d forgotten that he could never hide anything from Raine. The man could read him like a book.

  Geoff lowered his voice. “What if he leaves? He’s Amish and on his year away. What if he decides to go back?” He could hear his voice start to shake.

  “You really love him, don’t you? I mean, like… love him with everything you’ve got.”

  Geoff nodded slowly.

  “Then the only thing I can tell you is make the most of the time you have. You can’t control his feelings or if he decides to go back. All you can do is show him how much you love him and make the most of the time you have.” Raine pulled him into a hug. “Your dad and Len had twenty years together, and it wasn’t long enough.” Raine tightened his hug. “If he goes back, will you regret the time you had or will you cherish it?”

  Geoff knew the answer in a heartbeat. “Cherish it.”

  “That’s your answer; it’s that simple.”

  “Is it really that simple?”

  Raine released him, looking straight into Geoff’s eyes. “You can either worry about it, or you can make sure that if he leaves, you have as many memories to cherish as possible.” His expression didn’t waver. “Make the most of what you have. No matter how long you have it, it’s never long enough. Just ask Len.” Then Raine looked around, breaking eye contact. “I believe you have a horse to saddle.”

  Geoff did have a horse to saddle, and he didn’t want Eli to suspect they’d been talking about him. He led Raine to the tack room, handing him the saddle blanket and bridle before grabbing the saddle and carrying it to Kirk’s stall. Opening the stall door, he started the saddling process.

  “Hey, boy, you ready for a ride?” Kirk bounced his head—he was definitely ready for some exercise.

  “Why do you stand so close to him? Won’t he step on your feet?” Raine stood outside the stall, scared to come in, which was probably a good thing.

  “I touch him so he knows where I am and I don’t startle him. And by standing close, if he does kick, it won’t have much force, and he won’t really be able to hurt me.” Geoff continued working, talking in soft soothing tones. “Kirk is a stallion and very spirited, so I need to keep him calm. He’ll only let me, Eli, Joey, and Len anywhere near him. He keeps trying to kick or bite most everyone else.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Raine back further away. “Would you grab a few carrots and hand them to me?”

  Raine moved slowly, watching the horse out of the corner of his eye as he got the carrots. “Just hold your hand out flat like I told you.” Raine looked at him like he was nuts but did as Geoff said. Kirkpatrick lowered his head and scooped up the carrot, munching happily. Raine gave him another one and slowly reach out to stroke the long black nose. “He likes you.”

  “You mean ’cause he didn’t bite my hand off?”

  “It helps that you just fed him. He loves to have his neck stroked.” Geoff finished saddling the horse and left the stall to see about Eli. He was finishing up as well, so Geoff led Belle to the ring. “Always mount the horse from the left side.” Geoff mounted Belle to show him how it was done. “Now you try it. Left foot in the stirrup… good… swing your right leg over….”

  Raine was now sitting on the horse, looking extremely uncomfortable. “What if she runs off with me?”

  “She’s not going to run off with you. Now pay attention. To stop, pull back on the reins. To turn, lay the reins against her neck in the direction you want to go, and she’ll turn in that direction. To tell her to move, simply click
your tongue and gently touch her ribs with your heels.” Geoff clicked his tongue, and Belle started walking forward. “Try turning left.” Raine laid the reins on her neck, and Belle shifted directions in a slow circle. “Remember, she’s not a car. You don’t get instant steering.” Raine laughed and turned Belle in the other direction. “Good, now pull back on the reins.” He did, and she stopped. “Okay, walk her around the ring while I go get Kirk.”

  Eli came out of the barn and brought Twilight into the ring and mounted. Eli trotted his horse in front of Belle and led as they walked around the ring. As Geoff expected, Belle followed right behind Twilight. Geoff went inside and got Kirk, led him to the ring, and after shutting the gate, mounted the stallion with practiced ease.

  After riding in the ring for a while, Eli opened the gate and Geoff led Kirk out, followed by Raine on Belle, with Eli bringing up the rear. They headed across the field and toward one of the trails. “I need to check on one of the pastures, so we’ll ride there and then come back.” Eli waved his agreement, and Raine smiled. He looked like he was having fun and didn’t care where they went.

  As they rode, Geoff heard conversation behind him. He listened as he led the way to the pasture.

  “How long have you been riding?”

  “I was raised Amish, so I learned to ride as a child. We had a pony, and I learned to ride her.”

  “What’s it like not to have a car?”

  “You can’t miss what you never had. The hardest part is that you can’t go anywhere in a hurry, and sometimes people aren’t patient when they encounter the buggy on the street. Papa won’t even ride in a car. I had only ridden in a car once before I came here, and that was when I was just a kid with Mama.”

  “So what’s it like? What do you do for fun?”

  “Before coming here, my life revolved around my family. I worked with Papa or my uncle during the day. Some afternoons my younger brothers and sisters would play games outside the house with our friends.”

  “Did you go to school?”

  “Yes, I went until I was about fourteen. Then I went to work with Papa, learning to make furniture.”