by Jan Irving
How could Kyle want to be with Jesse? It didnt make sense. Jesse was nothing like Mac. He was like a lit trail of gasoline, ready to ignite, where Mac had been patient and weathered, with battered hands and dinged-up nails. And jeez, wasnt David an idiot? Hed thought theyd been fighting or something all this time. They must have thought it was so funny, keeping it a secret from the dumb kid.
“David.”
David growled to himself. Sometimes hed thought he heard Jesse tonight, like he was whispering in his ear, telling him to be careful, to come home.
The rising sun touched the low grass on the horizon. Hed been out wandering what seemed like ages. He wasnt even sure he was still on ranch property, except this little collection of buildings were definitely Macs handiwork.
A horse whinnied in challenge, and he made out a barrel-shaped mare, head raised, studying the intruder. Next to the large brown animal was a spindly legged foal, all ribs and bones and fawn eyes.
That foal tugged him closer, and something in him settled.
* * *
Jesse sat up, Kyles sheets tangled around his hips, and scrubbed the sweat from his cheeks.
“You okay?” Kyle asked. Kyle had spooned him for hours, stroking Jesses arms and chest, holding on and not talking, as if he knew Jesse needed the quiet. Jesse had also felt the prod of Kyles erection against his ass, but Kyle had made no move to get relief, though Jesse wouldnt have minded if hed rubbed off against him.
“Anything from David?” Jesse ran his index finger over his lips, trying to make sense of the impressions. “Hes…happy. Hes in a good place. Earlier I picked up him feeling tired and a little bit scared.”
“Crap!” Kyle got out of bed to pace. “We know hes not close by, because Im sure you would have found him. I think he walked a long time.”
“Its a big range,” Kyle said. Then he frowned. “Theres one place. Its on the outskirts of the ranch, right snug against the foothills.”
“Yeah?” Jesse blinked. “You mean that pasture you first staked out for training the draft horses, right? When Mac helped you to build a little shelter and corral.”
Kyle nodded. “Yeah.” While he opened a drawer and pulled out a clean T-shirt, Jesse headed to his room to dress.
* * *
“You were a while,” Jesse said, impatient as Kyle slammed the truck door shut. Kyle gunned the engine, and they spun out onto the unpaved road that bisected the ranch.
“Had to get something,” Kyle said.
“Do you think hes there?” Jesse was afraid to hope.
“Yeah, I think theres a good chance from what you caught from him.” “Mac was better at picking up feelings than me.”
Kyle shook his head. “I dont think I knew he did that. Are all the Coulters
magic?”
“Magic?” Jesse raised a brow. “Me?” Kyle glanced at him before focusing back on the road. “Yeah, you.”
* * *
David didnt look their way when they parked the truck just outside the corral. Jesse shoved the passenger door open, and he didnt realize that Jesses hands were fisted until Kyle was there, until he caught Jesses hand. He looked at Jesse, and Jesse relaxed them slowly, taking a deep breath in Kyles silent, firm hold.
He heard the sound of the birds stirring and a drip of water coming from the old sun shower Mac had been fond of. He absorbed the fine lines around Kyles eyes and mouth, the silver at his temples and the way his ordinary brown eyes held Jesses.
Finally Jesse sighed, “Okay.” Kyle nodded and let him go, stepping back so he was leaning against the truck, clearly intending to leave the brothers to work this out.
And Jesse had never loved him more, plain brown eyes, wrinkles, touch of gray hair, and all.
* * *
“Nice foal,” Jesse said, seeing David was stroking the little animal when it wasnt flopping around on twig legs.
“Yeah. I think hes related to Hall. Same coloring,” David said.
Jesse patted the horse, nodding.
David flashed him a look, resentment and resignation tangled like burnished fall ivy. “Im not sorry I took a break. It wasnt running away or some stupid shit.”
“We worried, David Shiloh Coulter…” Jesse drew out the name so David would know to listen. He only ever used it when he was really serious. “But I guess you wanted that.”
“Cant say it bothers me, no. And its we now?”
Jesse felt his brother testing the new boundaries. “You remember my tat.”
David grimaced. “I thought it was some kind of „in memory of thing. So it was like…a love deal?”
“Yes,” Jesse admitted huskily.
“I dont get it. How can you want Macs guy?”
Jesse gave a rueful laugh. “I hate to break it to you, but I wanted him even when Mac was around—not that I would have ever done anything. Im not sure it makes sense. Hes just…” Jesses gaze caught on Kyle, still leaning patiently against the vehicle, head back as if he was listening to the birdsong, appreciating it.
“Everyone in town knows, after yesterday.”
“Yeah.”
“And in my school.”
“Im sorry about that. We wanted to make things easier for you.” Jesse rubbed the back of his neck. “I wouldnt be surprised if Im asked to clarify the situation for the social worker.”
“They wont give me back to Morrison.” David stopped stroking the small horse.
“No. Especially not after you talk to her about…that stuff you confided in me and Kyle.” Jesses lips tightened. “David, do you know anything about who left that spray paint? It seemed like someone wanted to hurt Kyle—and you.”
“Theres a guy who works here called Jed,” David said, eyes on his brush as he returned to grooming the colt. “I was trying to keep an eye on him. He said…he threatened you or Kyle might get hurt if I told you about him.”
“David, fuck, you should have confided in us. Kyle would have fired him for sure.”
“Wouldnt stop him from coming back and keeping his word. Mac died here from an accident, Jess.”
Jesse swallowed. “Yeah, kid, I know. I get it. Jed… I had a weird feeling Id seen him before. Kyle mentioned he might have been behind the people leaving, some kind of whisper campaign.”
“Hes a drinking buddy of Pas. I dont think he did the spray painting, because he was at the picnic, but he may have messed around with the fences.”
“Well, its over now; he quit.”
“Good.”
Kyle had walked up finally, hands in his pockets.
“What you going to do with the foal?” David asked.
“I was going to train him, but I dont have anyone to spare. Might have to sell him.”
“You know, back in 1945, there were only two thousand registered draft horses left in the country,” David said. “I looked it up.”
Kyle nodded. “Yep.”
“In the sixties, they started coming back, though some were on endangered lists.”
Kyle patted the mare, who butted his shoulder. “I love these horses. Once they carried knights into battle. Theyre intelligent, gentle, loyal, and they helped build farms and families. Then we nearly let them die out.”
“So you and Jesse…?”
Kyle flushed. “I would have been with Mac the rest of my life if Id had the choice. But Jess…” He shrugged. “I tried not to.”
David seemed to mull that over before saying, “Dont sell the foal.”
“Davy, I cant be sentimental. This baby is going to need training, someone who has the time and resources.”
“Ill help you,” David said. “You know Im a man of my word.” He swallowed, holding Kyles gaze.
Kyle chewed his lip before finally nodding. “All right. Ill train both of you, and you can look after the foal. That way I get a new driver, and you can help me train a new animal.”
“In time for the Fall Festival?”
Kyle raised his brows. “Thats in November, which is coming up real soon. You dont ask much. Well talk
about it, because your school has to come first. Go in and muck out the lean-to. I brought fresh hay and some of those cinnamon scones you like from the bakery.”
Jesse looked at Kyle in belated admiration. “Thats why you were so slow this morning when we were heading out; you were bringing breakfast.”
Kyles eyes twinkled as he put an arm around each Coulter man. “I maybe brought enough for three.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Whoa!” David tightened the lines, and Hall came to a halt, stamping his feet, steam rising from his breath on the cool, misty Sunday morning. Fog had rolled in, wreathing the trees and foothills, but it would burn off toward noon.
Kyle nodded. “So far so good. He paid attention to you; a horse that doesnt recognize whoa cant work in an urban environment.” David gave a grave nod. It had been a long session while he and Kyle had gone over handling the lines properly, which wasnt easy to do with one hand juggling both whip and a line—not to mention keeping straight the vocal commands and observing safety considerations. Kyle had made sure David learned to check for anything between the gear and the animal, because something rubbing uncomfortably against its skin could understandably make a horse act up.
“Im so nervous, doing this,” David admitted. “I mean…thinking I might carry kids around in my carriage, you know?”
Kyle nodded. “Yeah, thats why were taking things so slow. I appreciate that you have a serious attitude about this, David. But this is just a ride on a country lane, right? And this is what well be doing after school for the next few weeks. That is, if you still intend to drive in the Fall Festival.”
“I want to,” David said.
“Then well do our best to make it happen.”
It had already been a few weeks since the upset that had made David take off. Kyle and Jess had been tiptoeing around the teen because of it. Kyle was afraid of upsetting him by sharing a bed openly with Jesse, so all he and Jesse had managed to exchange were some desperate kisses and rubbing off against each other when they were so crazy for it they couldnt hold back.
But he knew Jesse wasnt happy. He had said more than once that he wanted to move into Kyles room—permanently and openly.
Kyle rubbed his jaw, absently aware of the even clip-clop of Halls hooves. Jesse had guessed Davids feelings about the two of them were largely an excuse on Kyles part; he wasnt sure he was ready to take that final step, to say to himself this young man was his.
What did it matter what his body craved, what his heart wanted? He loved Jesse, and he didnt want to take anything away from him. The last barrier he couldnt seem to jump was that one day hed leave Jesse alone, just given their differences in age. Of course, his worries served to piss off Jesse.
“Halls head just came up,” David said.
“Mmmm. See that recycling box by the road? It wasnt there yesterday when we did this circuit, so Hall is looking at it, wondering if it poses a danger. You always have to remember that horses use flight to protect themselves. In an urban environment, youll have to be relaxed and reassure him. Hell pick up on that through the tone of your voice and your touch on the lines.”
“Its cool how responsive he is,” David agreed.
“Its not unlike, uh, meditation. If youre centered, then your horse will be calm too.”
David glanced at him. “You think you could teach me how to meditate?”
“Sure, if you want. Hows it been going at school?” Kyle asked.
David had gone through a rough time in the aftermath of the picnic. Kyle and Jesse knew this from Davids teachers, since he didnt talk about it.
“Okay, I guess.” David shrugged.
“I noticed you didnt try for the football team this year.” Kyle kept his tone neutral as they swung around the bend that led to the training ring and barn. “It was football or this.” “Davy—”
“No, really. And with Marjorie wanting me to do some work for her”—David exhaled—“its what I want.”
“I can understand that. Hows the tutoring going with Marjorie?”
Marjorie had taken over tutoring David in sciences when Sam didnt follow up on her offer.
“She knows a lot, but its been a long time since she was in high school,” David said, amusement in his gray eyes. “She argues with the textbooks sometimes.”
Kyle smiled, but he had to ask, “Your friend Sam isnt coming for another ride in the Cinderella carriage?” He knew David had wanted to take her sometime, just here on the ranch.
Davids gaze fell to his hands grasping the reins firmly. “She wont be coming.”
So it was what hed thought, her parents had probably forbidden her to see David.
* * *
Back in the ring, Kyle had David practice the all-important hitching operation. This was where a lot of accidents happened, so he was vigilant about it, watching as David encouraged Hall to walk backward into place, where he could be attached to the training carriage.
Jesse joined them, sitting on the rails of the corral until Hall was set up again. Kyle noticed he had his large drawing pad. Lately he drew up plans or roughs of the buildings on the ranch. That bug to be something more was obviously blossoming here on the ranch. Kyle intended to keep pushing the younger man to get into the local university.
Jesse put aside his pad and jumped down from the fence, butting David with his shoulder. “Hey, bud. Want to see how to parallel park?”
“On your bike?”
“No bike for you. I made Kyle a promise.”
David gave Kyle an impatient look, but Kyle felt not the slightest remorse. He was only just getting used to Jesse using the Harley. He couldnt take it if David started driving it too—hell no. “My house, my rules. Well talk about it when youre a little older,” he said, hoping that day would never come.
“Hes not related to us, Jess. I dont see why—” David fumed.
“You little ass,” Jesse growled. “Hes worried about you, dont you get it? He doesnt want anything to happen to you.”
It hurt when David said that. Kyle knew he was being stupid and that the kid had a point, but it still hurt.
“He doesnt stop you from driving the bike,” David said.
“Jesses a man, so he gets to make that call,” Kyle said quietly. David and Jesse both looked at him as he patted Hall. “But youre right that you need to learn to drive. Well look into lessons with my truck if you keep your grades up. For now, get in the wagon, and well work on parallel parking. Itll be one of the tests for that blue ribbon.”
* * *
“Over, over, over…” Jesse ordered Hall, and the big Percheron sidestepped, front legs weaving like the horse was performing some kind of country dance as he pivoted in the direction Jesse guided him to take with the lines.
Kyle watched, appreciating Jesses intense focus. Jesse had offered to take a couple of days a week giving tours in Pigeon, and Kyle was grateful for the support. One of the drivers was giving him a refresher course, and he was speeding through it.
“Whoa.” The horse came to a halt, and then Jesse guided him through the routine again in the opposite direction, while David watched. Although David was sitting between them, there was a split second when Jesses blue eyes caught Kyles, and Kyle felt the impact in his chest, in his breathing, which stuttered.
“Jess.” He couldnt help calling out to him.
“Come out with me tonight. Come out with me for a bike ride to the lake. We can visit your cottage there.” “David…”
“Marjorie offered to stay over if we ever…you know.”
Kyle found himself blushing. “You asked her?”
“We’re adults. We’re entitled to go out on a date when we want, aren’t we?”
Kyle nodded, letting Jesse get back to teaching David. When the teen had rehearsed giving the command himself a couple times, they called the session to a halt, and David carefully unhitched Hall and removed his harness.
“The parking was pretty cool, even if it wasnt a bike,” David admitted. “You better
get it, since youll be the one driving Hall this year at the festival.”
David blinked, and Jesse turned to look at Kyle. Kyle stretched his arms over his head, feeling the burn of the sun now it had come out. He knew his idea was impulsive, but it felt right. Maybe it would go a ways to making up for what had happened the day of the picnic.
“But…what if I lose?” “What if you do? Winning isnt everything.” Kyle shrugged. After going through some hard times for his business, somehow his earlier ambition to win at the festival didnt seem as important. What mattered was he just kept going. He was feeling fresh hope with Jesses and Davids help. Theyd weather the rough patch. “Remember youll only have a permit to drive a carriage on the fair grounds.”
David nodded. “But someday…”
“Someday soon, the way youre going, youll be driving in Pigeon along with Jesse,” Kyle promised.
Jesse was smiling at him, that ruff of brown hair blowing around in the slight breeze so Kyle had to put an arm around him. He cleared his throat. “Your brother and I are going on a date tonight, but we wont be very far away, just the cottage. Dont forget your homework.” Jesse lifted up to brush his lips against Kyles, the first kiss theyd ever shared in public.
“Jeez.” David made a face. “Get a room, you two.”
“Good idea,” Jesse said.
* * *
Kyle paused and did a double take as he looked at Jesse waiting for him beside his bike, an extra helmet in his hand. “I wasnt expecting the suit,” he said, absorbing Jesse in formal dress the same dark flame of his eyes. He even had a tie that looked like silk in bands of green and blue. “Wow.”
“First date,” Jesse said with a shrug. “Its still me in here.” Kyle took the helmet. “My wild boy.” He gave the bike an apprehensive look. “I havent been on one of these…in forever.”
Jesse smiled, the starlight giving his face a hardness, a maturity. “Copy my movements, as if were riding a horse double. Most important thing is to lean with my weight.”