Chapter 41
In the straight world, the world of Christine and Ian, potential partners were easily identifiable. But in the gay world, how did you find men of like mind if you didn’t go to the bars or frequent online sites? You couldn’t just start flirting with any man you met at the supermarket and found attractive, the way straight guys did with women. And you certainly couldn’t use, “Hey, you’re cute. I’m gay, are you? Wanna go have a drink and get to know each other?” as a pick-up line. Maybe someday in the distant future, when being gay was as accepted in society as being tall or having curly hair, but not now.
Where could a man find another man whom you could trust, someone who was open, honest, and willing to take things slowly? Where could you find authentic love? This was Dan’s dilemma, and he had no solution for it.
As Dan watched the dogs play with each other in the yard, he absently thought, I wonder if Chrissy had this Ian guy’s sperm count checked before she committed to him? At least that’s one thing a gay guy doesn’t have to worry about in finding a new partner.
* * * *
“Good morning,” Rose said when Dan came into the office. “I’ll have your schedule up in a second. Did you have a good weekend?”
Dan was tempted to say something about Christine’s new boyfriend, as she and Rose had been close. But he decided he should leave that to Chrissy. So he just said, “It was peaceful. Just me and the dogs hanging out.”
Rose got up from her desk and walked to the counter. “You’re not just sitting around all by yourself, are you? You need to be getting out.”
“No, I’ve been going out pretty regularly,” he said, somewhat ruefully. After all, his forays into his new lifestyle weren’t turning out all that well.
“Well, I should hope you are. A handsome, young man like you has a lot to offer someone.”
At that moment Ezra Devlin came into the office.
“Handsome? Who’s handsome? You’re not talkin’ about this ole hound dog, are you?” he asked jovially as he patted Dan on the back.
“I was just telling Dan I didn’t want him just sitting at home alone,” Rose said.
“Really, I’m not. It’s just…”
“Tell ya what,” Ezra interrupted Dan. “Linda and I have been planning on a pool party. Let’s do it this coming weekend. I’ll call her right now and tell her. Rose, you can send out an invite to the staff.”
Rose and Dan began to protest, both speaking at the same time.
“Are you sure? Won’t your wife be upset? This is so last minute.”
Ezra held up a hand to stem their protests. “Nah—she’s been after me to make up my mind when to do it all summer and now the summer’s winding down. Anyway, I’ll do the grilling. She won’t have to cook.”
Dan said, “I’m on call.”
“We alternate weekends on call. There’ll never be a weekend we’re both free. So, if you get called, just go take care of it and come back. No big deal.” Ezra turned away to call his wife.
“Good. Now I won’t worry about you,” Rose said as she handed Dan his schedule.
Ezra turned back to the counter just as Dan was looking over his schedule of farm calls. “All set. Six-thirty Saturday. Bring your swim suit and an appetite.”
But Dan was barely listening. At the bottom of the schedule he read: Scott Wagner, Hatcherson Farm. Highway 16. Shadow. Recheck hoof for abscess. Call and let know when you’ll be there. Must be late afternoon. 555-0381.
Dan looked up. Rose smiled and winked at him.
* * * *
The first thing Dan noticed as he pulled into the driveway at Scott’s place was that the mobile home was gone. The next thing he saw took his breath away. Scott was working at the side of the house. He was doing some sort of planting, and—he wasn’t wearing a shirt.
Scott stood and waved as Dan pulled in. Scott’s body glistened with sweat in the late afternoon sun. He removed his sunglasses and wiped his brow with his forearm as he began to walk toward Dan’s truck. Dan felt himself respond to the sight of the man, shirtless, and wearing shorts that showed off his muscular legs with every stride.
Much to Dan’s disappointment Scott grabbed a shirt that was hanging over the split rail fence that surrounded the yard. He slipped it over his head, hiding from view the smooth, chiseled, muscular torso. However, this had very little effect on quieting Dan’s libido, which had immediately been activated at the sight of Scott’s semi-naked body.