Chapter 85
Liam nodded. “Exactly. For some of us this is the only family we have.”
Rory could agree with that. But before he could get too emotional, he felt the strange sensation of his hat being lifted off his head.
Liam laughed. Turning around, Rory saw his hat in Shadow’s mouth.
Despite laughing at Shadow’s antics himself, Rory did his best to glare at the horse. “Give it back!” He held out a hand but Shadow took a step backwards. “Shadow!” Rory warned softly
The horse eyed Rory for a moment then stepped forward and, ignoring Rory’s outstretched hand, put the hat back on Rory’s head, backwards.
Rory turned the hat around. “Who’s a clever boy!” he praised, amazed Shadow had performed such a trick.
Shadow evidently was proud of himself because he tipped his head back and curled his upper lip to show his teeth in an equine equivalent of a smile. His nickering sounded a lot like a laugh, too.
Kissing Shadow’s head, Rory whispered, “Love you, you crazy horse.”
“I don’t fucking believe it,” Liam said. “You have a real connection with him. With all the critters. If I haven’t told you before, I’m telling you now. You’re a fucking credit to this ranch.” He turned to leave. “Think about what I said about the house.”
* * * *
Rory was finishing off mucking Star’s stall, which thankfully was the last one. Star was a sweet old pinto mare, who was kept on at the ranch purely for sentimental reasons. She’d been Jake’s mom’s horse and was considered part of the fabric of the place.
Rory was getting hungry and his arm muscles were starting to ache more than those in his butt. Resting for a moment to give Star another sugar lump, he heard the side door to the barn creak open. Poking his head into the aisle, he saw a bareheaded Zane entering. The man wasn’t even wearing a jacket.
“There you are. Woke up and you weren’t there,” Zane said, closing the door behind him and strolling down the aisle.
Rory leaned on his pitchfork. “Couldn’t sleep so I got up and made a start on morning chores.”
Zane looked down the aisle and frowned. “I’d have helped. You should have woken me up.”
Star nuzzled at Zane’s shirt pocket, no doubt after more sugar.
“How’s my best girl!” Zane petted her neck then pulled out a browned piece of apple from his jeans pocket. Star took it, although Rory could tell it wasn’t what she was really hoping for. Maybe Liam had been right about how he had a connection with the critters.
Zane then turned back to Rory, kissing him then pulling him into a hug.
“I stink!” Rory protested, although did nothing to extricate himself from the embrace.
“Don’t care.” Zane kissed him again.
“It’s like, ten degrees out there. Why aren’t you wearing your hat, gloves, and a coat?”
Zane shrugged sheepishly. “Don’t feel the cold.”
Rory rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Was missing you so came to find you.”
“Zane.” Rory shook his head again and felt guilty at leaving his sleeping lover. “I’m sorry.” He touched Zane’s cheek. “Just had stuff on my mind is all.” Knowing he shouldn’t hide anything from his man, he mentioned his conflicted feelings about parading around nude. “I know I’m just as bad with the noises and dirty talk when we have sex.” He wanted to say make love, but was unsure how Zane would react.
Back came Zane’s frown. “Is your ass hurting?”
Rory was momentarily confused by the change of subject. “A bit, but it’s a good kind of hurt if you know what I mean.”
Zane didn’t seem convinced but got back on topic. “We can keep our clothes on more around the bunkhouse if it’d make you feel better. It’s just…I’ve never had a boyfriend before and, well, never really had a girlfriend either. So I just get excited about having one and I just wanna show you off to everyone, ’cause you’re so awesome and special and mine and—”
Rory silenced him with a kiss. “You’re all those things to me, too. I haven’t had a boyfriend before either and I wish I could tell everyone that this huge hunk of hotness is mine.”
Zane blushed.
“But getting back to us walking around naked and being loud and shit.”
Zane’s face fell again. Rory hated to see his man unhappy because Zane’s brow wrinkled and…Reaching up to smooth Zane’s forehead, he said, “Liam was here earlier and he mentioned about the foreman’s house being empty and how we could move into it if we wanted. It might need fixing up but—”
Zane picked Rory up and stepped into the aisle.