LGBT

Chapter 1: Sunset Possibilities

Chapter 1: Sunset Possibilities

Allen stopped what he was doing to watch the battered pickup come up the drive. He adjusted his hat and leaned against the rail while the gravel crunched underneath the wheels. Finally the truck came to a stop in front of him. He couldn’t help but smile as a dark haired, green eyed man climbed out of the truck. He gave Allen an appraising look and Allen could well imagine what was going through his head. How young he was for this job, was he even talking to the right person, what was he getting into?

Stepping away from the rail, Allen offered his hand. “You must be Bill?”

“Yeah,” he said, taking it. He had a firm grip. “Allen, right? We spoke on the phone?”

“Yep. Come on inside and I’ll show you the maps. Boss thinks we should sell off that stand of trees that was damaged in the last storm.”

Allen led Bill into the ranch house. The owner was rarely, if ever, here, leaving Allen to manage the land and the ranch. And Allen hadn’t let him down yet; he wasn’t going to start now.

Maps were already on the kitchen table, anticipating Bill’s arrival. Bill was a bit young as well, but his logging company had a good reputation in the area. They’d get a fair price for everything.

Allen leaned over the map. “We’re here. The stand is here. It’s a bit remote, but it should be good timber.” He could have sworn Bill was checking him out as he leaned over.

Bill looked over his shoulder. “How deep is this creek? Maybe we can float the lumber down.”

“Might be deep enough, especially with all the rain this spring. I know it’s a long ride; we can head out in the morning.” Allen gave Bill a smile.

Bill looked at him a moment, then stepped back. “Ride?” he asked.

“Yeah, it’s easier to take a horse out there than a vehicle. We can get your equipment out there once you’ve decided on the best course of action.”

“All right.” Bill nodded again and looked back at the map. “So, I’m staying here tonight?”

“If that’s okay. I know we’re pretty much the middle of nowhere. I made up a room for you. Besides, it’s been quite some time since I had any company aside from the horses.” Allen gave him another smile. “Been out at a ranch recently?”

“Not one this big at least,” said Bill. “My Uncle had a ranch though.”

“We’re mostly cattle. Some sheep, some horses. Come on, let me show you around.” Allen led the way back outside, walking towards the pen where the horses were watching the goings on with interest.

“Well taken care of,” remarked Bill, rubbing the nose of the closest one with a fond smile. He looked at Allen. “Not that I’d expect anything else, of course.”

“It’s all right. We’ll be getting a couple of interns for the summer soon, and the boss will be up to check before too long. It’s a lot for one person, but the cattle are out with a couple cowboys and have been for a few weeks. They’re not due back for another one. It’s the kind of job you do ‘cause you love it.”

“Yeah, I understand that,” said Bill. “What’s this one’s name?”

“Harvey,” laughed Allen. “He’s the one you’ll be riding tomorrow.”

“Mind if I give him a try?” asked Bill.

“Not at all, let me get you some tack. Suppose I should have asked you to bring your own saddle.”

“It’s been asked of me before,” said Bill, following him into the dim light of the barn. “But I don’t mind borrowing.” The temperature was cooler in the shadows and a black cat ran across his path.

“Don’t worry, she’s not gonna curse you. Just had a litter of kittens not too long ago, though where she found a tomcat I couldn’t tell you.” Allen opened up a door and started pulling out the tack.

“I don’t take stock with those superstitions anyway. And cats always seem to find a way, don’t they?”

“Oh yeah.” Allen handed Bill a saddle. “This won’t take long. Harvey’s pretty gentle, but he’s sturdy too.”

“I’ve been thrown off my share,” chuckled Bill. “My Uncle said it built character. I said it only built bruises.”

Allen laughed, noticing his warm smile, but he set any other ideas aside. After all, this was strictly business and the boss wouldn’t exactly like it if he got a reputation for taking a tumble with any halfway handsome man that came up to the ranch. They already joked with him about it, not realizing he’d never slept with anyone. And Bill wasn’t halfway handsome, more like, all the way and then some, with his dark hair, green eyes, and broad shoulders.

Leading the way back out into the sunlight, Allen helped Bill get set up, keeping up a steady stream of chatter both to Bill and to Harvey. Bill didn’t make any sudden movements, giving the horse a few minutes to get used to him before he climbed on.

“Go ahead and take him around the pen. I’ll saddle up Gypsy and we can take a trail, give you a lay of the land.”

“All right.” Allen walked back to the barn, glancing back as Bill took Harvey through his paces, getting a feel for the animal.

It didn’t take Allen long at all to have the silver-white horse he favored saddled and ready to go. Bill came over as Allen got settled. “You’re right, he’s pretty easy.”

“Glad you like him. He’s the one we generally give visitors. Now if I didn’t like you I’d have given you Lucy.” He gestured at a brown horse that seemed to be glaring from a far corner of the pen.

“Short for Lucifer?” asked Bill, biting back a grin.

“Yep,” Allen gave an answering grin, leading the way to the gate.

He made sure it was closed behind them once they were through, then turned towards a ridge that overlooked the ranch house. The spring weather was warm as they headed up the trail, taking an easy pace.

“It is gorgeous out here,” said Bill. “I can see why you stay.”

“It’s generally quiet too. So a storm like that one or a visitor can be a good thing.” Allen looked over his shoulder and smiled at him.

Bill bit his lip and moved up next to him. The trail switched back and they fell into easy silence, the only sound that of the horses as they followed the well-worn path.

Finally, they crested the ridge and Allen brought them to a halt. “Here we go. Boss owns basically everything you can see from here.”

Bill slid off the horse and took a few steps towards the edge, looking out at the spread with appreciation.

Allen got off as well and followed him. “That’s the creek,” he pointed at the glint of silver winding through the land. “The trees are right out over there. If you see that mountain with two peaks? It’s about halfway back to us.”

Bill nodded. “Yeah. I see it. That your cowboys?” he asked, pointing to a cloud of dust off in one corner of the land.

“Should be. If it’s not I’m going to have to have a word with someone.” Allen took a deep breath, savoring the view. Even after the last few years of working here full time, he never got tired of it. "Come on, sun is going to be setting soon, and while the sunset from here is spectacular, I’d rather not take Harvey back down the trail in the dark. Besides, supper should be ready.”

“Well, heaven forbid we miss supper,” Bill walked up and got into the saddle easily, another point in his favor.

Allen found himself relaxing easily in Bill’s company as they headed back down, dinner and the evening’s chores waiting for them.