LGBT

Chapter 2: Coffee and Conversation

Chapter 2: Coffee and Conversation

Supper was a simple, but filling, meal, a roast and baked potatoes, beans on the side. Allen told Bill he could stay in the house and relax after his long drive, but the logger followed him out anyway, offering a helping hand on the evening chores.

“Takes me back a few years,” smiled Bill as they put down the last of the feed for the horses.

“Well, I’m not complaining that much about the help.”

The light was finally fading as they headed inside, and Bill took a minute to stand on the porch and watch it go. “I’ll never get tired of that,” he muttered.

“Been awhile since you seen it?” asked Allen, getting a fire going against the lingering night chill.

“Well, sun sets every night,” Bill teased, “But yeah, I was in the army for a while, only came back out here last year.”

“I know your company is pretty new. How did you get into logging?” asked Allen, finishing what he was doing and settling into a chair.

Bill took the seat opposite. “Couple buddies I went to high school with were in the business and they got me a job when I got out. Company we were with decided to pull out of the area, so we figured we could fill the gap. We don’t have any big corporate needs, so we don’t mind doing the small jobs like this.”

“Are they going to come help you clear it?” Allen watched his features in the flickering light.

“Probably not. This is a pretty small job and they’ve got a bigger one going the next county over. I’ll know for sure once we get out there, but I should be able to get the place cleared in a couple days, then Joe’s uncle knows someone who’ll probably buy your timber.

“Boss knows he’s not going to get much for it, but he figures it’s better to get it out after the storm damage and before wildfire season.” Bill looked over and Allen brought his gaze over to the fireplace. No need to stare.

“I’m sure wildfire season is no joke around here,” said Bill.

“Can be. We haven’t had a bad one in a while, but no point taking chances.”

“I’m always careful,” promised Bill.

Allen met his gaze. “I’m sure you are.” He glanced away again. “Let me show you your room. We’ll get an early start in the morning.”

“I’ve never known a cowboy that wasn’t a morning person, whether they liked it or not,” joked Bill.

“Ain’t that the truth,” laughed Allen. “You can probably sleep a little longer than me, I’ll wake you up when chores are done and we’re ready to head out.”

“You never know,” Bill said, “I might beat you to it. Assuming you don’t have an insanely complicated coffee pot.”

“Nope. Pretty sure it’s a vintage 1987 model. Super simple. But good coffee.”

“Excellent.”

Bill followed Allen up the stairs. Allen pointed out the bathroom and his own bedroom, watching Bill step into the guest room.

Sighing he went into his own room and closed the door. Thoughts were already bouncing around his head. He didn’t even know if Bill liked guys. He was former army, so even if he did, those guys weren’t often known for encouraging that kind of thing. Nor lumberjacks. Then again, neither were cowboys, and yet here Allen was.

Boss knew, the cowboys who watched the cattle knew. He’d never seen a point in keeping his preferences a secret, not in this day and age. Most folks just nodded and kept on. Allen was good at his job, who he wanted to go home to at the end of the day wasn’t anybody’s business. Besides, by being open about it, nobody could use it against him.

Grumbling to himself, Allen undressed and climbed into bed. Just a few days of dark hair and green eyes. Surely he could survive that, right?

To Allen’s surprise, he woke the next morning to the smell of coffee. “Well, I’ll be goddamned,” he muttered, rolling out of bed and dressing. He went downstairs and found Bill hunting down the mugs.

“You weren’t kidding about the vintage on that coffee maker,” Bill said without looking.

“One more cabinet over and one shelf up,” said Allen. “And I know. It could very well be as old as I am. But, somehow, it still works.”

“Possessed by the spirits of cowboys past,” said Bill, pulling out two mugs. “They know the importance of caffeination.”

Allen shook his head and went to make breakfast. “Does that mean you’re going to help with the morning chores?”

“Yep. If we’re going to be gone a day or two, who’s minding the home front?”

“Guy named Roscoe. He’ll be in by the time we’re done. Conveniently missing the morning duties of course.”

“Of course. Well that just means he doesn’t get any of this coffee,” said Bill.

“Or these eggs,” said Allen, quickly whipping together a breakfast that would get them through most of the day. “I’ve got a saddlebag packed already, just need to eat, take care of the horses, make sure Roscoe shows up, and we can be on our merry way.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Allen was aware that Bill was watching him, sipping his coffee and leaning against the counter in a way that didn’t seem entirely innocent.

“Hope you like scrambled,” Allen said, stirring the skillet.

“Fine by me. I’m the least picky person when it comes to food. Four months in a tank will do that to you.”

“I can only imagine,” said Allen, dishes it out into bowls. “I thought about joining up, but I got a job right out of high school, so there wasn’t any need.”

“I think most guys like us at least consider it,” said Allen. “Especially the ones that don’t like ranching or farming. I figured I’d use it to go school. Still might eventually, but this is good enough for now.”

“Can always go online or something,” said Allen, sitting down across from him to eat, nursing the coffee.

Bill shrugged noncommittally. “We’ll see. I’ve got time and this is working out pretty well for me so far.”

The lapsed into silence as they dug in, both of them thinking about the day ahead. Allen was going over the route in his head. It wasn’t too difficult to get out there and he’d been not too long ago to see the damage, but knew he could never be too careful.

Finally they finished and put their bowls in the sink. “Should we do the dishes?” asked Bill.

“Roscoe can do them, he’s the one skipping chores with us,” said Allen, pulling on a coat. “Come on.”

They headed out to the barn and got to work. It was nice having someone else around to help, and made everything go faster. As they were finishing up he heard another truck in the drive and smiled at Bill. “That’ll be Roscoe,” he said, stepping out and waving at him.

“You were right,” said Bill, dropping the last of the hay.

Roscoe was an older man who had something more of a waddle rather than a walk. He came over and shook Allen’s hand, then Bill’s, Allen introducing them. “Nice to meet you, Bill.”

“There’s coffee in the house,” said Allen. “Horses are fed.”

“All right. I’ll take good care of them.”

“I know you will. We’re heading out in just a minute, wanted to make sure you got here okay first.”

“Yep, I’m here now, just going to see about that coffee.” Roscoe gave them both an easy grin and headed into the house, whistling an incredibly out of tune version of the Star Spangled Banner.

Allen shook his head with a quiet chuckle and went to get the saddlebags and tack. They got the horses ready and out of the pen in record time, even with Allen double checking everything.

He headed up to the house to let Roscoe know they were leaving, then came back and smiled at Bill. “Let’s go.”