LGBT

Chapter 7: Home Again

Chapter 7: Home Again

Morning came early. Allen stretched, sore in odd places as promised, but also feeling good. Bill was gone again, but Allen assumed he was just checking on the horses. Getting to his feet, he dressed, glad to find his clothes dry. He got breakfast going so by the time Bill returned, it was ready.

“Horses are fine. Looks like the creek went up a bit, but it’s stopped raining.

“Good. We can go down and you can inspect the timber, then. After you eat.”

Allen sat down on his chair, wincing just a little.

“You going to be okay to ride back today?” asked Bill, smiling.

“I’m sure. It passes, right?”

“Yeah. Walking around will help too. Your body is just not used it.”

“Right, so no more of that,” said Allen, running a hand through his hair, then meeting Bill’s eyes. “At least no more of that today.”

Bill chuckled. “Glad to know I didn’t disappoint.”

“Not at all,” said Allen, a little too quickly. Bill reached over and squeezed his knee.

When they finished eating, they went outside. Allen checked the horses himself, briefly, and then they headed down the hill to the trees. The rest of the morning was spent in and among the trees, clambering over fallen ones, Bill marking ones still standing that he figured they could cut.

“Don’t want to take all of them, of course. Clear cutting damages the soil, and you don’t want half of this spit of land ending up down river with the next big rain. But I think your Boss can definitely make a profit here.” Bill patted the nearest tree. “I’ll have to bring in some of my guys, since this isn’t just a one person job.”

“I understand,” said Allen. “You guys can use the cabin too, as a base of operations.

“Is there any way we could get some heavy equipment back here?” asked Bill.

Allen thought about it. “There’s an old wagon track. We can take that back and look at it, you’d know better than me if your equipment can handle it. It’s a slower route than the creek, which is why we didn’t take it in the first place.”

“I understand,” said Bill. He yawned and stretched, looking up at the sky. “Suppose we should head back. Still sore?”

Allen smiled. “Not nearly as much as this morning. I’ll be fine. I think I’m more sore from being thrown at this point.”

“I won’t tell anybody,” promised Bill. “I know you have a reputation to maintain.”

Allen chuckled. “Thanks. Come on.”

They walked back to the cabin and gathered their belongings, getting the horses ready. Bill finished with the horses while Allen made a final check that everything was sorted in the cabin. No evidence remained of the night before, save the half burned log in the fireplace. Allen sort of wondered what Bill had done with the condom then decided he didn’t want to know.

“Okay, we’re good to go,” said Allen, walking back out.

Bill was already on Harvey. Allen got up on Gypsy, taking a minute to find a comfortable way to sit. He made a mental note that next time, he shouldn’t have s*x like that just before getting on a horse for most of the day.

“The wagon trail is this way,” he said, turning from the creek and going up a small hill to some flatter land. The evidence of wagon wheels was still there, despite a hundred and fifty years’ time. Allen set an easy pace and if Bill noticed, he didn’t complain.

The day was warm again, this time with some lingering humidity, though there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. They went in companionable silence, Bill sometimes stopping them so he could get off Harvey and inspect the ground.

“I think this’ll work. It’ll tear up the ground some though, sorry to say,” he said after the fourth stop.

“I’ll let Boss know, but I’m sure he’ll be okay it.”

“You do what you need to.” Bill got back on Harvey. “I’ll be out here myself, you know,” he said, looking at Allen. “I don’t have to be on the job site every minute.”

Allen met his eyes. “I don’t work every minute either. And you’re good with the horses. I’m sure we can find some time, if you’d like.” Allen sure as hell knew he would like.

“We’ll figure it out,” promised Bill, riding close to him. He looked around them. “And who knows, I may need to come back out for another job.”

“Well, if you ever want to give up logging, we can always use an extra hand,” said Allen.

“Let’s see how it goes,” said Bill. “I’ve enjoyed your company, but no need to rush. I know how it is with the first time.”

Allen licked his lips and looked back at where they were going.

They reached the ranch house, just as the sun was setting. Roscoe came out to meet them. “Everything is just like you left it, Allen. Nothing to report.”

“Good. You going to stay one more night, or...?” Allen got down off his horse.

“Naw, I’m going to head home. The Missus will want me back. She’s pregnant, you know.”

Allen raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t.”

Roscoe broke into a broad grin. “Yeah. Not very far yet, but she is. I’ll have a kid in the fall.”

“Congratulations. Go on, Roscoe. Lemme guess, you didn’t get evening chores done?”

“Well I started to, but...”

Allen shook his head. “Go home,” he said with a smile.

Roscoe nodded and hurried for truck before Allen could change his mind.

“I know he keeps shirking his duty, but he actually does take good care of them when I’m not here,” said Allen, leading the horses into the pen. “If we hadn’t got home soon, he would have done the chores.”

Bill smiled. “I know the type. I’ll spend the night, if you don’t mind, head home in the morning, give you a chance to talk to your Boss.”

“Yeah, I’d like that,” admitted Allen.

They took care of the evening chores, made sure all the horses were settled, and headed into the house. At least Roscoe had left them dinner. Allen was nodding off by the time they finished. Bill helped him with the dishes, and then they headed upstairs. “I’m going to grab a shower,” said Bill, as they stood between the two bedrooms.

“I’ll probably grab a quick one myself. Have a good night, Bill.” Allen bit his lip.

Bill leaned in and kissed him quickly, then went to get a change of clothes. Allen sighed and went into his own bedroom.