This is an AU/AU and the sequel to Lost Dog Road
Summary: After leaving Jack and Ennis in the original story, we rejoin them the following spring as they build their life together on Lost Dog Road.
Chapter 1
Jack stepped onto the front porch into the early morning sun. He impatiently waited for the sound of Ennis' truck. The rain from the night before had made the air smell fresh and everything look green. It was going to be a great weekend.
The dogs in the runs perked their heads up as they looked toward the ridge. Jack couldn't contain his smile when he heard the truck in the distance. He watched as it approached, feeling more and more excited the closer it got. He'd been doing an awful lot of smiling the past few months. Living with Ennis did that to him.
Ennis pulled up, stopping close to the porch but didn't kill the engine. Through the open window he smiled at Jack. "Sorry I took so long. K.E. kept talking, thanking me over and over for taking Rocky. Said to tell you how much this is helping him out."
Jack looked over at Rocky sitting in the passenger seat. "Hey there, boy. Ya ready ta go ta the city ta see Mr. Weaver?"
"Hope the city doesn't scare the living daylights out of him," Ennis said.
"Oh, he won't see that much of it before we get him ta Mr. Weaver's place. He'll be all right. Ya need ta go back inside, or are ya ready ta get goin'?"
"Just let me get the truck parked and I'm ready."
Jack quickly locked the front door and jogged over to the barn to direct Ennis as he backed his truck in. Rocky promptly ran to visit and sniff the other dogs through the fencing as the men locked up the barn.
As Jack walked toward the SUV he called out to the dogs, "Hang tight guys, Lureen'll be out later on ta let ya run around."
Ennis whistled and finally Rocky joined them. "You got everything in, Bud?"
"Sure do, I've been ready ta go for a half hour."
"Well, I'm glad you're excited about finally getting your Christmas present. Let's get on the road then."
"Next stop Weaver's Duck Dog Kennels, and after that Dick-Man's Supplies," Jack laughed.
Ennis patted Jack on the back. "What am I gonna do with you?"
They shared small talk and a thermos of coffee on the drive as the country music station played on the radio. Rocky behaved himself fairly well in the backseat. As they got closer to the turn off to Mr. Weaver's, Jack couldn't help but notice that Ennis was a lot quieter than usual.
Glancing at Ennis he asked, "Ya miss Lobo already?"
Ennis seemed to be shaken out of his thoughts. "Uh, oh yeah, I hope he'll be okay. Should be, he's with all the others."
"Yeah, Lureen'll take good care of 'em. It's just for one night...Everything all right, friend?"
"Sure, why wouldn't it be?"
"No reason. I just noticed ya seemed deep in thought...Nothin' botherin' ya is there?"
Ennis didn't answer right away, and when he did, Jack wasn't too surprised when he finally got to the point.
"Uh, Bob Weaver...how well do you know him anyway? He talked about you in a real good light back when K.E. and I were here in December. Said to tell you hello and all."
"Yeah..." Jack looked at Ennis and tried not to become irritated. "I don't know him that well. Uncle Harold introduced me ta him not too long after I moved out here. I just know him cause of the dogs, ya know, sendin' people out here ta see about trainin'...What's on your mind?"
"Was just wondering...does he know...you know...does he know you're gay?"
Jack tried not to frown, but he wished that Ennis didn't feel uncomfortable with people because of their relationship. Ennis had been fine with the family and Lureen, and had come a long way with the people Jack worked with, but it hadn't been as easy with others so far.
Jack answered as calmly as he could. "Bob Weaver and I never discussed anything of a personal nature, so I don't have a clue if he knows I'm gay or not. I doubt that Uncle Harold ever mentioned it. He wouldn't have had a reason to..." After some silence Jack went on, "What's goin' on in your head, Ennis? Ya think Mr. Weaver will see us together and know you're gay cause you're with me and ya don't want that?"
"No, Jack, that's not what I'm saying..."
"Well, it seems that way...what are ya tryin' ta say then?"
"I just needed to know if he knows about you, cause then I'd know what to expect from him is all. You know, his attitude and stuff. But if he doesn't know, then I don't have to think about it." The radio played the end of a Willie Nelson song, and finally Ennis said, "I'm sorry, I hope I didn't spoil our trip."
Jack wasn't going to allow this to get them off on the wrong foot, so he smiled and said, "Course ya didn't spoil the trip. It's all right, Ennis. I understand." He wondered though, what Ennis would have said and done had Mr. Weaver been aware. Well, he was there and hadn't mentioned it until the last five miles, so he guessed they'd have just gone right up to Mr. Weaver and acted like they belonged there, and Ennis would have gotten through it. Ennis would do that for him, he knew it. He just wished that Ennis didn't feel apprehensive in these situations.
They only stayed at Bob Weaver's place long enough to drop Rocky off and have a short visit. Mr. Weaver wanted to make sure the paper work that K.E. had made out in December was still current, and also get a copy of Rocky's vaccination records that Ennis had brought.
As they got onto the freeway headed in the direction of downtown, Ennis said, "I'm glad you trained Lobo for me. I would have missed him too much to leave him like that. K.E. was feeling sort of sad seeing his little guy go this morning."
"Ennis, Rocky's not exactly a little guy anymore. He must weigh in at least sixty pounds," Jack chuckled. "Anyway, the time will go fast, and K.E. will be makin' at least one trip over ta work with Bob and Rocky."
"Yeah. Hey, you give anymore thought to coming hunting with me and K.E. this fall?"
"Well, I was never any good at shootin' anything, but I might go along anyway. The thought of sharin' a tent with you is kinda appealin'."
"Jaaack, not with K.E. in a tent right next door."
Jack laughed and was glad that he could joke with Ennis about these things, at least where K.E. was concerned. He'd have to have patience on the rest.
...
Jack handed the bellman some bills and thanked him. When he was gone, Ennis reached for Jack, gave him a hug, and kissed him on the side of the face. "Mighty nice room, don't you think?"
Jack stepped back and glanced around. "I'll say it is. Comes close ta bein' as big as our house. Look, there's another room in there."
Ennis peaked into the next room. "Shit, looks like we could stay here for a week. Refrigerator and microwave, even a bar. Look, two televisions. What the hell do people need two t.v.'s for?"
Jack picked up their bags and placed them on one of the beds. "Hey, I see we've got two beds. Hope that doesn't mean we're not sleepin' together." Jack was just joking, but the fact that Ennis had gotten a room with two beds brought back the reality that Ennis wasn't totally comfortable with their living arrangement and being gay.
Ennis looked down at his feet and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Jack, you've been out a lot longer than me. I just need more time is all."
"I know. It's all right, Ennis. I was just joking. Come on, let's start over."
Jack flopped down on the empty bed and stretched out. "God, that feels good after the long drive."
Ennis joined him giving a big sigh. "I'm almost ready for a nap."
Jack propped himself up on his elbow and looked down into Ennis' eyes. A smile crept onto his lips as he traced his finger over Ennis' mouth. Playfully Ennis snapped at Jack's finger, nipping and sucking.
"Hey, you've been around the dogs for too long," Jack smiled.
Ennis laughed and pulled Jack to his chest. They snuggled together, quiet for a time. Jack broke the silence. "That lunch we grabbed at Dairy Queen gonna hold ya till dinner?"
In an already drowsy voice Ennis said, "Twist, is that all you think about, your stomach?"
Jack laughed softly. "Well, all you seem ta think about is sleepin'."
"Is that so?" Ennis said as he rose up and playfully shoved Jack down onto the bed pinning him there for a few seconds.
Their eyes locked, and Jack rose up to meet Ennis as he slowly lowered down to share a kiss, tender at first, gradually becoming more heated. As tongues got involved, both of them were soon moaning in low rumbles. Ennis pulled back for a second and said husky and low, "You look so damn sexy on this big, fancy bed."
Just then the air conditioner kicked in causing Jack to chuckle as he whispered, "Looks like we're gonna need that." He yanked Ennis' shirt out of the back of his pants and ran his hands up Ennis' muscular back. Ennis quickly unbuttoned Jack's shirt and soon their bare chests were tight together as they continued giving deep kisses. The air conditioner's fan hummed while the rest of their clothes were tossed to the floor, and the room filled with muffled sounds and the smell of sex.
...
The bright sun shone in between the cracks of the heavy drapes, but Jack and Ennis slept. They'd left the room the evening before long enough to grab a bite in Doozies Bar and Grill, and to catch a bit of the baseball game on the big screen t.v. A quick stroll along the Riverwalk closed out their night on the town. It had been good reminiscing about their first trip to Des Moines, but it served to make each of them horny, so they beat a hasty retreat back to room number 204 where they enjoyed the rest of the night in each other's arms.
The clock read seven a.m. when Ennis opened his eyes. He quietly slipped out of bed being careful not to disturb Jack. He wanted to use the phone to order their complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast. With that done, he didn't waste any time using the shower and dressing before creeping back over to the bed to wake Jack.
"Jack," he murmured, then a little louder, "Jack." When he got no response he brushed his fingers over Jack's cheek and bent over to kiss him on the forehead. That finally got a reaction from the sleeping man.
He cracked his eyes open and rubbed his hand over them. "Mornin'," he said in a sleep filled voice.
"Mornin' yourself...you gonna sleep all day?" Ennis smiled.
"How long ya been up? You smell good," Jack said as he sat up and tried to nuzzle against Ennis' neck.
"We don't have time for none of that right now," Ennis said as he got up and walked to the window. He gave the drapes a pull to let a little sunlight in. "I have breakfast coming. You'd best get in the bathroom. I'll call you when it's here."
Jack yawned. "Yeah, okay, I'm goin'."
"I'm not trying to rush you or anything," Ennis said, hoping he sounded convincing, but the look he got from Jack, and his statement as he closed the bathroom door, told him he hadn't been successful. "Let me know when room service has come and gone and I'll come out."
Ten minutes later the bathroom door opened a crack and Ennis could see a blue eye peeking out into the room. Next, a stubbled face with wet, tousled black hair. "Is the coast clear? I think I smell food," Jack said as he tentatively stepped from the bathroom wearing the soft, white, velour robe provided by the hotel.
"Yeah, smart ass, the coast is clear," Ennis said as he sat down at the table. "Come get your breakfast before it gets cold."
Shit, I'd rather be having you for breakfast. Devilishly good looking son of a bitch, coming out here looking like that.
Jack sat down smiling and picked up the cover discovering eggs. "Looks good, let's eat."
Ennis was relieved that Jack was his cheerful self as they began to eat the delicious breakfast fit for a couple of kings. "Sure is different from our day ta day routine, huh?" Jack said as he shoveled scrambled eggs into his mouth.
Ennis swallowed a piece of bacon. "I was thinking, maybe we should have gone someplace fancier last night for dinner."
"What? No, Doozies was fine. I liked it. Ya spent enough on this trip as it is. You're savin' for a horse and all..."
Ennis interrupted, "I told you I'll have plenty for my horse after me and Alma sell the house. I'd have enough for yours too, if you'd let me buy him for you."
"We've been over that already...I'll save up and buy my own. You're already gonna put the fence up and ya worked all winter in the house fixin' it up."
"But you'll be working most evenings dog training this spring and summer...hardly have any time..."
"Well, I can use the money. It won't be that bad."
"That's what I'm saying, if you'd let me get you your horse, you wouldn't have to work the extra job. Hell, I'm living in your place free of charge."
"Our place, Ennis," Jack said as he buttered another piece of toast.
"Divorce will be final in two weeks. I hope the house sells fast but with the economy like it is..." Ennis was quiet for a moment and then realized that Jack was staring at him.
"What's botherin' ya, Ennis?"
"Oh nothing...just that jerk Alma's been seeing."
"The guy from the warehouse over on East Maple?"
"Yeah, the forklift operator. I saw him again yesterday when I was on my way to K.E.'s. Must have stayed at the house overnight considering how early it was when I saw him driving away from the area. Hot headed kid," Ennis said in a disgusted tone.
"So now anyone who's under thirty is a kid, huh?" Jack tried to smile and lighten the mood, but he could see that Ennis remained agitated. "Well, I know your impression of him hasn't been good, but maybe he's good for Alma. Maybe he acts like he does toward you just cause he's protective of her, ya know?"
"Could be I guess, but I'm not convinced. You know, he even stared K.E. down one day when he was walking into Wal-Mart. K.E. said Frank was out there sitting in front, and the look he gave him was plain hateful. What cause does he have to act that way to K.E? You're lucky you've never run into him."
"Well, Alma must see somethin' good in him." When Ennis didn't respond Jack added, "Maybe it won't last long. Ya said he's not the first she's dated, right? He probably won't be the last. Try not ta worry."
"I'm not really worried. I just don't like him staring at me is all. He doesn't act normal."
They finished their breakfast as they moved on to other subjects. By the end of their meal they were ready to go out and have some fun at the zoo.
Jack acted like a kid the entire time at the zoo, and watching him enjoy and react to the animals, made Ennis feel like one too. He noticed a couple times Jack almost reached out to touch him but he'd catch himself, and Ennis appreciated that Jack kept his hands to himself while out in public. Even on the little shuttle bus sitting side by side, Ennis could tell that Jack made a concerted effort not to let their legs and arms touch. When they were just about totally worn out from walking and looking, they decided it was time to call it a day.
"A person could get lost in that place," Ennis said as they headed toward the parking lot. "You remember where we're parked?"
"It's in section A-5. Ya seen enough animals ta last awhile?" Jack smiled.
"Well, I hope not seeing as how we'll be welcomed home by a bunch more," Ennis laughed.
"Oh yeah, they'll be waitin'."
"You have a good time?" Ennis asked. "What did you like best, and don't say the Kid's Kingdom."
Jack flashed Ennis a big grin, "Yeah, I surely did have a good time. I liked it all...but probably the African section was my favorite. What about you?"
Ennis thought for a moment. "The Australian section was pretty interesting, especially that plumed, whistling duck."
...
The drive home was uneventful and they made good time. As they started up Lost Dog Road, the clouds were beginning to blow in and the sky was darkening. "Looks like we're barely beatin' the rain," Jack said.
"Yeah, looks that way. In time I want to get some cement work done around the house and barn. It'll help out with the mud."
As they reached the ridge and looked down to the house and barn, the dogs began to jump in the runs. "They recognize us," Jack grinned.
"Yeah, they missed us. Nice to have them waiting when we get home."
Jack pulled up by the house and the two of them got out. "Feels good ta stretch my legs," Jack said. "Be right back ta help ya carry our stuff in. I'd best let the dogs out first. Maybe they can get some exercise before the sky breaks loose."
"Yeah, first things first," Ennis answered.
When Jack came back a couple minutes later, he noticed that Ennis hadn't taken their bags out of the SUV yet, and he hadn't even called out to Lobo or any of the other dogs. "What's goin' on, friend?"
Ennis was staring down at the ground a few feet from where they'd parked. "These tire tracks here...They don't look like any that Lureen's car would've made." He moved his foot indicating the tracks.
Jack noticed a worried undertone in Ennis' voice. He bent down to have a closer look. "You're right, these wouldn't be from Lureen's car...maybe she drove up in another vehicle, or came up with someone else."
"Yeah, maybe..." Ennis glanced out into the distance and looked deep in thought.
"I wouldn't worry about it, Ennis. I'll ask Lureen tomorrow. I'm sure she'll have an explanation."
Ennis didn't answer, just remained by the tracks, staring down at them.
"Come on, let's go on inside," Jack said.
Finally Ennis tore himself away and helped Jack carry their bags in just as the first drops of rain started to fall.
To Be Continued...