A/N. This story is a sequel to "Jack Twist's Legacy." You really need to read that first. As with that story, some of the agricultural or other farming practices I describe might not sound right for Wyoming. Please don't flame me. I am a Kiwi writing this in New Zealand. I am hugely grateful to the good people at Google Earth. This has been an invaluable tool for researching the country around the Lightning Flat area.

Many thanks to my flatmate, Martin, who is also my beta reader.

Disclaimer. The world of "Brokeback Mountain" and the characters from there are the property of and the product of the genius of Annie Proulx. I only own my own original characters.

CHAPTER 2

With his usual charm and enthusiasm, Bobby had things humming within a matter of days.

He spoke to both boys parents. They were guardedly enthusiastic.

Once Bobby had described his ideas about housing, they began to warm to the idea. Especially when he told them there would probably be more than enough space for them all to stay over if they wanted to be near the boys. He understood this was still very to both boys and their families.

After some more phone calls Bobby located some accommodation which was absolutely ideal for their purposes. One of the local oil fields had some single mens accommodation which was surplus to requirements. It was made up of two double wides attached end to end and were built to look like log cabins which greatly appealed to Bobby. He figured once they were moved on site they could build a nice big porch across the front. After some dickering a price was agreed and the deal was on.

Once the buildings were on site, Jackson's daddy would set them up and sort out the construction of the porch and organize plumbers and electricians.

Ennis continued to be amazed by Bobby's ability network and wheel and deal. The charm was all his Daddy's. The rest he got from his Mama. Jack had always said she was the consummate business woman. The combination of both his parents characters made for a real mover and shaker!

Ennis had just returned from doing his rounds of the stock. As he rode into the yard, he saw Jackson's daddy, Dan Brunton, busy at work with some of his boys. They were preparing the foundations for the double wides.

Dan spied Ennis riding up. He straightened up, stretched his back and waved.

Ennis tipped his hat and rode over towards the builders. He dismounted smoothly and tethered his horse.

"Afternoon Dan."

"Ennis." they greeted each other and shook hands.

"How's Bobby's Palace comin' on?" Ennis asked as he surveyed the jumble of house piles and the holes being dug to take them.

"Probably better than it looks to you." Dan replied with a chuckle. "Should be more than ready for when the buildings arrive at the end of the week. Then it's just knocking them into shape!"

"You make it all sound so gosh darned easy! I'm having' nightmares."

"It's all pretty straight forward Ennis." the builder assured him with a smile. "These double wides get moved around all the time. The rest is just window dressing."

"I'll hold you to that promise!" Ennis chuckled.

"Ennis, Mary and the Du Champs and I really appreciate what you and Bobby are doing for our boys. They love their jobs here. It's going to be a load off our minds that they won't be traveling so far alone."

"Well, they're good boys Dan. Both of them! Y'all have become like family to us. Especially Bobby. We're only too pleased to help."

Dan Brunton nodded his understanding. He fidgeted a little, wanting to bring something up but not sure how. Ennis had got to know the man well enough to know what was going.

"Something on your mind Dan?"

Dan looked at him and smiled, grateful to not have to get the ball rolling

"Our boy is doing ok, but we're real worried about Mac. Burt and Melanie are at a loss to be honest. He's healing ok physically. It's the damage to his soul that has us all so worried!"

"Bobby said that as well. Is he seeing any doctors about it?"

"Yeah, he is. They all say the same thing. It's not surprising considering what happened. They say it's almost like he feels he failed somehow. Nobody can convince him otherwise."

"Seems like his spirit has been crushed, right?"

"That's a pretty sharp way to put it Ennis. He can't seem to do anything without Jackson close by. If Jackson's not round he sticks to Bobby like glue. He's got no self confidence no more!"

Ennis thought for a minute. Dan waited quietly. He had got to know Ennis as well as Ennis knew him. He knew that Ennis liked to think over something carefully before expressed his opinion. It was usually worth the wait.

"You know, it was a damn brave thing that Mac did. Taking on Joe Aguirre like that." He turned to look closely at Dan. "Most people would probably have high tailed it out of there and saved their own butts!"

Dan nodded, but didn't say anything, guessing Ennis had more to say.

"But he went for Aguirre to protect Jackson. Yeah he got messed up bad. But the way I see it, he took enough punishment that they laid off Jackson. Enough that Jackson was able to keep Mac alive until Bobby found them. I mean if they had both been that messed up, I don't think they would have survived!"

Ennis looked at Dan intently, waiting to see if the builder had got the point he was trying to make.

Dan finally chuckled and gave Ennis' shoulder a squeeze.

"You know Ennis Del Mar, you have a way of cutting through the crap and seeing the heart of the matter. That's the kind of thing Mac needs to hear. Not a whole lot of psycho babble. I think our Pastor has been trying to say something the same, but hasn't been having much luck getting through to him."

He paused, watching his workmen, while he collected his thoughts.

"I've said to you before that those two boys think the world of you and Bobby. I know that Mac in particular really looks up to you."

He looked at Ennis intently.

"Do you think you could talk with him?"

Ennis looked a little uncomfortable with the praise and started to mumble something about there must be someone better for that job. But then that whole paternal feeling he had for Bobby and his friends seemed to give him a sharp dig in his ribs. How could he not help?

"Of course I. Tell Burt and Melanie I'd be happy to try."

Dan grabbed his hand and shook it gratefully.

"Thank you so much Ennis."

"Is he up to riding a horse do you think?"

Dan nodded vaguely.

"I should think so. Might pay to double check with Emmett, but I don't see why not. You think it might help to get him working with the animals again."

"He does love horse riding and stock work. And maybe I could get to talk to him some."

"Bobby is bringing the boys back here tonight, so that they can travel home with me. How about we suggest it to Mac then?"

"Sure. But let's go easy. Don't want to freak him out none."

Ennis went off to the stable with his horse to get him settled for the night, while Dan started getting his men finished up for the day.

About half an hour later, a distant rumble from the drive heralded the imminent arrival of the "Mothership"

Bobby, Jackson and Mac piled out and seeing Dan, headed over to him while old John Twist strode off to the house muttering about something "Cold, wet and brown!".

Dan smiled as the boys approached, pulling his son into a one armed hug with his right arm and pulling Mac in with his left.

"Hey Jacko, hey Mac. How was your day?"

"Hey Daddy." Jackson smiled giving his Dad a squeeze back.

"Hey Mr B." Mac said quietly. He didn't pull away, but stayed tense under the man's arm.

"Hey Mr B." added Bobby standing in front of them with his hands jammed in his pockets. "Jackson harvested his best acreage yet today. I might have to start paying him soon." he said firing a sly look at Jackson.

Jackson snorted and leaped away from his Daddy to tackle Bobby. The boys went down in a heap on the ground with Jackson sitting astride Bobby's hips. He held his friend down while digging his fingers into Bobby's ribs setting him off into shrieks of laughter.

"NOOOO! NOOOO! SSSSSTOOOOOP!" he gasped between giggles.

"What's this you might pay me bullshit Twist? Hey" He kept on relentlessly finding more ticklish spots on his friends struggling body.

"Oh God! SSSSSTOOOOOP! You're gonna make me piss myself!!!"

Now Jackson got the giggles too, and when Jackson got the giggles he was totally helpless. He collapsed onto Bobby, then rolled off onto the ground. Both boys now prostrate on the ground and shaking with laughter.

Dan was laughing along with them, but carefully watched Mac out of the corner of his eye. He was relieved to see a smile there and a sparkle in his eye. He caught Dan's look and gave him a tentative smile, then a quick squeeze around the middle.

Dan's spirits lifted. He could see that moving the boys up here to Brokeback Ranch was going to be a good thing.

Ennis came ambling over to see what the commotion was about.

"What in tarnation are you boys up to now" he asked with a hint of humor.

"Oh... j..j..just some...w...wage...negotiations." Jackson managed to gasp out between giggles.

"I wonder if the bosses over at the oilfields have tried your methods?" he said with deep irony.

Bobby was trying to stand up but Jackson gave him another quick jab which sent Bobby off again which of course set Jackson off again too.

Ennis stepped over them and up to Mac giving him an affectionate squeeze on the shoulder.

"Good to see ya Mac. You're looking good."

Mac gave him a quick smile, then looked down at his feet.

Ennis' heart went out to the boy. Gone was the steady, level gaze that used to make Ennis feel so uncomfortable. All that was left was this guarded uncertainty.

"Do you feel up to getting back on a horse Mac?" Ennis asked quietly as he slipped an arm around the boys shoulder.

Dan wandered over to Jackson and Bobby to help the two boys back on their feet and to give Ennis some space with Mac.

Mac shrugged his shoulders in a non committal way, his eyes fixed on Jackson.

"I'm really missing your help here on the ranch. There's so many cows calved this year I don't know which way to turn next! Spark really misses you too."

Mac smiled at the mention of the horse he usually rode while on the ranch.

"Have you been to see him yet?"

Mac shook his head quietly.

"Not yet."

"Let's go and say howdy then shall we?" Ennis asked giving Mac's shoulder another squeeze.

"I'd like that" Mac said with a smile.

Bobby, Jackson and Dan watched Ennis and Mac walk off together towards the stables, Ennis' arm still draped over Mac's shoulders.

Dan draped his arms over the other two boys shoulders.

"You know Bobby, that Ennis Del Mar never fails to amaze me! Who would think there's a heart of gold under that crusty exterior?"

"I know Mr B. I know!"

Ennis and Mac walked around the stables to the horse paddock and leaned on the top rails of the fence. As if sensing Mac's presence, Spark, a black gelding with a small star on his forehead, put his head up and nickered. Seeing Mac at the fence, he trotted over. Ennis handed Mac some sugar he always managed to have handy.

Mac held his hand out to Spark who gently took the sugar lump from the boy's hand. The gentle touch of the horses soft lips to his hand almost brought tears to Mac's eyes.

Here was a being who would love him no matter what had happened. He suddenly realized how much he missed being out here on the ranch.

He leaned his head against the Spark's neck as he stroked his hand down to the horses shoulder.

Ennis waited quietly for Mac to speak first. Finally the boy lifted his head from the horse and gave Ennis a look that was something nearer to the one Ennis remembered.

"Yeah Ennis. I'd love to come back to work."

"Tomorrow morning then?"

Mac smiled.

"Yeah, tomorrow morning."

A/N There you go. A little male bonding and light fluffiness to set us up for some angst. What do you reckon?

Chapter 3 coming soon.