Milestones part 25

Disclaimer: It's not mine, though I wish I could be as creative as Annie Proulx. I am only borrowing her wonderful characters so I can FIX what I couldn't stand.

rating: NC-17, with BBM fic it's safer.

Previous Chapters:

part 1: http://trekfan. 2: http://trekfan. 3: http://trekfan. 4: http://trekfan. 5: http://trekfan. 6: http://trekfan. 7: http://trekfan. 8: http://trekfan. 9: http://trekfan. 10: http://trekfan. 11: http://trekfan. 12: http://trekfan. 13: http://trekfan. 14: http://trekfan. 15: http://trekfan. 16: http://trekfan. 17: http://trekfan. 18: http://trekfan. 19: http://trekfan. 20: http://trekfan. 21: http://trekfan. 22: http://trekfan. 23: http://trekfan. 24: http://trekfan. John Garrett had spent the last twenty years on the job. He started his career working in the big city of Los Angeles, he began to feel burned out so he moved to smaller cities like Cheyenne, then Casper. He then decided he wanted to spend his waning years in a small town in the sticks like Recluse. He thought it would be a nice, cushy, easy time. It was until Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar moved here. He had his suspicions that these two were more than two guys ranching up together. He'd bet his badge on it. But he saw a little bit of everything and he'd come to know and like these guys and as far as he was concerned their private lives were private.

Trouble, unfortunately, has a way of finding people especially those trying to mind their own business. So it came as no surprise when the call came into the station that there was trouble at the Brokeback Ranch.

"You fellas make any enemies?" Sheriff asked Ennis and Jack. They'd shown him the cut fence then they took him back to the house. Now they sat in the living room.

"Not off hand, unless you wanna count that mixed up nurse Valerie. Whatever happened to her, Sheriff? Isn't she locked up? I've been expecting to have to testify." Jack babbled on.

"She was locked up, but the judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation. They might just end up sending her to the loony bin."

"Pfft," Ennis snorted, "If ya ask me that's where she should have been all along."

"You ain't getting any arguments from me." Sheriff agreed.

"What about Webber Jones?" Kaylin joined them bringing the sheriff a cup of coffee. As if she understood Clara, who was lying by the fireplace, lifted her head and whined at the mention of her former owner's name.

"Well that's a strange tale, I thought I was finally going to lock up his sorry ass. Turns out that after I had him locked up there was an outstanding warrant for him in Gillette. They released him a few days ago, apparently someone posted his bail."

"Who the hell would post his bail?" Ennis asked.

"I don't know, a lawyer came by and posted it and he's on the loose. I've been keeping an eye out for him. He could be anywhere."

"You didn't stop to tell us about it?"

"Webber isn't the type to stick around for long. He's been doing some trucking, from what I understand the judge let him go back to work so long as he doesn't leave the state of Wyoming."

"Well that's just GREAT, sheriff. So basically he can be anywhere like maybe right under our noses?" Jack got up and started pacing.

"I'm sorry guys, our manpower is mighty small. This is tiny compared to where I started my career, in Los Angeles. I'll keep an eye out for him. But I think you have an excellent alarm system." He looked over at Clara.

"She'd be able to smell that varmint out." He got up to leave. "Listen if you see anything suspicious give me a call."

"Yeah, will do sheriff." Jack bid him farewell. "So what do we do now?"

"Guess there isn't much we can do at this point cept keep an eye peeled for that bastard. Let the hands know about him. And hope he doesn't show his ugly, worthless ass around here or he'll be real sorry he was ever born."

Ennis went out to the barn to put the horses down for the night. He spotted Bobby currying Sparky. Bobby looked up when he heard him come in. Ennis glanced over at him then looked down and then went into Scout's stall.

Bobby had just finished bedding down Sparky and was walking by Scout's stall. He hesitated for a moment and took a deep breath.

Leaning up on the doorway of the stall he decided to break the ice. "Look Ennis," he said quietly, "I wanted to thank you for what you did for me."

"You don't gotta thank me, was just doin what had to be done is all." Ennis was busying himself brushing down Scout.

"I know we got off on the wrong foot. How would you feel if you found out your dad was gay and living with his lover?"

"I guess I wouldn't be feelin too friendly either. But what we got is real, Bobby. All I can say is your daddy is happy. Isn't that what you want, for him to be happy?"

"Yeah I do, but this is a lot for me to take in all at once." He walked over to Ennis and stuck out his hand. Ennis looked at it for a minute then shook it.

"Look Ennis I know you're not a bad guy, and yeah I do want my dad to be happy. I am leaving tomorrow morning for school. I gotta register. Maybe being away will give me a chance to think things through."

"You're comin back ain't ya? I mean you ain't gonna up and cut Jack outta your life are you?"

"No, Ennis. I can promise you that. My dad and I have been apart way too long. I tell ya whut, I don't know if I'll ever get my mind completely around what you guys have but one thing I can tell you for sure. I love my father and I want him in my life." He checked on dawn then turned to go to the house to talk to his father, he stopped at the door of the stables and looked over at Ennis. "You know I'm one of those people who think anything is possible, maybe that is one thing I have in common with my dad. Being a dreamer. And who knows maybe you and I can be friends, Ennis." He smiled and walked away.

Ennis looked over and felt relieved.

Jack was getting a cup of coffee when Bobby came into the house.

"Dad?"

"In here Bobby, wanna a cup of coffee?"

"Okay, I wanted to talk to you about school. I am going to be heading over to the university tomorrow morning and stay over for a few days. They have guest dorms that I'll be staying in."

"Good son, at least you'll be able to check things out."

"Well I also wanted to let you know I'll be getting a dorm assignment. Much as I wouldn't mind staying here it's a long commute to school."

"I figured you'd be staying on campus. What I really want, Bobby, is for you and Ennis to work things out. I love you but you have to know that I love Ennis too. I'm not going to choose between you two. I hope you can find a way to accept that."

"I already had a talk with Ennis, I'd like to try to work things out with both of you. Family is real important to me, that is why I came up here. I want to get to know you better. I'm not saying it's going to be easy and that I'm not going to have problems with this, but I'd like to try."

Jack broke out in a smile and came over and hugged his son. "You don't know how happy you just make me son. I'd like you to consider this place your home. And anytime you want to come and stay here you are always welcome. Bobby, you're my son and I love you."

"Dad is it okay if I leave my stuff in the guest room?"

"Sure, Bobby, how about we consider it your room?"

Bobby got all misty eyed and Jack came over and they hugged again. Bobby went upstairs to pack a bag.

It was late at night when a truck pulled onto the abandoned ranch property. Turned off his lights, the driver opened the door and carefully got out. He looked around, the moonlight casting shadows on the old homestead that had holes in the roof and the door was busted in.

'If he ain't here in five minutes I'm leaving.' He thought in his head. He wasn't going to take the heat for cutting that fence on the BBM Ranch. Just when he was about to get back into his truck a pair of headlights came up the road towards the dilapidated ranch house. He automatically went for his rifle, which he kept handy in the bed of the truck. He put it back down when he saw who it was. The truck drove up and the headlights caught him square in the eyes.

"Hey what the hell ya tryin to do blind me?"

"Just shut up, I'm doin the talkin. Did ya do what I told ya?"

"Yeah I cut the fence, I took a big risk doin it too. I don't want to go to jail."

"Well I'm payin you real good, after you do this next thing for me you'll have enough to high tail it out of this state and start a new life somewhere else."

"Who says I want to risk my neck again, why don't you just pay me what you owe me now and I'll get outta town."

"Cause I ain't finished with them two faggots, I thought you'd be real happy to get even with them fer what they done to ya."

"Yeah I give them a sign they ain't welcome here, but I want out now!"

"You'll go when I tell you to go. You just remember this you asshole I'm the one who sprung you from jail and I can get your sorry ass thrown back in with just one phone call." He spat at the other man's feet.

"Yeah, well what is it you want done." And under the light of the half moon the two men discussed the next plan of attack.

"Easy now, just go back nice and slow. Good, that's a good fella." Ennis was unloading one of the two horses he'd gotten from Ben Meyer. Ennis wanted to start breeding the horses. Dawn was going to be one horse but they needed a good stallion. He wished he could have used Scout, he was a good saddle horse had an even temper but unfortunately he was a gelding. Jack was unloading the other horse. She was a red and white pinto mare, kind of skittish but Jack won her over rather quickly. He didn't have quite the skill Ennis had with horses but he held his own.

Once they had them settled in their stalls they stood back watching them. Ennis was a firm believer in naming horses as soon as you got them. These horses had been rescue horses from someone who was moving to the city and didn't have a place to put them so he gave them to Ben Meyer. He decided to give them to Ennis and Jack since they were such good customers when it came to buying hay from him. Although that was going to be changing if their own crop of hay was successful in the spring.

"Well what do you think we should name em?" Ennis asked as they looked at both horses. The big male was black with white markings on his forehead and the mare was a pinto.

"Well I think the mare should be called," he thought about it a minute, a mischievous smile came on his face "Cherry Cake,"

"Cherry Cake, where the hell did you come up with a name like that?"

"My mamma makes the best cherry cake you'll ever have. I've been thinkin about her and I miss her. I wanted to name the mare something that would remind me of her. Why you think it's stupid?" he looked down at his boots. Then he felt arms wrap around him and then his cowboy said. "Naw lil darlin, it's perfect. walked over to the stallion's stall, Ennis' arms still wrapped around Jack. They stood like that with Jack's back against Ennis' chest and them looking at the horse. Their cheeks came together, their eyes closed. "Pine Creek." Ennis whispered into Jack's ear. They pulled their heads back to look at one another, smiles on both their faces Jack kissed Ennis to show his approval of the name.

http://special. day had passed quickly. Bobby had said goodbye that morning and left for Laramie. Jason, Andy and Mitch all came in from the fields. The cattle had been settled in a nearby pasture and bedded down for the night.

"Fellas would you mind coming into my office for a minute?" Jack asked the three men. They followed Jack and Ennis into the office down the hall from the living room. Jack sat down behind his desk and Ennis sat on the chair in front of it. Both men glanced at one another, questioning each other with a glance.

"You know that Christmas is only a week away, and just so you know you have that weekend off and New Year's Day off as well."

"Why thank you Mr. Jack, Mr. Ennis." Andy smiled.

"Real nice of you fellas." Mitch chimed in. The three men had come to like and respect Jack and Ennis because they were fair and honest bosses.

"Are you guys planning on coming to my Aunt Donna and Uncle Ned's place for New Years?" Jason was Donna's sister's boy and they were letting him stay at their place and work at BBM Ranch until he decided what school he was going to go to.

"Tell them we'll be there with bells on, Jason." Jack looked over at Ennis who begrudgingly nodded his head. He really didn't want to go there knowing that his sister Ellen and her no account husband would be there. No matter how Ned had told him his brother had changed Ennis still wanted to beat him to a pulp for laying one hand on his sister.

"Well is that all, I mean I gotta get back home to my wife." Mitch stated.

"Well no, see we got something else for ya." Ennis stood up and Jack gave him three envelopes and Ennis passed them out to the three men.

"We wanted to give you something extra so's you can have a real nice holiday." Ennis stood next to the desk. Jack had gotten up and came around and stood next to him as they opened up the envelopes. Jack wished he'd had a camera to capture the shocked looks on the three men.

"Oh my GAWD! What? I mean this is..." Mitch was in shock.

"This is so generous, I ain't never had a bonus like this before. Sometimes I wouldn't get none at all. Thank you Mr. Jack, Mr. Ennis." Mitch came forward and shook Jack and Ennis' hand.

"Thank you." Jason looked up at them, there were some unshed tears in the young man's eyes. This extra money would really help not only with getting some gifts for the family but towards school too. He had been saving up to go to college.

"We just wanted to make sure you have a great holiday. We'll see you fellas tomorrow."

They watched as the three men walked out the front door with a spring in their step and once outside they could hear them whooping and hollering and patting each other on the back. Andy took Jason back to his Uncle's place and Mitch went home to his wife and kids. He couldn't wait to tell his wife that they would be having a good holiday and they'd be something extra under the tree for them all.

Jack was in the bathroom taking a pee. He brushed his teeth and went out to join Ennis in bed, he stopped at the door and put his hands on the frame to steady his suddenly weak knees. They'd known each other for a little over twenty years, but no matter how long it was there was nothing that could cause his heart to beat faster or take his breath away like the sight before him.

Ennis was sitting with his back to Jack. He wore a tank top and PJ bottom and was leaning forward on his elbows. His shoulders were hunched.

Jack studied his lover's body, it was drawing him like a magnet. His eyes followed a path from the blond curly hair, down the muscular back and then he spotted the butt crack just peeking out above the top of the pajamas. A smile played out across his face as he crawled into bed behind his cowboy. Ennis sat up as his weight made the bed sag. He wrapped his arms around Ennis' chest and felt him lean his head back onto his shoulder and heard him sigh.

"Cowboy," he whispered into Ennis' ear as he rested his chin on his shoulder. Ennis has his eyes closed and his mouth open a little.

"Jack," Ennis said so low.

"Whatcha thinkin on Ennis?"

"Alma used ta do this, had her arms around me and I'd have my eyes closed and all I kept thinkin about was you. Wishin it was your arms around me."

Jack put his hand on Ennis' cheek and turned his face towards him, "Well open your eyes cowboy," he looked into Ennis' eyes, "see dreams do come true."

Ennis smiled up into his blue eyes and their lips met.

"Mmm, Ennis." His hand rubbed against Ennis' nipples, he felt them become hard pebbles. Then he reached down and pulled the bottom of Ennis' tank top up and over his head.

"I love lookin at you." He kissed Ennis' neck then began kissing the freckles which polka dotted their way down his back all the way down his spine and ended just before the swell of his buttocks. Before he knew it he was on all fours behind Ennis staring at the butt crack. He looked up at the handsome body of his husband and couldn't resist sticking his tongue out and taking a lick at the sensitive cleft between his ass cheeks.

Ennis' breath hitched and he jumped forward at the sudden contact.

"Whattya doin Jack?"

Jack smiled up at him then wrapped his arms once more around Ennis.

"Showin how much I love ya, cowboy." He whispered as he sucked on Ennis' left earlobe. His right hand cupped his cock and he felt the bulge at his groin grow as he rubbed it. His hand pushed inside the PJ bottom and he felt the tip of Ennis' cock getting wet with pre-cum.

"Mm, Jack" he moaned.

"What cowboy?" he smiled knowing how riled up he was making him. He pressed his bare chest against Ennis' back. Ennis leaned back and turned his head and Jack met his lips, their tongues greeted each other. Jack pulled back and their eyes gazed longingly. Ennis' hand caressed his cheek. Jack leaned into the touch then kissed the palm of Ennis' hand, sucking on his fingers then he laid down, still holding Ennis' hand. The cowboy followed him till they lay side by side.

"I need ya Ennis," he bit his lower lip then slowly drew the tip of his tongue seductively across his bottom lip. "Please touch me." He pushed his wet palm onto the bulge in his boxers. "You want that, huh?" he saw the hungry look on Ennis' face.

Ennis was rubbing him then he moved down and grabbing the waistband of Jack's boxers with both hands he pulled them down and watched Jack's cock spring up. The tip was wet and Jack watched Ennis push his legs gently apart and settle between them like, a hungry man settling down at the dinner table to eat.

Jack pulled his knees up and spread his legs so Ennis would have easy access to his naughty bits.

"Like that, huh, Ennis? Like what ya see?" he ran his right foot up and down Ennis' side. Ennis' hands cupped his ass and he felt his tongue lick his balls.

Ennis pulled Jack's legs up and kissed his cheeks, then the inside of his thighs. Jack was wiggling his body trying to push closer.

"Will ya stop squirmin, Jack, or do I gotta hog tie ya?"

"I can't help it if yer teasin me, come on and ride me cowboy." Jack smiled at him with a come hither look.

Ennis pushed Jack's legs off his shoulders till his knees almost touched his chest and smacked his behind but good.

"Ow! Ennis what the hell?"

"That's fer tryin to rush me. Now you behave yerself ya hear?"

Jack settled down and Ennis kissed and licked the red butt cheek he'd just slapped. Then he resumed licking Jack's balls then ran his tongue slowly from the base of his tumescent cock to the wet tip.

"Oh gawd," Jack tried to watch Ennis but the minute his tongue licked at the head of his cock he couldn't control himself his body arched and his head whipped back.

Jack was already for Ennis to go through his usual moves when he saw Ennis stick his tongue out and drizzle hot saliva down the head of his cock where it slowly slid down his shaft like syrup sliding down the outside of an ice cream cone. Ennis opened his mouth and sucked it off.

"Oh," he moaned as he felt Ennis' lips gripping his cock. He felt the pressure in his balls building he was so close to shooting his load.

He didn't know when Ennis released his cock, but he jolted upright when the tip of Ennis' tongue rimmed his puckered hole.

"Ennisssss!" he hissed, grabbed Ennis by the arms. His jaw dropped in shock. Ennis looked up for a moment, their eyes met. Ennis smiled a small smile then he pushed Jack's legs up so he could once again have access to his prize. He pushed his tongue into Jack, wetting the tight channel.

"Here Ennis," Jack had grabbed a bottle of K-Y jelly they kept on the nightstand just for these occasions. "C'mere, c'mere.' Ennis sat on his knees and Jack squirted some of the liquid on his uncut cock and rubbed the warming gel onto his lover.

"Put it inside me, cowboy." He kissed Ennis, his legs wrapping around his waist. Ennis' cock pressing against his entrance. Jack pulled him on top as he laid back, all the while Ennis' length pushed inside him. Inch by inch stretching his opening wider until he was all the way inside.

He had his hand on the back of Jack's head and was kissing him. He wet his thumb and index finger of his free hand and started to rub Jack's nipples.

"Oh Ennis," he arched up at the touch on his sensitive nubs. Ennis saw his exposed throat and started kissing the taut skin. Jack's cock rubbed against Ennis' stomach to the rhythm of his thrusting. Ennis snaked his hand between their bodies and grabbed Jack's cock. "Ah!" Jack shook his head side to side, the excitement building inside him. He knew he wasn't going to last long and just as he felt himself cumming, Ennis bit down hard on the base of his neck and then he felt Ennis filling him with his essence.

Ennis wrapped his arms around Jack who was lying limp in his arms. He pushed the dark hair back and kissed his forehead, then his eyes, his cheeks and finally his lips. His softening cock was sliding out when he felt Jack's anal muscles clamp down on his shaft.

"Mm, Jack." Their lips met again.

"Don't wanna let you go," Jack murmured into his ear.

"I ain't goin no where, darlin." He caressed Jack's cheek. "Remember you threw a lasso around my heart on that mountain." Jack looked into his eyes and combed his hand through the dark blond locks. He reluctantly released Ennis from inside him, cupped his cheeks and kissed him. "Mine."

"Yeah, rodeo, just like," kiss "Yer mine," he tightened his arms around Jack's back. "Mine Jack fuckin Twist."

Jack wrapped his arms around him and sighed against Ennis' chest. "Yours, yeah."

They snuggled under the cover and fell asleep in each other's arms.

Ennis was the first one who woke his head still fuzzy from sleep, he looked over at the clock on Jack's nightstand and it read quarter past three. He heard Clara barking. A light at the window drew his attention.

"Shit! "He quickly threw his pants on.

"Jack! The barns' on fire!"

Jack bolted up in bed and stumbled over to the window. Ennis ran down the stairs. Jack called the fire department.

Andy was already at the barn trying to put out the fire. He had slept over in the old bunkhouse, which was over by a grove of fruit trees on the other side of the barn. Any of the workers were welcome to live there if they needed to or stay over if the weather got bad or if they just wanted to. Andy was woken up by the smell of smoke and had grabbed a fire extinguisher.

The fire had started in an empty stall in the corner of the barn where they stored some hay. Ennis was in the stable trying to get the horses out. He had to throw a blanket over their eyes so they wouldn't be able to see the fire and get spooked.

Jack joined him, the stable was filled with smoke so it was getting harder to see and breath. They ran in and got Dawn and then Sparky out. Jack went back in and got Cherry Cake and Ennis brought out Pine Creek.

Andy was trying to contain the fire, Ennis ran back in to get Scout out his stall which was the last one in the row of stalls. Ennis struggled to breathe and by the time he and Scout made it out of the barn they were both breathing hard.

"Ennis?" Jack came over to him when he spotted him bent over. "Ya okay?" Ennis nodded but was coughing.

The fire department finally arrived and joined Andy in extinguishing the fire. Luckily it was confined to one small section of the barn and hadn't spread. Sheriff Garrett showed up a few minutes later.

While the firemen were making sure the fire was out the sheriff came over to Jack and Ennis.

"What happened guys?"

"I don't know, I woke up Clara was barking and I spotted the fire. Andy was already putting it out." Ennis explained. He told him that Andy had stayed the night in the bunkhouse.

"It looks suspicious to me. Does anyone smoke?" he knew these questions were superfluous but he had to ask them in any case.

"No, Sheriff, we used ta but we gave that up after Ennis had his operation. And as far as we know our workers don't."

"Well Mitch sometimes lights up," Andy joined the conversation, "but he would never do that near the barn. Ever since his parent's house burned down cause his pa fell asleep smoking, he's real careful when he smokes."

Sheriff Garrett nodded.

"The arson squad should be around in the morning to investigate." Chief Henley commented, "But based on what I see I think it was set."

"Probably by the same person who cut the fence." Andy added.

"Son of a bitch!" Ennis growled in disgust.

"Easy cowboy, let's get the horses settled in the back stables." It was lucky that the Hickam's family used to raise horses. In addition to the now damaged barn there was a smaller building around the back of the barn that had some stalls and an exercise pen.

Jack and Andy busied themselves cleaning out the stalls and putting fresh bedding in. Ennis put the horses in the stalls and made sure they were settled. The fire department had left.

"Well boys looks like you got someone pissed at ya. I'm am going to be patrolling the area. Maybe I'll see if your neighbors saw anything."

"Yeah Sheriff. At least we have an early warning system." Jack knelt down to pat Clara.

"Yeah, good thing she got my attention when she did or else who knows how bad that fire could have gotten." Ennis gave Clara's head a petting and then went over to see about the horses.

Jack said goodbye to the sheriff and then went to join Ennis.

"Come on cowboy, let's go get some shuteye. We've had enough excitement for a while."

Ennis reluctantly left the horses and joined Jack upstairs in their bedroom. They settled down in each other's arms, held each other tight. Glad that no one had gotten hurt and hoped that whoever did this was going to get caught. Clara settled down in her spot on a dog bed that Kaylin had graciously made for her, it was red plaid and Ennis and Jack both agreed she could sleep in their room whenever she wanted to. She seemed determined to take on the role of guardian over her two humans.

The next morning Jack opened his eyes and saw that Ennis was missing. There was nothing unusual about that but he felt that something wasn't right. Instead of washing up and shaving he got dressed and went downstairs.

Kaylin had just arrived and was getting a coffee can out and about to make some coffee.

"Mornin, Jack. Where's Ennis?"

"Morning Kaylin. He's probably with the horses. We had some excitement last night." He told her about the fire and the sheriff keeping a lookout on their ranch.

"Oh my I wonder who is doing this!" she was visibly upset by this latest event.

"I don't know, but don't worry. The sheriff is looking into this and I'm sure that whoever it is will get caught." He hoped he sounded more convincing to her than he felt. "I'm going to go check on Ennis, he's probably out in the stable around back."

"How bad is the damage?"

"I haven't looked at it in the light of day yet but I don't think it was heavy."

He went out to the stable. "Ennis? Hey cowboy I was looking forward to wakin up with you and then I rolled over to an empty bed. Where is my mornin...kiss." He stopped short, his heart sank at the sight that greeted him when he went to the stall that Ennis' beloved horse Scout was in. Scout had collapsed and Ennis was hunched over him, petting him. The horse's breathing was labored. "I called the doc, he's on his way over." He whispered. Jack saw the pain he was in, Ennis loved horses they were like his kids. He was tore up anytime something serious happened to them.

Jack sat next to Ennis, rubbed his back. Trying to console him. He moved over to Scout and the horse's eyes were open and you could tell he was scared. Ennis was crooning to him, saying nonsensical words to try to quiet him.

He looked over at Jack and his face all clenched. "If something happens to this horse I'll kill the son of a bitch that started that fire, I swear to God I will." Jack could see unshed tears form in Ennis' eyes.

"Well he ain't dead yet, cowboy." He moved over to Ennis and put his arm around him. "If anything happens to anyone on this ranch, you'll have to stand in line behind me cause that pissant is as good as dead."

Doctor Matt Peyson finally showed up. Ennis told him about the fire and how he had gone out to the stable to do his normal morning routine and found Scout lying on his side in respiratory distress.

Doc took a look at him, checked his vitals and then gave him some drugs. "I am giving him some antibiotics and some steroids that should help him with his breathing."

No one was happier than Ennis when he saw Scout get up on his feet. He looked over at Jack and they embraced. Forgetting all about Doctor Peyson being there.

Kaylin had checked on them when she saw Matt Peyson's truck drive up. After seeing that Scout was going to be okay she'd gone back into the house and brought out some cups of coffee for everyone.

"We gotta find out who is doing this and why before someone gets hurt."

"Don't worry, no body is going to get hurt." Ned stood outside the stables, he's driven Jason over for his shift. "Sheriff came by our place this morning and told us what happened to you. I wish you'd guys would have told us you had some enemies. You know neighbors are supposed to look out for one another." He didn't add that family does too, he wasn't sure if he alluded to the fact that Ennis' sister was married to his brother that that would have gone over good.

"Thanks, Ned. Well we don't have any leads as to who did this. But I hope that whoever did this gets caught. And soon." Jack told him.

"Damn them faggots!" he said angrily as he watched them through some binoculars. "I shoulda shot em like I wanted to. But no the boss man tells me he doesn't want them killed. Well maybe I got me some of my own plans." He patted the rifle sitting on the passenger seat of his truck. He started his truck and drove off

TBC