-1A/N: For those of you wondering how certain things I've mentioned in this story are gonna happen, well, all I can say is remember this is Jack's plan. (Who else knows how to push the right buttons.:)

Somehow Jack was able to keep a poker face, but, he was beaming inside. If I didn't know any better I'd swear that Ennis Del Mar was checkin' me out, he thought. Oh My God, he's actually blushing too. This is almost too good to be true. Knowing he'd have to make the first move, he decided to get friendly with Ennis, but, also remembering to stay outside the swinging radius of that mean right hook as well. Getting up and walking over, he waited for Ennis to formally acknowledge his presence. When Ennis finally turned around to look at him, he out on the smile that he knew Ennis liked so much hoping he wasn't pushing things too far too soon.

"Howdy, Stranger, mind if I sit here fer a spell?"

Ennis just shook his head and turned back to his beer trying to ignore this fella standing there smiling Jack's smile. Jack sat down and ordered another beer and bought one for Ennis telling him it was a thank you.

"Names John Turner."

"Ennis."

"Nice to meet ya, Ennis. Hope ya don't mind my sayin', but, couldn't help but notice ya look like ya lost yer best friend."

Ennis jerked his eyes up to the Jack's face wondering if this fella was laughing at him or not. "What makes ya say that?" he asked.

"Oh, nothing much. Just the look on yer face is all. Although, if ya did, I could sure sympathize with ya. Lost mine two years ago. Course he was also my cousin. Kinda makes it doubly hard on a fella."

"Two years ago, huh? What happened?"

Jack had to swallow his tears at thinking about the day he died. It was still painful to remember that he'd made a decision to come up to see Ennis that day to try to fix what had broken the last time they'd seen each other. Unfortunately some good 'ole boys decided he need a permanent change of plans. He had to remind himself to breath.

"Well, I was told he'd had a accident changing a tire. His wife told me that his spare had blown up on him and he'd drowned in his own blood afore anyone found him. Didn't find out till a month later when I called his folks. Was supposed to be comin' up here that November to see 'em. He lived down in Texas so he could only get up here two maybe three times a year. Usually stopped to visit me on his way home. S'how I found out he'd gotten married back in '67. Told me she was the 'prettiest gal in Texas'. 'Course from what he was telling me his father-in-law wasn't worth the powder to blow him to hell. Said he was doin' the rodeo circuit when they met." Jack had to stop there to take a drink of his beer. He knew he was hitting Ennis pretty hard with his choice of words, dredging up old memories, but, he needed Ennis to trust him before he could take it any further. He watched as Ennis's Adams apple bobbed up and down a few times wondering if it had been too much. Deciding to change the subject he brought up one that he knew Ennis would be more comfortable with.

"So, Ennis, what do ya do fer a livin'?"

Swallowing his tears and pushing down the memories that'd been brought up by the man he now knew was Jack's cousin, it took him a second to answer.

"Ranch Hand. Used to work for Mr. Stoudamire out at the Circle S."

"Really? Well, if ya ever decide ya need a job I'm looking fer a foreman for my place. Fella I got doin' the job now ain't got the experience I need out there. I own the T&D just outside of town."

"T&D, huh? Heard good things about it. So, yer looking fer a foreman?"

"Yep, sure am. Pays a thousand a month plus room and board if needed. Tell ya what, why don't ya come on out tomorrow and I'll give ya a tour. Let ya look around and see if ya might want the job. Sound fair?"

"Sounds fair to me," Ennis said. "I can be out there at first light if ya don't mind."

"I don't mind at all. Now, I told ya the job comes with room and board, but, there's also a cabin for the foreman and his family if ya don't wanna live off the property. "Course that's if yer wife wants to live out there and all. Most women I know think a half-hour ride to town is too far."

"Ain't got a wife no more. Got divorced awhile back and ain't anxious to get burned like that again. Got me two girls, but, they got lives of their own. Oldest on just got married last year and the youngest one's gone to school over in Casper. Sure yer wife won't be upset havin' some stranger move in?"

"Ain't never been married. Never saw no use in havin' a woman harpin at me all day bout how I spend too much time working and not enough time with her. 'Sides, got more women in my family than ya could shake a stick at. Say, I got an idea. Why don't ya come on out to the ranch tonight instead? Save ya a trip and we can get started first thing. That's if ya don't mind. Could sure use the company about now seein as how the housekeeper's not much fun to talk to. Whatta ya say?"

"I'd say that's a right good idea, cept I don't have any clothes or anything with me."

"No problem, ya look like ya could fit into some of my old clothes. Can't wear 'em anymore myself no how. Was thinking bout given 'em to Goodwill or something."

Shit, what the hell am I doin'? What if he's one of 'those' kind? Or even worse, what if he finds out bout me and his cousin and decides he don't like queers? But, damn, a thousand a month? Plus room and board? With that kinda money, I could buy Junior that fancy gift fer her birthday. All he said was, "Sounds good. Guess I can follow ya out there."