Disclaimer: Not mine, just borrowing.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed my other stories to date. Will post sequel to 'A Friendly Conversation' and 'A Promise Kept' as soon as I can get it to come out right. Hang in there.

Two weeks later

After getting up a 5am per usual, Ennis saddled up one of the horses deciding to ride the fence line looking for places that could use repairing. After doing repairs to a couple of spots and finding everything else in good shape, Ennis rode back to the stable intending to put the horse back in it's stall and do some work around the barn that needed doing. Just as he neared the stable he heard yelling and watched as a man came flying out of the building and landed on his back and old man Twist come strutting out madder than he'd ever seen him. Taking another look at the man on the ground, he could see that he would have a nice bruise on his jaw and , by the way he was holding his stomach, a few bruises in other areas too. The one thing that managed to completely capture his attention, even from a distance, was the man's blue eyes. He'd never seen a blue like that. Even the sky paled in comparison. The jet black hair and pale skin only seemed to sharpen the color of those eyes rather than detract from them.

"Ya always been a fuck-up, boy," Twist shouted, "and ya ain't never gonna change. Even when ya were born ya were a complete fuck-up."

The man on the ground never moved nor said a word back to the old man. Finally, Twist just threw his hands up in the air and stormed off to the house.

Ennis just continued to sit on his horse contemplating the man on the ground. He looked to be roughly the same age as himself. Along with those blue eyes, black hair and cream complexion, he has a trim figure and the way he filled out those jeans was a sin. Jack had seen Ennis sitting there, but, refused to meet his eyes. He was embarrassed this guy had seen him getting his ass kicked by his dad. He watched as the man climbed down off his horse and thought Don't try it, bud. Don't want ya thinking I can't get up on my own. No matter how bad these ribs hurt. He was a little disappointed when the man just grabbed the reigns and walked the horse into the stables without even looking back.

Ennis was standing in the stall brushing down the horse when Jack finally hobbled into the stables and sat down on a bale of hay in the corner. Watching him out of the corner of his eye, Jack started checking him out. He took in the curly blond hair, the sun-kissed skin and the long legs that seemed to never end. Damn he's beautiful, he thought. Whoa, where'd that come from? Shouldn't be havein' thoughts like that. I know I ain't no queer, but, there's just something bout this guy. Don't know why I'm thinking like this, but, can't help wondering what he'd look like without all those clothes on. Whoa, boy, back it on down now. Next thing ya know he's gonna be kicking yer ass instead of the old bastard. Serve ya right too, havin' thoughts like these.

Finally deciding he'd ogled this guy enough, Jack decided he'd best go introduce himself properly. Walking towards him, he noticed Ennis suddenly stiffen up. Shit, he thought, man's as skittish as a new born colt. Better take it nice and slow. Don't wanna spook him. Coming up next to Ennis, Jack turned on his million-watt smile and stuck his hand out.

"Howdy, name's Jack Twist," he sad.

Ennis just turned and looked at him for a moment before shaking his hand. "Ennis," he replied turning back to the horse.

"Yer folks just stop at Ennis?" He couldn't help it, there was just something about this Ennis he just had to tease him some.

Blowing out a frustrated breath, Ennis finally piped up, "Del Mar."

"Nice to meet ya, Ennis Del Mar. Listen, don't mind my ole man. He's a nasty bastard most of the time, but, he's also a good man to work for. So, what brings ya out to the middle of nowhere?"

"Heard he needed some help out here," Ennis said through tight lips. Ain't badmouthing the boss, even if his kid's right. Don't know how this Jack can stand it. My daddy was a bastard too, but, he never laid into us kids like this fella does. Ma woulds never stood fer it. He remembered his mother as a sweet, kind and gentle woman, but, he'd also seen her lay into his daddy a few times when the old man went too far. Mrs. Twist kinda reminded him of his mother. Underneath the soft exterior he'd sensed a steel backbone. He missed his ma something fierce most times having lost her only five years ago.