Chapter 3

Jack pushed back from the table. "That was so good." He finished the milk in his glass as Ennis nodded his agreement. It hadn't been fancy, just shepherd's pie and salad, but it hit the spot.

Kelly and Tyler had left for the day, but not before Kelly had put supper on the table for them. When they were done eating, they cleared the table and rinsed the dishes. Ennis suggested taking a walk around the farm, which they did. They explored all the buildings, looked at all the horses, and followed a path that lead to a small lake. By the time they finished, it was dark out, although the night was illuminated by the full moon and millions of stars above.

"This seems really strange," Ennis said. They were in the spacious entryway taking their boots off. "Bein' in someone else's house, lookin' at someone else's stock. Jus' feels . . . strange."

"I know," Jack agreed. "Maybe we oughta stop thinkin' about it an' go t'bed. Get some sleep." He smiled mischievously, then stood and reached for Ennis's hand. He led him through the house and up the stairs to the master bedroom. Once inside, Jack turned back to Ennis and drew him into his arms, meeting his lips, his hands on his face, while Ennis's hands were around Jack's waist, drawing him closer, before they wandered to his back. Their kisses became more urgent, tongues probing and caressing. Ennis pulled Jack's shirt and t-shirt out of his jeans and ran his hands up his bare back. It felt like silk to his rough fingers. Jack moaned from somewhere deep inside. He moved his hands to the front of Ennis's shirt and began to unbutton it. When all the buttons were undone, he pushed the shirt off Ennis's shoulders, off his arms, and began undoing his own buttons. Ennis broke the kiss and pulled his t-shirt off, then undid his belt buckle, unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans, before moving to do the same to Jack's.

They stumbled back toward the bed, still kissing. Jack's arms got tangled in the sleeves of his shirt, which made Ennis laugh his low, sexy laugh, which, in turn, prompted Jack to kiss him with even more fervor. They were at the edge of the bed, bare-chested, jeans undone. Ennis pulled back, gazed into Jack's eyes. Even in the faint light coming through the window he could see the raw desire in them. He put his hands on Jack's face and pulled him close for another kiss–softer this time, but deeper, at the same time. He felt Jack's hands on his back, pulling them together.

Ennis moved his head down to kiss Jack under his jawline, back by his ear, down to his neck. Jack obliged him by arching his neck and moaning in that way he had that Ennis found immeasurably sexy. His lips continued kissing their way down Jack, while his hands pushed Jack's jeans and boxers down around his hips, to his knees, and low enough for Jack to kick them off. Then he was back up, kissing Jack's mouth, his hands digging into his hips to pull him closer.

Jack pushed Ennis's jeans down and Ennis kicked them off as they collapsed together on the bed. Their bodies were straining toward each other, their legs threaded together, their erections hard between them, their hands stroking and caressing, and the only sounds in the room were low moans and harsh breaths until Jack said, "Shit. Wait here." He jumped up so fast he startled Ennis.

"Jack? What the hell?" He raised his head just in time to see Jack's naked body go through the bedroom door. He put his head back on the bed, ran his fingers through his hair, and heard Jack go down the stairs, then start back up almost immediately. He scooted up on the bed and pulled back the blankets, pushing them to the end of the bed, noticed the sheets were soft.

Jack came back in the room, his bag, which he'd left at the bottom of the stairs, in his hand, dropped it, and got into the bed. "Fergot this," he said, holding up a bottle of lubricant, a grin on his face.

"Jesus, Jack. Ya coulda told me where ya was goin'." Ennis pulled him back down next to him, his ardor not cooled at all by the interruption.

"Sorry, babe." Jack kissed him and Ennis kissed back, their lips and tongues all over each other, their bodies melding together, their desire evident and unrelenting.

Then Ennis was on top of him, smoothing the lube over his hardness, before pushing into Jack. He moved slowly, watching Jack's face, feeling Jack's legs wrap around his hips, waiting for Jack to react. Jack arched his back, tightened his thighs, dug his fingers into Ennis's back, pulling him closer, and then they were moving together in the rhythm they both knew well.

Ennis raised up, lifting Jack's hips to thrust deeper, again and again and again, and then he was back down, his face pressed into Jack's neck, hearing his name on Jack's lips, just as he worshiped Jack with his own lips. He became aware that Jack's breathing had gotten shallower, his moans closer together, and then felt the warmth of Jack's orgasm between them. It pushed him over the edge and he thrust deeper and longer a few more times, then shuddered as he came inside Jack, held himself there for a few heartbeats, and then collapsed on top of him, both breathing hard in the quiet night.

Jack ran his hands up and down Ennis's back slowly, then kissed his cheek. Ennis turned his head to meet his lips in a soft kiss before rolling off Jack to his side. Jack turned, his back to Ennis, to let Ennis spoon around him, which he did. They didn't speak, just lay there, molded together, until Ennis heard Jack's even breathing and knew he was asleep. He reached down and grasped the sheet with his fingertips, pulled it up around them, and curled back up to Jack before falling asleep himself.


Jack opened his eyes slowly, aware that it was morning, a little disoriented at being in a strange bed again. His eyes opened wider and he realized he was next to Ennis, and they were facing each other, but not touching. Ennis still had his eyes closed. Jack didn't move, just looked. He watched the face of his lover, so calm in sleep. His dusty eyelashes brushed the top of his flushed cheeks. He looked so young, so beautiful. Jack wanted to run his finger along the curve of his lips, or maybe my tongue. These thoughts brought a smile to Jack's face and that's what Ennis saw when he opened his eyes. They looked at each other, Jack smiling and Ennis waking up.

It was Jack who broke the silence. "I think I could stay here the whole day."

Ennis smiled finally. "Yeah, ya are kinda lazy sometimes, bud."

Jack didn't take the bait. "I mean here with you, asshole."

"Oh, well, when ya put it so sweetly . . ." Ennis smirked at him.

They were silent for a while longer, their grins fading to solemness.

Jack broke the silence again, "I mean it, Ennis, I could stay here with you, forever."

Ennis watched Jack's face, this face that he loved and worshiped, had memorized every detail of. Finally, he spoke, "Would you?"

Jack blinked, his blue eyes widening the tiniest bit, unsure he'd heard right, wanting to ask, lightly, Would I what? or Is that a proposal? but he knew that might spook Ennis. He hesitated, trying to control his heart, which had started beating so fast he thought for sure it was going to beat right out of his chest. Jack knew this for the sacred moment it was and all thought of making light disappeared. "Yeah, Ennis, I would. I will, if you're askin' what I think you're askin'."

Ennis, whose own heart had started beating out of control the moment the question left his lips, felt a peace settle over him. It was a feeling he'd never experienced before. "I am." His brown eyes met the blue ones and neither looked away for a long time.


Ennis and Jack came down the stairs together, to find Kelly in the kitchen. They could smell fresh coffee and bacon. Kelly turned from the stove and smiled at them, "Good morning." Her dark hair was in a neat ponytail and she was dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt.

"Morning." Ennis nodded his head at her.

"Good morning, sunshine," Jack said, earning a bigger smile from Kelly.

"Coffee?"

"Yes, ma'am," Ennis said, which earned him a good-natured frown from her. "Oh, sorry. I'd love some. Just point me t' the cups and I'll get it. Ya look pretty busy there."

"They're up there, in the cupboard next to the fridge. Breakfast is just about ready if you guys are hungry."

"I am," Jack said, "and that smells wonderful."

Ennis poured them each a cup of coffee and they took a plate of bacon, eggs, toast, and hash browns as Kelly handed it to them.

Ennis asked Kelly to join them at the table, so she got her coffee and a plate of toast and sat with them.

"Is that all you're gonna eat?" Jack asked. "It seems a crime for you not t'eat some o' this. It's wonderful. Where'd ya learn to cook?"

"I already had something to eat, but thanks. My mom taught me to cook. She cooks at a local supper club. She won't tell you herself, but sometimes people call to see if she's cooking to decide whether or not they're going to eat there that particular night. If she's cooking, they come. She's really good at it."

"How long have you worked for my uncle?" Ennis asked.

"Just a few months. I started after I graduated from high school. He had someone else working here, Etta Johnson, but she retired and moved to Arizona. She said it's better for her health."

"What was he like?" Jack asked.

"He was . . . quiet. Nice. Actually, he was very tidy. I don't think he really needed a housekeeper, but he wasn't very good at cooking and didn't really have time. He would rather be out with the horses." She was quiet for a minute before she added softly, "I think he was lonely, too." She looked at Ennis. "And he sure did look a lot like you. Or, rather, you look a lot like him."

"Yeah, you said that last night."

"Oh, that's right." Her cheeks flushed and she looked down at her cup.

"It's all right," Ennis said.

They finished eating in silence. Kelly poured them each another cup of coffee. Ennis stood and picked up his cup. "I think I'll go up to uncle James' office and take a look at the paperwork. Jack, you wanna help me? You're prob'ly better with that stuff than I am. Hell, I don' know the first thing 'bout business."

"Sure, bud." He took his cup and followed Ennis back up the stairs. The office was at the top of the stairs. There were a large desk and chair, a filing cabinet, and a couple more chairs in front of the desk. Ennis sat at the desk and looked lost. He looked up to Jack, sitting across from him. "I don't even know where to start, Jack. What 'm I lookin' fer?"

"Well, how 'bout you just start by openin' the desk drawers, see what's in 'em. Or look in the file cabinet. Maybe then you'll get a sense of things."

Ennis opened the middle drawer on the desk. It was filled with pens, pencils, paper clips, rubber bands, and a box of staples. "I feel like I'm invadin' his privacy."

"I know, cowboy, but I don't think he rightly minds anymore."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. But it still don't feel right."

"Ennis, if'n ya say that one more time I'm gonna wrestle ya ta the floor and tape yer mouth shut."

"Hmph. 'Zat the only thing ya c'n think of t'do with my mouth?"

Jack gaped at him, shocked that he'd actually made a mildly suggestive comment.

"Well, now I know how t' get ya t' shut yer mouth, if'n I want some quiet." Ennis grinned his lopsided smile at him.

They spent the rest of the morning going through the office, looking at bank account records, contracts, employment records, and things they weren't even sure about.

Ennis was standing at the window looking out. Jack went to stand by him and asked, "Wha' d'ya think Kelly's gonna say when she realizes we only used one bed last night?" He was afraid Ennis hadn't thought of it already and would react badly.

Ennis surprised him–something he'd been doing on a fairly regular basis lately. "I dunno, bud. I been thinkin' on it an' I guess we should say somethin'. Or not say somethin' and just let her think whatever she wants. We don' know her that well an' she don' know us. Maybe she won't wanna keep workin' here fer me. Fer us, I mean. I'd like her to, though. I already planned t'ask her t'stay, if'n that's all right with you, darlin'."

"O' course it is, Ennis. I like her. Although, I'm a little worried 'bout the way she keeps lookin' at you, all dreamy-like," he said, smiling a big smile.

"What the fuck're ya talkin' about?" Ennis asked.

"At first I thought it was jus' 'cause she thought ya looked like yer uncle, but this mornin' at breakfast–definitely some dreamy-eyed looks."

"Jack, you're the one that gets them kinda looks, not me. Ya mus' be confused. 'Sides, she's awful young, fer either one o' us. And then there's that whole other thing."

"What whole other thing, Ennis?" Jack tried to ask innocently.

Ennis pushed him, grinning, "Fuck you, Jack Twist."

Jack laughed out loud.


They went down for lunch and found that Tyler and another man just coming in the entryway. Kelly was putting a plate of steaming rolls on the table, which was set for five. "I hope you don't mind," she said to Ennis, "James always had us eat lunch together."

"Oh, no, that's fine," Ennis replied.

Kelly introduced Jim to Ennis and Jack. He was a small man with dark hair and dark brown eyes. He looked to be in his early to mid forties.

"So, where are you boys from?" Jim asked.

"Wyoming," Ennis answered, buttering a roll.

"Texas," Jack answered, pouring himself a glass of lemonade.

"Oh. So, how'd you end up here together?" Jim asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Well," Jack started, "I was born 'n raised in Wyoming. Ennis and me been friends fer a long time, even though I moved t'Texas. I was up visitin' an' he asked me t'come out here with 'im."

Jim just looked at him for a moment, before letting out a "Hmmm."

Kelly brought them each a bowl of thick, yellowish soup. Ennis put his spoon in and scooped some up. It was thick with chicken, carrots, potatoes, onions, and some grayish-black bits in it.

Jack had also taken up a spoonful of soup. "What is this?" he asked.

"Wild rice cheese soup. With chicken." Kelly replied. "Have you had wild rice before?" Ennis shook his head and Jack told her he hadn't. "It's not actually rice–it's a grain. I hope you like it. I guess I should have asked you before I made it."

"No, it smells wonderful," Jack smiled at her, sensing her discomfort. They tried it and found they both liked it.

"What's your plan? For the farm, I mean." Jim asked abruptly.

"Well . . . I guess I'd like t'talk t' Gordon about that more." Ennis answered hesitantly.

"Jim, it isn't really our place . . ."

"Sure it is. I work here. I wanna know what's gonna happen," he shot Kelly a look of irritation.

"Well, sure ya do," Jack said, "but this's all new t'Ennis. He ain't hardly had time t'think about what he's gonna do."

Ennis fixed Jack with a look and was about to tell him that he could speak for himself, when Jim beat him to it. "What? He can't talk for himself? What's the matter with him?"

Jack, who had been smiling his bright smile throughout the meal, turned to Jim and gave him a hard look.

"There ain't nothin' the matter with me," Ennis said. "Jack just likes t'talk. Don'tcha, Jack?" Jack just looked at him and caught the imperceptible jerk of the head Ennis gave him.

Jim picked up on the fact that he'd probably gone too far and smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, didn't mean no harm."

They finished the meal in silence. Afterwards, Ennis asked Tyler if he'd give them a proper tour around the farm. Tyler, who had been silent throughout the meal, agreed. At the door, Jim announced that he was leaving early.


The next afternoon Ennis and Jack drove back to Gordon's office. When they were both seated across from him, he asked, "So, what do you think of the farm? Your uncle has a really nice operation."

"Yeah, he does. It don' hardly seem real, Gordon. Seems like this is all a dream an' I'm gonna wake up an' be sorely disappointed. Nothin's ever come easy t'me, my whole life. I don' know what's changed that, but, like I told Jack, I'd hafta be a fuckin' idiot not t'take this gift. Oh, sorry fer m'language."

Gordon laughed and waved his hand at him. "Don't worry about it. So, do I take it to mean that you're going to stay here and take over the farm?"

"Well, I'd have to go back to Wyoming and square up things there. I got an ex-wife and my two daughters. D'ya think ya can just keep things goin' like they are until I can come back?"

"Sure. We'll just sign all the paperwork before you leave today and get that all settled. Are you going to take James' truck to Wyoming? Or are you and Jack going back together?"

Ennis looked down at his hands, hesitated. "Well, Jack's gonna head back t'Texas an' it'd sure be easier if'n I could take my uncles truck t'Wyoming so he c'n just head straight down."

"Sure. It's really your truck now. We'll set up the insurance in your name. I'm glad you made this decision. I wasn't only your uncle's lawyer, I was his friend, and I know he really wanted you to take over the farm someday. In fact, he'd been getting ready to go out to Wyoming and talk to you about coming here and running it with him. Unfortunately, the accident happened before he could." Gordon looked away sadly, then back to Ennis. "Is there something more, son? You look like you need to say something." He smiled at Ennis encouragingly.

Ennis didn't speak right away and Jack didn't speak for him. He knew Ennis needed to be the one to do it. "The thing is, Gordon, when we sign all the papers an' everythin's put in my name, I wan' it t'be put in Jack's name, too. We're gonna be partners–run the farm together."

Gordon blinked and looked at Jack, who met his gaze levelly. Gordon looked back to Ennis, who finally stopped examining his hands and met Gordon's eyes. He saw the understanding dawn in them. "Oh, oh, okay," he stuttered. "Well, we'll need to amend some of the paperwork. I'll just have Janet make the changes." He rose quickly from his desk, shuffled through the papers and took some of them to the outer office.

Jack looked at him with tears in his eyes. Ennis had a flashback, him and Jack by a fire and a rushing river. It could be like this, just like this, always. It'd be some sweet life, Jack had said. Some sweet life indeed.