Title: Whiskey River
Author: Pyro
Rating:NC-17 to R
Disclaimer: Credit goes to Annie Proulx, Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana, and Ang Lee
Notes and Summary: What if Ennis had said yes when Jack came up to see him after the divorce? What if Jack had then divorced Lureen and they bought a ranch? This is that story.
Whiskey River
Chapter 3
Weak morning light drifted in through the curtains and traced gentle fingers across the sleeping figures curled together so tightly as to be one. Ennis snugged himself closer to Jack, burying his nose in the hollow right beneath Jack's ear with a sleepy, contented sigh. Something tugged at his consciousness, and hazy hazel eyes slowly opened, only to come face to face with bright golden green eyes.
"Jesus!" Ennis jerked back in surprise, slamming his head into the wall behind him. Fuzzybutt, still sitting on Jack's head, let out a plaintive mew. Ennis sat up, rubbing the back of his head, and, in a voice full of laughter said, "Jack, you got a growth on your head."
"I know," Jack replied, eyes still closed. "I'm hopin' if I ignore him, he'll go away." Ennis snorted and gave Jack's shoulder a shove, upsetting the cat, who stalked off in a huff.
"Come on, cowboy. It's time to get up anyhow. We got work to do. Got to move the cattle, mend the fences, and whatever the Hell else you had on that list of yours."
"Hey, don't make fun of my lists. Lureen got me indoctrinated, and I haven't managed to stop yet."
"Lureen?"
"Yeah. She got sick of me forgetting stuff, so she started making lists and stickin' 'em on any flat surface she could find. Woke up one morning and she'd taped a list to my forehead. Got so's I'd started makin' 'em m'self out'a self preservation."
"Oh?"
"Didn't want to tempt her into usin' the stapler, 'stead of the tape."
Ennis laughed at the thought of Lureen stapling a list to Jack's head, and gave him another gentle push to get out of bed.
"So what else is on that list of yours?"
"Got to go to town. Get groceries, go to the phone comp'ny, see about gettin' a line run up here."
"Why?"
"Incase of emergencies. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Also, need to get you some glasses."
"What for?"
"Ennis, you're farsighted. You also have a better head for numbers than I do. So, how you gonna keep the books, if you can't see 'em?"
"Fine. But nothin'...froofy." Jack snickered.
"Right. No froof."
South Bend was a small, sleepy town. It had one doctor who did everything, a grocery store, and a small office for the telephone company. The fire department was the county voluntary, and the nearest hospital was in Dubois. There were two bars, and a café, a general store, and one blinking light. Ennis pulled the truck up to the curb near the grocery store and killed the engine. Jack spent a moment rummaging through his coat pockets for his list. He finally pulled out the crumpled piece of paper and a stubby pencil.
"First, we need to get you some glasses, no froof," he grinned sideways at Ennis, who grunted in response. Jack got out of the truck and started for the doctor's. He looked back once he realized Ennis wasn't following. Ennis was still sitting in the truck, hands gripping the wheel in a white knuckled grip. Jack sighed and stepped back to the driver's side and opened the door.
"Ennis. Come on now, cowboy. It's not gonna hurt none." Ennis looked at Jack, and he could see how scared the other man was. Ennis finally nodded and unclenched his hands. He stepped out of the truck and hesitated, prompting Jack to scowl at him. Ennis blew out a breath and started walking towards the doc's.
The bell tinkled cheerfully when they pushed open the door. The girl behind the counter looked up from her magazine, and popped her gum.
"C'n I help ya?" Ennis cleared his throat.
"Need to see the doc about some glasses."
"Just a sec." She leaned back and bellowed, "DOC! Got a patient. Needs specs." She looked back at Ennis, popped her gum again. "He'll be right with ya." Ennis tipped his hat, "Ma'am."
Jack was already seated, staring in fascination at a magazine. Ennis sat next to him and leaned over to see what had him so interested.
"Look it this. Lureen wouldn't be caught dead in this get up. How do they get that to stay on?" Ennis cocked his head, considering.
"Tape?" Jack winced.
"Must hurt like hell."
"Mmm."
The doctor poked his head out into the waiting room.
"Ennis Del Mar? Y'can come back."
Ennis heaved himself out of the chair and followed the doc back. Jack stayed where he was, engrossed in the magazine, tilting it from side to side. Forty minutes later, Ennis came back out blinking hard, a slim pair of rectangular, goldtone glasses tucked in his shirt pocket. Jack had switched to a ranch magazine and was taking notes on whatever it was he was reading. Ennis tossed Jack his keys.
"You'll have to drive. I can't see fer shit." Jack nodded, pocketed the keys and stood. Ennis paid the girl, and they headed for the general store.
It turned out that the general store had a feed store hooked onto the back, so Ennis and Jack were able to get everything but their groceries there. Ennis stayed with their purchases while Jack drove the truck around to the back and they loaded it up. The two then drove back to the grocery store to pick up some essentials.
"God damn, Ennis, what all did you get?" Jack grunted and peered into the sack. "Beans, beans, peaches, beans. Damnit, Ennis. No more damned beans!" Ennis grinned around his own bags, loaded with milk, bread, eggs, and other items.
Back at the ranch, they unloaded the truck and put up all their provisions. Jack spoke as he put up the canned goods.
"I got to get back to Childress the end of the week. Lureen wants to set a court date, get this over with. Shouldn't take too long." Ennis nodded, then looked at Jack.
"You sure you want to go through with this?" Jack nodded.
"Yeah. We ain't been happy for a long while. Truth is, she was a pale substitute for you. All flash and fire. I love her, but I'm not in love with her. Never really was. S'not fair to her, to Bobby, or to me to keep up the farce."
Ennis dropped his head, blinking hard. Jack looked up, frowned, and moved to face him.
"Ennis?" Jack touched his shoulder. Ennis looked up, eyes shining with tears.
"I seem to have done bad by both you and Alma, Jack."
"Ennis Del Mar, you did not! Hell, I knew you were getting married, and I wanted you anyways. If anyone's been hard done by, t'was me to you."
"I shouldn't a married her, Jack."
"Like Hell. What were you gonna say if she'd wanted to know why, hmm, Ennis? 'Sorry, I can't marry you, I've gone and fallen for a ranch hand?' Hell, Ennis. No one would have believed you. They'd a said it was the loneliness talking, the ranch hand or the sheep, and thank God it weren't the sheep! No, you did right by her, by everyone. You tried to make it work, but it just didn't. I did the same damn thing. Tried to forget you, settle down with a nice girl, make a go of it. ," Jack shook his head. "Don't you dare say such things, Ennis. They just ain't true." Jack tipped Ennis's head up, and kissed him long and slow. Ennis let him lead for a few moments, then pushed him up against the sink and devoured his mouth. When they finally broke, gasping, Jack said, "No more doubts?" At Ennis's look, he sighed and reiterated, "No more doubts for today, then." Ennis nodded, and they went back to work.
Saturday Jack loaded up his truck for the drive back to Childress. Ennis leaned on the bed next to the door.
"Don't know exactly how long this'll take. The phone comp'ny's supposed to be out Monday to wire us up. Call and let me know what the number is, will ya?" Ennis nodded. Jack threw a duffle bag into the passenger seat.
"I'll call and let you know how things are goin'. I'll be stayin' with Lureen, packin' my stuff to come up here."
Jack looked at the dejected man attempting to become one with the truck. "Ennis." Hazel eyes locked on his. Jack moved between Ennis's legs, grabbed him and kissed him hard, shoving a leg between his thighs. Ennis melted, moaning softly as he rocked against Jack. After a while, Jack pulled back, smoothing his hands down Ennis's shoulders and waist, getting in a gentle grope that had the other man hissing and rocking into his hand. Jack grinned and pulled back, climbing into the truck.
"Be seein' ya, cowboy." At Ennis's disbelieving stare, he grinned.
"Told ya I'd pay ya back." Ennis smiled ruefully, and leaned in through the window. Giving Jack a kiss, he said, "Be careful. See you soon."
"You bet, cowboy. Love you." Then Jack was gone, leaving Ennis blinking in surprise. Ennis watched the truck bounce down the dirt road, before finally saying, "Love you too, cowboy."