Epilogue
As Colin slowly woke, the touch of Patrick’s fingers across his skin raised gooseflesh and he shivered as Patrick’s tongue teased the tip of his cock. Blood flowed to his groin as he rolled onto his back, eyes still shut. He sighed happily as Patrick’s mouth closed over him.
In the month since Patrick’s return, they hadn’t been able to get enough of each other. They slept in a single bed, limbs entwined, and woke each morning with hands and mouths and heated, rising flesh.
When they were spent, Patrick rubbed Colin’s nose playfully with his own. “Ready to go?”
“Ready.” Colin could hardly wait.
They found Robbie and Emily finishing their coffee outside the main cabin. Robbie waved cheerfully. Despite his missing finger, he’d recovered very well and was back to his old self now that he and Emily were married. “You two going to go do some work for a change?”
Smiling, Colin shrugged. “Thinking about it.”
“You’re partners now. Better start carrying your weight,” Robbie teased. Along with paying them back wages, Emily had made Colin and Patrick part owners in the station. Cobar and Tallara had no interest in land and turned down Emily’s offer. They fortunately stayed on as employees, though.
Emily smiled beside Robbie in her rocking chair. “Tallara packed up some food for you.”
After Cobar and Robbie had returned from the healer, Robbie and Emily had traveled to Drayton in the wagon and, along with a marriage certificate, had brought back quite a bit of furniture, including rocking chairs for the porch Robbie planned to build. For now, the rockers were on the ground, and Emily and Robbie spent long hours swaying back and forth. Colin loved to hear the welcome sound of his friends’ laughter.
Emily walked over and hugged him good-bye. She wasn’t showing yet that she was with child, but she soon would. Colin looked forward very much to having a little one around. He kissed her cheek. “See you in a month or so. You’ll be careful while we’re gone?”
Emily’s smile faded. “Yes.” She glanced over at the two guard dogs she’d brought back from town. “I’m sure that bastard isn’t finished yet. But we’ll be waiting for him this time.”
They hadn’t heard a peep from Barnes, but they all knew they couldn’t let down their guard. Colin hoped the man had been scared off for good, but doubted it somehow. “When are the new workers arriving?”
“Should be here Wednesday. It’ll be good to have a few more hands about the place.”
Robbie put his arm over Emily’s shoulders protectively. “Especially since you’ll be staying off horses and keeping your feet up.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “I’m perfectly capable of working. Not to mention sitting on a horse. We agreed I wouldn’t gallop. We didn’t agree to keeping me bedridden.”
To Robbie, Patrick said, “You’ve got your work cut out for you.”
They all laughed, and Colin felt a rush of warmth as he looked at his friends. He and Robbie hugged briefly, Robbie slapping Colin’s back enthusiastically. Colin turned back to Emily. “And I expect this station to have a name by the time we come back.”
“I think I have a name already, actually. Tallara suggested it: Amaroo. Cobar said it means ‘a beautiful place.’”
Patrick smiled. “Sounds about right to me.” He nodded to Emily and shook Robbie’s hand. “If we see anything suspicious out on the property, we’ll ride back and let you know.”
Robbie clasped Emily’s hand, entwining their fingers. “We should go check on the herd.”
As Emily and Robbie waved and rode off at a decidedly sedate pace, Colin and Patrick readied their own horses. Their saddlebags were heavy with supplies, and they both carried a rifle and ammunition. Colin hoped they wouldn’t be needed. Yet there were dangers from both the land and from men, and he vowed to be ready.
Keegan ran around their feet excitedly, tongue wagging. Laughing, Colin scratched behind the pup’s ears. “Ready for a new adventure, Keegan?”
Patrick chuckled. “He was born ready, I think.”
“And what about you? Ready for the thrilling excitement of…fencing?” It would take endless months to finish the job around the entire property, but they’d build it one portion at a time, returning to the homestead every month for fresh supplies and to check in.
“I think we can both do with a little boredom for now. Building fences sounds about right. Besides, we’ll create our own excitement.” He gave Colin a flirty look.
“Mmm.” Colin ran his finger down Patrick’s chest. “I think we might find a way to pass the time.”
Keegan yipped and butted against their legs, and they both laughed and mounted their horses. Colin patted Mission’s neck affectionately and smiled to himself. Although fencing the property wasn’t the most glamorous of work, he was eager to see more of the land and spend his nights and days with Patrick, utterly free to be themselves.
Cobar and Tallara waved from the garden they were growing beyond their quarters. Colin and Patrick waved back and walked their horses away from the homestead and over a gentle rise.
“You know, I never thanked you.” Patrick toyed with his hat in his hands, rolling the brim.
“For what?”
Patrick gazed at him, intent. “For saving my life. Speaking up in front of your parents, in front of everyone. Proclaiming yourself.” He smiled. “I remember thinking you were completely insane. But damn brave.”
“It was just the truth. More or less, since I’d only been a sodomite in my dreams.”
Patrick winked. “You’re living proof dreams can come true.” He took on a serious expression once more. “I’m grateful for what you did. And I’m happy we’re here, even if I didn’t always show it.”
Warmth infused Colin’s chest as he chuckled. “That’s an understatement.”
“Well, I can be…difficult at times.”
“Really? That’s the first I’ve heard of it. Hadn’t noticed.” Colin grinned now.
Patrick rolled his tongue in his cheek. “All right, all right.”
“Good thing I love you just the way you are.”
Patrick nudged his mount and moved it right alongside Mission, stopping both the horses. He leaned over and kissed Colin tenderly. “Good thing I love you, my lord.”
“See, I don’t mind at all when you say it like that.” As he caressed Patrick’s muscular thigh, Colin kissed him, their tongues sliding together.
After a few moments, Patrick pulled back. “Better get going or I’m going to need to have you right now.”
“Not sure I’d object.”
Keegan barked, tail wagging, and the horses pranced restlessly. “I think we’re outvoted.”
“Seems like it.” Colin grew serious. “And you’re welcome. Besides, it wasn’t just for you. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m finally living the life I’ve always dreamed of. Even if I didn’t really know what that life would look like.” He shook his head. “That probably makes very little sense.”
Patrick donned his hat and took up his reins. “Makes perfect sense to me.” He grinned, dimpling his cheek irresistibly as he spurred his horse. “Come on!”
Colin secured his own hat and put his heels to Mission’s flanks. He caught up quickly, and he and Patrick galloped ahead, side by side.
THE END
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading The Station, and I hope you enjoyed it. I’d be grateful if you could take a few minutes to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads (or wherever you’d like!). Just a couple of sentences can really help other readers discover the book. Thank you!
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