CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Once they’d made their lists and gone over some cost estimates, Cal stood and stretched.
“I’m tired of sitting. Let’s go on to the building supply store.”
“You’re sure you want to go into town together?”
Cal might not be ready for any bigger steps, but he wasn’t going to let anyone keep him and his project manager from buying supplies. “Yes, and we can even get some lunch while we’re there. Everyone clearly expects to see us together. Let’s give them what they want.”
Beck frowned. “We can just grab some takeout and bring it back.”
“I’m not going to announce I’m fucking you or anything, but you’re right. It’s ridiculous for us to avoid ever being seen together.”
Beck’s uncertain look turned to a smile. “All right, then. Let’s go.”
Katie bounded along after them as they headed to Cal’s truck. Cal hadn’t intended to take her with them, but she’d be so disappointed to miss an outing with Beck. She seemed nearly as infatuated with him as Cal.
“Katie. Go on home.” He pointed toward the farmhouse.
She ignored him and tried to jump into the truck when Beck opened the door.
“Down, Katie,” Beck scolded, though he was trying not to laugh as he managed to slither around her and get into his seat.
“Katie. Go home.”
She whined, giving Cal the saddest look. It was so hard to say no to her.
“Do you mind eating at the hot dog stand where we can sit outside?”
Beck grinned. “Not at all. I’d love for Katie to join us.”
Just one more reason Cal had fallen for him. “All right, Katie.”
Cal opened the rear door so she could jump in. Thank God it was a quad cab, or the three of them would be seriously squashed, especially since Katie seemed utterly unaware of how big she was.
On a whim, Cal turned off the main road well before they were into town.
“Where are we going?” Beck asked.
“You’ll see” was the only answer he gave.
Cal took another turn onto a dirt road that rose steeply uphill.
“Cal?”
He patted Beck’s knee. “Trust me.”
At the top of the hill, he parked the truck on the grass by a couple of trees.
“Wait, are we at one of the lookouts above the bridge?” Beck asked.
“Yeah, a fairly hidden one. Come on.”
Cal got out of the truck, and Katie started to follow. “No, you wait here. We’ll be right back.”
Katie did her best version of a pout, but Cal ignored her. It was cool outside, especially here under the trees, and she’d be fine for a few minutes.
“So we’re going to see the bridge?” Beck asked.
“Yeah.” Cal’s pulse sped up. Maybe this was a stupid idea, but the view was gorgeous, and there were never many people up here. It was a hot make-out spot on weekend nights, but during the day, a random hiker or two might pass by and that was it.
Silence stretched between them until it felt awkward, so Cal said, “I figured it had been a while since you’d been out here, and I wanted you to see the new roof.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize they’d redone it.”
“They put wooden shingles on, which are more authentic to the time it was built.”
“Cool.”
When they stepped out of the trees, the bridge and river valley came into view. Beck’s eyes widened as he took in their surrounding. Then Cal looked down too. There hadn’t been much rain lately, so the river ran lazily over rocks, sounding more like a stream than the sizeable waterway it was. The bridge’s wooden shingles had been aged to match the original materials of the sides and supports. He could easily imagine early settlers driving a buggy through the single-lane structure. He’d seen the bridge countless times, but he was still awed by its age and the intricacy of its construction.
“Wow. I’d forgotten how beautiful it is up here,” Beck said.
“So you remember this place?”
Beck glanced around, studying the scenery. “Yeah, generally, but I don’t think I’ve been to this particular lookout.”
“Good.”
Beck frowned. “Why?”
Cal took Beck’s hands in his, and Beck turned to face him. “Because I wanted to be the first one to show it to you.”
“Aww. So you can be romantic?”
Heat rushed into Cal’s face. “I…”
“I like it.”
Cal nodded, afraid to try to say anything.
He tugged on Beck’s hips, bringing him close, and Beck slid a hand behind his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. Cal brushed his lips against Beck’s, then ran his tongue over the seam of Beck’s mouth, not seeking entry yet, just tasting.
Beck moaned softly, and Cal cupped his face as he kissed him with gentle pressure, taking things slowly, worshipping him. Cal had always thought of kisses as a prelude to sex, but this… This was about the moment, about showing Beck how much he cared, even if he couldn’t say it in words.
A twig cracked, and Beck pulled back.
Cal didn’t want to let him go, but reluctantly, he did.
Beck glanced around. “I thought someone was coming.”
Cal shook his head. “I think it was a squirrel or a chipmunk or something.”
“Oh, yeah, I guess so.”
But Beck had been right to be cautious. Even if he were open about seeing Beck, they shouldn’t be careless. Two men kissing in public wasn’t a wise idea in Ames Bridge. Cal just hadn’t been able to help himself.
Beck touched his face, bringing him back to the moment. “Thank you for bringing me up here.”
Cal’s heart skipped a beat. The intensity of the moment was reflected back in Beck’s eyes.
“You’re welcome.” The words came out breathless.
In that moment, Cal felt like there was a chance. Somehow, he could have everything he wanted, a successful farm and a real relationship with Beck, one that took place in the light of day.
***
When they reached the building supply store, Cal pulled into a parking spot, cut the engine, and jumped out of the truck. “Wait here with Katie while I grab a flatbed, okay?”
“Sure,” Beck replied.
Katie started barking excitedly as soon as she realized she was going to get a ride. Beck laughed when Cal opened the door and she jumped right onto the flatbed.
“She loves these things, but would you grab the leash in the glove compartment? She’ll have to walk once there’s no room for her here.”
Beck got the leash, and they headed in and started down their long list. When they turned the corner onto the aisle of paint and stains, they came face-to-face with Randall Sparks, the worst of the guys Cal used to hang around with in high school.
Randall whistled. “Well, lookee here. Isn’t that sweet how y’all are shopping together now? You gonna redecorate, maybe go on one of those home shows?”
Wow, he was ready with all the gay stereotypes. Next he’d send them antiquing.
Cal gripped the handle of the flatbed so hard his fingers ached, but he kept his voice level. “Beck is working on some improvements at the farm.”
“What’s next? Is he going to move in? I’m sure everyone will love that scandal.”
Beck looked like he wanted to tell Randall to fuck off, but he stayed silent.
“Don’t you have your own business to attend to?” Cal asked.
Randall shrugged. “Just trying to make sure you keep all that shit at your farm where it belongs.”
“Next time I see you in here shopping with your brother, I’ll be sure to give you a warning too.”
Randall snarled. “What did you say?”
“You heard me, Randall. Now get out of our way.”
“Are you saying you think me and my brother… Who’s been saying that? That’s nasty. I ain’t never done no shit like that.”
Beck raised his brows, and Cal fought the urge to smirk. Was Randall protesting too much?
“What I’m saying is that it’s ridiculous to assume shopping together makes two men a couple. You shop with your brother, but that doesn’t mean anything.”
He scowled. “You shut up about my brother.”
“See ya around, Randall.”
As soon as they were on the next aisle, Beck leaned close and whispered, “Is he that dumb, or is he fucking his brother?”
Cal grimaced. “He’s dumb as a stump, but…ew, I hope not.” They both shuddered.
As they continued to mark things off their list, Cal didn’t say much. He was dwelling on Randall’s asinine behavior and how much more shit like that they’d face before they were done with their errands.
“You okay?” Beck asked.
Cal sighed. “Yeah, it’s just…”
“I know. You warned me people would make assumptions.”
“Yeah.”
They finished up and then stopped by Ames Garden Supply with no further incidents. As they walked to the truck, Cal studied the darkening clouds. “Looks like the storm’s coming in faster than expected.”
“You still want to risk eating outside?”
As Cal considered, his stomach growled.
“Is that a yes?” Beck asked with a laugh.
“Yeah, I’m starving, and if it starts to rain, we can always eat in the truck.”
“You allow that?”
“Hell yes.” Cal snorted. “This is a work truck, not some prissy showpiece.”
Beck grinned at him. “You know I was just teasing.”
The tables by the hot dog stand were crowded, so Cal left Katie in the car with the window down. They could get a table close by.
“I’ll bring you a treat if you’re good,” he promised.
Katie whined and hung her head over the side of the door.
“I mean it. No barking.”
She did her imitation of the most pathetic dog on earth.
“Yeah, you lead a rough life, don’t you?” Beck said, scratching her ears.
They each got two Carolina dogs, fries, and Cokes, and Cal got a plain hot dog for Katie. The orders came out quick, and they carried them to a table not far from Cal’s truck. Katie watched them wistfully.
Lucy, Dale, and Luke, another of Trish’s nephews who was around their age, pulled into the spot next to his truck. They all waved as they headed to the window to place their orders. A few moments later, Lucy broke away from the line and came over to their table.
“I love that y’all are here together. I was wondering how long it would take for you to start going out instead of hiding out on the farm.”
“Umm… We’re not…” Cal voice trailed off, and he wouldn’t meet Beck’s eyes, knowing he’d see hurt there if he did.
“Look, I don’t care. And them—” She jerked her thumb toward her brother and her cousin. “They don’t either. They might act like idiots and say some shit, but they’d never shun y’all or nothing. Y’all deserve to be together if that’s what you want.”
“What makes you think we’re together like that, other than knowing both of us are gay?”
Cal expected her to hem and haw or say she’d heard rumors. Instead, she said, “It’s the way you look at him, Cal. Like he hung the damn moon.”
With that, she sauntered off, joining Dale and what’s his name at their table.
“Cal?” Beck laid a hand on his arm and then jerked it away, probably thinking Cal would be mad if Beck touched him.
Cal shook himself. He glanced at Beck briefly, then turned his attention to Katie, unsure what to say.
“I doubt most people are as observant as Lucy.”
Beck was trying to make him feel better, but he couldn’t talk about it here. “Let’s just eat.”
“All right.”
Cal didn’t say anything else as he ate his hot dogs. Were his feelings for Beck really as obvious as Lucy implied? He hoped to hell not, especially after the way Randall had treated him. Everything had seemed so perfect as he and Beck looked down at the bridge, but this was his reality, a town filled with people who at best saw him as an oddity and at worst wanted to send him straight to hell. When he and Beck were alone, it was easy to be optimistic, but that was foolish. Ames Bridge wasn’t going to change. He had to live with it or suffer the consequences.
When he got up to give Katie her hot dog, he noticed Beck hadn’t eaten much.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Beck nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine, just not too hungry.”
No, he damn well wasn’t fine and neither was Cal. A breeze rattled the leaves on the trees, and the sky grew even darker. “We better head home,” he said as he fed Katie. “I need to get all the horses inside before the storm hits.”
Beck took one more bite of his hot dog and then took care of their trash.
Katie wolfed down her hot dog, but then she cocked her head to the side, studying them as if she sensed more in the air than just the storm.
A few miles down the road, rain began to pelt the windshield, and Cal picked up speed. No way in hell was he going to beat the storm, though. It was already so dark it looked like dusk, which should be hours away.
Beck’s phone gave a long, loud beep. “Shit,” he said after looking at the screen.
“What?”
“We’re now under a tornado watch.”
“Fuck.” Cal couldn’t go any faster without endangering them. Hopefully Rick and José had gotten most of the horses to the barn. Rain was now coming down in sheets, when a streak of lightning lit up the sky in front of them.
Cal quickly glanced toward the backseat. Katie was lying down, tail between her legs. “At least Katie’s with us.”
“Is she afraid of storms?”
“Yeah. If she’s in the house, she tries to get under the bed, but only half of her fits.”
Beck laughed. “I can just see it.”
“She’s worse if I’m gone, though. She races around, whining and knocking things over.”
“Just tell me what you need me to do once we get to the farm. I’ll help with the horses or stay with Katie or whatever.”
“I was gonna drop you off at home.”
Beck shook his head. “Not when you need help.”
“What about your grandma’s house? Did you leave any windows open or anything?”
“No, I’m still used to living in the city, so I always close the windows when I leave, and nothing else there matters as much as your animals.”
Hearing Beck’s concern sent warmth through Cal. He wanted to pull Beck to him and kiss him, but he needed to keep his eyes on the road. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tight, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to peel them off once they stopped.”
“We’re almost there.” Beck’s voice was calm, and he laid a hand on Cal’s leg.
He probably meant the touch to be soothing, but despite Cal’s fear about the storm, his cock responded immediately. The damn thing would love it if Cal pulled over and fucked Beck in the cab of the truck in the rain.
Hail began to pelt the ground. “Shit!”
Beck squeezed his thigh. “Almost there.”
They were. A few moments later they turned into his drive. He took the fork that led straight to the barn.
José was leading Nereid in, and Rick was behind him with Houston. Those two were the least likely to panic in a storm, which meant the other horses were in the barn unless they’d had trouble catching one.
Cal turned to Beck. “Can you take Katie and put her in Lightning’s stall? They’re pals, and Lightning will help keep her calm.”
Beck nodded. “Sure. Should I use the leash?”
Katie hated it, but… “Yeah, you better. I don’t want her to bolt for the house.”
He jumped down from the truck and ran for the barn. The fact that he trusted Beck to take care of Katie meant more than Beck probably realized. It was basically a declaration of love.
Nereid and Houston were in their stalls when he ducked into the barn. “Who else is still out there?”
“Jigsaw.”
“Shit!”
“I tried to get her,” Rick said.
“It’s okay. She’s hard to catch on a good day.” And now with the storm intensifying she’d be even worse. “Anyone else?”
José shook his head. “No, the rest are all in.”
“How are Fern and Ragweed?”
“Doing great.”
“All right. I’ll get Jigsaw. Are y’all gonna wait out the storm?”
“Do you need us?” Rick asked.
“No, I’ll be fine once Jigsaw’s in, and Beck’s here if I need something.” He gestured toward the end of the barn where Beck stood talking to Katie and Lightning over their stall door.
“I need to get home, then,” Rick said.
“You sure? The roads looked pretty bad farther on.”
“I need to get Lucky in, and I bet José wants to check on his kids.”
José nodded to Rick. “I do, if you don’t mind giving me a ride.”
“No problem.” They’d ridden in together as they did most days.
“Okay, good luck,” Cal called.
“See you tomorrow.”
Cal grabbed a lead rope and headed for the door, bracing himself to go out in the storm. “Jigsaw’s being squirrelly. I’ve got to go get her.”
Beck grinned. “At least I’m not the only one she pisses off.”
Cal rolled his eyes. “I guess you think I deserve this.”
Beck glanced toward the door. “No, I don’t like you heading out there.”
“I’ll be fine. Do you mind waiting here for me?”
“No, I’ll be here. Good luck.”
Jigsaw led Cal on quite a chase until she finally succumbed to the lure of carrots and wet, melty mints. By the time they got back to the barn, Cal felt like a drowned rat—one who’d been stepped on a few times. But from the way Beck licked his lips when he saw him, he must not look as bad as he thought.
“You like the wet look?”
“Wet, dirty T-shirt clinging to you? Yeah, I like that.”
And damn if Cal didn’t go from exhausted frustration to oh-my-God-I-need-to-get-him-in-bed in 0.5 seconds.
“Don’t go anywhere,” he said as he led Jigsaw to her stall. Once he confirmed she had a hay bag and fresh water, he stepped into the bathroom at the far end of the barn and used a towel to dry his face and arms and squeeze some of the water out of his hair.
Then he marched down the aisle to where Beck stood, grabbed him by the front of his shirt, and hauled him close. “I want to fuck you right here in this barn with the rain pelting the roof. Are you up for that?”
Beck’s eyes widened, and Cal saw his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed. “Dear God, yes, but someone could just walk in.”
Cal glanced toward the door. “During this storm?”
“You never know. Rick and José could come back, or some crazy city people might’ve gotten caught by the storm when they were driving out to see the bridge, and then… I’m babbling, aren’t I?”
Cal grinned. “You are. No one’s going to drop in. Tours are by appointment only.”
“Like that stops rich old tourists.”
He snorted. “Then they’ll get an eyeful.”
“But you—”
“Want to take a risk. Maybe it’s the storm, maybe it’s the way you looked at me when I walked in. Do you really want to give up your chance to have a soaking wet farm boy at your disposal?”
Beck laughed and shook his head. “No, I don’t.”
“Good.”
“What about Katie?”
Cal glanced toward Lightning’s stall. “She’s fine.”
“But…”
“Shut up.”
Beck licked his lips. “Make me.”
“Is that how you want to play this?”
“Yeah.”
“Perfect.” Cal shoved him up against the door of an empty stall and kissed him hard, his tongue pushing its way in, forcing Beck to open for him.