24. Seth

Chapter Twenty-Four

SETH

The Triple M was a picture-perfect example of modern ranching, made of snow-covered fields, brand-new outbuildings, and pristine fencing. A sprawling herd of Angus moved sluggishly against the backdrop of a darkening sky. Heavy purplish clouds were moving fast, promising a new series of storms that wouldn't let up until they'd buried everything east of the Cascades in snow.

A pair of border collies chased his tires as he pulled up to the barn, and a rooster crowed somewhere behind the sprawling maze of outbuildings. It was a familiar theater he respected and understood deeply, but it was tough not to feel inferior once he climbed out of the truck and looked around.

Everything about this place broadcasted a level of money and success that the Double Jay had never experienced, even while his father and grandfather were alive. Sometimes it had seemed as if they purposely eschewed modernizing; they'd always believed the true heart of the West didn't lie in profit. Seth used to have so many ideas for expanding once he took the reins, but when it finally happened, they'd been so far in debt that he still hadn't wholly dug himself out of the pit.

"Are you my muscle for the day?" Michael Whittaker called, striding out of the barn and heading toward him leisurely. He was a large, no-nonsense man of middling years who looked like he'd walked out of an old-timey Marlboro ad. Whit hadn't moved to Sweetwater until after the accident, so they'd never had much reason to interact, but something about him reminded Seth of his father.

"That's me," Seth said, adjusting his gloves before clasping Whit's hand in a firm shake. "Aiden's tied up, so I offered to pitch in however I can."

"Appreciate it," Whit said, his grip firm and steady. "Let's get to it, then. We've got a lot of ground to cover before this storm hits."

Seth hadn't been exaggerating when he'd told Aiden the backhoe would be like a vacation compared to his usual backbreaking days. The machine was a beast, but nothing he hadn't tamed dozens of times before. He maneuvered the equipment with practiced ease, breaking through the frozen ground precisely where Whit instructed and relishing the satisfying crunch. He thrived on this kind of work: straightforward, challenging, and necessary. Every now and then, Seth cast a glance toward the approaching storm. If they were lucky, it wouldn't hit until the pit was filled. Otherwise, more pipes were likely to burst from exposure.

A few ranch hands lingered nearby, leaning against the corral and conversing in low voices while they watched him work.

"I'm not paying y'all to gape," Whit barked. "Unless you want to be the one I send into the pit with the soldering iron, get back to work!"

"Strangers are the best entertainment for a cowboy," Seth called down from the Cat once he killed the engine. "I'm used to it."

"You're not much of a stranger," Whit said, offering him a hand as he climbed down.

Seth shrugged. "Might as well be. I've been persona non grata for a long time. Doesn't matter if I went to school with half of 'em."

Whit grunted thoughtfully and passed him a thermos.

"Thanks," Seth said, cracking the lid and taking a grateful sip. A curl of steam and the rich scent of dark roast filled his nose.

"I wasn't around back when that nasty business hit your place," Whit said idly, staring down into the icy, muddy slush of the pit. "But I know how people like to work themselves into a tizzy. It always calms down once something new catches their attention. I don't think any of them think poorly of you now."

Seth didn't reply. He merely sipped his coffee and squinted at the black specks of cattle in the distance. "You've got a nice-looking herd," he complimented. "All Angus?"

"That's right," Whit said, gazing out at the snow-covered pastures. The wind picked up, carrying a hint of ice, and he narrowed his eyes against the lash. "Three hundred head, but I want to double my breeding program in the spring. Aiden says you've got some handsome bulls at the Double Jay."

"A couple Charalois and Hereford crosses," Seth acknowledged, unable to keep the pride out of his voice. "Cost me an arm and a leg to fetch 'em from Colorado, but they'll be worth it someday."

"Strong genetics," Whit said, giving a low whistle between his teeth. "You ever consider a breeding arrangement?"

Seth couldn't hold back his laughter. "Not with anyone west of Boise. No one around here would trust the health of my stock."

"That's what a vet inspection is for," Whit scoffed. "Besides, I've driven by the Double Jay enough times. Any fool with eyes can see those cattle are healthy and happy. You run a tight operation, and that ain't easy when you're doing it all solo."

"My dad always taught me not to rely on others."

"Wise man," Whit said, smiling grimly, "but no man's an island. Especially in these parts. Farming communities are close for a reason—so we've got folks to turn to when we need a hand."

"Maybe," Seth acknowledged. It felt like a message he'd been hearing a lot these days; Aiden and Tessa were blue in the face from repeating the same thing. Maybe it was time he started listening, for their sake, if nothing else. If Aiden planned on moving into the Double Jay, Seth would need to make peace with being sociable again. He added, "If you're really interested in renting out my bulls, I'm open to it."

"Good." Whit clapped him roughly on the shoulder, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "We'll discuss the details later once these bozos are finished fixing the leak. Why don't you climb back up on the Cat and get ready to fill?"

"How's the saddle working for you, Seth?" West called, strolling up to them with Calvin Craig at his side. His grin was good-natured and welcoming. "It sure was a beauty."

"Best ride I've had in years," Seth replied, wiping his brow with the back of one wrist. He was sweating despite the heavy air and plunging temperature.

"That's not what I hear," Cal interjected, tipping his hat back on his head and grinning hugely. "You should've known better than to mess around with a loudmouth like Aiden."

"I don't blame him," Celia said with a cheerful laugh that reminded Seth of a warbler’s trill. "Aiden Doyle blows so much hot air, it's probably the only thing keeping them warm up on that godforsaken mountain."

"You're not wrong," Seth said with a chuckle, unbothered by the teasing. He was a private man, but if Aiden wanted to share their relationship with his friends, he wouldn't complain. Earning the love of a big-hearted man like Aiden was something that would always make him proud.

Once, he'd thought keeping the Double Jay alive was his greatest accomplishment, but not anymore. Picking Aiden up on the side of the road when he was seventeen years old would always be the best decision he'd ever made. "He makes it worth my while," he said fondly.

Cal lifted one skeptical eyebrow and drawled, "If you say so. Just make sure to stock up on tranquilizers and a good lasso."

"Sounds like a normal Friday night with my ex," Celia quipped.

Seth was never a big talker; he'd always preferred to let Aiden do it for him. But as he pulled into the crowded trailer park later that night, he realized how different he felt. Lighter. He'd missed the cheerful banter of a few good-natured friends. It gave him a fresh sense of hope and purpose that he hadn't felt since he was a teenager. Maybe he'd invite them out to the Double Jay for a bonfire when the weather warmed up. Tessa would be back at school by then, but Aiden would love it, and Seth would do anything to make him happy.

The first step would be getting Aiden out of his rattletrap trailer. The weather report predicted the coldest temperatures of the year, and the hunk of junk Aiden called home was going to be an absolute misery. The electric heater was already blowing full blast when Seth let himself in, but it felt only mildly warmer than the air on the other side of the flimsy walls.

Surely, Aiden was freezing his ass off lying there buck-naked on his bunk. He'd taken Seth's request to heart, sprawling on his stomach amid the rumpled blankets and pillows in a relaxed state of undress.

"Took you long enough," Aiden greeted without looking up from the mobile game on his phone. "Thought you might've gotten lost."

Seth grinned and locked the door behind him before stripping off his hat, coat, and boots. He left his clothes in a trail behind him as he made his way to the bed and crawled up Aiden's legs without a single word.

Aiden canted a look over his shoulder, his eyes bright and playful. "Long day?" he asked.

"Long…but good," Seth murmured, kissing his way up the exposed line of Aiden's spine.

"That's what she said," Aiden said, snorting out a laugh. He tossed his phone onto a pillow and flipped over beneath Seth to wrap his arms around his neck. His eyes were sparkling with humor, and his cheeks were windburned, probably from a long ride with Bandit. It eased the constant worry in Seth's heart to see him so relaxed.

"You look comfortable," he murmured, running his hands up Aiden's sides and warming his chilled fingers on his bare skin.

"It's all a fa?ade," Aiden joked, shivering. "I've been freezing my nuts off for the past hour waiting for you."

"Why didn't you get under the blankets?" Seth asked, exasperated.

"I didn't want to miss the sound of your engine," Aiden admitted, leaning up to kiss Seth beneath the chin. "You asked me to wait for you…so I did."

Seth's heart swelled at the sentiment. He was truly the most thoughtful, caring man Seth had ever known, and he didn't even realize how extraordinary he was. His dedication and loyalty to the people he loved was breathtaking. Seth regretted how many years they'd missed together, but it was probably for the best in the end. Aiden would have eagerly, fearlessly sunk his future for Seth if he knew the truth.

"I'm here now," Seth murmured, brushing the bridge of his nose against Aiden's jaw before sealing their mouths together and kissing him deeply. Their lips clung, moving gently, reconnecting after what felt like a long day apart. It had only been a handful of hours since they'd parted at the diner, but even that seemed like too much these days.

Aiden's fingertips brushed up his sides, mapping each rib, and his thighs spread to accommodate Seth's weight between his legs. His cock was already heavy and swelling, and Seth rocked lazily against his pelvis.

"I missed you today," Aiden whispered, licking at Seth's mouth when they finally broke for air.

Seth grinned, nipping playfully at his shoulder and tasting the salt on his skin. "You'll get your fill of me if you come back to work at the Double Jay."

"I'll never get my fill of you," Aiden promised solemnly.

They lay together in silence, exploring each other with lazy caresses while their breath mingled and filled the space between them. The storm was picking up outside, whistling between the trailers and rattling a loose gutter against the wall above their heads, loud enough to nearly drown out the hum of the heater and the distant barking of a dog.

"I already called and checked on Tessa," Aiden said, carding his hands through Seth's hair and arranging it to his satisfaction over Seth's shoulders. "She's pissed that we aren't there to eat all the chili she made, but she told us not to risk driving up the mountain tonight. It's already iced over, and the temperature is only going to keep dropping."

Seth immediately objected. "The animals?—"

"They're fine," Aiden interrupted, stroking him soothingly. "She said Riley took care of them after he dropped her off. The horses are tucked in the barn with extra hay, and the cattle are sure to use their shelter now that we've secured the frame. You've got nothing to worry about except how to keep me warm."

"You could start by coming with me in the morning," Seth coaxed, gazing deeply into those twinkling blue eyes. "I won't sleep right if you're huddled alone in this trailer. The storm is going to keep coming, and I won't be able to get back down the mountain for a couple days. I know you've got your job, but… I'd like you to come with me."

Aiden made such a long, drawn-out production of thinking it over that Seth pinched him. He laughed, grinning up at Seth, so full of love and happiness that Seth felt like his heart would burst.

Aiden's voice was a warm whisper when he said, "Anything for you, cowboy."