Chapter 9

C hapter N ine

“You should have known better than to do that,” Hazard continued, his voice soft, but with a razor’s edge.

Bryce groaned. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. We should have talked about it before I said anything. But you saw they’d been making bets. It was just a matter of time.”

“Yeah, but it should have been my time… or our time. Not just your time.” He sighed, and Bryce nodded. “If there is going to be an us, then we have to talk over shit first.” At least some of his anger seemed to have slipped away.

“I’m sorry,” Bryce said softly.

“Do you really mean that, or are you just saying it to get me to stop being mad at you?” Hazard pressed, holding on to his anger because it was what he had to shield himself right now.

“I am. I know I made you feel exposed and vulnerable, and I shouldn’t have. Just because I was ready to talk about what we have doesn’t mean that you were. I was stupid.”

Hazard rolled his eyes. “No. You were a guy who is used to being in charge and getting what he wants. But if you want this relationship to work, then you have to accept that there will be things that affect me, and we need to talk them over first. This isn’t just a you thing… it’s a we thing.” Hazard growled and held his head. “Why do I feel like I just turned into a teenager?” And why did this make his head throb?

“Because your boyfriend did something dumb,” Bryce told him. ”Yeah, the guys took it well, but we didn’t know they would. I shouldn’t have taken that chance and put you in the spotlight like that.” Bryce took his hands. “I know you tend to be quieter and stay more in the background.”

“Fine,” Hazard said. “I know you weren’t doing it to be mean. I just want you to include me. Okay?” He couldn’t go through life with someone else making his decisions or speaking for him. That was too much.

“Got it.” Bryce said, and then sighed. “I thought you were going to tell me to go take a hike….”

Hazard paused. “No. But you and I do need to talk, because everyone is going to look at me differently after this. I’m sleeping with the boss, and it could cause friction. Or at least things will be strange. Up until now, I’m just the guy who manages the stables and horses. No big deal. But now that I’m seeing you….”

“Look, if anyone gives you trouble, you let me know.”

“That isn’t what I’m talking about. I can fight my own battles.” Bryce seemed confused, so he went on. “Guys are going to come to me when they want something from you. They’ll be my friend and hope that I’ll pass you some message or argue their case. God knows what. And I don’t want that. I just want to be Hazard, the same guy I was before.” His stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies, and he didn’t know how to make it stop. “I just want things to be quiet, like they were before.”

“Before me?”

Hazard shook his head. “No. I didn’t mean that.” It was hard for him to explain. “I’m going to get thrust in the middle of things.”

“Then step out of them. If the guys come to you because they want something, simply tell them to speak directly to me. You’ve always done that. Haven’t you noticed that the men all listen to you? They followed you out to that old water hole after they had worked the entire day because you led them out there.”

“That was because I told them that there had been water there, and if we found it now, they might get to keep their jobs.” God, he had been so full of shit.

“We aren’t letting all that many of the men go, and attrition over the next month will probably handle some of it.” He drew closer, his scent filling Hazard’s nose, making it hard for him to think straight. He blinked and forced his mind to stay on what was important. “A bunch of the guys followed you, not just the short-timers or those on the bubble.”

“Well… I don’t know about all that.”

“I do,” Bryce told him. “So you don’t need to hide or worry about what everyone is going to say or think. We spent a whole lot of years doing shit like that, and I’m proud to have you as my boyfriend. I really am, and I’m not going to hide anymore.” He seemed so strong and sure of himself that Hazard felt some of that himself, and he found himself smiling and nodding. “Okay?”

“Okay. Now, can I get back to work and leave this drama behind for a while?” He needed a chance to think, and he did that best when he was alone, working on the stalls and hauling bales through the barn and making sure his barn was as clean as possible.

Hazard went about putting the horses out into the pastures and set to cleaning the few stalls that needed it. He had a list of chores to finish. Familiar activity soothed him and that was what he needed at the moment.

Damn, the day was hot. His shirt stuck to his skin. Hazard drank a glass of water in the tack room before climbing the stairs to the loft and dropping some bales of straw down the chute so he could replace the soiled bedding.

“What do you think?” Danny asked as Hazard returned to the main floor of the barn and began spreading the new bedding. “Can we leave the horses out overnight?”

“I think so. They seem calm, and it isn’t supposed to storm or anything. It will do them some good.” And it would keep the stalls fresher and bring him some relief from the constant cleaning. “We should also get one of the guys to haul the mulch pile out and spread it on one of the hay fields. It doesn’t need to be done right away, but maybe if there’s rain in the forecast.”

“I’ll put that on my list,” Danny agreed. He was usually all business, but seemed like there was something on his mind.

“What is bothering you? Is it Bryce and me?” God, he felt so self-conscious.

“No… well, yes. Do you want my job?” Danny asked.

Hazard groaned. This was the shit he had been afraid of, and it had only taken a few hours to start. “No. You do good work, and I’m not after anyone’s job,” he said, setting his shovel in the tool closet with more force that he needed, sending all the tools clanging the floor. “Son of a bitch.” He began putting them back there they belonged. “Why are you asking?”

“I don’t know. You’re the boss’….”

“Stop,” Hazard snapped sharply. “I just want to do my job without these kinds of questions. Okay? No, I do not want your job or anyone else’s. I’ve known Bryce since my mom came to work here. I’m grateful for this job, and this ranch is my home. Bryce is my home. But I am not going to act like some dickhead weasel and start pushing people around or looking to take their jobs. I like what I’m doing, and I’m better with horses than cattle. You always let me run the stables, and as long as you continue to do that, I’m going to be really happy.”

Danny didn’t seem totally reassured. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Bryce, and I thought….” He shook his head.

“Do you want to get married someday?” Hazard asked. Danny hesitated and then nodded slowly. “Cool. When you do, will you talk over everything in your life with your wife?”

“Yeah.”

“And will you support her and expect her to support you?” he asked. Once again Danny nodded. “Then that’s all I’m doing.” He had said more than enough on the matter and pointedly cleared his throat. “Okay? Enough talk? My skin feels crawly.”

Danny laughed. “Okay. Go back to your quiet, stoic cowboy shit.” He left the barn, and once again, Hazard was alone, but still anxious. Still, he got to work and finished up the last of his chores before saddling Custer, who needed exercise, and after checking that everything was as it should be, he rode out to the south, needing a little fresh air and quiet to clear his head.

He reached the edge of the tall trees around the old water hole and dismounted. After tying Custer to one of the smaller tree trunks, he headed into the shade. The air cooled as soon as he stepped under the limbs. The sensation felt strange and was one he hadn’t been expecting. He stopped and inhaled deeply, the air fresh on his skin. He stood still, enjoying the shade before sparkles caught his attention. It was like stars had fallen from heaven and landed on earth.

Hazard reached for his phone, but his pockets were empty. He stared for a few seconds before racing back to Custer. He untied him and mounted quickly. “Come on, boy. Let’s get back. Fast as you can.” He urged his horse into a gallop, giving him his head and letting him race like the wind. His head beat almost as powerfully as Custer’s hooves by the time they both reached the yard. Hazard left Custer saddled and put him in his paddock, making sure he had plenty of water.

Hurrying to the main house, he knocked on the front door. Mrs. Maverick answered it. “Where’s Bryce?”

“With his father. They’re figuring how many head to sell.” She stepped back, and Hazard hurried inside and to the office. Mr. Hazard sat in his chair, looking tired. Bryce turned from where he stood.

“So, we’re in agreement?” Mr. Maverick asked.

“Yeah. This is what we need to do. I’ll call in the morning to make arrangements and get the contracts.” He sounded completely defeated.

“Bryce,” Hazard said. “There’s something I have to show you.”

“Can it wait?” Bryce asked with no energy whatsoever.

“No. It can’t. This is really important,” he said. “I’ll meet you in the yard in five minutes.” Without thinking, he kissed Bryce right there and then shook Mr. Maverick’s hand just because he was so excited. “You got to see this. Now.” He hurried out of the office, passing a very confused Mrs. Maverick, who looked at him like he was crazy.

Hazard got Mystic in from the paddock and saddled her. It took longer than five minutes, but he took both horses to the yard and was waiting when Bryce joined him, his expression hard. “What is all this about?”

“Just get on and come with me.” Hazard mounted Custer and waited for Bryce to mount Mystic before taking off once more. He didn’t urge Custer to full speed this time, but he set a comfortable pace for the horse, and Bryce easily kept up with him.

“Is something wrong?” Bryce growled from next to him.

“Just trust me. Okay?” He urged Custer faster because he was getting damned impatient too. Still, he kept smiling to himself.

“Why did you bring me here?” Bryce asked when they reached the edge of the trees. This time, Hazard dismounted and led Custer between the trees, closer to the center. The cool air greeted him a second time, and Hazard waited. “What is it?”

All Hazard did was point. “That.” He knew the second Bryce turned and saw the old water hole sparkling in the sun.

Bryce gasped. “What the fuck?” he asked as they approached the edge of the sparkling pool of water that nearly filled the hole they’d dug. “How did this happen?”

“Well… I don’t know. Either we dug down far enough that the water found the old way to the surface… or maybe the pump just needed a little priming and that rain the other day sort of completed the connection. I’m not sure. But the water is coming out. Look, it’s even started the old creek running again.” It was little more than a trickle, but water ran out of the hole and along the old streambed that ran east. It hadn’t run in years, and now a stream about a foot wide extended for a few hundred feet, a small, sparkling ribbon in the sun.

“This is unbelievable,” Bryce said. “You fucking did it.” He turned his head upward and let an old-fashioned cowboy whoop that sailed over the land. They left the horses near where the stream started so they could drink and rest in the shade. Then they hiked along the side of the old streambed. Hazard bent down every now and then to remove old brush and obstacles from the stream, clearing the way for the water to flow once again. After about fifteen minutes, they reached the point where the leading edge of the water inched along the parched ground, wetting it and blazing a trail that had been dry for years. “Look at what you did.” Bryce grinned and encased him in a hug, lifting Hazard off the ground before kissing the breath out of him.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You sure as hell did. This is going to bring this entire section of the ranch back to life. A whole new source of water. Do you know what that means?”

“You won’t have to sell?”

“No, I won’t. We can move some of the herd over here. They can drink directly from the stream.” Bryce did some butt- wiggling dance of joy that sent heat running through him. Hazard took Bryce’s hand, tugging him back toward the shade. “Where are we going?” Bryce asked.

“To a place where you can show your appreciation.”

“So that’s how it is.” He looked toward the stand of trees and then took off. Hazard did the same, laughing as he chased him, watching Bryce as they passed into the shade. They nearly tumbled into the water before they came to a stop. “That’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” Bryce said without turning away from him.

Hazard swallowed hard, and Bryce kissed him, holding him tightly. “I’m not beautiful, and I never will be.”

Bryce kissed him again. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so don’t argue.” Hazard didn’t have a chance as Bryce took his lips in a searing kiss. He groaned into the sensation as Hazard cupped Bryce’s firm ass, heat rising from inside him by the second.

A sizzling sound captured his attention, and Hazard pulled back. “What the hell?” he asked as he turned toward the water.

A flurry of bubbles broke the surface from the deepest part of the pool, boiling the water for a few seconds, sending tiny waves against the side. After maybe a minute, they subsided, and the pool grew quiet once more.

“Look,” Hazard said as he stood near the horses, clearing debris from the old channel. “The water is running faster.” He grinned as the tiny creek deepened, the spring releasing more water. As he watched, the stream nearly doubled in depth and width in the matter of a few minutes. The current was getting stronger. “I guess the spring was just getting itself started.”

“Do you think it will continue to increase?” Bryce asked.

“I have no idea. But even if it doesn’t, this will be hundreds of gallons an hour. More than we need for the cattle.”

Bryce grinned from ear to ear. “I can’t wait to tell my dad. I know he’s been worried sick about selling, and it’s affecting his health. He hasn’t been eating much and….” The worry in Bryce’s voice was almost palpable. “I don’t want to lose him, but he keeps getting weaker, and he sleeps more and more. Every treatment makes him tired for longer, and I don’t know how much more of all this he can take.” Hazard held Bryce to comfort him. “Willard being a total shit isn’t helping either.”

“Well, you can’t control your brother, and you have to give your mom and dad props for standing firm with him. This ranch is important to them.” The water in the pond gurgled once again, sending a ton of air bubbling to the surface before settling down once more to a smoother flow.

“I sure as hell hope it isn’t going to stop.”

“It’s not. The water table and the underground flow are returning to normal now that the wells aren’t siphoning off the water upstream. See, I bet that because of the mountains to the east, the water runs underground toward the west. The flow was drained away by the deep wells, but that’s stopped. It just took time for the water to return to its more natural flow, and now that it has.” He smiled. “Where does the creek go?”

“It winds through this acreage over here. There’s a culvert about half a mile east where it used to cross the road, and eventually it joins with the creek that feeds the east pasture.”

“Then as much as I’d love to stay here with you and enjoy the quiet, I think we should follow the creekbed and make sure the water will have a clear path. It’s been a lot of years since anything flowed through here regularly, so there may be some brush and stuff to clear. Not to mention to ensure the old culvert hasn’t collapsed.”

Bryce kissed him. “Fine, let’s go. But just so you know, I expect you to take care of any aches and pains later.”

Hazard smiled softly. “I’ll kiss them to make then better. I promise.”