Chapter 10

"ARE YOUsure this is a good idea?" Lucas asked, sitting up in bed, the soft light making a warm glow.

"What?"

"All of it?" he asked. "I don't know if I should go at all."

Matthew heard the fear in Lucas's voice and knew exactly what he meant. He sat on the edge of the bed in his boxers. "The thought of you doing this scares the crap out of me. And to make matters worse, all the kids could talk about was going to White Pine Village. They heard us talking and want to go too. I spent most of bedtime trying to explain that they couldn't." There had been plenty of tears, but there was no way in hell he was letting them anywhere near someone who was stalking Lucas.

"There has never been any indication that he's interested in anyone other than me, but you're right. The kids need to stay here. That way you'll know they're safe. We can take them for a visit before I leave, when no one knows we'll be there." Lucas stroked his arm to try to calm him.

"Adelle is going to come over that night as well, and Karen will stay with the kids. She's pretty amazing. I swear she can do anything." Matthew smiled. "Geoff and Eli, Joey and Robbie, and Tyler and Alan will be on the guest list. We can show them the picture of the guy we're looking for, and they'll be on the lookout as well. It would also give us additional support. Tyler is a firefighter, so he knows how to handle touchy situations, and he can easily call in a ton of backup if it's needed."

Lucas tugged him into a hug. "I can't believe you're doing this and that all your friends are willing to help."

Matthew leaned back to kiss Lucas. "Of course they would. These aren't Hollywood people who look out for themselves all the time. These are country folks. Eli and Geoff are some of the largest landholders in the county. Eli raises horses, and Geoff grows corn and has a large beef herd. They also have therapy riding for kids with disabilities, and Eli does that for any kid who needs it, regardless of whether they can pay." Matthew grew closer. "And everyone on that farm helps out. Robbie doesn't give lessons, but he spends time with the kids who have sensory issues, gives them someone to speak with. So yeah, they'll help. All I had to do was make a phone call."

"I see." He hugged Matthew tightly. "Maybe I've been gone way too long."

"Or maybe what you needed was some time at home with real people who show you who they are instead of fake ones who hide behind facades and make-believe." He leaned closer. "You always showed me who you were, and while I watched you on screen, it was the real person that made those characters come to life. It was the man under the costume that shone through each and every time. So the people here, my friends, your friends… all you have to do is ask, and they're there."

Lucas pulled him down onto the bed. "I think I'm coming to understand that." Lucas kissed him, and Matthew forgot about the rest of what he wanted to say. "I came to say goodbye to my father."

Matthew held Lucas's cheeks. "And I'm glad you got some peace between you."

"We did, and that was good. But what I didn't expect was what's been happening between us. I knew you were still in town, but…." Lucas paused. "I guess I expected my trip to last a few days and then I'd go back to California." He hadn't given it much thought when he'd originally left.

Matthew drew closer. "What is your life like out there? Do you go to parties and do glamorous things?" He smiled, and Lucas groaned.

"What's glamorous to you? Do I go shopping at fancy stores? No. Spend my afternoons having lunch with other stars in some exclusive café that takes months to get a table? No. I have a nice home with a beautiful view of the city. That's my one real luxury. I have a nice car, but it doesn't cost a fortune, and I drive it myself a lot of the time. The studio provides a driver when I'm on set, but when I'm there, I spend weeks in my trailer. So that becomes a home of sorts." He yawned and closed his eyes. "I guess my life is a lot of work and little else."

"Don't you have friends?" Matthew had talked to Lucas about his life, but he was still curious.

Lucas shrugged. "I know people out in LA. People I've worked with a few times. Occasionally I'll go out to dinner with one of them, or I get invited to parties. They're usually obligations, and I go because I need to make connections and talk to people. Some of them are pretty wild, and I stay for a while and then leave before things get out of hand."

"So you don't have people to watch television with and have a beer and some pizza? You know, those are your real friends. The ones who don't expect anything from you."

"Not really. There are times when I wish I did. But it's hard in a city of millions to get to know anyone when everyone is running so fast that they never have time to stop and meet anyone else." He shrugged. "I don't have that problem here." Lucas nuzzled Matthew's neck, and he once again forgot his train of thought.

"That's because we already know you…." Matthew's words trailed off into a groan as Lucas tugged him back. The heat of the day was nothing compared to the furnace that Lucas ignited inside him, making his ears ring. "Wait," he said gently, listening. Thunder rumbled in the distance, followed by feet on the stairs. Lucas backed away as Brianna and Carl hurried into the room and hopped onto the bed.

"Uncle Daddy, can we sleep with you?" Brianna asked, holding her doll under her arm. "Annabelle is scared."

Lucas snickered, and Matthew watched as he reached over the side of the bed, grabbed a T-shirt, and pulled it on.

"Are you and Lucas having a sleepover?"

Lucas got out of the bed and grabbed a blanket, but he paused in the doorway. Matthew wondered if he was angry, but he returned to the bed and kissed him gently. Then he left the room, and Brianna and Carl bounded up the bed and curled under the covers as thunder sounded once more. Matthew hoped the other two didn't join him; otherwise the bed was going to be very full. As it was, even with two kids, it seemed empty without Lucas.

MATTHEW WOKE,this time to the bed dipping more deeply. "What…?" he asked groggily.

"It's just me. Karen got up, and she and I carried the kids back to bed." Lucas had pulled open the sliding doors and let in the soothing sounds of the trickle of rain.

"I'm sorry about that," Matthew said.

Lucas slipped under the covers, right up next to him. "There's nothing to be sorry for. It's what you do for the people you love." He gathered Matthew into his arms, and he rolled over to kiss him. Matthew figured that Lucas would want to rekindle what had been interrupted, but he soothed him down. "It's okay. Rest. You have work tomorrow, but come right home, because I have a surprise for you. Karen is going to have a movie night with popcorn and pizza for the kids. The two of us will have an evening to ourselves, and it will be only us. I promise. You can make it up to me then."

Matthew snugged down, the rain-cooled air giving the room a fresh scent that soothed him right back to sleep, and he didn't wake until his alarm beeped.

He got up, dressed, and cleaned up quietly before leaving the house and heading to work. He was halfway to town before his mind kicked in and he realized what Lucas had said. Part of him wondered if he had dreamed it, but no, he hadn't. Now that he thought about it, he could remember the words. It's what you do for the people you love. Lucas loved him, and just as importantly, he'd not only found a way to say that he loved Matthew, but the entire family. Lucas loved them all, and that warmed Matthew even as the air conditioning worked to cool the interior of his van.

At the plant, he had a mountain of tasks and got right to it. He had a list of repairs and maintenance checks to make. The season hadn't started yet, but in a week or two the lines would be filled with people canning beans and other vegetables that would be brought in by the truckload from as far away as Kentucky. Matthew was one of the year-round employees charged with keeping the facility clean and the equipment in perfect shape, ready for use and inspection. It was a job he took pride in.

"Looking good," the plant manager, John Keller, said as he checked over the canner that heated and sealed the containers.

"Thanks." Matthew closed and locked the electrical access hatch. "I've had to replace the connectors in all these. They were wearing, and I didn't like how they looked."

"Good." John stood, looking out down the production line.

Matthew stood next to his boss. "What's bothering you?" He could always tell. John had hired him seven years earlier, and they had worked together closely.

"Just a feeling, but I can't get it out of my mind that this will be the last year. Nothing has been said…."

"But it's what they aren't saying?" Matthew finished, and John nodded.

"Exactly, but keep this under your hat. Ain't told no one else, and I could be wrong. But there are people who have worked at this place for decades." He sighed. "Don't know when something will be said."

Matthew set his tools in his box. "There have been rumors going through town for the last few years." They were hard to keep ignoring. The plant was aging, and the parent company had been sold a few years ago, so it made sense for them to consolidate. Matthew had always hoped that the folks in town and how hard everyone worked would mean something, but he knew better.

John nodded. "This conversation didn't happen, but if I were you, I'd be looking to see what's available out there. Keep your options open." He put his hands behind his back and continued his walk down the line.

Matthew went back to work, trying to put that out of his mind. He'd deal with things when they happened. With the kids and the way his life was, he could only work through issues as they came up. Trying to head them off took more energy than he could manage. But he'd do what John said and keep his ear to the ground for work.

"What did John want?" Denny asked almost as soon as John was out of sight.

"Just checking to see that we're going to be ready." Denny was a gossip of epic proportions. If you wanted something to get to every corner of the town, all you had to do was tell him. He loved to be in the know. "I know you got stuff to do."

Denny turned and hurried away in the opposite direction from John. Matthew picked up his tools and continued his work. Regardless of the long-term plans for the plant, he had to make sure the equipment was ready for the coming production season, and that meant he needed to get a move on.

He was busy the rest of the afternoon and left the plant on time, pleased with what he'd gotten done. Matthew drove back past the house and stopped in to get a few things and to make sure everything was okay. There was no one hanging around, and he got what he needed before leaving and heading to the lake house.

"Where are the kids?" Matthew asked when Lucas met him in the driveway.

"Inside. Go get changed into jeans and heavy shoes, and then meet me out here once you've seen the kids." He pulled Matthew into a deep kiss. "Karen is watching them, and you're mine for a few hours, like I promised."

"Okay. I'll be back out," Matthew agreed and hurried inside. The kids all said hello and showed him their drawings and the things they'd made with Karen. "I heard you are going to have a movie night."

Brianna bounced on her toes. "Yes. Are you gonna watch with us?"

"I'm going out with Lucas for a while. But you're gonna have popcorn and pizza with Miss Karen, and I'll be home in time to tuck you all in. Okay?"

Brianna nodded, and Matthew talked to each of the kids before they wandered off into the living room.

"Don't worry. Everything is going to be fine." Karen was already getting things set up.

Matthew went to the bedroom and got dressed the way he'd been instructed. Then, after hugging each of the kids goodbye, he found Lucas in the drive and got into the SUV. "Where are we going?"

"To the farm," Lucas said. "I called Geoff and Eli. They have a couple horses saddled up and ready for us."

Matthew grinned. "We're going for a ride?" They hadn't done this since high school. Matthew had been riding a few times over the years, mostly at Geoff's, so he knew the area fairly well. "That's cool. How long has it been for you?"

"I spent quite a bit of time in the saddle for a film I did a few years ago, so I got pretty good, but I haven't been on a horse since. I figured we're just going on a trail ride rather than trying to make our way across the entire west, so we'll be all right."

Matthew shook his head at Lucas's smirk. "Okay." For the drive, he shifted closer to Lucas and held his hand.

They arrived just as Rachel pulled into the farmyard and up to the barn. Geoff and Eli came out to wait for them, Geoff's arm around Eli's waist.

"Everything is ready," Geoff said as they came forward, and everyone shook hands. "Eli is going to make sure you're all set." He smiled before jogging over to the house.

"Come on inside," Eli said. "I wasn't sure how comfortable you were going to be out on your own. I saddled Layla and Thunder for you. Don't let the name fool you—Thunder is as gentle as they come, and he knows the way to the creek. It's one of his favorite trails, so once he knows that's where you're going, you can just relax." He got out a gorgeous bay and helped Lucas into the saddle.

Then Eli brought out Layla, and Matthew mounted. He was familiar with her. "She's an old friend."

"Go on around the barn and then out toward the creek. I put a few things in her saddlebags for you." Eli waved and stepped out of the way. "Have fun and don't worry about anything."

Thunder led the way, and sure enough, he seemed to know where he was going. Layla went behind, the two of them crossing the grassy field. "This is so wonderful," Lucas said.

"It is," Matthew agreed as the wind ruffled his hair, the air fresh and clean.

"It even smells good, without a hint of exhaust or the scent of the city that I never knew was there until I didn't smell it any longer." Lucas's shoulders seemed to lose some of their tension, and he quickly settled into the saddle, moving with the horse. Matthew had learned long ago that the horse needed to be the one to dictate the pace and the feel of the ride. Moving with her was just as easy as watching Lucas in the saddle, that amazing backside rocking with each of Thunder's movements.

For a moment, Matthew let himself dream that they were far away in both distance and time. They could be anywhere or in any era. For now it was just them. "Did you ever think of doing a western?"

Lucas chuckled. "I have a deal for one waiting for me. I have to read the script when I get back. Why?"

Matthew caught up to Lucas. "Because I think you look good on a horse, and maybe it's time the western made a comeback. Especially a sexy one."

"What's a sexy western?"

Matthew rolled his eyes even though Lucas wasn't watching. "One where you spend a good deal of the time with your shirt off, chopping wood, or maybe riding a horse to chase the bad guys half-naked."

Lucas laughed louder. "Okay. So I should specify that there be scenes where I don't wear a shirt."

"Of course. I'd pay for that." He caught up to Lucas. "You'd be sexy half-naked on a horse."

"You just want me to be half-naked now." They reached the edge of the field, still under the canopy of the tall, sprawling trees. Thunder slowed, and they continued until they reached the creek. Then Thunder turned north and continued along the water until they reached a clearing.

"Nope, I want you all naked, but that's probably a bad idea out here." He flashed Lucas a grin and got one in return, along with a nod.

"Wow, I never knew this was here." Lucas dismounted and turned in every direction.

"Not many people do." Matthew dismounted, and the horses made their way to the best grass and began to eat. "Geoff told me once that this was where he and Eli spent part of their time… courting." He couldn't help smiling.

"You're kidding."

"Nope. Eli was the one doing the courting, by the way. He grew up Amish and had a difficult time reconciling his feelings, but he told me that when he did, he decided to court Geoff. He baked him his favorite bread, and they went out riding together. It was his variation on how things would be done back home. He didn't know any other way."

"And it clearly worked, because I have never seen two people more in love." Lucas opened the saddlebag and spread a thin blanket on the ground. Then he pulled out a few containers before sitting. "When I told Geoff I wanted to do this, he said he'd ask Eli to put together a light snack."

Matthew sat and opened a small wax paper bundle. Inside were two slices of homemade cinnamon raisin bread. "Do you think he's trying to tell us something?"

"Maybe." Lucas took the offered slice and nibbled on it before taking a bite. "This is amazing."

"Geoff calls it Eli's love bread," Matthew explained. "He claims it's got magic." He leaned forward, and Lucas met him across the blanket. The kiss started gentle but soon deepened, threatening to take Matthew's breath away. Not that he minded in the least. Lucas pressed him back onto the blanket, and Matthew held him tightly, wrapping his legs around Lucas as their kiss clouded his mind.

In a matter of seconds, nothing else mattered but him and Lucas. "You know I've loved you always. I loved you back in high school." Lucas's gaze met his, hard, heated, and yet soft at the same time. "Being with you again only rekindled what was always there."

"I know," Matthew said softly. "And know that it will always be there." He slipped his hands under Lucas's shirt, hot skin sliding under his palms, making deep impressions on his memory. "I know you have to go back soon, but that isn't going to change how I feel."

Lucas stilled. "It has to." Matthew's mind spun. "You can't put your life on hold. You deserve to be happy and to have someone to share your life. You should be loved, and not just by someone three thousand miles away. I see it all the damned time, relationships that fall apart because of time and distance. I don't want that to happen to us."

Matthew swallowed hard. "Then don't let it." He drew Lucas down to him, their kisses growing more frantic. He realized the energy was coming from him. Lucas was going to have to go, and Matthew was going to stay with the kids while part of his heart got on a plane heading west. There was nothing he could do about it other than impress everything he could onto his memories: the way Lucas kissed him, how his heated skin felt under his hands, the way Lucas's eyes caught the light, glinting when they looked at him.

"But how…?" Lucas whispered.

Matthew didn't have the answer, so instead of saying anything more, he simply tugged at Lucas's shirt, his hands shaking in his near frantic need for contact.

Lucas pulled Matthew up and got his shirt off before they tumbled back down on the blanket, chest to chest, lips to lips, hands roaming in the most delicious way, driving Matthew out of his mind.

The horses neighed, and Lucas stilled as Thunder stomped. Matthew listened past the breeze and the rustle of the grass. Layla neighed, and he turned. Both horses had their noses pointed toward the wind, ears cocked. "Something is going on," Matthew whispered. "Stay here and out of sight." He pulled on his shirt and went over to the horses, stroking Thunder's neck as he peered out through the trees.

Movement caught his eye, and Matthew pulled out his phone and sent a text to Geoff that someone was prowling in the field. After soothing the horses, he made his way to the edge of the trees, where a man with a camera around his neck stood maybe twenty feet away, heading toward the woods. "What do you think you're doing?" Matthew demanded. "This is private property, and you aren't allowed to be here."

"I don't have to answer to you. I'm with the press," he said.

"Really? Trespassing is still illegal, and I can call the police. You can take it up with them." A horse and rider barreled across the field in their direction. "It seems you can take things up with the owner." He shook his head. "I wouldn't want to be you." The guy flinched, and Matthew loved that he paled. It was a good sign.

"Hey, I don't want any trouble. I saw a big SUV pull in and then some guys riding out." He was shaking now, especially with Geoff on his horse charging right toward him. "Jesus Christ!" the guy called out, and Matthew wondered if he was going to wet himself.

"What the hell are you doing on my land?" Geoff demanded as he charged up to the reporter.

"I saw the big SUV, and I heard that Lucas Reardon was still in town," he stammered. "Though the decoy was pretty good and fooled a lot of people."

Geoff drew closer. "And you thought you'd, what… traipse out here, trespass on my land, in the hopes that it was him?" Geoff shook his head.

"That is Lucas Reardon's boyfriend, so I figure I'm on the right track." He straightened his shoulders. "I'll go back to the road and get off your land, but you can't stop me watching the place. If he is here, I'll get my picture and make a bunch of money."

"Actually, I can," Geoff said. "I already called the sheriff. He and I went to school together. He'll take you in and process you for trespassing. That ought to put your spy mission out of commission for a while." Geoff turned to Matthew. "Go on back to your ride. I'll take care of this guy here. He isn't going to bother anyone now." Geoff grinned as a few sheriff's vehicles pulled up to the edge of the field on Stiles Road.

Geoff stayed with his horse as the sheriff marched across the grasses that would eventually be cut for hay.

Matthew walked back under the trees and found Lucas standing with the horses.

"I'm sorry," Lucas said softly, eyes cast down, shirt back on. "I honestly thought you and I could have a little time to ourselves."

"And we can," Matthew said. He walked right up to him and tugged him into a hug. "But I'm starting to feel like the entire world is cockblocking us." He rested his head on Lucas's broad shoulders. "First the kids last night…."

"And then some Jimmy Olsen wannabe today," Lucas added softly as his arms closed around Matthew. "It's all right."

"We could go back to what we were doing," Matthew whispered.

"I don't know if that's a good idea. The last thing I want is pictures of my bare ass in the tabloids… or worse, stories about us."

Matthew tensed. "Are you ashamed?"

Lucas chuckled. "Of you… us? Not in the least. I don't want pictures of you all over the news because you deserve your privacy, and if that happens, you'll get none, and that little fiasco a few days ago on your front lawn will be just the beginning." He pulled away. "Where does that trail go?"

"Along the creek to the east before it turns back toward the farm. It comes out closer to the house, and then we can go around to the barn." Matthew mounted his horse, and Lucas did the same. This time Matthew took the lead, with Lucas close by.

"I figured this would be a good way to get some time alone, and I'm sorry. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea."

Matthew pulled his horse to a stop, and Lucas did the same. Then he reached across and took his hand. "It was a great idea. How could you know that some reporter was going to think that the SUV was connected to you? In fact, he still doesn't. All he got for his troubles was a free ride to the police station, and he'll have to explain what he did to his boss."

"But…." Lucas still seemed upset.

"It was a wonderful idea, and you and I still get to spend time together. And when we get back and the kids are in bed, I'm going to lock the door, and you and I are going to make up for lost time."

Matthew released Lucas's hand and they started forward at a walk next to the gurgling creek. The sun would be setting soon, but the breeze was still fresh.

"I heard something today from Rachel…," Lucas started once they turned away from the creek. "But I don't know how reliable it is or if you want to hear it." He bit his lower lip, a sure sign that Lucas thought he was delivering bad news.

"Is it about the plant?" Matthew asked, his conversation with John fresh in his mind.

"You already know," Lucas said.

"There have been rumors running through town for a while, and the plant is still open." He was hoping that everyone was worried about nothing; it had happened before. When the company was bought out, there were rumors that the plant would be shut down, but it hadn't been. Still…. He pulled Layla to a stop. "You might as well tell me."

"Rachel has her ears to the ground about a lot of things. The parent company is planning to relocate the equipment to another plant in Iowa and close this one down. They'll probably sell the building if they can, but that will be it." He seemed so calm and cool about it, but Matthew wanted to scream his frustration. "But you already know about this."

"I had an idea, yes." He clenched his teeth and balled his hands to fists. "It's the usual story, right? A small town loses its major business and then everyone wonders what will happen next. I'm an electrician and I can find work, I know that, but…."

Lucas nodded, his expression dark. "But everyone else is just going to be out of luck."

"Pretty much. It feels like part of the town is dying." Now it was Lucas's turn to take his hand. "And I wish I could do something. But I'm not an entrepreneur or anything."

Lucas nodded.

"Can I ask how Rachel knows this? The people here are fearful, but no one knows for sure… not even my boss."

"I don't know, but Rachel has sources of information that would make most CEOs jealous." Lucas released his hand and started the horse forward as the sun set behind the trees and shadows fell across the land ahead of them.

"Geoff told me about your interruption," Eli said once they reached the barn. The lights had come on, and Matthew dismounted. Eli led Layla into the barn, and he helped Lucas down before taking Thunder inside as well. "Did you have a good ride anyway?"

"We did, and thank you for the goodies. That was really nice of you." Matthew unsaddled Thunder, then put the tack away. "I don't know what I'm going to do," he added once he realized Lucas wasn't coming inside.

"About Lucas?" Eli asked over the wall from the next stall.

"Yeah. He's going to go back to Hollywood because that's where his work is." Matthew brushed Thunder to get any dust out of his coat. "But I don't want him to leave. And then he's doing this thing on Friday."

"I heard about that on the radio."

Matthew paused and peered over the wall. "He's doing it to raise money and because he and Rachel are hoping to draw out this stalker who won't leave him alone. We have a picture of him, we think, and we're hoping to finally catch the guy. It scares me half to death." He peered down as Eli gently stroked Layla's neck. "I don't know what to do about any of it."

Eli paused and set the brush on one of the boards. "It's pretty simple, as I see it. You go with him and you make sure Lucas is safe, no matter what, because that's what you do for the people you love. Right?"

Matthew nodded. "But the rest?"

"It's not rocket science. You tell Lucas how you feel and what you want. Do you want to go with him? Do you want Lucas to stay? Does it even matter as long as the two of you are together? I left Geoff early on because of some crap with his witch of an aunt and because I wasn't sure I was ready to leave behind the only world I'd ever known. But I was miserable. The community I'd grown up in had gotten too small, and it was missing the one thing I needed most in the world—Geoff."

"How did you figure it out?"

"That was simple. I was honest with myself about what I wanted, and then I went to Geoff and told him. It turned out that he wanted exactly what I did. He wanted me as much as I did him, and we've had more than twenty years together. He and I raised Jakey together, beat cancer together, built this business and a place that's safe for other people like us. And we did it together." He paused. "And who knows what's ahead? There will be good times, and some not so good, but whatever they are, it will be something to two of us face as one. I know that, and there's no better feeling in the world."

"I understand. Having Lucas back has been…." He didn't have the words for it.

"Like finding the other half of yourself that you didn't know was missing?" Eli supplied, and Matthew nodded.

"Exactly. But do I have the right to take the kids away from everything and everyone they know here and move them across the country? Or, almost as bad, how can I ask Lucas to move back here? Either way, it's a lot, and what if things don't work out? What if it's a huge mistake?"

"And what if the two of you are as happy as Geoff and me?" Eli asked and then picked up the brush and returned to taking care of Layla.

Matthew backed away from the wall and wished he had some sort of answer to rebut Eli, but it was hard to argue with a possibility that he had always hoped would turn out to be true. Damn it all, some people just got the best lines… and he wished it was him.