Chapter Sixteen

The bed mattress bounced, waking Travis just enough to realized he hadn't moved. Not even one finger, not to mention enough to make the bed shift beneath him. Morning breath fanned across his face. He tried to move away from it, not liking the smell very much. No matter how far back he moved his head, the breath remained.

He popped one eye open, which turned out to be a mistake because big blue eyes and a sweet face lay inches from him, sharing the pillow he used. He jerked, and his breath caught.

His brain woke up enough, and his body settled.

The last time he'd woken up with a start had been when he slept over at his mother's house after Maggie had her baby. He had been too tired to walk the distance to his house, so he'd slept in his old room. God only knew how long that pile of laundry had been lying there. It had probably accumulated when he built the cabin and he'd finished months ago. Jaron tripping got the ball rolling as far as cleaning up. Much needed.

"You're a lot like your dad. Anyone ever tell you that?" Travis smiled and rolled to his back. His cheek throbbed where Brad had punched him. He raised his hands to look at his knuckles and found they weren't that bruised. Lucky break.

"Why are you sleeping in my bed?" Bobby asked. Leave it to a kid to get right down to the bones of it all.

"Because I needed a place to sleep." And he hadn't wanted to leave Jaron alone after the fight. Travis had a gut feeling Brad would try something else, and he wanted to keep Jaron close just in case.

"I always sleep with Papa. He likes to snuggle. You can sleep with him too."

Travis smiled. He would've loved nothing more than to curl up next to Jaron, but they had a few things to discuss before they got to that stage. A talk about the little angel in the bed with him hit the number one priority spot. He wouldn't go against whatever rules Jaron had about Bobby seeing them in the same bed together.

Bobby did look like an angel too, quite literally, except without the wings and halo, but Travis could imagine both. He had an innocent quality that kicked Travis' protective instinct into high gear. Bobby should keep that quality about him for as long as possible.

Bobby scrambled off the bed, grabbing Travis' hand and tugging. "Cereal."

Travis regretted sitting up. He groaned and rolled his head around on his neck to work out the worst of the kinks.

Yep, Brad had kicked his ass last night. Every single bruise and muscle ached.

Bobby tugged until Travis stood, not cutting him any slack. When they got to the kitchen, Bobby let him go and sat in the same kitchen chair Travis had sat in last night. "I want the chocolate kind."

"Chocolate, huh?" Travis proceeded to open cabinets until he came to the one with three boxes of cereal lining the shelves. Travis grabbed a brown box with a bird on the front and set it in the center of the table before rummaging around for a spoon and bowl. After pouring the cereal and then milk, he placed the bowl in front of Bobby and sat at the table with him.

"I'm in kindergarten," Bobby spoke around a spoonful of breakfast.

"Do you like it?"

Bobby just shrugged. "I like Mackenzie. He's our class hamster."

"So you like animals?"

Bobby nodded. "And I like Papa."

Travis smiled. "What kind of animal is he?" He should get up and make coffee, but the conversation with Bobby entertained him enough that he didn't want to interrupt the flow.

Bobby giggled. "He's not an animal, silly."

"I like your Papa too."

"You do?"

"Yep. Is that okay with you?"

"I guess so. That means you're gonna be nice to him. Cuz if you like someone, then you're nice. If you don't like someone, then you're mean." Simplistic but true for a five-year-old.

"Do you like puppies?"

Bobby's blue eyes got bigger if that was possible, and a smile lit up his face. He nodded. "Papa said he wants me to buy him a dog when I get rich. He's gonna name it Booger. But it's gotta be green." Bobby's little frown over the last statement had Travis chuckling.

"Dogs aren't green."

"I know. But I don't think Papa knows that."

"How are you gonna tell him?"

Bobby thought about that for a minute. His little face scrunched up in concentration. "Maybe if he saw one. Do you have puppies?" Bobby's blue eyes lit up with intelligent mischief that surprised Travis but probably shouldn't have.

"It just so happens that I do."

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm. You want to come to my house and play with them? If your papa says it's okay."

Bobby looked at something over Travis' shoulder. "Is it?"

Travis turned to see the most beautiful person he had ever seen. A good night's sleep had disheveled his dark curls, and his eyes still reflected sleep. Travis would give anything to wake up next to that every morning.

Jaron smiled at him and said, "Good morning." He squeezed Travis' shoulder and gave him a peck on the cheek as he walked past to get to the coffee maker. "Good morning, snuggle bear."

"Can we see the puppies?" The kid had a one-track mind.

"I suppose." Jaron met Travis' gaze. A smile touched his lips. "I saw the mother dog had them in the yard the other day and wanted to bring Bobby by sometime. To see the horses and cows too. That is if you don't have other plans."

"Nothing pressing." He wanted a shower and to change out of last night's clothes. Other than that, he could leave the farm in Leonard's capable hands for one day.

Jaron fiddled with the coffee maker, not turning until he had coffee brewing. When he did, he leaned against the counter, meeting Travis' gaze. One corner of Jaron's mouth went up, and he shrugged. "Date at your house with my kid and a bunch of dogs?"

"I'm in." Was he over his head? Probably but he'd happily drown if it meant he'd get more time with Jaron and Bobby.

They took a booster seat from Gloria's car and put it in Travis' truck.

Travis noticed the domesticity of the seat and liked it. A baggie of cereal lay in the seat beside it, and a bottle of juice sat in the little cup holder thing attached.

Jaron had packed a change of clothes for Bobby just in case he spilled or got dirty, which seemed like a very parental move and not something Travis would have thought to do.

None of it bothered Travis the way he expected. At least not in a way that would've made him turn the truck around.

Travis looked at Jaron in the passenger's seat as he pointed out the cattle in the field on the left.

No, he wanted Jaron and Bobby in his life. Every little representation of family hit him in the chest hard enough it stole his breath. He could only think about his father and what he would think about the little boy strapped into the car seat practically bouncing out of it when he saw a few horses in the next field over.

"Can I ride a horse?"

Jaron said no at the same time Travis said yes.

"Those horses belong to the neighbor. But if you want to ride, you'll have to get to know some of the horses on my farm first." Travis met Jaron's gaze for a moment before turning back to the road again. "How's that for a compromise?"

Jaron shook his head, but he smiled, rolling his eyes. "How old were you when you learned?"

"Four or five, I guess. My dad taught me." And Travis would pass on that knowledge to Bobby if Jaron would let him. "I'll let him ride with me the first few dozen times. And we'll ride one of the beginner horses. Deal?"

"I guess." Jaron sighed.

Travis turned into his driveway. "I'll introduce you to some of the horses later. How's that sound, little man?"

Bobby grinned and nodded.

Lila already had her puppies playing in the side yard under the oak tree. The poor girl looked tired but happy to lie in the shade.

He shut off the truck's engine, laid his keys on the floor, and walked around to get Bobby out of the backseat. As soon as he put Bobby on his feet, he ran to the puppies.

Jaron was already out of the truck by then. He put his arm around Travis' waist and met his gaze. "I know I'm over-protective about the horse-riding thing."

"Really? I didn't notice." Travis pulled Jaron close and kissed the top of his head, smiling through the teasing.

Jaron turned, so they faced each other. "I do trust you with Bobby's safety."

"But he's still your baby." Travis cupped his cheek right before he kissed Jaron. The press of lips wasn't designed to do anything, but comfort. It seemed to work because Jaron pressed his cheek to Travis' chest. "I get it. And it never crossed my mind that you didn't trust me so stop worrying."

"I feel like I'm going to say or do something."

Travis watched Bobby as he sat on the ground.

When five puppies surrounded him, assaulting him with licks and playful yips, Bobby giggled.

"What do you mean?"

Jaron sighed and pulled back. He turned and saw Bobby. He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm complicating things, and I'm about to make it even more complicated."

Travis shook his head and ran his hand across his forehead. "Why don't we go into the main house and get something to eat. We'll still be able to keep an eye on Bobby and the pups if we wrangle them into the backyard. We can discuss whatever you need to while we eat."

Jaron chuckled, but nodded. "You make them seem like cattle."

"There's a reason why Lila's lying there looking grateful to have Bobby over for a playdate."

They ate at the picnic table because the sun felt nice, and they could keep an eye on Bobby better. Travis made a simple omelet with a few veggies, bacon, and cheese, and they had coffee with it. Well, Travis had coffee. Jaron had a cup full of sugar mostly. Bobby had eaten cereal earlier and didn't seem to care about food when he had the puppies as playmates.

"What's on your mind, baby?" Wanting to get whatever needed to be said out of the way.

Jaron wiggled around on the seat. "We've only just started dating. I know that. But I already feel like it's serious."

"It feels new, but also like we've been playing around each other forever." The contrasting feeling left him a bit uneasy as well, but not in a bad way. The tension between them drew them together until all Travis wanted was to make love right there in his mother's backyard. They couldn't though. The push and pull of it intrigued him enough that he was content just to let things happen. "Sexual tension."

Jaron tilted his head to the side and pursed his lips as if contemplating that. "I guess you're right. Been a long time. I guess I didn't recognize it."

Travis grunted around a bite of food, swallowing it down. He smiled. "There's a remedy for that."

Jaron chuckled and pointed his fork at Travis. "We need to talk first."

"Yeah, I know. And I know you might trust me with Bobby, but you don't trust me with you just yet. You're guarded."

"True. And I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'm not proud of it, but I've earned my reputation. I don't go out much anymore. Since Dad died, the farm has taken up a lot of my attention. Last night was the first night I've been out in over a year."

Jaron shook his head. "You were out the other night. Your mom mentioned you'd had a late night."

Travis had to think back. If it were spring, he'd have a lot of late nights helping the spring babies come into the world. Since fall, he'd only had one. "You're talking about the night Maggie had her baby."

Jaron shrugged.

"I helped her deliver. That's why I slept at mom's house."

"Wait, you don't live here?" Jaron's mouth went slack, and his eyes rounded.

Travis chuckled and shook his head. He pointed in the direction of his house. "See that path through the forest."

Jaron had to lean forward to see it as part of the house blocked his view but only just. He moved his plate to the side when he realized he'd get food all over his pants if he didn't.

An inch or two separated them. Travis studied him for the longest time, taking in the slight stubble across his cheek and the way his skin still looked smooth to the touch despite it. "The two-track?"

"Yeah. My house is a short walk down it. We passed my driveway on the way here."

"Oh." When Jaron turned to meet his gaze, their lips almost touched.

Travis took advantage, closing the distance. He didn't make demands with the kiss. Jaron didn't trust him enough to understand what Travis wanted from him. As much as he wanted to believe actions spoke louder than words, Travis knew he had a little more talking to do.

The kiss brought as much heat as those last night did. Every time they connected, it tightened the tension. They'd both go up in flames soon if they didn't do something about it.

When Jaron pulled away, he hovered an inch from Travis, studying him. The picnic table bounced when he sat down, even on Travis' side of the table. His eyes were still glassy when he blinked.

Travis knew the feeling. "It's never been like that for me either." Not one fucking time and a part of him didn't know what to do about that, except for the obvious.

Before Jaron could comment, Bobby came racing over holding a brown and white puppy in his arms, and four others were bouncing around behind him.

"He's cute." Travis smiled.

Jaron smiled. "Yeah, and so is the dog. Together they could rule the world."

Travis snorted out a laugh and would have commented on the dramatic way Jaron said that, but Bobby held up the puppy as if asking Jaron to inspect it.

"Papa, can I keep him?"

Jaron looked to Travis for help. "Bobby, why don't you go in and get something to drink? No soda, though."

"After you talk to Travis, will you let me have a puppy?"

Travis burst out laughing. "Smart kid."

Bobby put the puppy down and then went into the house through the back door. The little dogs didn't understand that they couldn't follow him. Bobby stopped with one hand on the knob and waved a finger at the puppies. "No, no."

Four of the five sat down, cocking their heads to the side, trying to figure out Bobby's meaning. The fifth one was the maverick and stole Travis' heart when he plowed through the crack in the door. Bobby sighed and picked him up, putting him back outside. "I said no, little man."

Bobby smiled at Travis as if wanting his approval.

"You make a great puppy wrangler." Travis could tell Bobby wanted his approval because he beamed as he shut the door behind him.

Travis could hear him call out his mom's name even through the door.

"Are you gonna let him have a puppy?"

"That depends on how weirded out you'd be if I moved in here. Bev offered when I first started, but I wanted to wait. Seeing Bobby here makes me think this is the right place for us."

It made sense that Mom would want someone with her every day, and she'd had a live-in housekeeper before. She didn't complain of loneliness, but Travis worried. That wasn't what gave him pause.

Travis' silence must have made Jaron fearful of rejection because his shoulders came up to his ears and he spoke again. "Starting this week, I'd have him get off the bus here anyway. I thought to start him on that routine for a couple of weeks and then maybe spend the night a couple of times a week. Gradually leave our stuff here. That way I'm not dragging him away from another home again."

"Might as well move into my house. It's where you're gonna end up in a few months anyway. It'll save you another move." Travis pushed Jaron's plate back into place. "Finish eating."

Jaron didn't even bother picking up his fork. Instead, he stared at Travis as if he'd grown another eyeball in the center of his forehead. He opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again. He shook his head. "I can't move in with you. It's way too soon, and you know it."

Travis shrugged. "I'm just giving it to you straight, Jaron."

"Meaning."

"My intentions are clear. I'm just saving you some time." Travis had never seen Jaron so flabbergasted. As cute as it was, he took pity on him. "I'll move back in with Mom and rent you my house until we're ready for that step. We can draw up a renter's agreement if it makes you feel better. I'll even make the rent reasonable but fair. Deal?"

Jaron huffed and put his elbows on the table. "I don't know."

Travis chuckled and stood, coming around the table. The puppies barreled toward him when he moved, and he had to step over them as he walked. He straddled the bench, crowding Jaron with his legs. He wrapped his arms around Jaron's waist and pulled him closer, kissing just below his ear. "I'll support whatever decision you make. Gloria's house, Mom's, or renting mine. You got options."

"I want Bobby on the farm. He'd thrive here."

"I'd teach him everything about the farm if he wants to learn." Travis kissed Jaron farther down on his neck.

Jaron shut his eyes and tilted his head to the side, giving Travis better access. "And if we don't work out?"

Travis pulled back and turned Jaron until their gazes met. "That won't have anything to do with Bobby. He'd still get my attention. If you move to the farm, you'll both always have a home here. It's how this family works. Understand?"

Jaron nodded. "Yes, I understand."

"Good." Travis tilted Jaron's head back and placed a wet kiss complete with just a hint of tongue on the place where Jaron's neck and shoulder met. "So, are you gonna let him have a puppy?"