Chapter Seventeen

In under a week, things around the farm changed. The weather called for long-sleeves and a jacket every time they stepped outside. Gone were the days when T-shirts offered the most comfort. Harvesting the last of the crops and storing them properly took up most of the time. But it wasn't the weather or the crops that changed. Travis felt different. The empty spaces he didn't even know he had, filled up, grounding him to the earth in a way working it hadn't even done. His purpose had changed.

His purpose walked out of the front door of the house with an empty half-bushel in his hands and one of the puppies following him. The little dog's ears flopped around as he ran to catch up.

Travis smiled when Jaron stopped and turned, scooping the puppy into his arms before setting off again.

Travis turned to Greg. "I'll be right back."

Greg grinned. "Just remember that I'm still an impressionable child so maybe accost him around the side of the barn where I can't see."

Travis shook his head. "That was the plan."

Greg made a face. They had an older brother, younger brother thing going on most days. Travis and Jaron's make out sections grossed Greg out. Travis would have laughed and poked fun if he wasn't a man on a mission.

He jogged to catch up with Jaron, and by the time he did, Jaron had put the dog down again. Travis pushed Jaron up against the barn, pinning him in place.

Jaron sucked in a breath and stiffened but relaxed once he figured out who had him. He let the half-bushel fall from his hand and wrapped his arms around Travis' neck, grinning. "I have stuff to do before Bobby gets off the bus."

"What is more important than making out with me?" Travis ran the back of his finger down Jaron's cheek.

"Cauliflower." Jaron's eyes sparkled with humor even as his focus never left Travis' lips.

He chuckled. "You're always so sensible."

"And your mind is always on one thing." If that bothered Jaron, he didn't show it.

"Are you complaining?"

"Not even a little." Jaron leaned in until his lips were inches from Travis. "In fact, I want to know how long it's gonna be before you take me to the hayloft. You're slacking, farm boy."

Travis closed the distance between them, stealing a quick kiss. "The first time we make love won't be in the hayloft."

Jaron shrugged. "The second time works for me."

Travis chuckled again. "Compromise. I like it."

As soon as Jaron's lips touched his again, the puppy grabbed onto his pant leg, playing tug of war with him. He tried to heat up the kiss, but the pull on his pant leg killed the moment. He chuckled and pressed their foreheads together. "Spend the night with me tonight."

"What about Bobby?"

"Well, I want him to spend the night too, of course." He wouldn't mind spending the weekend giving Bobby riding lessons. He planned on getting started that evening sometime after Bobby got off the bus.

"I think he's ready for a sleepover. God knows I am."

"I got a room ready for him at the house. Mom kept all my horse stuff, books included. He has a bookshelf we can help fill for him and a bin of toys. A few are new." Travis pulled his head back, meeting Jaron's gaze. "The house is almost ready for you guys. Gotta move some clothes out, and it's all yours."

Jaron tightened his hold around Travis' shoulders, going up on his tiptoes, dragging Travis down until their cheeks pressed together. "You're really great. Do you know that?"

Travis slid his arms around Jaron. "I don't know. My motivation is purely selfish. I want you and Bobby. As close as possible for as long as possible."

Tires crunched on gravel, alerting Travis to a visitor. A flash of a shiny white truck out of the corner of his eyes told him it was probably Jackson. He had a horse in Travis' barn that he wanted to keep secret from his father. Jackson hadn't checked on it in a while and was overdue.

Jaron didn't seem to notice the sound. Either that or he didn't care because he didn't end the hug. It wasn't until footsteps sounded on the gravel that Jaron made a move and that was to stiffen.

Travis rubbed circles on Jaron's back. "It's just Jackson."

Jackson nodded as he came around the corner of the barn. "Just came to check on my horse and to see how much I owe you for keeping it."

"I didn't work out the math. I will by Sunday, though."

Jackson took in the puppy at their feet and bent down, calling the little dog. The puppy ran to him. It's tongue lolled and ears flapped the whole way. Jackson petted him but didn't take his eyes off them.

Jaron loosened his hold, his body relaxing by slow degrees. He turned Jackson's way but didn't say anything.

Jackson smiled and held up a hand. "Nice meeting the person who has Travis all tied up in knots. Well, re-meeting, I suppose."

And just like that the rest of Jaron's misgivings disappeared. He met Travis' gaze. "I have you tied in knots?"

Jaron might have asked Travis, but Jackson answered. "Oh yeah. He wouldn't have gone after Brad if you didn't."

Travis narrowed his eyes. It was all for show, and Jackson must have known it because he chuckled.

Jaron picked up the half-bushel before kissing Travis one last time. He turned toward the back garden. "Come on, dog." He tapped his hand on his leg, using the sound to get the pup's attention.

Travis kept his eyes on his ass as he walked away. When he was about ready to leave his view, he called after him. "Hey."

Jaron stopped and turned, raising his eyebrows.

"I thought maybe I'd give Bobby a riding lesson when he gets off the bus. You got any objections?"

"No. I'll bring him out to you after his snack."

Travis nodded.

Jaron turned again.

"Hey." Travis stopped him, a smile playing on his lips.

Jaron turned again, his exasperation clear. "What?"

"Your dog needs a name."

"Bobby hasn't decided yet. And are you gonna let me get back to work?"

Travis grinned. "Yeah, I'll let you."

Jaron shook his head and turned around. When Travis called out to him again, Jaron waved and yelled, "No."

Travis shook his head and followed Jackson around to the front of the barn.

Travis had been friends with Jackson since they were Bobby's age. He knew Jackson had something to say. "Go ahead. Say whatever it is you need to say and get it over with."

They went into the horse barn.

He followed Jackson over to the stall that held his horse.

The horse stuck his head out, wanting attention.

Jackson stroked the horse's long nose three times before he spoke. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Travis knew what Jackson meant. He hadn't told anyone about his sexual preferences except his father, and that was because the secret built up in his body, making his stomach hurt. He had told his old man everything, holding nothing back. His dad had been the easiest person to tell because he trusted the unconditional love.

That same twisting ache in his gut returned. Of all Travis' friends, Jackson was the one he didn't want to lose. And yeah, Jackson had walked out of bars with just as many men as women. Travis was pretty sure he had a friend-with-benefits thing going on with Brian Stockwell but had never asked to confirm it. Logically, he knew rejection wouldn't happen.

Maybe there was something about saying the words out loud to someone who could walk away. Everyone on the farm counted as family. Family accepted and loved without question. His father had plowed that sentiment into every acre of the farm. He'd planted the seed and watched every vine wrap around them all until they understood and opened themselves up.

The lesson had been easy for Travis because he'd grown up with it. That lesson had been why he stayed friends with Brad even though he was an asshole sometimes and that asshole had rubbed off on Jackson when they were younger. But Jackson wasn't that impressionable kid anymore. He'd made up his mind somewhere along the way.

Travis met his gaze, wanting Jackson to see he wouldn't back down from the truth. "Didn't matter until I saw Jaron. Dad died, and you know I had problems after that. Meaningless sex doesn't interest me. Doesn't matter who it's with or their gender."

"What's different about Jaron?"

Travis smiled. "Besides the fact that he's fucking sexy, you mean?"

"He is pretty. But yeah, besides that."

"He's smarter than me. Quicker witted. And doesn't cut me any slack. When he takes a stand, he doesn't back down. He'd die for Bobby." Travis stuck his hands into the pockets of his coat. "There's a thousand other things."

"You're in love with him." It wasn't a question. Jackson knew him well enough not to ask.

Travis answered him anyway. "Yes. Probably from the first moment I saw him in the grocery store. I love Bobby too."

Jackson went in for a hug. "Happy for you, man. And I have your back."

Travis returned the hug. "I appreciate it. Wanna help give Bobby a riding lesson? Maybe Jaron won't freak out as much if there's two of us."

"It's understandable. He didn't grow up on the back of a horse like we did." Jackson pulled back, ending the hug and shrugged. "You got room for a couple more horses?"

Travis winced. "Your dad's getting worse."

It wasn't a question, and Jackson didn't take it as one. He didn't speak right away. "He forgets how to work the computer most times, so I put all our contacts on it. That will stop him from selling any more of our stock for a while." Jackson ran a hand down his face. "It wouldn't be so bad if he remembered what decade he's in and didn't sell horses we don't have anymore. Or sell them so damn cheap. Thankfully, he doesn't make training appointments for me. I hope he doesn't start."

"What do the doctors say?"

Jackson rubbed at the back of his neck. "That Alzheimer's sucks and they're sorry. They push meds and stopped telling us what to expect."

Travis put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently to show his support. "We have plenty of room for as long as you need."

"Thanks, man."

They made their way out of the barn as Jaron came around the corner.

Jaron smiled at them both but didn't stop to chat.

Travis kept his gaze on Jaron's ass. The jeans he wore hugged it just right, making the view spectacular.

"Yep. I see the appeal."

Travis elbowed him without looking away. "Are you looking at his ass?"

"Aren't you?"

Jaron bent over to put his half-bushel of cauliflower next to the front door. "Oh, yeah. I should punch you for looking."

"But you can't blame a guy for appreciating."

"Not at all."