Chapter 24

Benji was in the hot tub, doing his early morning soaking. He'd been here almost four weeks, and his vacation time was gone. His sick leave. His last chance.

He had to go back to work, at least long enough to pack, for the doc to get a new nurse in, to figure out how to move the animals he wanted to move…

Christ, he didn't want to fight with Sterling about it.

"Hey, baby." Sterling came out with two cups of coffee. "Morning."

"Morning." His lips curved the way they always did when he saw Sterling. "You sleep okay?"

"I did. You're up early even for you."

"Got stuff on my mind," he admitted. "The dogs guarding Xavi's sleep?"

"Yep. They're all in there, farting and snoring. Don't light any candles."

"Yay…" And also, gross. At least Xavi thought it was funny when the dogs pooted. It made him laugh like a mad thing when he was awake.

"Yeah. Dad is making breakfast."

"Oh yeah?" He had learned more about this family in the last couple of weeks than he could imagine. Everything had a place, everyone had a job, and every single cowboy he'd met was in love with his son.

"Yep. I think he's trying to impress someone."

He blinked. "Your dad is pretty impressive. He should let Jenny cook, though."

"Oh, he's way better at breakfast than he is at grilled cheese."

"I hope so. I can't believe you sent a plane for Mom."

"School's out, she misses Xavi, and Dad did it."

Benji blinked again. "He did?"

"He totally did." Sterling shrugged. "He wants to take her to Jackson Hole, show her his house…"

"Oh." Benji digested that. "Should we go get dressed?"

"Hey, at least let me soak for a few." Sterling handed him his coffee, then climbed in. "So what's on your mind, babe?"

"Beyond the idea that your dad's into my mom?"

"He really is. He is pulling out all the stops he has. He even had the production company call her and apologize."

"Wow." He chuckled. "Well, she must like him well enough. She came up."

"She seems to be willing to let him try, anyway."

Benji nodded, because what did it hurt? Letting Bodie woo her.

"What else?" Sterling took his hand and squeezed his fingers. "I'm going to ask until you don't have want lines anymore."

"I have to go back to work. I can't leave them in the lurch, you know? I have to go back until they find someone else. I have to pack. I have to get my horses."

"Okay. How long do you need?"

He hadn't expected that easy agreement. So he gave it some real thought before he answered. "Probably August or the first of September."

"Hmm. Well, I can work from anywhere. Carson goes with me, but Geoff can fly back and forth…" Sterling sipped his coffee. "How about we rent that same house I was in? That way you and Xavi are in town since we have a hand at your place already. He can keep on working with any animals you don't want to move right away."

"I—you don't mind?" He'd expected an argument, maybe some wheedling, but not, yes, sure, I'm coming with.

"It's only a few weeks, and I don't want to miss you or the possibility of missing Xavi's first steps. No way."

"Hey, you might miss me too."

"That goes without saying. That's why I'm coming." Sterling moved in close. "I can see it's important to you. So I'll come down and let you do what you need to do so we can come home together." Sterling rubbed their noses together. "And by then I'll have Xavi's new room painted and set up, and we'll have puppies to go meet. The house will be completely baby-proofed and Annette's daughter will be here to help with any baby-sitting needs. It's going to work out, love."

"I— Okay. Yes. That sounds great." What else could he say? He didn't want to be on his own either. He wanted Sterling with him.

"Perfect. I'm not sure that Geoff isn't going to cry, losing his Professor X."

Benji chuckled softly. "We're going to have to fly him in a lot. Skype every day. Maybe twice a day."

"Maybe. Morning and night. I'm sure Carson will keep him in the loop."

"Oh man. They'll either kiss or kill each other someday." Benji couldn't wait to see it play out. Sort of like Bodie and Mom…

"I have no doubt. Seriously. The real question is, who's going to jump first?"

Xavi started to wail, and the hounds began to howl, the sound guaranteed to call the entire household.

"I've got him, son!" Mom called. "Granny's coming, baby! Don't you—Oh, my God! What is that smell? Someone call HazMat!"

He laughed so hard he doubled up, and Sterling hooted, holding onto him tight. "Oh Lord, honey. She's going to be spraying them with Febreze, and Papa Smurf is allergic. I'll go save them."

"Make sure to put on pants!" he called after. "She's got delicate sensibilities!"

"I'll kick your delicate butt, son," Mom called back.

"God, I love you." Sterling gave him a hard kiss. "We'll talk wedding plans when we get back from Durango, yeah?"

"We can talk there, but I'm thinking Christmas. There's this gay-friendly dude ranch here I friended on Insta. They have sleigh rides and everything." He was marrying money; he might as well have the wedding of his dreams.

"Hell, yes. I love it. We'll do it." Sterling climbed out of the hot tub. "I love a Christmas wedding. It has to be dog-friendly, though. Papa has to be one of my groomsmen."

"I will make it happen. Papa and Carson for you. I'll have Xavi, and Geoff can be my bridesmaid."

"He'll do it."

Benji tilted his head. "You want to invite Sierra?"

"I think I need to abide by her wishes. She's been very clear about what she wants from us, and I'm going to do my best to respect that. She'll always be my sister and the person who did right by Xavi. I love that. I'll never understand that, but it's not about me, right? If she ever decides to come home, she'll be welcome." Sterling stole another kiss before he disappeared inside, and he finished up his coffee and soak before he went to rescue his son from his well-meaning momma.

Now that he knew what the plan was, he felt better.

Even if the bedroom probably really did smell like it needed HazMat.

Good thing Sterling could afford it.

End