Chapter 7

Albie barely slept a wink.

His thoughts filled with a certain blond man. His smile, his deep blue eyes. The way he’d tended to the burn on Albie’s wrist, the way he’d looked up at him, leaning in closer, slow-blinking and dreamy.

The way he’d blushed.

Albie had always known he’d never found attraction in the female form. Not that he’d had many to choose from, but the way the men talked about women and the way he’d seen Williams and Fitzgerald be with their wives—handsy and amorous—Albie had never had that inclination.

But when it came to men...

As a teen, he’d spent many days by himself in the scrub, daydreaming about his first kiss, his first time. And he tried to picture beautiful women. He tried to plant that seed in his head.

But the form kept morphing into a man.

Hard angles, rough hands, and as he got older, he imagined cocks and wet mouths, muscled backs, and a small, firm backside...

Now he imagined it was Percy.

And the way he’d looked at him, twice tonight, it didn’t take much imagining.

How he’d looked up at him, blinking those pretty blue eyes, and licking his pink lips, leaning in as if he were drawn to Albie in the same way Albie was drawn to him.

He couldn’t be though, right?

Albie knew what the church said, what the law said, about such matters. He knew such lusts should accompany shame and guilt.

But he couldn’t make himself feel those things.

Not when he thought about Percy and what it would be like to touch him. Kiss him.

Shame and guilt didn’t exist in his private thoughts, in the privacy of his room. When he found his hand reaching down into his drawers to relieve some pressure.

Oh, how he imagined Percy then.

He imagined kissing him, their tongues touching. He imagined their bodies pressed together, how he felt. Then he imagined it was Percy’s hand on him, not his own, and he brought him to climax so fast, so hard.

He cleaned himself up and fell back into bed, sleepy now. He smiled at the ceiling, into the darkness, and waited for the shame and guilt to creep over him.

But they never did.

* * *

Albie had breakfast started early.A belly full of porridge would see them through until dinnertime. He expected Percy to join him early again and was disappointed when he didn’t.

He came inside with Robert, both of them dressed and ready.

“Des is just finishing up with the horses,” Robert said.

Albie was dishing up porridge and he tried to avoid looking at Percy, memories of his fantasies from last night a little fresh in his mind. It wasn’t until they were all seated at the table that he looked up and saw Percy’s face. He was clearly tired, as if he’d not slept at all, again.

Albie didn’t say anything. Not in front of the others.

He didn’t want them to think Percy was weak or not fit for being a farmhand.

But he ate well and was keen to get started, and it was an eagerness and excitement that made everyone smile.

Albie really liked that about him.

He was a mood-maker, that was for sure.

Soon enough, with the dogs at foot, and Des holding the gate, they herded the cattle out and onto the road.

“Be safe now, ya hear,” Des said. “And watch the crossing.”

Albie tipped his hat. “Be home tomorrow night. Go put your feet up for a bit.”

Des laughed and closed the gate behind them.

Droving cattle down the mountain was never easy, and Albie hadn’t ever done it without his father. Robert was well versed and could read the cattle well and the dogs helped with any strays, but Percy was green.

He kept to the right of the herd, Robert on the left. Percy was a quick study, watching everything Robert did and doing the same, and they were halfway down the mountain before Albie realised he’d been enjoying himself: the jokes, the thrill of droving. And he wasn’t concerned for Percy at all. In fact, Percy was more than competent. It helped that Minnie was in charge, but he certainly knew how to handle a horse.

Percy was also funny and witty. Quick with a joke, and the sound of his laughter ringing through the valley made Albie’s heart warm. Albie even caught Robert smiling a time or two.

It was the first time since his father’s death that he felt any semblance of joy. The open air, being on horseback and droving the cattle. It was a nice reprieve, however brief, from the weight of grief he’d been carrying around with him.

It was slow going though, and it wasn’t until late afternoon that they rode into Alpine Falls stockyards. Albie left Robert and Percy to get the herd corralled, and he went in search of John Bailey.

Mr Bailey was a stout man. He sported a long grey beard and a short temper, but he’d been good to Albie’s father all these years, even attended his funeral. And Albie hoped he’d receive the same treatment.

He was met with a handshake and a tip of his hat. “Wondered if I’d see you this time,” he said.

Albie was relieved. “Got a business to run,” he said. “Bought down twenty head o’cattle.” He nodded to the holding yard they were in, and Mr Bailey gave a nod.

He counted the stock himself and handed Albie the receipt. “Good, good,” he said, busy and dismissive. “Market prices announced tomorrow. Come by to pick up your purse.”

Albie gave a tip of his hat in return and walked back to where Robert and Percy were by their horses, letting them drink water, and he was sure he saw Percy sneak them a few bites of chaff.

He was pleased with himself for doing this on his own. He’d done it countless times with his father, but this was now him—Albie’s business, Albie’s responsibility—and he felt a true sense of accomplishment. Pride, even, that he’d managed his first drove to market.

He knew his father would be proud.

“All done?” Robert asked.

Albie couldn’t help but grin. “Until tomorrow. Let’s go find some grub.”

They rode to the hotel, minus the yapping dog this time, thankfully. Percy held Ox’s reins while Albie went inside to make arrangements. He found Elsie behind the bar, serving beer, and she smiled when she saw him. “Didn’t think you’d be back so soon.”

“Come down to the saleyards,” he explained. “Gonna need three rooms if you have them.”

She made a face. “Best I can do is one room, two beds. We’re full with the meat market on. You’re lucky you got in when you did.”

One room, two beds would have to do. Sure beat sleeping in the stable.

“I’ll take it.”

He paid, and seeing she was too busy for any conversation, he told her he’d catch up later and went back out the front. Percy was all grin, but Robert seemed a little tense. “We all good?” Percy asked.

“One room is all they had, but it’s ours. Two beds. I’ll take the floor,” he said.

“Nah, I can take it,” Percy said. “As long as there’s a roof, I’ve slept in worse.”

Albie wasn’t sure what to make of that, but Robert was already taking his horse around to the stables, so they followed. They got the horses and dogs settled in a stall, and Albie caught Robert looking back at the hotel a time or two.

Then he remembered...

The drink. He remembered how his father had once explained Robert’s urge to drink was like an illness. Like a devil that called his name in the dark when no one else could hear it, only him.

“You good there?” Albie asked him quietly. “If you’d rather we went somewhere else...”

“No, I’m good. I just won’t... I just won’t be downstairs. It’s not good for me.”

Albie gave a nod. “We can eat up in the room, and tonight we’ll play cards. Maybe teach Percy a thing or two about euchre, huh?”

Robert met his gaze. Grateful, a little embarrassed, and he nodded. “Sounds good. Sorry to be a?—”

Albie clipped him on the shoulder with a hard knock. “No apologies. Now let’s go find this room so we can eat.”

The room was small, but there were two beds, and it was warm and dry. They’d make do. They freshened up, washed their hands and faces in the laundry room, then Albie and Percy went downstairs in search of food.

True to his word, he took their plates of stew and bread up to their room, the three of them sitting on the beds and scarfing it down. They were too hungry for pleasantries or manners.

“Kinda glad my father isn’t here to see me eat like this,” Albie said with his mouth already half full, shovelling in some bread and butter.

Robert laughed, which was the reaction he’d hoped for. “He’d have tanned your backside.”

“I’d have had trouble sitting for a week.” He smiled, briefly wondering if the happy memories of his father would always be accompanied by a pang of sadness.

“He’d have tanned mine too,” Robert added, and that made Albie laugh.

Percy kept his head down, not even acknowledging their conversation, and Albie had to wonder what his real story was.

He caught Robert’s gaze, and Robert shrugged. He didn’t know either.

They finished their meal in silence then, and when their plates were empty, Albie stood up, holding his plate out. “Stack them and I’ll take them down to the kitchen.”

“I can help,” Percy said, taking the empty jug and cups and not really asking.

They went down and handed the plates and silverware to the kitchen, then he took the drinkware back to the bar.

It wasn’t as busy now, and Elsie afforded him a smile. “You boys looking after yourselves, I hope,” she said.

“As best we can,” Albie said with a smile.

“Good,” she replied. She picked up a cup and polished it clean with her cloth. “Don’t turn around,” she whispered, looking at her polishing. “McAllister and his men are here.”

Albie bristled but didn’t turn around.

She murmured so no one else could hear, “They’ve already opened the rum so it might be best if you lot just stay upstairs.”

Albie hated that it came to this. “That was our plan anyway. Robert’s with us and he can’t handle the lure of the drink, so we thought we’d stay in and play cards.”

She smiled at him. “You’re a good one, Albie Bramwell.”

She got called away, but before they could turn and walk out, they were spotted. “Young Bramwell,” McAllister’s voice rang out.

A hush fell over the saloon. When McAllister spoke, people listened. And they all smiled whether they liked what he said or not, just to keep in his good graces.

It wasn’t really Albie’s style, but he wasn’t a fool.

Albie turned to face him. He sat at some joined tables by the fire. There were five of them, Fitzgerald amongst them. Albie wondered where Williams was. They were clearly drinking. Maybe not fully drunk but well on their way.

Regardless, Albie took his hat off, something his father had always taught him to do. “Mr McAllister. It’s good to see you again.” He met the smug gazes of all the men. “Gentlemen.”

He began to turn around to leave but McAllister raised his hand. “I believe you received my letter.”

Blast.

He gave him a nod. “Yes, sir. I intended to reply when we returned.”

“Tell me now, boy. What say we have a deal.”

Albie took a breath to calm his nerves and to cool his temper. He noticed a few of them glanced at Percy who stood behind him, and Albie was grateful he was there.

Then he remembered how Percy had said he should reply to that letter, to give him a polite and respectful grown-up response, not an angry remark of a child.

Albie looked McAllister right in the eye. “Thank you for the offer. It’s very generous of you, Mr McAllister. As was the advice you gave to make my father proud. A comfort during this difficult time, thank you.” That was total horseshit, but this public pissing contest was a game two could play. He raised his chin a little. “But I believe the best way to honour my father is to prove I am the man he raised.”

McAllister smiled but his jaw ticked. He knew this was a game and he knew Albie had played it well. In public, showed manners and respect. Anything that McAllister said now would only make him look bad.

“Don’t let your pride get you killed, boy,” Fitzgerald mumbled.

Albie bristled again but Percy mumbled behind him. Not a word exactly, just a reminder. Don’t give him a reaction.

So instead, Albie gave them a tight smile. “Good day, gentlemen.”

They turned and walked out then, and Albie knew every pair of eyes were on them. They walked past the kitchen to go back upstairs when they heard a commotion.

“You can’t be in here,” Clara said. “Please don’t.”

Albie raced in to find a man trying to accost Clara, trying to hold her, grope her. She struggled and was clearly upset, scared.

“Come on,” he said. “You know you want it.”

“You there!” Albie yelled.

He turned around... and it was none other than Williams. He knew he’d have to be around here somewhere.

“This ain’t your business, boy,” Williams said, swaying, still trying to hold on to Clara.

“No, but it’s mine,” Elsie said, rushing in and pulling Clara free, shielding her. Elsie blazed fire at Williams. “You’ll do well to leave right now before I have you thrown out. McAllister, come get one of your men.”

There were men there now. Albie recognised faces but didn’t know their names. McAllister’s leading farmhand, a tall Irish man by the name of Bill Kelly came through the crowd like he was parting the Red Sea. He seethed at Williams and pointed his thumb in a get-lost motion, and Williams staggered out. He gave Albie a glare as he left but there was no heat in it.

Kelly tipped his hat to Elsie. “Apologies, ladies. Won’t happen again.”

“No, it won’t,” Elsie muttered, and the crowd dissipated.

Percy walked up to them, gently touching Clara’s arm. “Are you all right?”

She was timid before this, even more so now. But she nodded, and Albie didn’t miss how Elsie still had her arms around her. When it was just the four of them, she put her hand to Clara’s cheek and straightened some wayward strands of hair. “You’re fine now.”

Clara nodded and gave her a sad smile, and Albie’s heart skipped a beat.

He’d just witnessed a very private and tender moment between them, and it gave him butterflies. Two women! And he felt a rush of something... solidarity? Acknowledgement? Validation?

He wasn’t sure.

But Percy ducked his head and Albie caught the colour of his cheeks before he went to the door to wait.

“If you’re well,” Albie said.

Clara gave him a nod. “I am. Thank you.”

He gave a nod. “Any more trouble from that lot, you come find me.”

He wasn’t sure what he could do, but something was better than nothing. Elsie gave him a hard nod.

They went back upstairs to their room. Robert was sitting on the bed, a little agitated. “Everything right?”

“Ran into McAllister,” Albie explained.

“What you said to him was perfect!” Percy said, his smile wide.

“I remembered what you told me to put in the letter I never wrote.”

“You should have seen his face,” Percy said, grinning to Robert. “He knew he couldn’t say nothing back. Nothing to make him look good, anyway. I think Albie taught McAllister that integrity can’t be bought.”

“Fitzgerald’s there,” Albie said. “Sitting with McAllister like he’s something special. And Williams.” Albie spat the name. “Trying to have his way with Clara in the kitchen. The man’s got a yellow streak in him as wide as the Snowy River.”

Robert’s expression was one of shock, but not surprise. “He always was a worm. Sorry I wasn’t down there with ya.”

Albie shook his head and tried to smile. “Best we stay up here tonight. If they’re looking for trouble, they won’t find it with us.”

Robert gave him a clap on the shoulder. But he looked at Percy. “Ready for a lesson in euchre?”

Percy laughed. “Only if you think you’re good enough.”

* * *

The thingabout having such a late lunch was that it meant no need for dinner. Though Elsie knocked on their door at eight o’clock with a tray of bread and jam and another jug of water.

“As thanks,” she said quietly. “From Clara.”

“Much obliged,” Albie said, taking the tray.

“Don’t be telling anyone I gave you this,” she whispered with a wink and disappeared down the hall.

It put an end to their euchre. Robert had beaten them both every game, though Percy wasn’t too bad a player. It was good to pass the time anyway.

When the tray was empty, Robert went to the washrooms to clean up before bed.

“Is he good?” Percy asked. “With the drink?”

Albie nodded. “He was once the town drunk, if you can imagine it.”

“Nooo,” Percy whispered, disbelievingly.

“My dad gave him a job and got him sober. Hardest worker now. He’s a good man, but I don’t think it’d be a long step back into trouble for him.” Albie shrugged. “Staying up here isn’t ideal, but?—”

“But it’s the right thing to do,” Percy said.

Robert came back in then, wiping his hands on the back of his pants. “What’s the right thing to do?”

Percy stood up. “Going down to check the horses. That’s the right thing to do. Won’t be long.”

Albie was about to argue, but Percy was right. “Here, take a lantern.” He handed him one of the two lanterns in the room. “Don’t be long. If anyone asks for trouble, don’t answer ’em.”

Percy’s blue eyes and smile shone in the lantern light. “Yes, boss.”

The hide of him.

Albie closed the door behind him.

“He seems a good lad,” Robert said.

Albie nodded, trying not to give himself away. He had very impure thoughts about Percy just the night before, so...

“He is,” Albie replied. “Don’t know what his story is though. Has he said anything to you about his family?”

Robert shook his head. “And I didn’t ask. If he wanted me to know, he’ll tell me.”

“Fair enough.” Albie bit back a sigh. “Might go wash up too.”

He went into the washroom and was glad to find it empty. He washed his face and scrubbed his hands but felt a sudden urge to go back to their room. He didn’t want to get caught alone by any of McAllister’s men, and he didn’t want to miss Percy’s return.

He slipped back into their room. Robert was lying on the bed, his eyes closed.

“Percy still not back?”

“Nope,” Robert mumbled.

Albie sat on the edge of the bed because pacing seemed an overreaction, even though he wanted to pace.

Robert rolled over and faced the wall. “Albie?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks,” he said quietly. “For tonight. You are your father’s son.”

Albie smiled at the back of his head, his whole chest filling with pride. It might have struck a tear as well, but he swallowed it down. “Any time.”

Their door opened then and Percy came in, breathless.

Albie got to his feet. “Everything right?”

Percy seemed surprised by Albie’s concern. “Yeah. It’s all quiet down there now. Horses are fine. No one’s getting into that stable because the dogs almost had me until they realised it was me.”

Albie was relieved. “Good.”

Percy looked over at Robert. “Is he asleep?” he whispered.

Albie nodded.

“It’s just that he’s not snoring,” Percy added.

“I heard that,” Robert grumbled, and both Percy and Albie laughed.

Percy lay on the floor, using Albie’s coat as a pillow, his own coat as a blanket. Albie felt bad that Percy had to sleep on the floor. The poor man hadn’t slept well since he’d joined them.

But they couldn’t share a bed, could they?

He dared not suggest it, given the lurid direction his dreams had taken him last night.

So Albie lay on the bed, hands restless, staring at the ceiling.

And then Robert began to snore.

Loudly.

Percy groaned. “There it is.”

“It’s awful, isn’t it?” Albie replied.

“I considered the stable at about three o’clock this morning,” Percy admitted.

“Oh, heavens,” Albie whispered. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you apologising for?” Percy asked. “It’s not your fault.”

Hm.

He wasn’t sure that was true.

He was responsible for all their welfare now.

Percy rolled onto his side, and Albie assumed that was the end of their conversation. If he hadn’t slept well these last few nights, and with the early start this morning, perhaps he’d manage some sleep tonight...

But then he tossed, and he turned. The wooden floor couldn’t have been comfortable, but Robert’s snoring was bad. Not to mention the muted snores coming from all the rooms.

He was just about to suggest he share his bed when Percy sat up.

“What are you doing?” Albie whispered.

“Might go check the horses again,” Percy said.

No, he wasn’t. He was going to sleep in the blasted stable.

Albie sat up. “Here, you take the bed.” Not that he particularly wanted to sleep on the floor either. “Or we can share,” he hedged. Then quickly added, “I’d rather you managed some sleep tonight, given you haven’t slept well since you started with us. Lack of sleep makes for silly mistakes, and I can’t have you injured or causing harm to my horses.”

Yes, telling him it’s a safety issue made sense. As his employer, it was his duty to look after his workers.

Right?

Percy looked up at him, his face silver in the dark. “Share?”

Albie cleared his throat. “Sure. It’s just a bed for sleeping. Don’t make a big deal of it. If you’d rather go sleep with the horses...”

Percy was up on the bed in a flash. He shoved his coat under his head and closed his eyes, smiling in the dark.

Well, then.

That settles that.

Albie lay back down slowly. He’d have thought maybe they’d have lain head to feet, but no. Percy lay with his head right next to Albie’s, his eyes closed and that blasted smile that made Albie’s heart stutter...

Albie was too scared to move, almost too scared to breathe.

He dared to peek at him, at his beautiful face in the dark. Percy was so close, and Albie took it all in—his hair, his eyebrows, his nose, his lips, committing each line to memory. He may never have this again, so he would cherish this moment forever. He would forgo all sleep to not miss one moment. To count breaths like wishes, no dream could compare.

The rush, the thrill of it. How his heart was racing, this emotion too much for his chest to contain.

Percy’s lips parted, his breaths were deep and even, and Albie wanted to reach up and touch him. He wanted to trace every outline, map out every contour, every second.

But he wouldn’t. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t. He had neither the confidence nor permission, though heaven help him, he wanted to?—

Then Percy rolled toward him, the mattress sagging bringing his face even closer, his legs, his body.

Touching him.

Albie thought his heart might stop.

Percy mumbled in his sleep as if the devil himself was trying to tempt Albie, lure him in, closer, closer.

Then Percy snuggled in a little, then a lot, chasing comfort or warmth, Albie wasn’t sure. But he moved his arm up, Percy quickly using it as a pillow. Percy’s arms were folded up between them, his face almost in Albie’s neck.

How Albie’s thumping heart didn’t wake Percy up, he’d never know.

How his heart didn’t expire, Albie couldn’t say. It sure felt as if it might. Knocking almost painfully against his ribs.

But he was lying in bed with a man in his arms.

That man was also asleep and unaware, but Albie gave himself this moment to treasure for all his days.

He’d never forget the feel of it. The warmth, the comfort, the strength.

Nothing had ever felt this good.

This right.

Albie lay there for what must have been hours, Robert’s snoring an annoying metronome, but he didn’t dare move. Percy was finally getting some much-needed sleep and he didn’t want to disturb him.

At least that’s what Albie told himself.

Until the lull of Percy’s measured breaths, the warmth of his body, the weight of him, pulled Albie into sleep.