Chapter 12

“We’re going to be leaving in the morning,” Tank was saying. “Just to Cheyenne for the rodeo.”

Collin rolled over, burying his face next to Tank as he wondered if they ever slept in here. He yawned and roused himself out of sleep.

“Sure. Come on over. I’ll make sure there’s coffee.” Tank hung up.

“What’s going on?”

Tank pushed back the covers, and Collin pulled them back over himself. “The sheriff is coming out, and he wants to talk to both of us. It seems he has some information.” His voice was as serious as a heart attack, so Collin got out of bed, checking the clock. It was a little after six. Granted, that was sleeping in for Tank.

“Did he say what it was?” Collin asked as he pulled on some pants and then a shirt. Tank had been super quiet since dinner at Maureen’s last evening, but when they went to bed, Tank had held him so tight at times he thought he was going to squeeze the air out of him. Unlike previous nights, there hadn’t been passion between them. Rather, Collin got the feeling it was a night of comfort. He did his best, but Collin wondered exactly what he was trying to comfort Tank for. The big guy had opened up to him a little, but something had really rocked Tank’s core.

“No,” Tank answered, pulling Collin out of his musings on the stunning man. He groaned softly to himself as Tank pulled on a shirt. He would very much have liked to figure out a way to entice him back to bed.

“I’ll go get the coffee on and feed the pups. You can finish getting ready.” If he stayed here for much longer, he was going to jump Tank, and he was pretty sure the sheriff would not appreciate walking in on that.

Collin got the coffee started and fed the dogs, finishing as the knock sounded on the back door. He let the sheriff in, and Tank joined them around the kitchen table.

“What have you got for us?” Tank asked as he poured mugs and set them down.

“Sullivan is going to be arraigned today, and I suspect his bail is going to be more than he can afford, considering we convinced the judge to freeze his accounts once we got access to them. It seems he received a sizable deposit from the UK about a week ago. We found where he got the cattle that were let loose on your land. He was hired to haul some sick cattle to the—”

“Knackers?” Collin supplied, and Sheriff Donaldson nodded.

“For disposal. It seems they were sloppy in their vaccination records and missed a few head.” He sighed. “They hired Aaron Sullivan to haul them away, and it’s those head that ended up in your field. We found the ear tags in his truck. He really isn’t all that smart.”

“So it seems my father is behind all this after all,” Collin said, wondering what the hell he was going to do.

“Yes and no. The money came from the UK, but I don’t know who sent it. I don’t think Sullivan knows either. He says he was hired blind, and I think I believe him. The guy is scared half to death right now, and I think he’ll say anything that he thinks will help him.”

Collin nodded. “You know where the money came from, and he’s told you what he was hired to do. That all leads us to my father. Who else in England would want to cause trouble here?”

“We have no direct proof,” the sheriff said.

“I know. But there’s enough that I may be able to get my father to provide it himself, especially if he thinks he’s been successful.” Collin’s mind raced ahead. “My father is all about control. He wants to be the one to call the shots, and he hated that I took time away. He wants to be the one to control me and my life, including trying to get me to marry… a woman.” He could see his father prowling through the rooms of the estate, scheming and stewing, trying to think of ways to ruin Collin’s trip and make sure he came home and fell in line. Collin wasn’t a puppet, but that’s what the old man wanted. “My father’s biggest fear is that I will discover some sort of life away from him and the family. Then there will be no one to do all the work so he can play lord of the manor and keep up his image as the earl. He has horses, but he hasn’t ridden in years. It’s all about this image of privilege that he has in his mind.” Collin turned to Tank. “I really think my father is crazy. What sort of person hires someone to harass and put their son in danger while he’s on vacation? That isn’t reasonable.”

“I can agree with that,” Sheriff Donaldson said. “And I wish I could help you, but there is nothing I can do. My reach is only so far, and I have my hands full with the county here.”

“Yes, but I’ll give you the number for the local constabulary.”

The sheriff sipped his coffee. “Will they be willing to act on it?”

“Oh yes. My father may be the earl, but he isn’t well-liked. Father loves to look down on other people. It’s his superpower, so to speak. Consequently, most people in the county aren’t going to go out of their way for him.”

“But that would also pave the way for you to take the reins.” The sheriff was smart.

“If I’m honest, then yes, it would. But I want to make sure that the estate stays viable for the county and the people in the area. We’re a source of employment and stability for people.” Collin wasn’t going to shy away from the truth. “I’ve known what my place was in the family and society and what my father expects of me since I was eight years old. That’s when he officially conferred the title of viscount, mainly because my mother wished it. When he did that, he took me aside and told me what it meant. That I was his heir and that it was my job to take care of the estate, and ultimately have a son of my own to pass on the legacy.” Collin cleared his throat. “There was never talk of love or care in my family, only duty and what was expected.” Sheriff Donaldson’s eyes widened, and Collin heard Tank’s sharp intake of breath.

“How can that be true?”

“Part of the reason is because what he said was true. Noblesse oblige —with nobility comes obligation. What I didn’t realize until I was much older was that my father thought my obligation was to him. That he could run every aspect of my life—and he tried, believe me. What I studied in school was chosen by him, and what I did when I was home was scheduled through him.” Collin knew that neither of these two could understand what it was like living with his father. “So to make a long story short, when I decided to come here, that became a threat.” He turned to look out the window at the open land that spread to the trees that rose at the northern edge. “The past ten days have been freeing, and I can breathe deeply, truly exhale, for the first time in my life… and I don’t want it to end.” He held Tank’s hand tightly. “But I’m going to have to go back. I can’t abandon everything and everyone back home. I was born into privilege, and because of that, I need to do what’s right. But Sheriff, I’ll tell you this. You can give me everything you now know, and that will determine whether I go back hobbled or with some strength. And once I’m back home, I can see if I can’t put the pieces together and make sure my father gets what’s coming to him.” He turned to Tank. “I’m sorry for bringing all my family mess to your doorstep. That was not my intention.”

“I know.” Tank set down his mug of coffee. “And if a little drama is the price for you coming here, then it’s a small one that I’d pay again.”

The sheriff finished his mug. “I’ll be off now, and I’ll do what I can, I promise you that. Let me ask the judge if he’ll approve me sharing what I have. I don’t want to jeopardize the case we have here. That’s the best I can do at this point.”

“Of course.” Collin stood and shook his hand. “I appreciate your help, and if there is anything more I can do, please let me know.” He stayed standing until the sheriff left the house.

“We need to meet Alan and George at Maureen’s. She said she’d have breakfast for us, and then we can go.” Tank didn’t stand, and as Collin passed behind his chair, he found himself caught in Tank’s arms. “I meant what I said.”

Collin smiled, his lips close to Tank’s. “I know you did, and I know what it means.” He did. The problem was that he felt the same way, and in the end it meant that Collin was going to be leaving with a shattered heart. But it was a small price to pay, and Collin would make the most of the time they had. It was his only choice.

“Is this the line to get in?” Collin asked as Alan pulled the truck to a stop. “This must really be popular.”

“It will move pretty quickly, and yes, the rodeo is popular here,” George said, turning to smile.

Collin leaned against Tank, excited to be there. Tank smiled indulgently at him, like he was a kid, and Collin was fine with that. He had learned that there were times when it was best to look at things through the eyes of a child. It made the world much more interesting than viewing everything as a cynical adult. “How long before it starts?”

“The first round was yesterday. I got tickets for today because it’s the finals, so we should see some of the best rides. This is a two-day event, and it all winds up today. That’s why there are so many cars.” Alan pulled ahead, and they entered the arena and car park. They were directed to a space, and once Alan turned off the engine, Collin got out, stretching his legs. “Two hours doesn’t seem like much to them,” George said.

“I know. The only time I spend that much time in the car is when I have to drive to London or the beach.” Collin worked his legs and fell in next to Tank, behind George and Alan.

“I’m going to take off to see the animals,” Chip said and hurried away toward a side entrance.

“We might see him by the time the event is over,” Alan explained as they continued inside and to their seats. George had arranged for really good seats down front so they could be right in the action.

“When does everything start?”

“In a little while,” Tank told him. “Do you want something to drink or eat? I was going to get me a hot dog before things get started.”

“Just something to drink.” His belly was a little roily, and he wasn’t sure food was a good idea just yet. Collin had never felt motion sick before, but being in the back of the truck seemed to get his belly going. “Thank you.” He wasn’t sure a show of affection was a good idea here, but he wished he could kiss Tank for his care and consideration. “Maybe I’ll get something to eat later.”

Tank headed off, and Collin watched the activity on the field as people rushed around, apparently getting things ready. Eventually everyone cleared out, and just about the time Tank returned, the announcer started his patter and announced the various competitors.

“Is this okay?” Tank asked, pressing a huge cup into his hand. Collin wondered what the heck it needed to be so big for, but he was learning that portions of just about everything were bigger here.

“Thank you,” Collin said as he leaned forward to watch as the first event got under way.

Collin cheered and yelled through the events, having a great time and whooping it up until his throat ached. The energy in the arena seemed to edge upward with each event until Collin could barely sit still. God, this was so much fun.

“Do you want to meet some of the cowboys?” Alan asked before getting up and leading him down and around to the pens. He introduced Collin to friends of his and showed him around. Apparently he and Chip were well known in this circle, and Collin grinned from ear to ear at being included. After about an hour, they made their way back up to the stands in time for the final event, bull riding.

The stands were a mass of people cheering at the tops of their lungs as each rider pitted his skills and luck against the beasts’. Forget what anyone else said, these were modern gladiatorial games. Only hopefully no one would get injured and both man and beast would come out of the contest under their own power. One rider most definitely didn’t, and the entire arena went quiet and held its collective breath until it was announced that he was going to be okay. Then the cheer went up just as loudly as it did for the announcement of the eventual winners.

It took a while to get out and down to the hotel. Collin was wrung out and as excited as he could ever remember being.

“What’s this?” Tank asked as Collin kicked the hotel room door closed as soon as they were inside.

He raced to Tank, who caught him in strong arms. Collin wrapped his arms around Tank’s neck and his legs around his waist before kissing him with everything he had. Sitting in those stands for hours had revved Collin up to the point where control was the last thing on his mind. He sucked on Tank’s tongue, reveling in the taste of him and wanting more. Tank held him tightly, moving through the room until they reached the bed. Tank laid Collin on his back and leaned over him before plundering Collin’s mouth.

When Tank tried to pull away, Collin pulled him back down. It wasn’t until Tank tried to pull off Collin’s shirt that he let go for just long enough to get his clothes off. Then Collin shimmied under Tank’s body, radiating heat like a furnace. Damn, he loved the feel of Tank’s skin against his.

“You’re so… hot,” Collin whispered. “Damned steamy.”

“Is that good?” Tank asked.

Collin grinned as he gazed deeply into Tank’s incredible eyes. “It’s stunning.” He held him closer, loving the heat and the slide of skin on skin. He was going to miss this, and Collin found himself taking note of the way Tank’s hands slid under him and down his back, cupping his bum. He wanted to remember everything when he returned home. “ You’re stunning.”

“I’m not,” Tank countered.

Collin cradled Tank’s cheeks in his hands, holding him still. “Yes, you are, and since I’m the one looking at you, it’s my opinion that counts.” He left off the so there and drew Tank back down into a deep kiss, patting Tank’s side gently. He rolled them on the bed, and Collin grinned. “I like this position.”

“You do, huh?” Tank said teasingly.

“Oh yeah. I like it when you’re at my mercy.” He sucked one of Tank’s nipples, squeezing the other until Tank arched his back, groaning deeply. That was a sound Collin would never get tired of hearing. “Did you bring supplies?”

Tank’s eyes widened. Clearly he hadn’t thought of it, but Collin had. He dashed to the bathroom and spilled the contents of his kit on the counter until he found what he was looking for. When he returned, Tank had propped himself up against the headboard, legs spread, his hand slowly gliding up and down his ample cock. Collin climbed onto the bed and straddled Tank’s lap, rocking his hips, Tank’s cock sliding along his crease. “You seem surprised.” He kept rocking as Tank gasped.

Collin opened the condom package and rolled it onto Tank. Then he slicked them both before slowly sinking down.

“Goddamn,” Tank swore as Collin relaxed and sank deeper.

“You like that? Because I sure as hell do.” Once he was seated, he stilled, closing his eyes and letting muscles that hadn’t been stretched in a while relax. Then he began to move.

Damn, Tank was something else. He met each of Collin’s movements with one of his own. Neither of them needed to say anything. This wasn’t a time for conversation. Besides, Collin could tell when Tank’s control was waning by the way his breathing grew shallower and more intense. Collin backed off and let Tank catch his breath before picking up the pace once more. Sweat broke out on Tank’s forehead, and he held Collin’s bum, trying to gain the control that Collin wasn’t quite ready to give.

“Collin,” Tank groaned, and Collin cut him off by slipping his fingers between Tank’s lips. He sucked them, and Collin rode harder, his cock slapping his belly as he drove Tank to the point where his eyes crossed. Damn, Tank was so sexy. Collin stroked himself, clenching his muscles as Tank groaned loudly enough that he felt it rumble in his chest. That was damn near enough to send Collin over the edge. But he held on, riding Tank like the stallion he was.

“Save a horse, ride a cowboy,” Collin teased, and Tank groaned again, this time for his bad joke, but the motion of his hips never stopped, and Collin met each of Tank’s movements, loving every second, until a firm knock on the door threatened to pull him out of his passion haze.

“Just a minute!” Collin called, refusing to stop. He was so close, and Tank’s shallow breathing told him that he was in the same situation.

The knock sounded again.

“I’m coming…,” Collin cried as his release barreled into him, tossing him into the air like one of the bulls had done to his rider, except with this ride, he hung there for a good long time before landing firmly and carefully in Tank’s arms.

“I feel like I just had the ride of my life,” Tank said.

“It’s good to know this English country boy can give the cowboys a run for their money.” He patted Tank’s chest and shivered when their bodies disconnected.

“Wasn’t there someone at the door?”

Collin was about the slip under the covers when that knock came again, louder this time. He got off the bed, a beautiful soreness settling into his muscles. Tank hurried off to the bathroom, that beefy ass of his bouncing slightly with every step. Damn, that man was a sight—front or back didn’t matter. He could raise Collin’s temperature with just a look.

Collin pulled on his robe and peered through the peephole just as Chip raised his hand to knock again.

“Collin—”

Collin opened the door, making sure his robe was closed. “What’s going on?” he asked more sharply than he intended.

“Alan and George sent me over. Your phone seems to be off….” He snickered at the massively rumpled bed. “But maybe not. You were just taking care of business.”

Collin narrowed his gaze. “You’re too old to be precocious, and you were interrupting.”

“I know. But George got a call from someone back home. He said that they have been calling you, but no one is answering.” Chip pulled off his hat and held it in front of him. “Apparently it’s your father. George said that he’s had a stroke and is in the hospital.”

Collin stepped back, and Chip hurried inside.

“What?” Collin asked, and Chip repeated himself.

Collin fumbled on the floor next to the bed and found Tank’s jeans. He slipped them into the bathroom before sitting on the edge of the bed. Tank came out wearing just the jeans.

“Chip, what else did George say?” Thank God Tank seemed to be able to think, because Collin’s mind had stopped turning.

“Just that they found him in the house on the floor and that he’s been taken to the hospital. George said to tell you that he is alive and that he’s working to find out what he can. He said to come to his and Alan’s room as soon as you are able.” Chip looked at Tank and then at Collin before hurrying out of the room, closing the door behind him.

“Bloody hell and bollocks,” Collin snapped as soon as the door closed. “That pain in the bum has to decide to have a damned stroke.”

Tank put an arm around him. “It will be all right.”

“No, it won’t. He’s nothing but a thief, and I refuse to let him decide what’s going to happen in my life from the estate or from a hospital bed.” He should have seen this coming. One way or another, his father got whatever the fuck he wanted.

Tank stood and began looking through the room before handing Collin his phone. It was dead. When he plugged it in and powered it up, he ignored the beeps of messages and calls. All he had wanted was two weeks to himself. Two weeks to try to figure some things out and maybe have a little fun.

He turned to Tank and felt his heart race. He knew his time here was abruptly coming to an end and that he was going to have to return home. He didn’t have a choice. His father was right about one thing in his life: Collin had a duty to the family, the estate, and the people who worked there.

“We should go see what Alan and George have to say. Maybe they know more by now.” Tank handed him his shirt, and Collin shrugged it on. He could already feel the chasm of thousands of miles and seven time zones opening between them.

“Yeah, I bet you’re right.” Collin pulled on his shoes as Tank finished getting dressed. When he was done, he sat on the edge of the bed once more.

“I know you don’t want to go,” Tank said softly.

Collin nodded. If he did— when he did—what he had with Tank would be over. Just like that. This little interlude would come crashing down around him, and that would be the end.

Finally, Collin gathered his strength and stood, left the room, and headed down the hall.

He knocked on the door, and George answered it and opened the door wide. Collin stepped inside with Tank behind him. Collin made for one of the chairs, but Tank slipped his arm around his waist, guided him to the end of the bed, and sat down, holding him without saying a word.

“Your father isn’t conscious at the moment, but they say he’s stable.”

Collin nodded. “So what do we do now? I don’t want to mess up everyone’s fun.” He was already thinking about how he could get to the airport and make his way home. George and Alan had a few more days with their family, and they shouldn’t have to cut their visit short.

“Alan has been on the phone, and there are flights in the morning. Chip and Tank will drive the truck back, and the three of us will go on home to see to what needs to be done.” Collin didn’t have the will to challenge the authority in George’s voice.

“I’m going with him,” Tank said firmly. “Make arrangements for four.” Collin was surprised and pleased at all the support, especially Tank’s. And at least he had tested negative for anthrax, or else he wouldn’t be able to travel.

“Five,” Chip said.

Tank released him and stood in front of Chip. “I know you want to go, and I thank you for it, but we need you to drive the truck back for us, and I need you to look after things for me. Can you do that?” Chip nodded solemnly. “You can stay at my house if you like.”

Chip might actually have smiled. “Thanks, Tank. I’ll help you.”

“I know you will.”

“And later this summer, before classes start again, Alan and I will fly you over for a visit. We’ll meet you in London, and you can see all the sights,” George promised.

“Thank you, Chip,” Collin said and pulled him into a hug. Back home that wasn’t done, but here, it seemed like the right thing to do.

“No problem.” He patted Collin on the back and then stepped away. “I’m going to go to bed because I’m going to have to do a lot of driving tomorrow. You all let me know if you need anything.”

George followed Chip out into the hall, as Alan was still on the phone making arrangements, and Tank held Collin. For the moment, he felt safe. Tank did that for him.

“It’s going to be all right.”

“How?” Collin challenged. “Everything is going to change now. I have to take care of my father, and I’m going to be tied to everything back in England.” He buried his face against Tank, inhaling that amazing scent, impressing it on his memory. “I’m going to have to see to it that the estate is run, do the job I was doing, as well as the one my father should have been.”

Tank didn’t move, those strong arms holding on. “It sounds to me like you got yourself a ranch to rebuild.”

“I do.”