Chapter 6

As soon as he parked the truck, Tank got out and stalked up to the house. He hated being picked on and made fun of. That had happened all his damned life, and he wasn’t going to stand for it now.

Inside, he fed the dogs, grateful that Collin had the good sense to stay the hell away. He wasn’t angry with him, or even Chip, but at the world, and he needed a chance to come to grips with things. Collin hadn’t known how Tank felt, nor did any of the guys. But inside, he was as riled and twisted as a bale of barbed wire.

No matter what he felt, Tank had been trained to bury it down deep and to think. Be logical and don’t lose your head. That was how to stay alive in battle, and he had taken that lesson to heart.

He stood at the sink and listened to the dogs as they ate, Sheba’s tag ringing against the stainless-steel bowl. He needed to calm down. The guys hadn’t meant anything by what they said. In fact, he knew that their picking on him was a sign of affection. These were his friends, and he would do anything for Maureen and her family, but it was difficult when old hurts—memories and pain that had nothing to do with them—got activated.

A high-pitched whinny caught his ear through the open window. Sheba barked, and Tank headed for the back door and raced out across the yard.

“That’s it. You’re okay,” Collin said as he let the lead go slack. Barney stood, muscles tense, as Collin clicked his tongue.

Tank held his breath, hoping to hell the horse didn’t decide to run Collin down, but he began walking. Collin kept the lead loose and let him go in a slow circle. “You’re pretty amazing, you know that?” Collin said just loudly enough for Tank to hear the words on the breeze. Barney turned his ears, straining to listen as he picked up speed.

“Don’t go too fast,” Tank said.

Collin nodded to let him know he’d gotten the message. “You just need some exercise, don’t you, boy?” He turned as Barney continued trotting around the ring. “That’s what’s got you all pent up. You have all this energy and no way to let it out.” Collin kept him moving for a good half hour and then slowed him to a walk to let the horse cool off before gently leading him back into the barn.

“Are you crazy?” Tank asked Collin as soon as he stepped outside once more. “That horse could have taken your arm off or decided he was going to run away with you.”

Collin stared at him like he was crazy. “I would have dropped the lead. He’s been on one before and knew what to do. I think the guy is just out of his head with fear, and doing something familiar could help him get past his issues.” He put his hands on his hips. “I know this is your ranch, but I also know horses. I’ve worked with them my entire life.” The heat in Collin’s eyes was attractive, but Tank forced himself to take a step back.

“Then you should have known to take it easy with him.”

“I did. I didn’t try to mount or saddle him. All we did was work in the ring, and he settled down after a while and seems calmer now.” Collin stepped closer. “Are you angry because you think I don’t know what I’m doing or because this is your ranch and you want to be the one calling all the shots? Maybe I should have asked you, but I’m confident in my abilities, and I thought I could help Barney—and you as well, because if he becomes more comfortable in his own skin, then he might be useful for breeding.”

Tank took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. As soon as he’d stepped outside and seen Collin with Barney, the top of his head had nearly blown off. All he could see was Barney hurting Collin or trampling him in a panic. “We need to talk about things before you do them. This is my ranch, and I’m responsible for everything that happens here.” He hoped Collin could understand that.

“I was only trying to help,” Collin said.

“I know that, and you may have, but….” Tank closed his mouth. “Let’s just talk about things before we do them, okay?”

Collin nodded. “All right.” He sighed. “I guess I’m used to doing what I want with the horses. My father doesn’t get out there with them any longer. He leaves that to me and his turf manager.”

Tank could understand that Collin was used to making his own decisions. This was Tank’s place, but he wasn’t going to say that. Collin had had good intentions, and Tank couldn’t argue that Barney would be valuable for the ranch if he did calm down.

“So what’s up next, oh fearless leader?” Collin asked, and Tank would have rolled his eyes, but when Collin headed to the barn, he got a good look at him in those damned tight jeans. The mental list that Tank worked from suddenly blanked on him, and all he could do was stare. “Are you going to look at my bum all day, or are we going to get to work?” Collin continued toward the barn, and Tank groaned, pushing down the fantasies that sprang to life like spring daisies.

Tank’s shirt clung to his skin. He pulled it away to get a little air, but it vacuum-sealed itself right back into place within seconds. “How come you aren’t soaked through?” he asked, looking Collin over as he closed the stall door. The barn smelled fresh and clean, which was how Tank liked it.

Collin cocked his nose a little higher. “I’m an aristocrat, and we never sweat.” He glared as if offended for about two seconds before smiling. “Actually I have no idea, other than the fact that I’m not a walking wall of muscle.” His eyes grew heated, and Tank set the shovel aside as Collin drew closer.

A noise at the door distracted Tank from the intensity of Collin’s eyes. “Isn’t this a pretty sight,” Sullivan drawled.

Tank stilled and turned toward the door. “This is my barn on my land, and you don’t get to make your slurs or dirty insinuations here.” Sullivan’s stance shifted immediately. “I suggest you leave now. You showed up looking for something you aren’t going to find here… or anywhere else.”

“Really?” He pushed away from the doorframe. “I think you and I need to have a little talk alone.” He tilted his head outside.

Tank turned away and took care of the tools. Then he put the wheelbarrows back where they belonged before returning to where Collin waited, looking between the two of them like he was watching some silent tennis match.

Finally Tank stepped out of the barn. “I’ll ask one last time before I kick your ass off my property. What do you want?”

“I’m broke and I need help.”

Tank leaned closer. “More like you have no money and you need a fix.” Oh, he knew that hollow look in Sullivan’s eyes and what the sallow color meant. “There were rumors you were on shit years ago, and it looks like your choices are catching up with you.”

Sullivan poked him in the chest. “Don’t you talk to me about choices, like when you turned and ran, leaving me to take the flak.” He glared, those eyes as cold as December wind.

“You can remember things any way you want. But we were told to pull back, and you ignored it. That isn’t my fault or anyone else’s.” Tank let his gaze grow as hard as Sullivan’s.

“Oh yeah? Well, I was the one who got injured because you and Westerhouse ran like little girls, and I can prove it. Pull back or not, you aren’t supposed to leave your buddy behind.” He sneered.

Tank rolled his eyes. “You were never my buddy. All you did was cajole and try to get whatever you could from anyone and everyone. You were a thief, and I can prove that,” Tank said. “So whatever you got planned, you need to think twice.” Sullivan stiffened, and Tank knew he was gearing up for a fight. “Get off my land and get out of town.”

Collin appeared next to him. “I know the likes of you,” he said in a deep, rich accent that made him sound like the king himself. “Tank asked you to leave, and I suggest you go.”

“And who the fuck are you?” Sullivan snapped.

Collin stood tall, hat on his head, gaze as tough as nails. Fuck, it was exciting to see Collin worked up and yet as calm and cool as a glass of iced tea. “The Viscount Haferton and the future Earl of Doddington. The real question is, what kind of dirt are you? I may not be from this area, but I know you don’t threaten a man on his own land and expect to get away with it. Now, whatever you seem to think Tank has done, that’s in the past. I suggest you put this little visit of yours in the past as well and move on.”

Sullivan leaned forward. “You don’t know the first thing about the man you’re defending.”

“I know enough about him… and about you.” His lips drew into a line, and those eyes blazed with anger. “No matter what Tank might have done, you don’t have the right to try to use anything to your advantage here. That just makes you a snake, and we chop the heads off those when we find them around the horses.”

Sullivan paled. “You haven’t heard the last of this.”

Collin laughed. “What a git. You sound like a bad TV villain. Try to come up with something original next time. Now go to that piece of shite you call a truck and get out of here.” Collin’s hands went to his hips, and Tank already figured that when Collin did that, he was dug in and ready for battle.

“Got to have some fancy-pants fight your battles for you?” Sullivan spat.

“No. He can beat the piss out of you. I’m just here as backup and to take out the rubbish when it’s over.” Damn, Collin had a tongue as sharp as one of Maureen’s butcher knives. He actually followed Sullivan to his truck, glaring until Sullivan turned out of the drive. Then he whirled around and clomped back to where Tank stood completely stunned. “What the hell is it with him? He thinks of himself as some supervillain.”

“Maybe because he’s twisted and all kinds of messed up.” Tank didn’t know what else to say. “I’m assuming you heard everything.”

Collin patted his shoulder. “I did, and Tank, everyone has a past they aren’t happy with. That doesn’t mean that a guy like that gets to use it to his advantage.” He headed toward the house, and Tank couldn’t help wondering if Collin would feel the same way if he knew the whole story.

“I need to check on the herd. You go on inside. I’ll be back in a few hours.” Tank strode over to one of the ATVs and jumped on to take off across the land.

The herd was fine. They had water and plenty of area to graze. But Tank had known that before he left.

Tank had spent the years since getting out of the service bringing his ranch back from the brink, and he’d done it himself. He was used to being on his own and liked it that way. Or at least he thought he had. Collin had been staying with him for a few days, and already Tank was getting used to having him around. And when Collin had stood beside him, not knowing anything about him, it touched something in Tank.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” he asked out loud as he stood on a rise, watching the cattle eat. There was something peaceful about this spot.

Of course he didn’t get an answer. Maybe there wasn’t one. Collin was going to be here for just a week and a half, and then he’d go back to England and Tank would be alone once more. Everything would go back to the way it was. The real trouble was that Tank wasn’t sure that was what he wanted.

Knowing everything was all right with the herd, he jumped back on the ATV to return to the house.

Clouds built before he was halfway back, and thunder rolled over the land as the house came into sight. The first raindrops hit the dry ground as he pulled into the equipment shed and turned off the engine.

Whinnies carried on the wind, and Tank raced to the barn. Collin was leading one of the horses inside, and she was fighting him. Still, Collin got her in, and Tank went for the last one still out in the driving wind.

“That’s it. It’s okay,” he told Rattler as he led him toward the barn. A crack of thunder split the air, and Rattler reared and bolted. Tank fell back and landed flat on the ground, rain pelting him as he stared up at a turbulent sky, unable to move as Rattler ran and jumped with each clap of thunder. Tank knew those hooves could land on him at any moment, and there wasn’t a damned thing he could do about it.

“Tank!” Collin raced over. “Back off,” he snapped at the horse, who moved away as Collin waved his arms. “Are you okay?” he asked. “Is anything broken?”

Tank shook his head, finally able to move. Collin helped him up, got him standing, and led Tank to the rail. Then Collin went for Rattler. He got him into the barn as Tank took his first steps and got himself out of the rain.

“Jesus,” Tank said, able to breathe again.

“That storm came out of nowhere,” Collin said as he closed the last stall door. “All the horses are inside, and I have them settled with some feed. Is that all there is to it?”

Tank turned, using one of the stall walls to prop himself up. The rain was already letting up, and the wind seemed to have passed as well. “Sometimes all we get is the lightning, with no rain at all.” He breathed as deeply as he could, his head clearing and his hands no longer shaking. At least it continued raining and wasn’t so hard that it couldn’t soak into the ground where it was needed. Of course, once the sun came out, the humidity would go through the roof.

“Will the horses be okay here inside?” Collin asked.

“We can let them back out in their paddocks in a few minutes.” A little rain wouldn’t hurt them, and they could graze outside easy enough. “But keep Barney in here.”

“He did fine during the storm,” Collin said. “I think his issue is with people.”

Tank could understand. “Sometimes I wonder if he and I have the same damned issue.”

Collin opened the side doors to let in some air and then came over next to him.

“Thank you for helping me.” He was okay now.

“You aren’t sore?”

Tank shook his head. “Just got the wind knocked out of me.”

“Good.” Collin stepped closer and tugged at his collar, pulling Tank down and into a kiss that threatened to steal the breath he’d just caught.

“Hey, boss,” one of the men called, and Collin backed away before heading toward the house. Tank blinked as Hatcher Belton strode over. “That section of fence you wanted checked is done.” He pulled off his hat to reveal a patch of short black curls. “Everything is okay, but a tree came down. It spared the fence, but we need to get it out of the pasture. You want me and a few of the guys to take care of it?”

“Please,” Tank said, wondering how the men who worked for him would react if they saw Collin kissing him. Knowing a guy liked bulls was one thing, but seeing it was another.

“Cool. We’ll get ’er done.” He smiled and turned away, then paused. “That fella staying with you, that viscount fella? I think he likes you.” Tank growled. “I know, you don’t like to talk about shit like that. But you’re smiling.” He tipped his hat and then hurried back to his truck and took off.

Tank strode to the house, where he found Collin sitting on the sofa, surrounded by the dogs. “Did I get you in trouble somehow?”

“How would you do that?” Tank asked. “I’m the boss, and all my guys know I’m gay. Hell, I danced with you in front of half the town. Do you think everyone within a hundred miles doesn’t know that I like you?” He sat down next to him.

“Then why don’t you do something about it?” Collin asked. “I like you too.” He leaned against Tank’s arm. “It took all my willpower not to jump you last night. But it didn’t seem like you were ready for something like that.”

Tank’s heart beat faster, and he wasn’t sure if Collin was going to kiss him or not. “I guess I have a terrible record with relationships.”

Collin looked into his eyes. “We all do until we meet the person who is right for us. Do you think we all meet that one special person at university or just walking down the street when we’re eighteen years old?” He shook his head. “You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet your prince. I’ve kissed plenty.”

Tank snickered. “You kiss frogs? Don’t they give you warts?”

“Smartarse,” Collin retorted. “And no, I don’t have warts. But I did date guys who just wanted me for my title. Then there was Howard, who thought he could ingratiate himself to the earl. That ended badly all around because I didn’t want anything to do with anyone my father might like… and there is no sucking up to that prickly bastard anyway.” He sighed and shifted on the sofa. “The one time I did really think I had met a special guy… well, he died. That was when I was at university.”

Tank leaned closer, listening. “What happened?” he asked softly.

“Chester was a literature scholar. He sometimes had a hard time getting around and used a cane. He and I had a lecture together, and we spent a lot of time working together. That led to… well… maybe a romance of sorts. He was sweet and exceedingly kind. Smart too—really smart. He and I started dating. We had coffee and went to a few films. I really liked him. But then the term ended and we both went home. When I got back, I looked for him, but Chester never returned. I asked around the school, but no one knew what happened. I contacted his family in Surrey and found out that Chester had a heart condition, and he had spent much of the break in the hospital. So I found out where and went up to see him.” Collin swallowed. When he spoke again, his voice broke. “He was so weak and told me that there wasn’t much hope. His heart had had more than it could take.” His eyes filled with tears. “He died a few days later.” Collin shrugged. “I didn’t even realize how I felt about him until he was gone.”

“Then you kissed all the frogs,” Tank said. “You were trying to find someone like Chester?”

“Maybe. But there is no one like him. He was special… and perfect, because he never got the chance to be anything else. But none of the guys I dated ever came close to measuring up because I chose the wrong kind of guys.”

Tank leaned closer. “What’s the right kind?” He held his gaze, and Collin gently stroked his cheek. He wondered if Collin thought he could be that kind of guy. What surprised him was that he wanted to be.

“I wish I knew. I always thought I would know him when I met him.” Collin nodded as he smiled and closed the distance between them.

Tank kissed Collin softly, but Collin had other ideas, pressing harder against him, deepening the kiss and sending Tank on a heated journey that he hoped would never stop. “Do you think I’m the kind of person you’ve been looking for?” Damn, he’d spent most of his life keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself, and with a single kiss Collin had him running off at the mouth.

“I don’t know. But maybe we can try to figure things out.”

“I see,” Tank said and pulled Collin into his arms to kiss him back. “This could be a really interesting puzzle for both of us.”

Collin cupped his cheeks in warm hands. “Yes, it definitely could.”