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Jackson, Trace said.  Come on over and I ll introduce you, he
offered.
He nodded and followed his& lover, friend, fuck buddy? God,
after this, Laramie just didn t know what to call Trace. This went
way beyond the bounds of their current situation and changed the
whole dynamic of their relationship. Laramie guessed they d need
to have a little talk, but hells bells, he sure didn t know what he d
say to the man.
 Whatever you re thinking about so hard, cut it out, Trace
whispered.
Laramie s brows shot up, but they stopped next to Jackson
before he had to think up a reply. Trace slapped the slightly taller
Jackson on his back and grinned.  Jackson, I want you to meet the
man we re helping.
Jackson stretched out a large, calloused hand and took
Laramie s.  Ah, nice to meet you, Laramie, he said, smiling.
There was an appraising expression on the man s face that
Laramie couldn t figure out as Jackson swept his gaze up and
down him.  I m sorry I don t have the manpower to actually build
it for you, but Trace says one of his buddys father used to be in
construction and will be running the show, so you should be in
good hands.
Damn, Laramie hadn t even thought of that. Knowing he
needed to say something, he smiled and said,  I just appreciate
you getting the lumber out here. I know it takes you away from
other projects. Please, let me know what I owe you.
He had the money in the bank. Laramie just hadn t had
anywhere to get what he needed. He glanced at Trace out of the
corner of his eye, taking in the man s relaxed stance and confident
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Charlie Richards
smile. Trace really was something else.
 Trace has the invoice for the supplies, Jackson replied.  Once
these are unloaded, I gotta get moving. Good luck with your
barn, he said.
 Thank you again, Laramie said, really meaning it.
As Jackson turned back to his task of unloading wood, Laramie
swept his gaze over the group of men. At this point, they were
crowded around an older man who stood at a card table that had
been set up near the back of one of the SUVs. The blueprints Trace
had shown him were spread out on the table, and the man was
pointing at the prints then at certain men, obviously assigning
tasks.
 I suppose I should meet these guys who are so graciously
donating their time to help me, he murmured, meeting Trace s
warm brown eyes.
Trace nodded.  They re a good bunch of men, he assured.
He gritted his teeth and forced the question past his lips.  I m
assuming they know why they re out here? Just how many men
from town knew his business?
His lover s hand on his arm stopped him, and Laramie turned
and took in Trace s pensive expression.  I am sorry, but yes. His
voice got very quite.  I don t lie to my friends. I m sorry that I had
to share some of your situation. Trace took his hands between his
own and brought them to his lips for a soft kiss.  I hope you ll
forgive me for taking this liberty.
Laramie s brows rose. It was the first time he d ever seen
uncertainty on Trace s face. He really didn t like it. Pulling one
hand free, he lifted it to Trace s jaw and slid his thumb over his
bottom lip. Trace s tongue slipped out and licked the pad of his
finger.
 Are we becoming friends? he whispered, somehow liking
that idea.
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Piggyback
Chapter Eight
race cocked his head. Well, damn. Laramie didn t know
T
he considered him a friend? They hadn t really
discussed it, but surely the time they spent drinking a beer
and chatting on Laramie s porch or his own back patio could
be considered moments between friends? From the way
Laramie looked at and touched him, Trace guessed not.
 Yes, he replied, his confidence returning.  I consider you a
very good friend, he told him before sucking Laramie s thumb
back into his mouth.
Laramie s breath caught and his eyes dilated, telling Trace
exactly what the exchange was doing to him. It matched the
tightening in his own groin, and Trace wondered if they could slip
away for a couple moments without being completely razzed by
the guys.
 Hey! Get your ass over here, Trace! We ve got work to do!
Vincent s amused holler told Trace that a quickie was definitely
out.
He released Laramie s thumb and stepped away, severing the
contact.  I ll introduce you to the guys, he said, folding Laramie s
smaller hand in his own and leading the way to the grinning
group of idiots he called friends.
 All right, all right! he yelled, getting everyone s attention. He
grinned at their amused expressions and slung an arm around
Laramie s shoulders.  This here is the good man we re here to
help. Laramie Goshen. Most of his family is pricks, but he s not
one of them.
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Charlie Richards
Good natured ribbing followed, just like Trace had planned.
He held up a hand and the noise settled again.  Okay, those two
over there are fellow firefighters Roger & Craig, he said,
pointing.  That s Brody and Brian. They re cops like Carl, so keep
your nose clean. Trace winked at Laramie, so his lover knew he
was teasing.  The guy with the cute ass is Zack. Don t get any
ideas,  cause he s dating Brian, who s a jealous fucker.
Trace pointed at the older guy standing at the table looking
extremely amused.  That s Samuel. Everyone calls him Sam, and
he s going to be running the show. He squeezed Laramie s
shoulders and grinned at him.  Don t worry. He worked at a
construction company in the city before retiring out here. He
knows what he s doing.
Sam chuckled.  Glad ya got some faith in me, son, he teased.
Trace gave him a two finger salute, then pointed at a stocky,
bearded man leaning against an open tailgate and a pale featured,
slender fellow next to him.  You know Carl s work partner, Greg,
and you may remember the paramedic, Randy.
Laramie nodded.  Yeah. He cleared his throat and stepped
forward.  I sure appreciate everything you guys are doing for
me.
 Boss!
The shout drew everyone s attention. Trace watched a slender
blond riding a bay horse lope toward them and pull to a stop ten
feet away.
Laramie pulled away from Trace and strode toward him.
 What is it, Dirk?
 Todd found some tire tracks in the pasture where we found
the hemlock, so we followed them. There was a twenty foot
section of fence cut open on the north end, Dirk replied.  That
must be where those bastards drove in. We found hemlock
planted in several places along the tracks.
 Son of a bitch, Laramie growled. He turned away from the
group and strode toward his truck.  Show me.
Trace grabbed his lover s arm, pulling him to a stop.  What s
going on? What s wrong?
An angry scowl covered his lover s face.  Someone broke into
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Piggyback
my north pasture and planted hemlock, he snarled.
 Hemlock? What s that? Trace asked, confused.
Laramie heaved a sigh and explained,  It s a weed that s
poisonous to cattle, and I had my herd out there the last couple
days. He ran a hand through his hair, showing his agitation.  It
wasn t there last week, he added.
 Damn, I m sorry. Are any sick? Trace asked. He gripped his
lover s neck, massaging gently.
 Not that I ve seen yet. We moved all but seven strays out of
there this morning. I gotta go check this out and then round up
the strays this afternoon, Laramie explained.
Using his grip on Laramie s neck, Trace pulled the smaller man
forward and wrapped his other arm around him in a hug.  I m
sorry, babe. He kissed Laramie s lips lightly.  Don t worry about [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]