Chapter 3:


“Brian Kinney …” said Justin quietly to himself and reading the name off the driver’s license, comparing the photograph to the man who was asleep in the bed just a few feet away from him.  

After the recent storm: nature’s stranglehold on winter now relinquished, the weather had improved vastly and the sun was shining in through the window and spreading across Brian’s face.  The photograph didn’t do the man justice, as even in his current state of health, his beauty was only too obvious.

Having woken and remembered how he’d climbed up on the bed beside Brian and fallen asleep, Justin had quickly and quietly slipped out of the bedroom and showered before putting on clean clothes, thankful that he hadn’t been discovered.  He’d gone over to the dressing table and had picked up the wallet again, reading for the umpteenth time the name that he was able to give to the man asleep, but then Brian stirred.

Since the fever had broken, Brian had slept soundly: one of the best medicines he could have.  But this time as Brian started to come round more fully, he was acutely aware of the soreness he felt in his ass and hoped vaguely that the fuck had been worth it.  

With his head still a little foggy, the first thought he managed to put together was that whomever the guy was he must have been fucking hot if he’d bottomed for him.  But as Brian slowly reached around to rub the offending area, he sighed in relief.  Unless he’d been chewed another asshole, then thankfully his reputation as number one top was still intact.  

Justin placed the wallet back on the dressing table and approached him.  “The doctor gave you a shot of penicillin … looks like you’ve got a bit of a bruise …” stated Justin hardly able to keep his eyes off the man’s rear end and he saw the pained expression on Brian’s face as he rubbed his ass.  Brian tried to chuckle.  “That’s a relief …” came the hoarse whisper and then he dropped back down onto the pillows; just the simple act of trying to roll himself onto his side so that he could rub the soreness away had exhausted him.

Justin hesitated, but then reached out to touch Brian’s forehead; Brian still looked a little flushed, but his temperature had dropped considerably.  Brian couldn’t fail to notice the gentle, if unexpected touch, but then remembered having woken up before and finding the blond asleep beside him: the young man obviously had a very caring nature. 

Picking up a bottle of water from the nightstand, Justin poured some into a glass and then undid the bottle of Cipro and shook out two tablets: Brian needed to finish the course and he offered them to him.  The older man’s eyes were still heavy with sleep and the effects of the pneumonia and Brian could only muster up the strength to look at him, but unable to make the effort to ask what the tablets were for.

“It’s Cipro … you have pneumonia …” said Justin in answer to Brian’s silent question and he put the tablets into Brian’s palm and guided his hand up to his mouth and with Justin’s assistance, Brian swallowed the tablets and then the younger man refilled the glass.

“Try and get down as much as you can …” he instructed and he gently held Brian’s hand with his own as the man slowly drank down the liquid before lying back on the pillows and Justin flushed slightly at his reluctance to let go and hoped Brian hadn’t noticed.

“Where … the hell … am I?” asked Brian with supreme effort as Justin, tucked the bedclothes tightly around him.

“Well … it was my parent’s farm … but I’m running it now … I found you out in the barn … after the storm … you were soaked through … but you’re safe now …” answered Justin and then he went to put some more logs on the fire from the basket placed near the hearth and Brian just managed to nod in acknowledgement, barely remembering himself how he came to be there.  

“What’s your name kid?” Brian managed to get out and Justin frowned, though facing away from Brian and the man lying back on the pillows with his eyes closed, he couldn’t see Justin’s piqued expression.

“Justin … Justin Taylor … and I’m not a kid …” and Brian couldn’t help but chuckle quietly at the indignation in the young man’s voice and he tried to clear his head; he knew this kid from somewhere and then it came to him.  He was the kid he’d stopped to help on the road – how many days ago?  He’d been with a girl; probably his girlfriend, thought Brian, with a little regret and with his eyes now closed, he heard Justin going about his task.  But by the time the young man had fixed the fire and straightened up, Brian was asleep again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Leaving Brian sleeping, Justin made himself some toast and a quick coffee and started a few of the chores he could do near the house.  He went up to check on Brian every hour until it was time for his medication and now he stood over him: watching him.

He looked much more rested now and his breathing nowhere near as labored as it once was.  It seemed such a shame to have to wake Brian in order to give him the medicine, but Justin placed his hand on the man’s shoulder and shook him gently, softly calling his name at the same time.

In that state of floating between sleeping and waking, Brian could hear his name being called and slowly he opened his eyes and turned to find himself looking into Justin’s.  His vision was better focused now and he found himself staring into the most beautiful baby blues imaginable and for a moment, couldn’t understand what the young man was telling him, which wasn’t surprising.


Seeing Brian’s eyes now more fully awake, Justin stumbled over his words as he took in their true color.  He’d assumed they were brown.  They weren’t, he now realized.  Instead they were hazel and the sunlight caught the gold flecks, even if they were eyes still showing a few signs of tiredness.  Justin caught his breath and then continued, hoping Brian hadn’t noticed.

“Here … the  … the doctor says you should take aspirin … it’ll help keep the fever down …” instructed Justin and he sighed as Brian closed those beautiful eyes; his eyelids now hiding them from view as the older man summoned up all his strength to push himself up onto his elbow.  Brian took the tablets that Justin was holding out to him and put them in his mouth as the young man poured out the water. 

“I know you … don’t I?” asked Brian, having swallowed the tablets and Justin smiled.  “You stopped and helped me change a flat,” stated Justin and Brian nodded.  “You were with someone …” 

“Molly … my sister,” stated Justin and it was Brian’s turn to nod.  “Ah … your sister … I was only too pleased to help …” and he smiled at the young man.

“Do you think you could manage something to eat … a little soup maybe?” asked Justin.  “Molly does a lot of the cooking and she made some chicken soup last night … it’s pretty good … though don’t tell her I told you that …” and Justin smiled; a real smile. He and his sister were obviously very close and Brian noticed how the young man’s smile practically lit up the room.  

Brian started to shake his head, but Justin added: “You should eat something … it’s been a couple of days now …” 

Brian relented.  “Okay … if it’ll make you happy …” and Justin went down to the kitchen and fifteen minutes later, brought up the thoroughly reheated and then slightly cooled bowl of soup on a tray and propped Brian up on his pillows.  

He hesitated a little after placing the tray on the bed and Brian looked at him.  “Aren’t you going to join me?” he asked him and Justin grinned before rushing back down to the kitchen and ladling out a bowl of soup for himself and then returned to the bedroom.

Justin brought the chair up close to the bed and watched as Brian took the first mouthful and smiled as the man nodded his head.  “You’re right … it is good …”

Eating together, Brian realized how relaxed Justin obviously felt in his presence as gradually the young man started to chatter away: a little hesitantly at first but then in full flow.  But even though still not fully alert, Brian realized one thing for sure; how lonely Justin appeared to be and how once started, he could talk for the State.  

Justin obviously wanted to know how Brian had ended up in the barn and Brian could vaguely remember having to leave the jeep in the storm and heading across country and then he groaned.  “Shit … I hope I can find it again …”  “Don’t worry … I’ll go out and have a look later … I’ll take the tractor and tow it back …” said Justin and Brian smiled.  “Thanks … the rest of my gear is in it …” and he sighed and pushed the bowl away from him and closed his eyes.  

Justin was about to try and continue conversation, but he stopped himself, annoyed now at how obviously tired Brian still was and how he’d been chewing his ear off with his incessant chatter.  Not that the man had indicated he was bored or annoyed at the constant talking, but he should have remembered just how ill Brian had been and that he still had a long way to go.

Justin placed his own bowl on the floor and reached across to take the tray away from the now sleeping man; Brian managing to eat half a bowlful of the soup and quietly, Justin made his way downstairs to resume his chores.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After lunch, as Justin was working outside, doing a few things around the barn he’d been meaning to catch up on, he saw the Buick coming down the track to his property and drive in the gate.  He went cold, but at least Molly was at school and out of the man’s reach.  

Damn, Justin realized the shotgun was in the house, but instead he called Rusty to his side and took him by the collar.  The dog was usually pretty good-natured, but would no doubt sense any real threat to Justin and it might just be enough to put Wemyss off.  And the young man kicked himself for not thinking of calling for the dog before.

“You haven’t been into the bank lately Justin … so I thought I’d come out … see how you’re doing …” and the man smiled as he got out of the car and Justin felt his stomach flip over.

Rusty must have felt Justin tense up or just sensed the underlying threat in the older man’s voice and growled as Wemyss took a step towards them.

“Why don’t you send the dog into the house?” stated Wemyss.

“You’ve no business here … I’m keeping up with the repayments …”

“Is your sister around?” the man interrupted him and he leaned back against the side of his car.  “No, of course not … she’d be at school.  But I guess I could go and meet her … give her a ride home …” and Wemyss turned and opened the car door.

“If you touch her …”

“You’ll do what … call head office … make allegations … who do you think will believe you?  All that will do Justin is get you and your sister thrown off the farm … is that what you want?” and Wemyss turned towards him and took another step closer.

Justin swallowed and closed his eyes and he lost his hold on Rusty.  But then the young man gave out a huge sigh of relief as he saw the two cars as they came in through the gate and Rusty ran to meet them: running circles around the vehicles as they drew up.

“Afternoon Justin … George …” greeted Sheriff Johnson as he got out the car and he leaned against the hood and patted the dog who’d come bounding up to him as Jim Matthews car came to a halt just a few feet behind. 

“Sheriff …” answered Justin and he smiled at him.  The Sheriff had often dropped by when he was in the area and Justin had known and liked him all his life and had never been more pleased to see him than he was now.

“You’re a long ways out of town, George … Justin here must be getting special treatment … you don’t normally collect in person …” and Cliff Johnson smiled at first Justin and then at the man standing near him.  

There was something in Justin’s expression that worried Cliff.  He never liked Wemyss and had heard the odd disturbing rumor, but no one had ever made any complaints against the man.  But obviously something had passed between him and Justin, Cliff could tell by the way Wemyss made his hurried exit on some excuse of an appointment to keep and watching him go, the Sheriff approached Justin and put his hand on the young man’s shoulder.

“Is everything okay Justin?” he asked him quietly and Justin smiled.  “Yes … thanks … “ but Justin’s reluctance to expand any further, left Cliff wondering what really had just occurred between this young man and the Bank Manager and hoped if there was anything really wrong, then Justin would tell him.

“I met Cliff earlier … told him about the patient …” confessed Jim Matthews, as he got out of his car and Justin nodded.  Jim too had noticed how Wemyss had left rather abruptly, but as Justin chose not to make anything of it, then it was hardly his place to ask.

“Brian Kinney?” asked the Sheriff consulting his notebook and referring to the purpose of his visit and Justin narrowed his eyes.  “Yeah … that’s right … ”

 “Don’t worry … it’s nothing bad,” answered Cliff.  “ … couple of hunters reported an abandoned Jeep Wrangler early this morning and called it in … registered to a Brian Kinney … last known address ‘Whispering Winds’ Ranch … down near Dallas and when the doc said he was here … I thought I’d check in on you … verify it is the same guy and make sure everything was okay …”

What Cliff failed to mention, but that practically the whole neighborhood knew in any case, was that he’d always been sweet on Jennifer.  If things had been different … well … who knows: he might have had a good kid just like this young man and he liked to look out for Justin and his sister.  And he reminded himself to make an extra effort to look in more often.

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“You don’t have to wake him on my account …” said Sheriff Johnson.  “We’re not interested in him … just let him know the Jeep’s been towed to Hobbs’ Garage and they’ll wait to hear whether he wants them to make the repairs … but if you’ve got his keys it’ll make it easier for them … I’ve got the rest of his gear back at the station … so if you’re coming into town in the next day or so you can pick them up … otherwise I’ll probably be around here again at the end of the week …”

“I guess he got lost in the storm … still, his luck was certainly holding out when he stumbled in on you …” and having looked in on Brian and satisfied himself the man wasn’t a threat to the Taylor kids, Cliff took the keys Justin gave him.

“Now, if you’re sure there’s nothing else …” asked Cliff, but Justin shook his head and the Sheriff made his way back down the stairs and let himself out.

At the sounds of conversation going on around him, even voices being kept deliberately low, Brian started to come around and he blinked at the two faces that now peered down at him.

“How’s the patient?” asked Jim and he introduced himself.  “I’m Doctor Matthews …” and he proceeded to take Brian’s temperature.

“Ah …” replied Brian, huskily.  “The man responsible for the bruise on my ass …” and Jim coughed.  “Sorry about that … I guess I need a little more practice …” and he checked the reading on the thermometer.

“Hopefully … not on me …” quipped Brian, a slight smile on his lips; his sense of humor hadn’t left him despite the circumstances.

“Nearly back to normal … good … and Justin says you’ve had something to eat so that’s a good sign …” and Jim closed his bag and picked it up.

“But then again … you couldn’t be in better hands … Justin’ll take good care of you …” and Jim squeezed Justin’s shoulder and Justin blinked and glanced briefly at Brian; the older man noticing the embarrassed look on the young blond’s face.

“I’ll come by again in another couple of days … but you’re doing all the right things … just make sure you still get plenty of fluids down you and lots of rest for a few more days … don’t bother seeing me out Justin …” and Jim smiled and made his way downstairs.

For a moment, Justin couldn’t think of what to say next, a little embarrassed at the doctor’s praise, but then he remembered about the Jeep.  “Oh … the Sheriff stopped by … some hunters called in the Jeep … it’s been towed to a local repair shop … I hope you don’t mind …. I gave him your keys …”

“Thanks … though from what I can remember, I don’t think there was too much damage … I just couldn’t shift it.  Could you call them … tell them to go ahead …” asked Brian and Justin nodded.  “Sure … and the rest of your gear’s at the Sheriff’s … I can go and get it if you like …” Brian nodded and stroked his chin, feeling the couple of days growth of stubble.  

“I could do with a few of my things … I think I did have a bag with me … and my wallet …” and Justin nodded and crossed the room and picked up the holdall and placed it on the bed and then retrieved Brian’s wallet from the dressing table and passed it to him.

“I hope you don’t mind … I had to look inside … the doc didn’t want to give you anything you might have a reaction to …” and Brian took the wallet from him. Justin secretly smiled to himself as the man didn’t bother to open it up and check the contents, obviously thinking he could trust Justin not to rip him off when he was in no state to bother and Brian just placed it on the nightstand beside him.

“Did you find a cell phone?” asked Brian and Justin shook his head.  “Damn … I must have lost it … I’ll have to fix myself up with a new one … first chance I get …”

Brian pushed himself into a sitting position and reached for the holdall and undid the zipper and looked through the contents: his papers were there and a few items of clothing.  “Damn … I thought my shaving gear was in here …” and a little annoyed with himself for not having it with him he passed Justin the bag and the young man placed it back on the floor and out of the way.

“I’ve got shaving gear you could use …” stated Justin and Brian looked at him and couldn’t stop himself from raising an eyebrow.  “Well … actually … it was my Dad’s …” and Brian tried to suppress a grin.  With this young man’s beautiful skin, it was pretty obvious he didn’t have much need to shave yet and probably only wanted to sound so much older than he was, which couldn’t have been more than 18 or 19 by Brian’s calculation.

“Thanks … I’ll take you up on that later … but … in the meantime … I really need to pee … but I don’t think I’m gonna make it to the bathroom on my own …”

“Oh … sure …”  

With extreme effort, Brian pulled back the bedclothes and swung his legs around and for the first time, realized he was wearing something unfamiliar and he looked down at the robe.

“It was my Dad’s … “ said Justin, quietly.  During his chatter, Justin had told Brian, or rather just glossed over, how his Mom and Dad had been killed in an accident, leaving him to run the farm for him and his sister; the memories obviously still very painful and something he didn’t really want to dwell on.  Suddenly, Justin was worried how Brian might feel; wearing the clothes of a dead man, but Brian only smiled as he tried to push himself up off the bed and not quite managing it.

Taking Brian under the arm, Justin heaved the larger man onto his feet and Brian wobbled alarmingly before steadying himself against Justin and with the young man’s arm around his waist, the two of them made their way to the bathroom.

Leaving Brian on his own, Justin stood just outside the door, on hand in case Brian should need him, but a few minutes later, he heard the toilet flush and the taps running as Brian washed his hands and Justin pushed open the bathroom door.  Brian, now a little steadier on his feet, made his way back to the bedroom; Justin’s hand in the small of his back to steady him.

Instead of guiding Brian back to the bed, Justin sat him down in the chair and wrapped the blanket around him while he stripped and re-made the bed with clean sheets and then he picked up the holdall again.  

“Is there something in here you could wear … instead of the robe?” he asked him and Brian nodded.  “Yeah … there’s a tee and some shorts … you wanna have a look for me?” and Justin opened up the bag and pulled out a clean white tee and black shorts and he handed them to Brian.

Shaking the robe off his shoulders, Justin helped Brian slowly pull the tee down over his head, but then Justin had to help him put his feet into the shorts and he helped Brian stand so he could pull them on.

Justin swallowed and couldn’t prevent himself from flushing at seeing Brian’s nakedness once more, bringing back embarrassed memories of changing for swimming and the boy’s locker rooms at school, when he was forced to join in with the kids taking exercise.  

Surrounded by young men in varying degrees of nakedness: changing or getting in and out of the showers, Justin always felt apart from the others.  But he couldn’t help hesitating and taking as long as possible and hoped his interest in their bodies wouldn’t attract undue attention.

But then he inwardly shuddered and momentarily closed his eyes, the memory of Wemyss’ abuse creeping back into his head.  Experiences that Justin had fought to forget and had almost managed to talk himself into believing just hadn’t happened in the first place and he looked back at Brian.

Why hadn’t Wemyss been like the beautiful man who now stood before him, but then Justin sighed.  After all abuse was abuse and Wemyss more than exploited his position of trust, even if he hadn’t looked like Brian and Justin hoped the man he was helping to dress wouldn’t realize the interest he’d been taking in him as now wearing his own clothes, Brian was helped back into bed.

Justin collected the robe and went to take it back to the bathroom, but Brian stopped him.  “Leave it … I may need it … can’t go walking around in my undies with your kid sister in the house …” and Justin smiled and placed the robe on the chair and within Brian’s reach.

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Brian dozed on and off the rest of the day and Justin returned to his work around the farm, leaving the man who was now able to take the pills unaided and without any reminding.

As usual, Molly would do her own chores when she returned from school when she didn’t have any after school activities and her curiosity about Brian had been burning all day.

“Is he awake?” she asked Justin; finding her brother in the kitchen grabbing a coffee before going out again for another hour before the light faded and Justin nodded.  “Yeah he’s awake …” and he called after her as she dashed up the stairs.

“Molly … don’t go bothering him … Brian needs all the rest he can get …” but his words had fallen on deaf ears as Molly brushed down her skirt and fluffed up her hair before quietly knocking on the bedroom door.

Molly had knocked very quietly and Brian hadn’t heard her, but not bothering to knock again, she slowly opened the bedroom door and peered in.  Though dozing, Brian heard the movement and turned to face her.

“Hi … I’m Molly …”

“Hi … I’m Brian … “ and Brian watched fascinated as the girl, probably around 16, strode into the bedroom and without any hesitation or invitation, sat down on the bed and he smiled as the girl’s hand went up to her hair and now played with the dark blonde strands.  

“How are you feeling now?” she asked him.  “Better … much better … thanks,“ answered Brian. “You’ve both been taking good care of me …” and Molly bit her lip and still twirling her hair with her fingers, she asked: “Do you remember me?” and Brian nodded.  

“You were with Justin when I stopped to help change the flat …” and he blinked as Molly crossed her legs, allowing her skirt to ride up over her thigh and Molly ran her hand over the bedclothes.

“This is a very comfortable bed … when I was a kid … I sometimes used to climb in with Mom and Dad on a Sun …”

“MOLLY!” yelled her brother; having come upstairs to make sure she wasn’t bothering Brian and he entered the room to find her practically sprawled over the bed.

Brian fought down the grin at Molly’s obvious flirtation, but not wanting to hurt her feelings, he decided to ignore it totally and instead reached out for a glass of water and took a few sips; something to do while brother and sister exchanged heated glances.  

Reluctantly, Molly slid off the bed and turned to smile at Brian.  “Catch you later,” she smiled at him and Brian nodded.  “Later …” he returned and Justin shuffled his feet as his sister left the room.  “Sorry about that … we don’t get a lot of visitors here and …” Justin’s voice trailed off as he was trying to think of an excuse for his sister’s behavior and Brian raised his hand as if casually dismissing any annoyance Justin may have thought Molly had caused.  But he did have a fleeting memory of Molly helping him in and out of the bath and he smiled to himself: who could blame her for being interested.

In actual fact, she was acting just like any other 16 year old female with raging hormones faced with a very attractive, older man who just happened to be occupying her parent’s bed: a man she’d seen totally naked.

“Are you going to join me for dinner?” asked Brian, wanting to relieve the sudden embarrassed tension he felt between them and Justin smiled.  “Okay … I need to finish up outside and wash up … then I’ll bring us something …” and more at ease, Justin closed the door.

Brian sighed and wondered why it was he was looking forward to spending so much time in the kid’s company and told himself it was probably boredom.  After all, he had to be so much older: no, he decided and mentally rephrasing his statement.  Justin was so much younger than him and probably wasn’t even gay, just a little naive maybe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Molly looked at her brother disgustedly when he came back down the stairs and refused to speak to him and just carried on with her allotted chores, which included making dinner, while Justin finished up his own work outside before coming back in to shower and change.  

Climbing into the tub and closing the shower curtain, Justin let the hot water flow over him, washing away the day’s toil and he shook his head in disbelief at the memory of walking in and finding Molly practically offering herself to Brian on a plate.

But closing his eyes; running his hand down his chest as he lathered himself he recalled the few times he and Brian had touched hands as he’d passed the older man his medication or glass of water and the look and feel of him as he’d bathed him and helped him dress and wondered what it might be like to feel Brian’s hands on his body and then he felt his stomach churn.

Justin put his hand out to steady himself against the wall as once again, he fought to keep the bile from rising as he remembered Wemyss’ hands on him and how the man had forced himself on him.  That wasn’t how it was supposed to be; how he’d imagined it would be, so instead his thoughts again turned to Brian: trying to imagine how different it might be with him.

Even under the hot water, Justin shuddered with anticipation at the thought and with his cock now semi-hard, let his hand wander downwards and he begun to stroke himself.  Bending his knees, he pushed his hand further between his legs until he could feel the tight puckered hole that now clenched.

Suddenly, Justin remembered seeing Molly’s baby oil sitting on the edge of the bath and he picked up the container and flipped the top and poured some over his fingers, feeling the greasy substance coating his skin.

With the lubricant now allowing for easier access, he begun to circle his hole with his finger; that most sensitive of places and then taking a deep breath, he started to push in: exploring inside his own body and wondering what it might be like to have Brian inside him.

Trying to forget the pain Wemyss caused him; wanting to know it could be different, Justin pushed his finger further in, the feeling became more intense then he could ever have imagined and he realized just how cold and calculated his first experience had been.  Justin sank to his knees and with his cock now fully erect he began to jerk off with his other hand, something he was more comfortable with and with another deep breath, Justin added a second finger and gasped at the intrusion.

With his eyes still tightly closed, Justin saw Brian’s face in front of him; wondering what it would be like to kiss him and to taste Brian’s kisses in return.

Justin clenched around his fingers as he came, sending spurts of cum into the bath and he rode his orgasm: every delicious pull, tug and probing sensation causing him to breathe quickly and with his blood pounding in his ears.  Finally spent, Justin sat down in the bath as the hot water continued to wash over him and he tried to catch his breath and suddenly realized he was crying.

“Fuck Wemyss … the first time should have been special …” sobbed Justin, realizing just how much he’d bottled up inside him since it had happened.

“And fuck Brian too …” how could he allow himself to fantasize about him like that and jerk off in the shower like some horny school kid?  How could he look at Brian and not remember the effect he had on him: not allowing the man to know how much he wanted him.  

From the photograph in Brian’s wallet, he obviously wasn’t gay and hadn’t he lived on a ranch in Texas?  Man’s country?  Well, there was no way Brian could be gay and survive in an environment like that and realizing his fantasies would surely come to nothing, a disappointed Justin pulled himself together and washed himself down before getting out of the tub and drying off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dressed in clean white tee and jeans, Justin nervously knocked on Brian’s door while balancing the tray with his other hand.  Molly had made lasagne for them, but knowing that Brian wasn’t up to something that heavy, Justin had instead heated up some more soup, which he’d brought together with some crackers.

He smiled shyly at Brian, who saw the flash of embarrassment in the blond’s eyes and wondered briefly what had caused him to feel that way.  Surely he still couldn’t be worried about Molly’s earlier escapade and Brian wondered if he’d only imagined it.  But he wasn’t imagining the slight shaking of Justin’s hands as the young man placed the tray on Brian’s lap and removed his own dinner, which he then took to the chair.

For some reason, Justin wasn’t quite as talkative tonight; maybe he was tired.  After all, as well as running the farm and doing most of the work, he’d been looking after Brian for the last few days, with Brian having the odd vague recollection of the young man always being there when he needed him; presumably having slept in the chair and even on the bed beside him.  

Brian hesitated as the spoon was almost at his mouth and he glanced at the blond, only to find him watching him and that’s when Brian knew something that he wasn’t even sure Justin had acknowledged: that the young man was gay.

This time, Brian managed to eat the entire bowl of soup, together with the crackers, but he knew it wouldn’t be long before he needed to sleep again.

Having passed Justin the tray, Brian yawned and then scratched his chin and neck.  “I’d like to take you up on your offer …” and Justin shot him a glance, for a split second wondering if the man could read his mind; knowing how he’d fantasized about him, but then Brian continued.

“ … of the shaving gear … in the morning … if that’s okay,” and Justin swallowed before giving a shy smile.  “Sure … I’ll bring it in here … you probably won’t be able to stand up for that long …” and Justin took their dirty dishes down to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Justin heard Brian make his own, cautious way to the bathroom and then return to the bedroom and without daring to face him once more that evening, Justin didn’t look in on him again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun was already up the following morning, when Justin quietly entered Brian’s room, trying to put behind him the feelings he’d experienced the previous evening.  He’d heated up some water and brought in some towels, one of which he put on the dressing table on which he placed the bowl.  Then, going to the closet, Justin reached up onto the top shelf and pulled down his Dad’s shaving kit.

Having sensed the young man’s presence, Brian had woken up, but from his position in the bed, he was able to observe Justin without moving.  Watching the young man, Brian saw how he tenderly ran his hand over the leather bag which contained his Dad’s possessions and the blond allowed himself a slight, wistful smile: suddenly, he knew Brian was watching him and he looked around.

“I don’t have to use it … if you’d rather I didn’t … I’ve never grown a beard … wouldn’t mind a new look for a change …” said Brian, allowing the young man to withdraw his offer if he wanted, but Justin shook his head.  “No … it’s okay … shame not to use it.  Dad never did like to use electric shavers … always preferred the old fashioned way …” and Justin took the bag over to the dressing table and laid out the contents.

Getting out of bed, Brian put on the robe, which had been lying on the bottom of the bed.  Slowly, he made his way to the chair, which Justin had placed in front of the dressing table and sat down, with Justin sitting on the edge of the bed behind him.

Justin had seen his Dad shave on numerous occasions, but it had never looked like this.  Not even caring if Brian was wondering why he remained there watching him, Justin thought it was the most sexiest thing he’d ever witnessed as Brian started to shave; first applying a thick layer of shaving soap.

“Watch yourself … I think it might be a new blade …” cautioned Justin, just as Brian brought the razor up to his face and he saw Brian smile at him in the mirror.  “Thanks … I’ll be careful …” and Justin watched entranced as Brian tilted his head back and dragged the razor slowly up his neck towards his jaw, revealing the now smooth skin beneath.

Brian knew full well how Justin was watching him; taking in his every movement and he took his time, savouring every second that Justin had his eyes on him.  Looking into the mirror, Brian was able to observe Justin the same way the blond watched him.  He was a very beautiful young man and Brian told himself to behave; that Justin was just a kid and he probably didn’t have the energy in any case. But Brian found himself imagining Justin’s tight hole clenching around him and as their eyes met in the mirror, he felt the shockwave go directly to his cock.  Closing his eyes, Brian’s hand hesitated momentarily while he composed himself and fought down his erection and when he opened his eyes, he saw the puzzled expression on Justin’s face.  Did the young man realize he was fantasizing about him, wondered Brian?  

Brian rolled his lips into his mouth and then continued to shave and with all traces of stubble now removed, he leaned forward and splashed his face with the water before picking up a clean towel and drying himself off.

“That’s better,” he observed, looking at himself in the mirror and Justin couldn’t help but agree.  He’d noticed Brian’s beauty when the man had stopped to help them on the road, but his bedraggled appearance and several days of beard growth had hidden the man’s true looks for the last few days: Justin was glad to see them re-emerge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brian’s strength continued to improve over the next few days and his appetite gradually returned as omelettes and mashed potato were added to his diet.  He’d looked at himself in the full-length mirror in the bedroom and knew he’d lost some weight.  That never usually bothered him; he liked to look lean, but even Brian realized he couldn’t afford to lose too much and he knew he still looked a little tired and drawn.  But the doctor had been out again and said he was well on the mend and that unless he was really worried about something, there was no need to see him again.  And Brian had given Jim details of his health insurance and made sure to ask whether or not he owed Justin for any medication:  Jim assured him that he didn’t; that the insurance information was enough.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After showering, Brian wrapped the robe around him and padded downstairs: his legs were still a little shaky on the stairs and he hung on to the banister to steady himself.  He made a pot of coffee in the farm kitchen, where the window looked out onto the rear of the property and he could see Justin working on the tractor by the barn.  Brian groaned as he realized just how close he’d been to the house that night of the storm: if only he’d been able to go just a matter of a few more yards.  

The sun was quite bright and there was already a feel of spring in the air and coming in to wash up and take a break, Justin was surprised to find Brian standing by the window watching him.

“Hi …”

“Hi … I made some coffee …”

“Sure … go right ahead … make yourself at home …” and Justin washed his hands as Brian poured him out a coffee and the two of them sat down at the table.

“It can’t be easy … working this place on your own …” observed Brian, but Justin merely shrugged.  “I get behind sometimes … but Molly helps … and I’m young and pretty fit … I can do most things my Dad used to … and when I can’t there’s normally a neighbor who doesn’t mind helping out …”

“I saw you working on the tractor …”

“Yeah … she’s getting to be a real bitch … keeps quitting on me … but I have to keep her going … we can’t afford a new one …” and Justin took a mouthful of coffee.

“Oh … by the way … the jeep should be ready in a couple of days … you were right … there wasn’t really much damage …” and Justin looked down into his cup.

“Would you be okay tomorrow … if I left you on your own?” asked Justin.  “Only … it’s market day …”

“Sure … go right ahead … I’ll be okay … don’t worry about me … do what you need to do …” replied Brian and Justin smiled his appreciation.  He didn’t want to tell Brian, but he’d already missed out on one market this week and a concerned neighbor had called to see what was wrong.  Justin told Lizzie Sherman that they had a visitor who was sick and he couldn’t leave him, but he really couldn’t afford to miss out on another market day.

Having finished his coffee, Justin returned to his work on the farm and Brian wandered into the living room and scratched his head.  He knew he was feeling better; he was starting to get bored and wished the Taylor’s had a computer.  At least then he could email the McGrubers and the twins.  Perhaps he’d call them tonight and give Justin the money and hopefully get a new cell phone when they went into town.

When Brian first left the ranch, he thought he needed to leave it behind completely.  But it had been his home for a number of years and he’d realized he still wanted to keep in touch with the people who’d become almost like family and indeed thought enough of him to actually give him a share in the business. 

Stopping at the fireplace, Brian studied the picture hanging on the chimneybreast.  It was a beautiful drawing and by the likeness, was obviously the Taylor kids’ parents and he moved closer to read the name in the bottom right hand corner.  It said Justin Taylor and Brian caught his breath.  If Justin had indeed produced this piece of artwork, then he was a very talented young man and Brian picked up the photograph in the silver frame that was sitting on the mantelpiece and compared it.  Justin was good: no, more than good, he was an incredibly gifted young man.

Looking at the photograph, it must have been taken a few years before as it was of a very young Justin and Molly with their parents and Brian felt a knot in his stomach as he realized he didn’t have one photograph of his own family; well his blood family anyway.  Nothing to remember his childhood by except the memories of beatings and being yelled at constantly by his Father and being ignored by his Mother.  

And Brian couldn’t help but feel another pang of heartache as his eyes roamed the room and taking in what had obviously been a very happy family home with needlepoint pictures and cushion covers and throws.  All handmade and now a little worn: but obviously made with love all the same.

First the McGrubers and now here: just re-emphasizing what Brian had missed out on as a kid.  And even though he’d been telling himself for so long that it wasn’t for him, now Brian was beginning to reluctantly accept this was something he might want for himself one day.  A home: a real home.  Somewhere he could call his own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brian thumbed through a few books and dozed in the chair in the living room for a little while that afternoon and woke only when Molly came in from school.  She said hello and had seemed a little embarrassed, but Brian didn’t refer to their previous encounters and neither did she and Molly went about her chores and preparing dinner.

Brian heard someone come up to the house and heard a conversation taking place in the kitchen.  Lizzie Sherman had driven over from their farm with a large casserole dish, which she passed in to Molly.

“I hear you’ve got a patient in the house … thought this might help you out.  If you don’t need it right away, it’ll keep or you can freeze it…”

“Thanks Mrs. Sherman,” answered Molly and she took the dish and placed it in the refrigerator.

“Is there anything I can do dear … I don’t mind helping out …”

“Thanks … but no,” answered Justin as he came in to wash up.  “We’ve got everything under control …”

“Well … as long as you’re okay … will you be at market tomorrow?” asked Lizzie.

“Yeah … I’ll be there,” promised Justin and having satisfied herself the kids were coping okay, Lizzie got back into her car and drove away.

“You’ve got good neighbors,” observed Brian.  He’d hung back in the hall, but he’d heard the conversation.  This was obviously a close-knit community who looked out for each other.

“Yeah … we have,” observed Justin, smiling and he made his way upstairs to clean up before dinner.

Still on a fairly light diet, Brian sat with Molly and Justin at the kitchen table and conversation turned to Brian’s life on the ranch with stories of the cattle herd and the horses that still lived free and wild and Brian told them about Rebel.  Immediately after dinner, Molly disappeared and came back a few minutes later with several sketchbooks.

“Molly and Daisy’s Adventures” had been written on the front of each of the books and Justin watched in horror as they were passed to Brian.

“Dad used to make up stories about me having a pony … I called her Daisy … and Justin used to draw the pictures … “

“Molly … what on earth do you want to go boring Brian with all that for …” exclaimed Justin, but Brian put up his hand to stop the young man’s protestations and he leafed through the books.

Each page had an accompanying picture of the little girl and her pony’s adventures and with all the farm animals looking on or taking part in the story and Brian easily identified a young Molly, together with a puppy: Rusty, the family dog that was now sleeping in front of the warm stove.

“You did these?” asked Brian and Justin nodded and felt the flush that now crept across his face.

“These are good Justin … very good … but then so is the picture in the living room …” exclaimed Brian.

“You saw that?” asked Justin in surprise and Brian nodded.

“I keep telling him how good he is,” said Molly, quickly.  “ … he should have gone to art school instead of dropping …”

“MOLLY!” Justin shot a glance at his sister, telling her to shut up.

“No Justin … she’s right … you should’ve gone to art school … you still could … I’m sure you could get a scholarship or grant …”

“That’s what I keep saying …” and Molly glared back at her brother.  She loved him dearly, but he was so infuriating sometimes.

Justin reached across the table and scooped up the sketchbooks, preventing Brian from looking through them any further.  Brian sat back in his chair, watching the young man’s face as he did so.  This was obviously a very touchy subject and Brian wondered what was preventing Justin from taking up something that he was obviously extremely talented at, in favor of hiding himself away on the farm that had been his parents.

Brian and Molly exchanged glances at Justin’s hurried and uncomfortable behavior and in the end Molly had just shrugged her shoulders as if to say ‘this is what happens all the time’ and Brian frowned.  The kid had a gift and it was a shame; no, downright criminal that he wasn’t using it.  A gift like that should be shared, not hidden away.

With all the phones lines back up and running, that evening, Brian made a call to the McGruber ranch.  He didn’t mention anything about the accident or being ill, just that he’d met and made friends along the way and was spending a few days with them; he didn’t want the McGrubers to worry about him.  And then he left some money on the table.

“What’s this for?” asked Justin as he picked up the bills  “The call … I phoned Texas … and for my keep … I hope that covers it …”

“I don’t want your money,” said Justin, a little indignantly “If I can’t do anyone a good turn then that’s a pretty poor show …” and he pushed the bills into Brian’s hand.  Brian rolled his lips into his mouth as he watched the blond walk away.  Christ … he was so tetchy … about money and his art it would seem.  But he felt he should pay him back: that he owed him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brian was left on his own the following day while Molly was at school and Justin at market and now dressed in his own clothes that Molly had washed and ironed, he wrapped himself up in the heavy winter coat he found in the closet and decided to venture outside.

Opening the back door, he took a breath of the fresh air deep into his lungs and he stepped outside into the sunlight.  There was no wind and the strength of the sun was actually quite strong for the time of year and it felt good to stretch his legs.  Not venturing too far, Brian skirted the house and immediate area with Rusty keeping him company.

Looking around, Brian noted there were a few things that needed doing.  There were a few loose tiles on the roof that would need attention soon and in fact the whole house looked like it could do with a coat of paint.  But he realized that Justin needed to concentrate on whatever was required to get their crops and produce to market: that’s what paid the bills.  But when he was fully recovered, maybe he could help out a little and pay him back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following day, Brian felt fit enough to go into town with Justin and see about the Jeep and they swung by the Sheriff’s office to pick up the rest of Brian’s gear before he picked out a new cell phone from the Verizon store. 

Hobbs’ Garage and Paint Shop was situated on the edge of town and drawing up in the pickup, Brian couldn’t help noticing how the young mechanic was watching them and in actual fact couldn’t keep his eyes off Justin as he and Brian got out of the vehicle.

Brian went over to the Jeep that was parked up ready to go and he inspected the work that had been carried out.  It was a good job, you couldn’t tell there’d been any damage and satisfied with the quality of the repairs, Brian went into the office to settle his account.

“Hi Justin … haven’t seen you in a while …” Chris Hobbs, the proprietor’s son, approached Justin as the young man waited for Brian and not for the first time did Justin feel a little uncomfortable in the company of one of his former classmates.

During their time together at school, Chris yo-yoed between being Justin’s friend on one hand and harassing him and bullying him on the other.  Justin never knew where he stood with him; whether Chris liked him or hated him, he couldn’t tell.  But Justin always felt a little spooked whenever he was on his own with him; the other boy constantly touching him; whether to tickle him when they were younger, or to keep pushing him around as they grew older.

As Brian paid his bill with his credit card, he glanced up and saw the two young men talking.  There was something about the body language of the young man in the oil-stained overalls.  The way he stood quite close to Justin: his body leaning towards the young blond spoke volumes about his feelings for him, how ever much he tried to disguise it.  

“Who’s that?” asked Chris and he tilted his head in Brian’s direction.  “A friend,” replied Justin, hoping that’s how Brian saw him and they watched as Brian walked towards them, his car keys in his hand.

Brian saw the way Chris’ face darkened as he approached them and the young man tried to smile at him, but the smile never reached his eyes.  Brian took an instant dislike to him.  He wouldn’t trust him and he hoped Justin wouldn’t either.  There was something about him that hinted at an edginess underneath; something that could turn nasty with very little encouragement.

“I’ll follow you …” stated Brian to Justin and he walked passed the two young men and got in the Jeep and Justin turned away from Chris and headed back to the pickup.

“Are you going to the dance later next month?” asked Chris, calling after him and referring to the Spring Fling that was held annually.  And as Justin opened the pickup’s door, he turned back to look at him.

“I dunno … hadn’t thought about it … though I expect Molly will probably want to go …”

“Might see you there then,” replied Chris and Justin managed a slight smile.

“Maybe …” he answered him and getting into the pickup Justin started the engine and put it into gear and watched as Brian started up the Jeep.

Brian had heard the conversation between them and his eyes met Chris’ as he followed the pickup and drove passed the mechanic.  Yep, there was definitely something about that young man he didn’t like.

To be continued.

Many thanks to Lois and Judy for all your help, advice and friendship.