Rough Ride CV4 (7 page)

Wyn felt his heart expand to near bursting. “I love you, too. That’s why I’m so afraid of losing you.”

“You won’t. Of course we’ll have a lot of logistics to work out once we get back home.

I’ve gotten used to waking up with you curled around me.”

“Yeah, I kind of like that part too.” Wyn smiled and gave Ezra another quick kiss before breaking away. “You’d better get going before you get run over.” He didn’t bother moving back to the passenger side. It felt right to sit next to the man he loved. If the town didn’t like it, well screw them.

Ezra seemed pleased with Wyn’s decision. He put the truck in gear and headed towards town.

* * * *

Stepping out of the realtor’s office, they were met by a small group of men. Ezra automatically put himself between them and Wyn. “Can I help you?” he asked them.

One of the men stepped forward. It wasn’t Henry but he could see him in the back of the group. This new guy looked quite a bit older, with short greying brown hair. “We just wanted to let you know, no one will buy that ranch you just put up.”

“And why is that?” Ezra asked in a bored voice.

ROUGH RIDE

Carol Lynne

46

The guy looked behind him at the small group. “None of us want our hard earned money going to a fag.”

Ezra crossed his arms. “Now that’s just about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. If you’ll excuse us, we’re going to lunch at Jenny’s.” He reached back for Wyn’s hand and pushed his way through the centre of the gathered men. They hadn’t planned to have lunch in town, but now there was no way they could keep him from it.

“Maybe we should go,” Wyn said once they’d crossed the street.

“Nope. I’ve got a plan.” Ezra ushered Wyn into the café and requested a table in the centre of the room.

They were both surprised when Richard walked over carrying a plate. “You guys mind if I join you?”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Wyn asked, eyes scanning the rest of the diners.

Richard shrugged and set his plate down. “Doesn’t really matter anymore. Everyone’s already giving me the cold shoulder. Guess word got out that I’ve been over at your place a time or two. Narrow-minded assholes,” Richard said a bit louder.

Damn, Ezra knew he liked Richard. “We’d love for you to join us. Sit back and enjoy the show.”

Richard’s brows rose. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing much. Just plan on making sure Wyn’s ranch gets sold.” He pulled out his cell phone and winked at Wyn while he waited for an answer on the other end.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Smokey,” he greeted his friend. He made sure to talk loud enough for those around him to hear every word. “Remember when you told me you were looking for some land to buy? Well, it looks like Wyn isn’t going to be able to sell his daddy’s ranch after all.

So I was thinking, maybe if we section out the land, you and a few of our other friends could move down. Hell, if we’re going to be stuck here, we might as well have another five or six of our kind. This town will be gay-friendly before you know it.”

“Uh, Ezra? Are you completely insane?” Smokey asked.

“Yep. Crazy in love. I know the townspeople act like they’re disgusted but they just need to get used to seeing two men in love and kissing.” Ezra stood enough to lean over the table and steal a quick kiss from Wyn.

ROUGH RIDE

Carol Lynne

47

Gasps sounded all around them. Richard began chuckling and soon the chuckles became a full belly laugh as he continued to eat his hamburger.

“You’re scheming again, aren’t you?” Smokey asked.

“Yep. You be sure and tell the other guys in the leather club we might have found a new home base.”

“Leather club? Boy, you’d best get out of Oklahoma. I think your brain’s being fried in that heat.”

“Nope, I’m good. Had fantastic sex this morning. You know that Wyn. He’s a regular wildcat in the sack.”

“TMI, brother. I’m hanging up now.”

Ezra heard the click on the other end of the line. “Okay, well talk to the boys and give me a call back.” He closed his phone and stuck it back in his pocket.

Clapping his hands together, he rubbed vigorously. “So what’s for lunch?”

* * * *

By the time they left the diner, Richard was holding his side. “I’ve never seen anything so funny in my life. I thought Mrs. Kirkpattrick was gonna throw up when you kissed Wyn.” Ezra grinned. “It was one of my best performances. That reminds me though. I need to call Smokey back.”

“If he’ll even talk to you after that,” Wyn said rolling his eyes. “You really think that’ll help sell the place?”

“Hell yeah.” Ezra turned to Richard and pulled out his wallet. Fishing out one of his business cards for the EZ Does It, he handed it over. “If you ever get tired of living like this, you’ve got a job with me.”

Richard took the card and read it carefully. “I might just take you up on that offer.” Richard stuck the piece of paper in his pocket. “You two taking off soon?”

“Probably Monday. We’re going to load the bucket tractor of dad’s on the flatbed.

That’ll require at least another day of picking up all the pieces and stowing them back in their tubs.”

ROUGH RIDE

Carol Lynne

48

“Do the two of you have plans for later this evening? I’d like to take you down to Tulsa and show you a good time before you leave. I’ve got a couple friends who own a dance club.”

“Gay friendly?” Wyn asked.

“I hope so, since the two of them have been partners for years.” Richard grinned.

Ezra looked down at Wyn. “Sounds fun to me. We still haven’t gotten around to that dance I promised.”

Wyn’s face turned a pretty shade of red. “What I got was much better than a dance, but yeah, it sounds fun. They won’t mind a couple of old geezers will they?”

“Hell no. You’ll see a little bit of everything at Club Maverick. Saturday nights are one of their biggest too.”

They continued to walk towards Richard’s truck. “I’ll pick you up around eight, or is that too late?”

Ezra wrapped an arm around Wyn’s shoulders. “We’ll just have to take an afternoon nap, of sorts,” he chuckled.

Richard smiled and tipped his hat. “Enjoy yourselves. I’ll be by around eight.” ROUGH RIDE

Carol Lynne

49

Wyn was shocked when he opened the front door. There stood Richard completely decked out in leather gear. “Is there something about this club you forgot to mention?” Laughing, Richard shook his head. “Anything goes there. This is just what I prefer.”

“And your grandfather didn’t say anything when you left the house?” Wyn suddenly felt way over dressed in his designer jeans, boots, white shirt and brown leather vest.

“I don’t stay in granddad’s house when I’m in town. I bought an old camper I park out behind the barn.” Richard looked around the living room. “Is Ezra about ready?”

“Yeah, he’s out in the barn messing with Lucky. He said to give him a toot on the horn when we’re ready to take off.”

Richard shook his head. “I’ve never seen a grown man so crazy about a calf.” Wyn chuckled. “Tell me about it. It’s going to take us twice as long to get home pulling the horse trailer. I told him it would probably be just as cheap to have Lucky shipped to Cattle Valley, but he won’t hear of it. He says no one can take care of Lucky the way he can.”

“That’s all fine and dandy now, but what happens when Lucky grows into a fourteen or fifteen hundred pound bull?”

Wyn grabbed the keys from the table and locked the front door. “I’m sure if anyone can handle a pet that size, it would be Ezra.”

They climbed into the pickup and drove towards the barn before sounding the horn.

Several minutes later, Ezra came out and Wyn scooted to the middle.

“Hey,” Ezra said getting in.

“How’s Lucky?” Richard asked.

“Growing every hour, I think,” joked Ezra.

Richard pulled out and headed towards Tulsa. “We’ll be getting there a little early, but I wanted a chance to talk to the owners before they became too busy.”

“Good guys?” Wyn asked.

“The best. I used to bartend for them. Still do when they have something special going on. The owners, Mark and Scott have become good friends over the years.” ROUGH RIDE

Carol Lynne

50

Wyn settled under Ezra’s arm and got comfortable. He fingered the small bandages still on his face and neck.

“Stop it,” Ezra said pulling Wyn’s hand away from his face. “You look fine.”

“Maybe I should’ve taken them completely off. I think they might draw more attention.” The wound on his face was narrow but about three inches long.

Ezra tilted Wyn’s head up to look down into his eyes. “You plan on doing a lot of flirting?”

“No, but I’ve been to gay bars before. There are a lot of hot young guys that like to troll for big daddies like you.”

Ezra’s head lowered and kissed him. “What would I do with a young stud? I can barely keep up with you in bed.”

Richard cleared his throat. “Uh, hello? Guy who’s not getting any sitting right here.” Wyn turned to Richard and smiled. “That has to be your choice. You’re a damn good-looking guy.”

“Unlucky in love, what can I say?”

The ride to Tulsa passed quickly, as they settled in to an easy conversation. Pulling up in front of a free-standing black painted building with red trim, Ezra looked at Richard. “At least we found a place to park.”

“Yeah, like I said, we’re early. Club Maverick doesn’t really get jumping until around ten-thirty or so.”

They locked up the truck and headed towards the entrance. Ezra opened the big red steel door and was greeted by a man of his own size, sitting on a stool. Wyn would bet it wasn’t often he came across someone as big as he was.

“Hey, Tiny,” Richard said from behind Ezra.

The big guy smiled. “Richie! ’Bout time you showed your face in here. Mark and Scott thought you might’ve dropped off the edge of the planet.”

“Close. I’ve been up in Pamona helping granddad.” Richard motioned to his right.

“These are my friends, Wyn and Ezra. I promised to show them a good time. So be nice.”

Tiny looked shocked. “I’m always nice.”

“Mmmhmm. Until someone pisses you off.” Richard grinned at Tiny.

Shrugging, Tiny held up his hands. “What can I say, I’m human.” ROUGH RIDE

Carol Lynne

51

Tiny pointed towards the bar. “Scott’s sitting over there. Why don’t you go say hi.”

“We will,” Richard said and clapped Tiny on the shoulder. “Good to see you again.” Richard ushered them towards the bar. On the way over, Ezra pointed out the mirrored cowboy boots hanging over the dance floor.

“Cool,” Wyn said.

“Yeah,” Richard agreed, “they’ve also got a mirrored saddle they swap it with.” Ezra chuckled and shook his head. “Why don’t we have a place like this in Cattle Valley? Don’t get me wrong, Brewster’s is a nice place, but I can’t believe we don’t have a real place to dance.”

Wyn looked up at Ezra. “New business venture?” Ezra shrugged and rubbed his chin. “I don’t know. Maybe.” They arrived at the bar and ordered their drinks before moving over to an older gentleman.

“Hey,” the man Wyn assumed to be Scott said. He stood and wrapped his arms around Richard. “It’s good to see you.”

Scott looked around Richard. “Did you bring us some new customers?”

“Yep,” Richard said, stepping to the side.

“I’d like you to meet my new friends, Ezra and Wyn. Guys, this is Scott.” Wyn reached out and shook Scott’s hand. “Great place you have here.” Wyn thought Scott looked a little younger than he was, with a full head of sandy brown hair.

Scott looked around the room at the twenty-five or so people. “We like it. We’ve come to think of our customers as family.”

Wyn smiled at the pride evident in Scott’s voice and posture. He liked the man already and they’d just met. He gestured towards Ezra. “I have a feeling this big guy might try to pick your brain later about the bar business.” Scott nodded and looked at Ezra. “Grab yourself a drink and pull up a stool. I’m always happy to talk about one of my favourite passions.” Ezra looked back at Wyn. “You mind?”

“Not at all. I’m going to order a wine and challenge Richard to a game of pool.” Richard’s eyebrow rose. “You’re a pool player?” Wyn shrugged. “I’m not a shark or anything, but I can certainly hold my own.”

“Five bucks?” Richard asked, digging money out of his pocket.

ROUGH RIDE

Carol Lynne

52

“You’re on.”

* * * *

Fifteen dollars down, Wyn finally conceded that Richard was a much better player. He looked over and spotted Ezra still in deep conversation with Scott and another man.

“Is that Mark?” he asked Richard.

“Yeah. Come on, I’ll introduce you to the man that started calling me Richie.” Richard rolled his eyes and put his stick back on the rack.

“Sorry, but you don’t seem like a Richie to me.”

“It was hard to get used to at first, but I’m cool with it.” Richard stepped up to the table the threesome now occupied. “Mark, I’d like you to meet Wyn.”

Mark stood and immediately picked Wyn up in a hearty bear hug. Wyn was a little shocked to say the least.

As Ezra began to growl, Scott chuckled. “That’s his way. He’s a very touchy feely kind of guy. He doesn’t mean anything inappropriate by it.” The big six-foot, bald man put Wyn back on his feet. “Sorry.” Mark turned to Ezra. “I wasn’t poaching, swear.”

Seemingly embarrassed by his reaction, Ezra smiled. “No, I’m sorry. I tend to get a little territorial where Wyn’s concerned.”

Ezra pulled Wyn into his lap and wrapped an arm around him. Wyn was just fine with that. He enjoyed knowing Ezra was jealous of the good-looking bar owner. “So, did you learn everything about the bar business you needed?” Wyn asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Ezra nodded and kissed him. “I learned that I need to talk to the city council and ask about zoning. I’ll also need a good manager,” Ezra said and looked at Richard.

Richard’s brows rose. “Me?”

Ezra nodded his head. “Scott and Mark both agree you have the skills for the job. If I can get something off the ground, would you be interested in moving to Cattle Valley to manage it for us?”