Home of His Own by T. Chase (classic fiction .TXT) 📗

have to give me a crash course on bull riding and rodeo.” Brody grinned.

“No problem.”

He pulled on his jacket and boots, waiting for Tony to change into jeans and a sweatshirt. Hearing laughter, he stuck his head in the kitchen and saw the boys in the middle of a water fight. He ducked back out, grabbing Tony as the man started to go past him.

“I wouldn’t go in there if I were you. Margie’s going to have a fit when she sees what they’ve done.”

He explained and Tony dragged him out of the house.

“She’ll make them clean up the entire room.” Tony wrapped his arm around Brody’s waist.

Brody glanced around at the ranch hands wandering through the yard. None of them glanced at them or said a word about seeing two guys walking arm-in-arm.

“Don’t worry. None of the guys who work here are going to say anything about us.

Les won’t allow prejudice here. He says it’s bad enough he has to pretend and not touch Randy when they’re in public. He refuses to do that at home. Makes things easier in a way.” Tony snuggled closer to him.

He put his arm around Tony’s shoulder. He’d take advantage of any opportunity to hold Tony’s compact body. They made their way to the first barn. Les, Randy and Jackson stood by one of the stalls, talking softly. He dropped back while Tony joined the trio.

Both Randy and Les welcomed the bull rider in. Les put his hand on Tony’s shoulder. Randy included Tony in his personal space. Studying the dynamics between the men, Brody could tell that even though Les and Randy were the couple and very much in love, a deep friendship existed between them and Tony

Not wanting to eavesdrop on the conversation, he turned to look at the horse in the stall he stood in front of. Brody didn’t know anything about horses, but this one was an imposing specimen. Its coat was a burnished copper with a long black mane and tail.

Large liquid black eyes stared at him. He got the feeling the horse was tense like it was bracing for him to make a move. He didn’t do anything. The horse snorted and moved towards him.

“He’s looking for this.” Les reached around him, holding out a piece of carrot.

“What breed is he?” He watched the horse take the carrot from Les’ palm and munch happily.

“He’s a Thoroughbred. I give private training to riders and their horses. I can’t compete anymore, but I still know how to ride.” Les shrugged. “I used to be the best in the country and there are people willing to listen to me.”

“I thought Thoroughbreds were race horses.” He reached out a hand and then froze.

“Is it all right if I pet him?”

“Sure. Boo is a perfect example of a Thoroughbred and he expects us all to worship him.” Les stroked the inquisitive Boo’s nose.

Brody caressed the soft space between Boo’s eyes and scratched the horse’s neck under the mane. “Are you going to train him?”

“No. His rider’s coming in a couple days. Edward was the first person to come and ask me to help him with his horses. His main ride, Gypsy’s Salt Mine, is injured and has to be rested for a month or so. Edward wants to work with Boo. I think he has plenty of talent.” Les nudged Brody with his shoulder. “Talent doesn’t mean anything. He has to have the will to jump and take those fences with speed and power. I haven’t taken him over any jumps.”

Randy joined them. “I won’t let him.”

Brody glanced over at the younger man. “Why not?”

“I have to be careful. If I hit my head just right, I could do serious damage.” Les tapped the side of his head where a white streak of hair covered a concave spot.

“We don’t want that to happen.” Tony slid next to Brody, his arm encircling Brody’s waist.

“So where are your Quarter Horses?” Brody asked Randy.

Randy gestured down the aisle towards the stalls at the other end of the barn. “The ones in training are at the end of this barn. The mares and the yearlings are in the next barn over. Then there’s the smaller barn with Les’ horse, Sam, and a few others we don’t really use, but just enjoy having around.”

“Do you have a star horse?” He rested his chin on Tony’s shoulder.

“All of the horses on this ranch are stars in Les’ eyes,” Tony teased, tugging him ahead. “You should see some of these horses. None of them except the ones brought in by his clients are going to win any conformation classes. Les likes to pick up strays and give them a home.”

“I haven’t heard you complain.” Les pinched Tony’s ass.

Brody laughed as Tony squeaked. They stopped in front of another stall. Les nodded at the grey standing in the middle of the stall.

“This is our newest star, Hardin Ranch’s Folsom.”

Brody grimaced at the scars covering the grey’s muscular body. “He’s had a rough life, hasn’t he?”

“Yeah, but he just needed someone to treat him good.” The grey stuck his nose over the door and nuzzled Randy’s chest.

“Here you go, baby.” Les handed Randy another carrot. “Story of our lives. We all need someone to treat us good.”

He had the feeling Les spoke from experience. His nod encouraged Randy to go into detail about Folsom’s training schedule. After five minutes, he knew his eyes had glazed over because he didn’t understand a word of what Randy was saying.

“Give it up, cowboy. Brody doesn’t know a thing about horses or cutting classes either.” Tony laughed. “He might be from Texas, but he’s a city boy.”

“I haven’t heard you complain about my lack of ranch knowledge,” Brody challenged Tony.

“Oh, it’s not your knowledge of horses I’m after. It’s your expert knowledge of sucking cock I want.” Tony sprinted out of the barn.

Randy and Les were doubled over, laughing hysterically while Brody stared at them wide-eyed. He couldn’t believe the bull rider had said that.