Midnight Whispers
QAF Brian and Justin Fanfiction
Author's Chapter Notes:

Vic explains his plan to Will and Sarah, while Brian's time with Justin begins to wane as Autumn looms.  Can anything be done to keep the lovers from having to say goodbye? 

 

 

A few minutes later, Emmett was smiling broadly.  "Very ingenious, Uncle Vic," he praised the older man, who grinned.  "Now, all we have to do is get everyone involved to agree to it."

 

Vic nodded, a determined twinkle in his eye. "Leave that to me. I've been around here for a long time; that should amount to something.  I'll give Eddie a call later.  He's been itching for this opportunity for a long time now." 

 

Emmett nodded as Vic handed Headstrong's reins to him so he could guide him back to his stall.  "You certain your friend's going to be willing to handle him?  He sure is a strong one."

 

"If anyone can, he can," Vic assured him.  "And since True Blue's had more exercise lately, he's actually calmed down a bit. That will make a difference, too."

 

The two men walked together to the stalls as Emmett led the horse inside and made sure the gate was securely fastened, taking a moment to stroke the handsome animal's neck before turning to face his uncle.  "Good luck. You realize true love is counting on you," he teased him. 

 

Vic chuckled in amusement.  "You always were the sentimental one, even as a small boy," he recalled.  "I remember you used to drive your mother crazy with all sorts of trinkets you would bring home from out of the neighbors' trash...not to mention the stray animals, the ticket movie stubs, and all the coins you placed on the railroad track so the locomotive would run over them.  Even the rocks you found in the creek." 

 

Emmett seemed to take good-natured offense to that.  "They weren't 'rocks,' Uncle. They were pretty stones." 

 

Vic chuckled, gazing over at his nephew fondly as he realized how much he had enjoyed Emmett's company while he had been visiting.  "I stand corrected," he replied as Em nodded with a smile.  "I guess I'm just more the pragmatic type." 

 

He paused as a wistful expression appeared on his face while he traveled briefly back in time to recall when he had been in love himself years ago. It had been intense and enjoyable, but unlike the love he could clearly see between Justin and Brian, the flame had burned out fairly quickly, rather than becoming hotter.  He supposed that was why he was a bit more cynical now when it came to love; he had never experienced the depth of passion that these two seemed to have, the deep bond they obviously shared. He had no doubt that this was the real thing between them; something that was meant to last. And he wanted to make sure he had a part in helping to make that happen; he could accomplish that by removing some of the obstacles standing in their way.  He smiled at the thought.  Young love.  He supposed he, too, still believed in that as well.  "Thanks for being my co-conspirator, Em."   

 

Em reached over to give his uncle's shoulder a brief, affectionate squeeze.  "I'm the one who's grateful, Uncle.  I've been looking for a change for a while," he told him as he peered through the open door of the stable out at the fields full of crops and rolling terrain.  It felt familiar and comfortable to him after having grown up in a smaller, similar, Alabama town. But it was also different.  Challenging.  Something new. And he liked that idea.  "I think this arrangement is going to work out just fine."

 

Vic chuckled as he turned to go.  "Well, wish me luck.  I know all too well how stubborn Will Walker can be, but so can I.  I'll be back as soon as I can."  If all worked out the way he planned, he would have to go into town afterward to speak with his former jockey friend; he hoped he'll have a reason to.   

 

"You know I do, but I don't think you'll need it," Em responded sincerely as he reached for a bucket of apples, deciding it wouldn't hurt to get True Blue on his good side by presenting the majestic horse with one of his favorite treats.  With a small smile, he turned and headed in the horse's direction, hearing the rumble of Vic's beat-up pickup truck as he started it and headed down the dusty road toward the Walker farm.

 


 

Same Time...Side Yard of Walker Farm near the Storm Cellar

 

"Give me that, you asshole!"  Brian warned Justin, pointing his finger at his lover. "Don't even think about it!" 

 

"You said you needed to cool off," Justin reminded him, the other boy wearing a smug grin as he aimed the stream of water square in Brian's face.  The mischief-maker squealed a few seconds later, however, as Brian suddenly rushed him in a move resembling a football tackle from his high school days; both of them fought for control of the hose as Brian grabbed onto his wrist in an attempt to discharge him from his 'weapon,' a green garden hose that Justin had confiscated when Brian had been caught unaware of his intentions a few minutes earlier.  He had turned around for just a brief moment to greet Solomon, who had come bounding up, eager for attention when he had spied the two of them returning, only to turn around and promptly be sprayed full force with the cold water. 

 

Having told Justin that he wasn't interested in 'cooling off' just yet, Brian was still finding it difficult to wrestle the hose away from his younger companion, finding his grip on it incredibly strong for someone so slim.  In the meantime, Solomon's constant yips and barks mingled with their laughter as they fought for supremacy. 

 

"No!"  Justin persisted with a laugh.

 

Brian sputtered as the hose snaked wildly around, hitting him full in the face and chest as both boys quickly became drenched.  "Come on, hand it over!"  He said with a laugh, belying his stern demand.  He shook his head to and fro to dislodge some of the water, drops pelting Justin before they slipped and fell to the ground onto the wet grass, Brian finally managing to pin Justin beneath him as he lay on his back, peering up at him, his chest heaving from their horseplay. 

 

Solomon continued to bay at them excitedly as he circled around them, his long tail wagging furiously over their antics, but he was promptly ignored as the two boys stared into each other's eyes, their playtime slowly morphing into some more intense as Justin dropped his hand to the ground beside him, still gripping the hose as its nozzle continued to spray water.  Brian's hand reached to grip the smaller hand, their fingers intertwining as he murmured, "Now I have you right where I want you." 

 

Justin's pupiled dilated into a darkening hue as he dared him huskily, "So what you are going to do about it, Kinney?" 

 

Brian's eyes stared into his, making Justin blush, before the older boy leaned down to kiss him. It would be several seconds before the sound of the hose still running finally registered in their minds as Brian reluctantly broke off their kiss to twist the nozzle and turn it off.  By now Justin was lying in a pool of water, even wetter than Brian, his clothes molded to him like a second skin with his nipples clearly outlined through the thin, cotton shirt he was wearing.  God, he is so beautiful, Brian couldn't help thinking as he stared at him, observing the sparkle in Justin's eyes and the radiant smile on his face.  "Now you're even wetter than I am, Farm Boy." 

 

Justin grinned, unconcerned, as he let go of the hose and reached up to grip the back of Brian's neck to press his body even closer against his, yearning to kiss him again; his desire for him was clearly broadcast from the outline of his cock against Brian's torso, making Brian instantly hard himself.  "Well, I guess we'll both have to find a way to dry our clothes off, then," he replied, adding helpfully, "My mother always told me the fastest way to do that is to take them all off and hang them up somewhere."

 

Brian chuckled.  "Yeah...I seem to recall another time when someone's clothes were removed, but for a different reason."  He remembered all too well that time at the swimming hole when he had been forced to wear Justin's clothes home.  How could he have known what would eventually happen, and how deeply he would fall in love with this little thief?  "Hmm...I wonder what we can find to do while we're waiting for our clothes to dry, then?"     

 

Justin grinned at him as Brian pulled him to sit up on the wet ground beside him.  "Well...We couldn't possibly go into the house this wet," Justin told him.  "What do you suggest, then?"  He asked coyly, a gleam in his eye.

 

Brian seemed to give that some thought.  "Hmm...True.  Okay.  So...you stay here, and I'll go get my aunt's clothespins."  His aunt was a staunch believer in hanging clothes up on her clothesline strung between their two large oak trees in the backyard whenever the weather permitted it; she loved the smell of clean clothes and linens that had been dried in the wind.  She swore they always smelled much better than using a dryer, although Brian couldn't begin to fathom why. But he had to admit that when he went to bed with freshly laundered and dried-in-the-wind sheets and laid his head on the pillowcase, they did seem to smell better...cleaner. 

 

"No!" Justin protested as Brian attempted to stand, his mouth hanging open in disappointment.  "That's not what I meant!" he stammered.  "I mean...yeah, they need to dry, but...Brian!"  The other boy's name came out as sort of a whine; this did not seem to be going the way he had intended...or hoped. 

 

Brian laughed at the dismayed expression on his lover's face; if he didn't know better, he would categorize it as a pout.  "Don't worry, Speed Racer," he reassured him as he reached for Justin's hands to pull him up so they were face-to-face.  He whispered in his ear, "I have much better plans for you while they're drying.  The barn loft will do just fine." 

 

"Just fine for what?"  Justin asked playfully as he shivered in reaction to the warm breath caressing the side of his face, knowing, hoping he already knew the answer.

 

Brian pulled back just enough to gaze into the sky blue eyes.  "It'll do just fine...for draping our clothes over the railing to dry...," he leaned in even closer before adding, "...and fucking you shitless.  I think you'll look sexy on top of all that straw up there." 

 

Justin rolled his eyes as he muttered, "Great.  Now I'll have straw up my ass, instead of corn kernels." 

 

Brian laughed.  "One of the hazards of farm life," he told him as Justin harrumphed.  "But don't worry," he reassured him, his voice low and velvety.  "You'll have something else up your ass soon." 

 

Justin blushed deeply then as Brian reached to push some damp hair back from his face.  He kissed him tenderly, cupping his face in his hands and staring at Justin so intensely that for a moment he wondered if there was something wrong.  "Brian?" 

 

The older boy didn't want to tell him that he couldn't help thinking about the future, and how much too soon he wouldn't get to see Justin every day. Brian didn't know what he would do then; he didn't want to even think about that dreaded day, so he purposely pushed that thought aside as he smiled softly back at him in reassurance, concentrating on more pleasant things.  Taking Justin's hand, he pulled him toward the barn.  "Come on.  If we wait any longer, our clothes will start drying out...and then I won't have an excuse to take them off you."

 

Justin giggled.  "As if that would stop you."  Brian smirked at him before a possible obstacle occurred to him, causing his brow to crease.  "What about your uncle?  Brian..."  He was much more comfortable with his sexuality since he had become involved with Brian, but that still didn't mean he could imagine risking Will Walker either seeing - or hearing - them in the throes of passionate sex. And sex with Brian was always passionate...and quite vocal.  

 

"Didn't you hear my aunt ringing the lunch bell?  He's in the house, eating."  He waggled his eyebrows at Justin suggestively.  "And with the way my aunt feeds him, he won't be back out for a while.  Besides, I noticed Vic's truck outside.  That will help, too.  And they say that WOMEN are gossipers!"

 

Justin grinned in satisfaction and relief, briefly wondering why Vic hadn't just walked over, but more interested in 'other' matters at the moment.  "Lead the way, then."

 


 

Inside the Walker Farmhouse...

 

"Vic, some more coffee?" Sarah asked, holding the old-fashioned percolator toward him in question. 

 

Vic smiled with a nod.  "I never turn down an invitation for a refill," he confirmed as she walked over and poured some more into his cup at the kitchen table that overlooked the shaded backyard. 

 

"Well, if you're going to have some more coffee, then you must have some of my homemade apple pie to go with it, too," she declared as she set the percolator down onto a wooden board and cut off a slice of the still-warm pie sitting on top of the oven.

 

"Sarah..." Vic tried to protest weakly, but he knew it was pointless; he was stuffed after eating lunch with her and Will, but around here every visit warranted an invitation to eat. It was just plain, common, country-folk courtesy:  anytime someone came to visit, you offered them something to eat and/or drink; it was the expected thing to do.  He sighed as she lifted her eyebrows expectantly.  "Yes, ma'am," he finally murmured in agreement.  "I would love some."  She grinned at him as she placed a piece of pie down in front of him, along with a fork. 

 

From his seat nearby, Will cleared his throat impatiently as he gulped down the rest of his own coffee.  "Vic, you wanted to speak to us about something?" 

 

"William, you want the man to choke on his food?" Sarah gently reprimanded him as Will grunted.  "Give him some time."  Her husband softly scoffed at her, but nonetheless he remained obediently silent afterward, at least for a couple of minutes; long enough for Vic to take a few sips of his coffee and two bites of his pie. 

 

Finally, Vic wiped his mouth with a gingham red-and-white napkin before placing it on the table.  He nodded.  "It's delicious as always, Sarah, but I'm afraid I can't eat another bite," he told his hostess as she nodded back at him.  He needed to get to the point of his visit, anyway.  "Well," he confirmed to Will as he peered over at him.  "This is not just a social call.  It is in a way...but I do have something specific that I'd like to discuss with both of you." 

 

Will nodded, his forehead wrinkling in curiosity. He and Vic had always shared one quality; they both didn't care for beating around the bush, preferring to just cut to the chase.  "I reckoned. So tell us what it is."  

 

Sarah clucked in reproach as she stood nearby.  "William, whatever Vic has to say can wait a few minutes until he's done with the rest of his coffee.  Why don't you go into the living room and have a cigar?" 

 

Will eyed her in amusement; only this woman could get away with chiding him like that, and she knew it.  Normally, his wife didn't care for the smoke that billowed from his occasional cigar, in addition to how unhealthy it was. But when she was trying to mollify him, she occasionally allowed it.  "Yes, Missy," he murmured with a half-smile as he scooted back from his chair and dutifully took his pie plate and empty cup over to the sink to rinse them off.  As he passed his wife a few moments later, the two of them shared a tender look as he squeezed her shoulder with one of his work-worn, leathery hands before heading down the short hallway to their living room. 

 


 

A few minutes later, Vic followed Will into the room, taking a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs near the fireplace as Will sat in his grandmother's antique, wooden rocking chair, his 'smoking' chair.  It was where he always sat as he enjoyed his cigar or an occasional puff from his pipe; the back-and-forth motion of the chair always had a relaxing effect on him, even though he knew the smoking habit needed to abolished. Perhaps one day he would succeed. 

 

Sarah arrived shortly afterward, having washed the dishes before placing them in the drying rack to dry.  Wiping her hands on her half-apron, she was about to sit on the couch when the sounds of laughter, furious barking, and animated conversation filtered in through the open side window. 

 

"What in the world?" Sarah murmured, as she walked over to peer through the window; she had opened it up earlier in the day to allow some of the temperate breeze to flow into the house.  She couldn't help smiling as she realized it was her nephew and Justin fighting over a water hose several feet away, both boys holding onto the tubing in a fight for superiority - and both managing to thoroughly get soaked in the process.  Between them and Solomon, however, they seemed to be having a grand old time as she observed the broad smiles on both their faces, and Dale's dog circling them as he bayed and yipped, his tail wagging in delight.  She watched as the two boys fell to the ground then with Justin on his back and Brian on top of him.  She felt a little like a voyeur as she watched Brian lean down then to kiss the younger boy, Justin's arms sliding up to wrap themselves around Brian's back.  She blushed as she continued to watch them kiss passionately before her nephew finally pulled back to allow some space between them.  A minute later, she watched him sit up and then pull Justin to his feet as they continued to talk more quietly, the boys' clothes now thoroughly soaked.  She noticed Brian taking Justin by the hand before he led him toward the barn.  She could only imagine what they had in mind, and it made her blush even more.  Surely they wouldn't...?  But somehow she knew that's exactly what they were about to do. 

 

"Sarah? What's going on?" she heard Will inquire behind her.  Her husband's voice brought her mind back to the present as she turned around to gaze over at him. 

 

"Nothing," she told him with a soft smile, deciding her husband wouldn't take too kindly to what she had just surmised.  "Just Brian and Justin having some fun.  They're gone now, though."  As always, she marveled at the looks her nephew cast on the younger boy.  It was much the same look she had displayed when she had fallen for William, and she knew somehow that this was the real thing between them, despite their relatively tender ages.  She also knew that could be setting her nephew up for heartbreak in the not-so-distant future.  Because as much as Brian arrived with his cocky attitude and seemingly indifferent air, she now knew that it had all been just an emotional façade to hide who he really was.  Brian felt things deeply.  It might take him a while to learn to trust someone.  But once he did, he defended them and protected them just as fiercely as he hid that capability.

 

"Sarah?  Missy...Vic's trying to talk to us," she heard her husband remind her as she blinked, forcing her mind back to the matter at hand. She blushed. "Sorry," she murmured in apology.

 

Will cast an amused look upon her as he commented, "Will you come and sit down?"

 

She nodded, walking over to finally sit on the edge of the couch, closest to the chair where Will sat.  Almost without thinking, her hand reached over to seek his, finding his warm, work-roughened hand as they linked fingers and peered over at their guest.

 

Will got right to the point.  "Now...what was it you wanted to talk to us about, Vic?"   

 

Vic took a deep breath; a lot was riding on what he was about to propose. He only hoped that when he finished, the couple would agree to it.  He had little doubt that Sarah would; Will, he was not so certain about.  But he had to try.  "Well, it's about True Blue..." he began.

 

That caused Will's heart to clench as he and Sarah peered over at each other apprehensively.  "Dale's horse?  Is he okay? Did something happen to him?"  Except for Solomon, that majestic, powerful stallion was the last living remnant of his and Sarah's son.  And more than anything, he represented all that Dale had embodied:  his love for racing, his pride, his strength.  His passion for the thrill of speed. So many things they oddly had shared. But most of all, it comforted him somehow to know that something his son had cherished so deeply was still with them. 

 

Vic rushed to reassure him; he hadn't realized how his comment might have been construed, and he knew even after all this time - even after the Walkers had seemed to finally come to grips with their son's death - the two of them still felt a deep bond with their son's horse.  "No, no," he told them.  "He's fine," he told the two of them, hearing them both breathe out twin sighs of relief.  "In, fact, he's doing better than ever...thanks to Brian's practicing with him on the track.  In a way, that's what I want to talk to you about."  Deciding this was going to be the pivotal moment that would change a lot of lives, he took a deep breath before beginning to reveal his plan to them. 

 


 

Barn Loft - Same Time...

 

Brian smiled in amusement as Justin prattled on and on about practically everything - his scholarship, the new lamb born this morning, how great it was that finally the weather was getting warmer, the last race he had participated in - and won, of course.  And he was still chattering about something else now.  "Brian...Do you think...?"  He stopped as a set of long fingers firmly pressed themselves against his lips.  "Hmm?" he managed to mumble, despite his mouth being closed, his brows creased in curiosity.

 

"Do you know you are a regular chatterbox after sex?"  Brian chuckled as he heard a distinct huff, and felt a breath of indignation escape through his lover's lips.  "I've never had sex with someone who is so gabby afterward.  Normally, they're so stunned by my brilliance and stamina that they're rendered speechless."  He laughed as his hand was promptly snatched away so his motor mouth could start up again.  He would have expected nothing less, and he totally delighted in it. 

 

"Oh, please.  Can you be any less humble?"  Justin idly traced his finger over Brian's chest as they lay on top of the hay, his body half-draped on top of the other boy as Brian held him close with his arm wrapped around him, their legs tangled together.  Their clothes were now hung over the wooden railing nearby, and a slight breeze could be felt through a crack in the barn's loft door nearby, causing the clothes to ripple slightly. He peered up into Brian's face as they instinctively leaned toward each other to kiss. 

 

"Humility has never been a problem for me," Brian informed him as they finally broke apart. 

 

Justin laughed.  "No, it hasn't," he agreed.  "Nor has arrogance." 

 

"I prefer to call it self-confidence."  He grinned down at Justin who smiled back at him, causing his heart to skitter in reaction. 

 

"Well...whatever it's called...it's very sexy on you," Justin whispered as he continued to stroke Brian's chest with the pads of his fingers, taking a moment to circle the other boy's left nipple until he earned a groan and a grasp of his wrist.   

 

"Justin...Give me a few minutes here, okay?" Brian gasped, panting.  "You are insatiable."  He couldn't believe he was actually saying that, but it was the truth. He had finally found someone who could keep up with him in the sex department...and then some. 

 

His younger lover grinned.  "Only for your Aunt Sarah's pie...and you." 

 

Brian gripped the smaller hand in his as he replied, "Well...the least you could do is put me first on that list." 

 

Justin giggled, his face turning more serious as he whispered, "Always."  He raised Brian's hand to his lips and kissed the palm before placing their linked hands down upon his lover's chest.  "I could stay up here forever," he murmured in contentment as he snuggled deeper into Brian's body.  "As long as I'm with you." 

 

Brian grinned.  "Even with hay up your ass...and in your hair?  And my uncle due back soon?" He plucked a couple strands of the yellow material from the crown of Justin's head, luxuriating in the feel of its softness as he ran his fingers briefly through the strands.  "I guess this is what they mean by a roll in the hay, huh?" 

 

Justin laughed.  "Yeah....exactly." 

 

Brian smiled as he held Justin closer, suddenly becoming quiet as he continued to caress his lover's body with his fingers.  He closed his eyes, wanting to memorize everything about Justin:  his unique smell, how soft and warm he felt in his arms, how perfectly they molded together, the sounds he always makes when they make love, the sound of his voice when he is happy, and how he always makes him feel so special whenever he looks into his eyes with so much admiration and love. It makes him feel like more of a man, like someone who is valuable and worthy of love. That concept had been so foreign to him until he had come here.  His aunt and uncle make him feel the same way, but with Justin it is different. It always would be different, no matter who else he meets during his lifetime, and where life takes him, whether it was with Justin or not.  He didn't want to think about that right now, though.  All he wanted to do was just savor the feeling of this moment, of holding Justin, loving Justin. 

 

"Brian?"  He curled his hand more firmly around Justin's shoulder to press him closer as he slowly opened his eyes, noticing Justin's blue ones staring back at him with concern. 

 

"Hmm?" he murmured, mesmerized by the shade of his eyes; it always captivated him how the blue of Justin's eyes could change depending upon his mood. 

 

"What are you thinking?" he asked him softly. 

 

Brian stared into his eyes before they traveled downward, taking in every plane, every curve, every angle of the slim body lying underneath his.  He wanted to tell Justin how deeply he loved him; how he knew he would never find another person to ever take his place. How he would never stop loving him, no matter how long he lived.  That he didn't know how he was going to deal with being separated from him.  His gaze traveled back up until he was looking into Justin's eyes again, knowing he was giving everything away, merely by the expression he must have on his face.  He just couldn't say everything that was in his heart at the moment, but it was filled to the brim; overflowing, in fact, with the depth of emotion he felt for this beautiful boy being held in his arms.  He watched as Justin blushed in reaction, deciding he best not reveal how deeply he was affected at the moment, and choosing, instead, to lighten the mood a little.   "I'm thinking...that if we don't get up and get dressed - and get downstairs before my uncle finishes his lunch - we're going to have a lot of explaining to do." 

 

But Justin shook his head, unconvinced.  "No, you're not," he told him as Brian averted his eyes awkwardly, knowing Justin didn't believe that for a second.  "Brian..."

 

"Justin.  Please...let's not discuss it right now, okay?  I think our clothes are probably dry by now." 

 

The younger boy looked into his eyes for a few seconds before sighing in resignation.  "Okay," he murmured in agreement.  With great reluctance he disentangled himself from Brian's embrace and rose to stand; he knew exactly what Brian was trying to avoid - and what he had been thinking about.  But he also knew Brian didn't want to talk about it.  Besides, what could be said that hadn't already been said?  As much as he would desperately miss Brian to the point of physically aching for him - of that much he was certain - he also knew the opportunity to pursue his long-held dream of using his equestrian and art skills to help children was too good to pass up. Before Brian had arrived, there would have been no reluctance whatsoever regarding his decision.  But now...It was amazing how falling deeply in love with someone could shower you with such bittersweet feelings.  And that's exactly what their eventual parting would be:  bittersweet. But as he slipped on his briefs and jeans - and Brian stood up to do the same - he silently vowed that it would be only temporary.  He knew that no one else would ever make him feel the way that he did about this boy, and if Brian thought he was going to get away from him THAT easily, he was sadly mistaken. 

 

Finally fully dressed once more, he turned to gaze over at his lover.  Brian held out his hand for Justin to grasp it, giving it a squeeze.  "Ready to go?" he asked Justin, who nodded.  But to Justin's surprise, he pulled on his hand in the opposite direction from the wooden ladder heading back down to the lower level.  He frowned back at him in confusion.

 

"I prefer the quicker exit," he told him, as he tugged him over to the door located at the end of the loft.  Justin laughed as Brian let go of his hand to unlatch the door and swing it open, revealing a large mountain of hay below, intended for feeding the horses. 

 

"Brian..." He didn't have a chance to say anything else then as Brian pulled on his hand and - with a shout of 'Geronimo!' - they were both flying through the air out the door, landing softly side-by-side on the mound of hay, both boys laughing at their antics like they were three-year-olds. 

 


 

Standing by the window again - having chosen to allow the two men to converse between themselves for a while and feeling restless - Sarah couldn't help smiling as she observed her nephew and Justin jumping down from the loft and promptly getting half-buried in the hay, both boys laughing as they struggled to extricate themselves after their leap.  She remembered doing the same thing when she had been younger, too.  She was convinced now as to why they had been up in the loft, but she chose to remain silent about it; at the moment the three of them had something more serious to consider.  She turned around to better concentrate on what the two men were discussing.

 

"You know what that horse means to us," Will told Vic, his lips pressed firmly together.  Even after all this time, it was hard to discuss True Blue without thinking of his and Sarah's son, and that always made his heart lurch.  "Except for that dog, he's the only tangible thing left that we have now."

 

"Of course," Vic agreed.  "But we all know that Dale's horse was no more meant to be kept grazing in a pasture than Justin was meant to be a farmer...or Brian, for that matter."

 

"I won't take charity, Vic," Will told him curtly.  "It's not my way, and I won't stand for it.  Sarah and I have faced some good times...and some bad ones.  Very bad ones.  We've never been wealthy people, and we never will be. But I don't take handouts.  We will make do. The soil has always provided for us, and it always will." 

 

"William..."  Sarah turned around to peer over at her proud, stubborn husband.  "You know this would not be charity.  This would be a good solution for all of us. And...if you were completely honest, yes, we have gotten by, but there have been lean years.  Times when if Dale hadn't been racing, and we hadn't had our neighbors' help..."  Her voice trailed off as she left the rest unfinished.  The truth was, yes, they had survived some pretty tough times financially, much like the Taylors, must as she looked around their worn but well-loved home, she knew there were improvements that had to be made at some point, or the costs to repair them become astronomical. And they did not have a retirement pension like a lot of other people did; everything they owned, and any assets they had, were all tied up in this farm. She knew it would be that way when she and William married, but she had fallen so deeply in love with him at that point she knew she could survive whatever hardships they might face as a farmer's wife. Of course, at the time she had no way of knowing the heartbreak they would also endure with their son's death. But both of them were resilient and resolute. They would continue to persevere.  That didn't mean that they couldn't be prudent as well as reasonable, however. And despite her husband's words, she knew that he realized that as well.  

 

"I know you won't accept help from Brian. But this would be different."  She suspected Brian would be the first one to offer them financial help if they needed it. Perhaps he was already considering that once the inheritance money was fully available. But neither she nor William would want him to do that. This, however, was a perfect solution. 

 

Her husband sighed, squeezing the back of his neck in a gesture that Sarah recognized as one of indecision as he considered Vic's proposal.  It did make sense for all concerned. And even he couldn't deny the indelibly deep bond between his nephew and the Taylor boy next door.  "How do you even know that this is what Brian will want, even if I DO agree to it?" 

 

"Will...you know Brian isn't meant to be a career horse racer, any more than Justin is.  He enjoys the thrill involved with it," she conceded.  "But he will need something longer lasting in his life to feel really fulfilled.  And there will be other ways to satisfy his need for thrill seeking. Something more challenging."  She smiled fondly as she thought of their nephew - the boy...no, man - who had been thrust upon them unexpectedly.  The young man who had come to them sullen and rebellious, and had become so much more.  Yes, he was still proud and stubborn - much like True Blue - but he was also a young man who had a future in front of him.  A bright future; one that she and her husband could help insure.  He would need more than financial means to make that happen, because she knew he had grown to love them as deeply as they loved him.  Because of that, she also knew he wouldn't leave here unless he thought they would be taken care of, even at the risk of it leaving him heartbroken.  She couldn't be responsible for that. They would need to give him a 'shove from the nest,' she suspected.

 

This was no place for Brian; at least not permanently.  She figured that even as a senior citizen in his golden years - which was decades in the future - her thrill-seeking, adventuresome nephew would never be the kind to be sitting on a farmhouse front porch in a rocking chair, watching cows grazing in the distance as golden wheat blew in the breeze.  Not that he didn't seem to enjoy the tranquility and peace that one could find here, and not that such a setting did not have its beauty and allure.  But a soul such as his would never be ultimately happy here; not on a fulltime basis.

 

"I assume you don't mean stealing cars and drag racing."  

 

Sarah gazed over at him. "William, I know you are being facetious now. He wouldn't do that again.  He has too much at stake.  And someone he cares about now in addition to us.  He wouldn't jeopardize that, and you know it."  She considered her next words carefully, not 100% sure how her husband would take them, but knowing that he always took whatever she said seriously, and that he respected her opinion,  "This is a wonderful idea of Vic's.  Please. For Brian and for Justin's sake - and for the sake of the horse that our son cared so much about - tell him yes. You know Brian will never leave here unless he knows that we are taken care of." 

 

Will harrumphed.  "You always were such a soft-hearted one, Missy," he told her grumpily.

 

"Isn't that part of why you married me?" she pointed out.  "As I recall, you could be the same way at times.  I seem to remember some moonlight buggy rides during our courting." 

 

Her husband appeared flustered as he mumbled, "Not the same."  She grinned at him knowingly as he sighed, peering over at Vic, who had chosen to remain silent.  He knew by virtue of having known Will Walker for several years that patience was the best approach to take if he were to succeed with his plan.  Of course, this would only be Step One. But it was the most important part, because he knew that it was key to everything else that followed. 

 

"You know I do not take handouts, Vic," he repeated, wanting to make that abundantly clear.

 

His long-time acquaintance nodded, his lips pressed together; yes, definitely stubborn.  "I know how proud you are - and how much you value your independence," he conceded. "But this is NOT a handout.  It's a fair deal.  Emmett thinks, so, too, by the way.  If he wasn't okay with this, I would never have come over here to propose it." 

 

"Will...Brian is just not a farmer," Sarah reminded her husband quietly as he considered Vic's words.  She turned back to the window, watching as Brian reached over to pluck a strand of hay from Justin's hair as the younger boy smiled at him before they walked out of her sight toward the Taylor's farm.  She turned around to add, "He never has been, and he never will be.  He's destined for much greater things." 

 

Will grunted.  "A farmer is a very honorable profession, Sarah." 

 

She turned back around, leaning on the window sill as she looked at him fondly.  "Yes, it is," she agreed, finally walking over to sit down near him on the couch. "But it's not for him, and you know that." 

 

Her husband grunted. "True love," he scoffed, standing and reaching his hand out toward the other man.  "It's gotten many a man into big trouble," he muttered before glancing over at his wife to concede gruffly, "But it can be a good thing, too...with the right person."  Sarah blushed at him as he nodded. "Okay. We have a deal." 

 

Vic stood up, reaching out to firmly clasp the weathered hand in his own; out here, a man's word was bound by this simple gesture, even now, and was as binding as a written document; perhaps even more so.  He nodded back at him, pleased.  "I'll set things in motion, then."  He turned to Sarah.  "Thank your hospitality," he told her as she smiled at him and nodded.  "Now I'd best be going.  I've got a lot of things to do." 

 

As the couple watched Vic turn and head down the hallway toward the back door to leave, Will asked, "Don't you think we should have consulted Brian about this first? After all, it's going to have a big impact on his future.  Maybe he won't even want to consider it."

 

Sarah smiled softly.  "I don't think that's going to be a problem," she assured him.  No, not a problem at all. 

 


 

Later that Evening - Taylor Farm

 

"Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Taylor," Brian told Justin's mother politely as she smiled at him from across the table.  He had gradually become much more comfortable around both of Justin's parents, but having Jared at the dinner table had been somewhat awkward.  To his relief, however, he had been civil enough, although he seemed to make a concerted effort to brag about his new job, and how his boss had been giving him additional responsibilities.  He supposed that was a good thing - at least it kept Justin's older brother out of trouble - but to him the guy still spent an inordinate amount of time boasting about his exploits.  However, the two brothers seemed to be back on track with each other, and in the long run he supposed that was the most important thing. 

 

Jennifer smiled.  "You're welcome here anytime, Brian," she assured him.  "More dessert?"

 

He shook his head, feeling Justin's hand squeeze his leg just above the knee. He couldn't help gazing over at him briefly, feeling his face warm merely by the look he received in return, before peering back over at his hostess.  "No, ma'am," he told her. "I'm stuffed." 

 

Jennifer nodded.  "Justin?  Seconds?"  It was almost a given that her younger son would answer in the affirmative; he rarely turned down another helping of any homemade dessert she made, and he always asked for more of her honey lemon almond cake.  The sweet treat - made from a recipe handed down from her grandmother - was one of his favorites.  But to her slight surprise, he shook his head. 

 

"Not right now," he told her with a half-smile.  "Maybe later?"

 

She nodded before grimacing.  "Well, I should have plenty of honey to use up for the time being.  Business has been so slow lately."  She peered over at Craig.  "I'm glad for your accounting job, Craig," she assured him, knowing his lack of employment before had still been bothering him. "With Justin about to head off for college in the fall, it's been a real blessing." 

 

Craig nodded back at her, a little embarrassed. His job was going well, and he was grateful for the opportunity. But her comment also reminded him of how much they had depended upon their youngest son's race winnings to keep the family farm afloat.  He realized she didn't mean anything negative in her comment; she was merely stating a fact.  So he answered her in kind as all eyes fell upon him.  "Me, too," he agreed.  "And I'm sure business will pick soon, Jen; you know everyone's always asking for your honey each year to make their apple pie recipes at the county fair." 

 

She nodded.  "Yes. But with you off to work during the day - and Jared, too - it would be nice to stay busier right now."  She didn't mention that Justin, of course, was still there with them. But she also knew that not only would he be gone soon, but he was spending a lot of time on chores, practicing for his races...and with the boy sitting next to him.  How the two of them were going to be separated in the fall - and how they would react apart - she couldn't fathom.  "If I only knew more about redesigning my web page."

 

"You know I'm not good at those sort of things," Craig grumbled.  He may be a whiz at numbers - and the accounting software his employer used - but when it came to more social media sites, he was hopelessly lost, depending upon others to complete that sort of thing.  He looked over at his older son to ask, "Jared, you ready to work on the car some more?"

 

Jared grinned as both men scooted back from their chairs.  "Are you kidding?" He had been wanting to get his hands dirty again ever since he had arrived earlier in the day, but his father had insisted on waiting until after supper to work on their latest fix-me-up.  "I'm ready when you are."  He started to turn around to head toward the back door when his father fixed a pointed, meaningful stare on him. "Excuse us," Jared mumbled, rolling his eyes at the antiquated gesture.  Jennifer nodded as the two men headed toward the back door and then outside, leaving her with her youngest son and Brian.

 

Brian cleared his throat. "Uh...Mrs. Taylor?"

 

Jennifer turned her gaze back upon their guest. "Yes, Brian? Change your mind about dessert?  I can fix some up for you to take home. Some for your aunt and uncle, too; they love my cake." 

 

"That would be nice," Brian told her politely. "But I was going to say if you want me to, I can take a look at your web page and maybe make some changes for you.  I'm pretty good with computers." 

 

"Would you?  Oh, Brian, that would be wonderful! Thank you!" Jennifer gushed; a few minutes later, the trio headed down the hallway and then made their way to a small room located opposite the living room.  At one time, it had been a summer kitchen when Jennifer's father had lived there, but now with its built-in, white, wooden shelves, and a long oak table, it served as both her makeshift canning area as well as her business office.  Her 'office,' however, presently consisted of a desktop computer, a printer, and an in-and-out box at the end of the table.  Not very sophisticated by any means, but it had served her sufficiently up until now.  

 


 

An hour later, Justin watched in fascination as his lover and his mother leaned their heads together, sitting side-by-side in front of her computer, Brian occasionally clicking the mouse to arrange web pages the way Jennifer preferred.  Justin smiled in amusement over the frequent 'oohs' and murmurs of delight his mother emitted, her face glued to the screen.  "Oh, Brian I love this!" she raved.  "I can't believe this is my web page!  It looks so professional!  It's perfect!"  

 

Brian had completely revised Jennifer's website, renaming her product (with her approval) Windswept Organic Honey.  The front page included a new slogan that emphasized the pure, untreated, raw honey that she harvested from her bees:

 

Bee Natural, Bee Organic...Bee Healthy.

 

The colors had been redone into warm, brown, yellow, and maroon tones, and a shopping cart had been added on another page, along with detailed information about her products.  The overall effect was brighter, cleaner, and a great deal more reflective of Jennifer's goal to provide a quality product to buyers who may not have the opportunity to purchase them locally. 

 

"Anything you want to change?" Brian asked, as the two studied his handiwork. 

 

Jennifer shook her head.  "I wouldn't change a thing, Brian.  It's amazing.  You're amazing!"  She smiled in delight as she stared at the web page that bore no resemblance to the rudimentary one she had composed several months ago and had been using.  "Thank you!" 

 

Brian nodded with a smile of his own, pleased over how happy such a relatively simple process seemed to mean so much to her.  "I'm glad I could help." 

 

The sounds of clanging noises, and an occasional air drill from out in the barn could be heard as Jennifer took one last look at her transformed webpage before shutting it down.

 

"It looks great," Justin spoke up from his place on the window seat a few feet away.  "You were vastly understating your technical - and creative - ability, Brian.  You could get paid to do that."

 

"Yes, you could," Jennifer agreed as the two stood up, both leaning backward to stretch out their stiff backs.  "In fact, I wish I could properly pay you for what you just did.  There would've been no way I could have done that. I'm much obliged."

 

"I don't want any money," Brian was quick to reassure her, almost embarrassed.  That hadn't been the reason at all.  It was Justin's mother.  That was reason enough.  "But if you insist on paying me, I'll take some of your honey cake back to my aunt and uncle."

 

Jennifer nodded with a smile.  "You got it.  But I'd better go cut some pieces before Justin gets a hold of it, or there might not be enough left."

 

"Hey!" her youngest son protested as she laughed.  "There was half a cake left!"

 

"I rest my case," Jennifer teased her son.  "Let me go get that wrapped up for you.  And thanks again, Brian.  That was very kind of you."

 

"My pleasure, Mrs. Taylor," Brian told her.  And it HAD been. This past hour working on improving her website - and coming up with the proper slogan that correctly depicted what she wanted to express - had been very enjoyable to him.  He knew he was good at it.  And perhaps for the first time, he began to revisit a previous conversation he had had with his aunt and uncle about what he wanted to do with his life. They were correct; while he had come to enjoy and even respect their bucolic lifestyle, it would never be his choice; not on a permanent basis.  But what, then, was the answer? 

 

"Brian?" Justin called over to him softly, interrupting his rumination.  He turned to gaze at the younger boy, once more thinking how beautiful Justin was.  "Everything okay?" 

 

Brian smiled at him in reassurance.  "Yeah, everything's fine," he replied, walking over to lean down and kiss the soft lips briefly before pulling back.  "Come on," he urged him softly.  "Let's go out on the front porch."

 

"But the cake..."

 

Brian grinned.  "The cake can wait.  I'd like a different sort of treat at the moment." 

 

Justin blushed as Brian pulled him toward the front door; a few minutes later, Jennifer peeked through the front window to look for them and smiled, observing the two boys swinging back and forth on the white, wooden, front porch swing, their hands clasped between them as they stared at the pasture land splayed out before them, green now with the richness of late spring, conversing between themselves, their talk punctuated occasionally with loving looks and brief kisses.  "Oh, Honey," she murmured in sympathy, knowing the sadness and heartache he was about to experience. But something convinced her that this was not just the quick, fiery passion of a young first love; there was something deeper going on here.  Something that would hopefully last beyond the separation of space and time.  At least, she hoped so.  Placing the foil-wrapped dessert down onto the small, round table that sat next to the front door, she turned and headed back to the kitchen to finish cleaning up.

 


 

Two Days Later...

 

"I wish you didn't have to leave," Justin told Emmett as the two stood beside Vic's battered, old truck.  "You sure you can't stay longer?" 

 

Emmett smiled back at his friend fondly, having to bite his tongue to say anything more.  He had promised his uncle his wouldn't, but being the type of person he was, it was extremely hard.  "No, Sweetie, I wish I could," he told him, reaching over to squeeze his shoulder.  He smiled at him.  "But you never know; I would love to come back some day.  I really like it here...despite your brother being an asshole." 

 

Justin laughed.  "Well, he's a little less of one now," he reminded him.  "And since he's gotten an actual job, he's not around as much to be so much of a pain anymore, either."  He blinked to hold back some tears stinging his eyes.  "I'm going to miss you, Em," he murmured. 

 

Emmett glanced over at his uncle, who shook his head so slightly that if he hadn't seen him do it, Emmett would have sworn it hadn't happened.  But he knew what that meant as he peered back at his friend. 

 

"We'd better get going, Emmett," Vic reminded him.  "It's an hour drive to Lexington." 

 

Emmett nodded.  Impulsively he reached out and pulled Justin into a hug.  "I'm going to miss you, too," he told his friend with a sniffle.  He broke off their embrace as he told him, "But don't you worry.  I'll be back one day.  In the meantime, you're going to be the object of every gay boy's wet dream at Vanderbilt," he told the other boy, making Justin blush.

 

"Emmett..."  Vic reached over to grab his nephew's arm to begin tugging him closer to the truck.  "The time..." 

 

But Emmett continued unabated as he walked backward toward the passenger side, still yammering away.  "...And I'll want to hear all about it when you come home to visit.  Oh...and you have my cell number, and my email address, right?  Don't forget to keep in touch!  I want to hear all about those frat boys!"

 

Justin laughed as Emmett finally opened the door and slid into the passenger side of the bench seat, watching as he quickly rolled down the window to continue speaking, even as Vic opened the driver's seat door, closed it, and started up the motor.  It sputtered for a few seconds before finally coming to life.

 

"...And if you ever break up with tall, dark, and brooding, you know where to find me!"  Emmett called out mischievously as he observed Brian walking up behind Justin with a scowl on his face, obviously having heard their conversation.  Good, Emmett couldn't help thinking.  Let this man know that Justin is a keeper.  Of course, he also knew that there was no one else for Justin but Brian, and vice versa.  With a final wave between them, Em grinned as he glanced over at his uncle, who merely shook his head in amusement. 

 

"I'm not sure which one's going to be the most surprised," Vic commented with a smile of his own as the vehicle slowly accelerated.  "Brian or Justin." 

 

"No one has spoken to Brian yet?"

 

Vic shook his head. "Still have a few things to work out. But things are coming together nicely so far," he added with a smile. 

 

"You should have seen the murderous look on Brian's face just now," Emmett replied.  "And all over just a little ole hug.  That boy has got it bad for our little blond."

 

"Yes, he does," Vic murmured as he pulled out of the dirt drive and out onto the main road.  "That he does." 

 


 

"Affectionate type, isn't he?" Brian muttered in irritation as he walked up to his lover; his back turned to him, Justin hadn't even noticed his presence over the sound of Vic's truck as it started up and moved down the dirt road toward the highway.  "A simple goodbye would have sufficed." 

 

Justin grinned before turning around.

 

"What are you smiling about?" Brian groused. 

 

"You're jealous." 

 

Brian snorted as Justin walked up to him.  "And you're delusional."  He averted his eyes, however, as the other boy approached closer, feeling awkward all of a sudden. He didn't like the feelings that were sweeping through him.  They confused as well as frightened him just a bit in their intensity.  He was forced to peer into Justin's eyes, however, as the other boy placed two of his fingers under his chin and lifted his head so they were eye-to-eye. 

 

"Brian..."

 

His lover sighed in resignation, knowing he was going to have to respond.  "I just don't see why he has to be so touchy-feely all the time.  He's always reaching over to grab your hand or squeeze your shoulder, or calling you "Baby" or "Sweetie," or even "Honey Pie."  He snorted.  "Makes you sound like a dessert cake or something.  And stop looking so smug!" Brian demanded as Justin's smile grew even brighter.

 

Justin's fingers slid over to the side of Brian's face as he cupped his head in both hands.  "You know you don't have anything to be jealous of," he softly assured him.  "If anything, I should be the jealous one." 

 

Brian couldn't help frowning.  "Why is that?  You have nothing to worry about there." 

 

Justin smiled.  "Well, we have something in common, then, because I don't plan on sharing you."  He paused.  "Brian, that's just the way Em is."

 

"Not with me," Brian pointed out.  "He's only that way with you." 

 

"That's because he knows you'll probably hit him upside the head if he tries anything like that with YOU."

 

"You got that damn straight," Brian responded.  "In a manner of speaking, anyway," he added with a smirk.  He let out a deep breath.  "Enough about Honeycutt.  I'm done with chores for the day. Want to go make some whoopee behind the barn?"  He waggled his eyebrows, making Justin laugh.

 

"Wow, you always make sex sound so glamorous," he told him as Brian rolled his lips under.  "Well, I would definitely be screaming out whoopee if we did.  Maybe a little 'hooray!' to go with it, too," he added with a grin. "But I have a race to practice for tomorrow, remember?"  He was still racing on a regular basis until the fall when he had to head off to Vanderbilt, but he had cut back somewhat since the accident to every other week rather than every weekend. With his father working - and his brother now, too - for once all their financial needs weren't carried strictly on his shoulders.

 

Brian groaned in disappointment.  "Not even a little yippee coyote?  No ropin' or ridin'?"

 

Justin giggled.  Anytime he heard Brian experimenting with more 'colorful' language more befitting his country surroundings, it normally just came out more comical than anything.  "Sorry, Tex.  Besides, I thought your uncle wanted you to do some fence mending out at the back of the pasture?" 

 

"Don't need to," was the surprising answer.  "Already taken care of." 

 

Justin frowned.  "You've already been out to fix it?"

 

Brian shook his head. "Nope.  Hired someone to do it." 

 

"You hired someone?"  Justin replied incredulously as Brian nodded his head.  After a few seconds, it occurred to Justin how he was able to manage that.  "With the inheritance money." 

 

Brian shrugged.  "It's not doing any good just sitting around in some bank.  And God knows Aunt Sarah and Uncle Will's place needs a lot of fixing up.  I can finally start paying them back for everything they've done for me.  They didn't have to take me in after I got into trouble.  In fact, I have a good idea that Uncle Will was dead set against it.  If Aunt Sarah hadn't agreed, I'd probably be rotting in some jail cell right now." 

 

Justin nodded, unable to argue with that.  "But he doesn't feel that way now, though."  He paused for a moment, not sure how Brian would take what he was about to say.  "Brian, your uncle is a very proud man. That's not unusual out here.  Men only feel worthy around here if they feel like they're pulling their weight.  They don't like to ask for help. And when they do, it's done as more of a community sort of thing.  Not something just handed to them."

 

Brian couldn't help bristling. "I'm not just 'handing it to him,' Justin. He and my aunt have done a lot for me. It's my way of thanking them. Is that wrong?" 

 

Justin sighed.  "No, it's not wrong," he agreed softly.  "But you know your uncle can be.  I'm just saying don't be surprised if he doesn't warm up to the idea, at least not right away, anyway...okay?  And money in a bank earns interest, Brian." 

 

"I'm well aware of that, Mr. Accountant's Son," he replied, earning a not-so-mature sticking out of Justin's tongue in response.  "Remember, I told you how well I did in marketing and economics in high school? Sometimes, though, you have to choose your battles, and decide what's most important.  I got by with little money before, and I can do it again." 

 

"But, Brian..."

 

"Justin, please.  Just drop it, okay?  I don't want to waste one minute of time." 

 

"Waste?"

 

Brian nodded as he pulled Justin into his arms, closing his eyes to smell his hair, feel his softness and his warmth as he wrapped his arms around him.  "I don't want to waste a minute with you.  I want to remember every second now.  Every second before..."  His voice choked on the last part; he was unable to think of them saying goodbye, much less saying it out loud. 

 

Justin blinked back some tears as he slid his own arms around Brian to melt against his tall, lean body.  He felt Brian's chin resting on top of his head as he leaned his cheek against his chest and sighed in contentment.  He understood completely how Brian was feeling.  He knew they still had the summer together.  But to him, an eternity would never be enough with him.  When the time came, which of them would be the stronger one?  He had longed for this moment for so long - to forge a place in the world, to be out on his own; to make a difference.  But that was before Brian; before he had fallen in love with this amazing, proud, intelligent, young man.  He knew he was hardly a man himself; but he knew enough to know that he loved him with all his body and soul.  How could anyone be expected to choose between the two? 

 

Unable to hold back a sniffle, he finally pulled back to stare into Brian's face, finding his own glistening eyes matched his. He closed his eyes as the pads of Brian's finger caressed his wet cheeks.  As he slowly opened them back up, he forced a smile on his face, his eyes full of love.

 

Brian swallowed hard as he slowly brushed his fingers across Justin's lips as if he were memorizing them before his mouth replaced his fingers, the two lovers kissing deeply. 

 

"Come on," Brian whispered hoarsely as they finally pulled back, interlacing his fingers with those of Justin's left hand.  "Let's take a walk." 

 

Nodding at him and not trusting himself to verbalize what he was feeling, the two slowly headed away from Windswept Farm and toward the swimming hole, the light breeze a whisper amongst the trees. 

 


 

Later That Evening - Dinner Time - Walker Farm

 

"Come wash up, Brian," Sarah urged her nephew as the back screen door banged shut.  "Dinner's almost ready."  She frowned slightly perplexed, as Brian seemed to hesitate at the door.  "Brian...something wrong?" 

 

Brian shook his head.  "No...everything's fine," he told her softly as he walked further into the room, on his way upstairs to the bathroom.  But he didn't get far before his uncle spoke. 

 

"Brian, did you finish mending the fence as I asked you to do?" Will asked him from his place at the head of the table.  His brows furrowed as Brian stopped in his tracks, his back to his uncle. "Brian?  I asked you a question, Son."  There was no anger in his uncle's voice; more like a mixture of concern and curiosity.

 

Brian licked his lips a little nervously before he turned around; he wasn't going to lie to his aunt and uncle, but on the other hand he wasn't sure what their reaction was going to be. "No.  I mean...yeah, it was mended.  Just not...by me." 

 

"What do you mean...not by you? You said it was done."

 

Brian shuffled uncomfortably under his uncle's pointed stare.  "I...I paid someone else to do it.  I knew there was no way I could get it all done in one day, and I knew you were afraid some of the cows might escape." 

 

"You...paid someone to do it?" Will repeated with a crease in his brow, trying to digest that stunning fact. 

 

Brian swallowed hard, sensing the disapproval in his uncle's voice. Before it wouldn't have mattered to him. When he had first arrived here, he didn't need anyone's approval; nor did he care whether he earned his aunt and uncle's respect. Now he knew that it did matter.

 

"Yes," he replied softly, his eyes shifting toward his aunt for support.  "I let the Stewart boys do it." 

 

Will's mouth hung open.  "The twins?  You mean Fred and Malcolm?"  The Stewart farm was situated at the beginning of their dirt road where it intersects with the main highway.  They had two thirteen-year-old twin boys who suffered from a mild form of mental disability, and the family was constantly struggling even more than he and Sarah were due to frequent medical bills the twins' health issues generated.  He and Sarah helped out as best they could with occasional gifts of homemade pies and just plain brute labor from Will. But with their own financial struggles over the years, that was the best they could provide as neighbors.

 

Brian nodded his head.  "Yeah...I...I thought they could, well, you know...use the money." He averted his eyes. 

 

Sarah wiped her hands on her apron, smiling affectionately at him.  Her nephew continued to surprise her, and her husband.  His initial look of dismay over Brian using his own money to help take care of their farm - which, she knew, was the root of his disappointed expression - had quickly transformed into something more akin to grudging respect.  "Go wash up, Honey," she told her nephew quietly, almost challenging her proud spouse to say something in rebuttal.  But Will remained silent.  

 

Brian nodded once more in relief this time as he walked down the hallway; his footfalls echoed on the wooden steps as he trudged up the stairs to do as she had asked. 

 

"I don't like it," Will stated as soon as Brian was out of earshot.  "Brian should be saving his money."

 

Sarah walked over to place a bowl of corn down onto the table as she stood beside him.  "Will, Brian did a good thing," she quietly reproached him.  "You know how much the Stewarts are always having to skimp because of the boys' medical bills.  And you also know there was no way Brian - or anyone else, for that matter - could have gotten that mending done in one day. And he was right; you WERE worried one of the cows would wander over to the Collins property. And you also know that Derrick Collins is a crotchety old man who would have complained to no end if one of our cows trampled even so much as one foot of his precious cornfield.  So you should be grateful to Brian for what he did.  You were too busy with other things today to lend him a hand.  He did a good thing." 

 

To Will's relief, she finally stopped, having to catch her breath and give him a chance to respond. As usual, his wife was correct. "All right, Missy...okay.  Enough said."  He peered up at her as he took her hand in his in silent acknowledgment of her wise words.  He was going to miss seeing Brian here all the time, and not just because he had been such a big help around the farm.  Since Dale had died, he hadn't realized how empty he had felt inside, and Brian had managed to fill that need admirably.  He and Sarah may never be rich in material wealth - but when it came to emotional riches, they were millionaires several times over.  That was more important to him than any other treasure.

 

After speaking with Vic and mulling over what he and Sarah had said earlier, he knew Brian wasn't meant to remain here as a farmhand, tilling the soil.  He knew there were bigger things on the horizon for their nephew - things that he could support emotionally, but could never aspire to. But that was all right. He was happy here.  This was where he belonged. But not Brian.  He sighed heavily.  "I'm going to miss him, Sarah," he murmured at last.

 

Sarah blinked back tears that unexpectedly came to her eyes.  "Me, too," she whispered.  "Me, too." 

 

A few minutes later, Brian returned, walking over to sit at his customary seat at the dinner table.  He peered over curiously at his uncle, who thoughtfully stared back at him in silence. 

 

"Something wrong?" Brian couldn't help asking.  "I told you why I..." He stopped speaking as his uncle shook his head, a clear signal to him. 

 

"No, it's not about that," Will replied as he stole a glance over to his wife.  "Brian...there's something we need to talk to you about.  And I think now's the time." 

 

 

Chapter End Notes:

 

Since I think I can wrap this story up in one more chapter, I will be updating this one again before "My Heart's Desire."  But please be assured I will be going right back to that one as soon as I conclude this story. Thank you to everyone who is reading this, and especially commenting. 

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