Page 8 of The Finding Series: Vol. 1

Rhys wished to God that he wasn’t sitting on a horse at the moment because he wanted nothing more than to lean over and kiss the beautiful mouth that was offering words of comfort, not judgement. Finn had surprised him when he’d automatically assumed that Rhys had been provoked into assaulting someone else. And now he saw no condemnation in those gentle eyes. Finn absolutely believed everything Rhys had told him and he was surprised at the relief that went through him. It shouldn’t have been important. No one else had believed him, not even his own attorney. Even Frank seemed doubtful about his story so to have this young man who didn’t know him from Adam believe him was humbling.

Emotion welled up inside so Rhys only managed a nod before Finn pulled back and they continued the ride in silence. Finn’s kiss the night before had messed with his head as well as his body. He’d made it to the front door last night, but couldn’t bring himself to walk out. He didn’t want to be on the ranch and Callan definitely didn’t want him there, but that kiss had changed everything. Sure, it had been done out of anger after Rhys’ had poked at Finn’s age by calling him a kid, but the impact of those lips on his had done him in both physically and emotionally. He wanted Finn. Badly. And not just physically – he found himself craving Finn’s smile, hearing that ridiculously enthusiastic laugh. He wanted those soft looks and warm touches that he’d never quite managed to share with any of his other lovers. He wanted Finn to want him the way Finn wanted Callan.

God, how had things gotten this fucked up, this fast? How could one kiss have had him turning back around from that front door and crawling into that empty bed, wishing he were anything but alone? At least before Finn had kissed him, he’d had the hope of being able to pass the time in this hell hole by being fuck buddies with his new roommate. But his gut was telling him that Finn wasn’t the type for a no-strings attached relationship and Rhys definitely wasn’t looking for more than a hook-up. So where did that leave him? The friend zone? With a guy he was undeniably attracted to? Did he really want to spend the next six months watching the guy he was lusting after make moon eyes at Callan? And he couldn’t even think about the moment of lust he’d felt towards the dark-haired man that had towered over him when he had him pressed up against that truck.

Rhys’ attention returned to the present when Finn said, “Look. Down there.”

They’d reached the top of the small hill and below them was a thin strip of water that dozens of black cows were standing around, some picking at the brown grass, others wading into the dirty water. “Is that all of them?”

Finn sighed. “Yeah, that’s all of them,” he said quietly as he urged his horse down the hill towards the herd. Rhys could tell there was plenty he wasn’t saying.

“Something happened,” Rhys said. A statement, not a question.

Finn cast him a glance. “Couple years ago we had nearly 300 head. Not as big as most places around here, but Cal had mixed some good breeding stock and was getting well above market price.”

“And?” Rhys prodded.

“And then Cal decided not to fire the queer like everyone told him to. Suddenly the cost of everything went up but prices fell. Fences got cut in the middle of the night. Nearly half the herd died when the main water supply was poisoned.”

“Jesus.”

“Cops couldn’t find any suspects of course so they said it was probably an industrial accident or something upstream. Funny how only our stock was affected. Cal had to sell off most of the remaining herd to stay in the black. He says we’re back on track…”

“But you don’t believe him.”

“I’m gonna take a quick circle around the herd to make sure everyone looks okay. You mind checking out the fence over there for breaks?” Finn asked, effectively ending the conversation. He didn’t even give Rhys a chance to answer before he was urging his horse off to check the herd. Rhys managed to do his part and inspect the fence, though steering the horse was proving to be a continuous struggle and he finally dismounted and walked the horse as he checked for any damage. The ride back to the barn was quiet and Finn seemed uncharacteristically withdrawn.

“You okay?” Rhys asked as they began brushing down the horses.

Finn just nodded, then asked, “You mind washing West down for me?” as he motioned to his horse.

“No problem,” Rhys said and watched Finn disappear out of the barn.

Rhys grabbed his horse’s lead as well as the big grey horse’s and led both animals to the wash area he’d seen Callan use yesterday. Neither animal gave him a hard time as he ran lukewarm water over them which he was grateful for since he had no clue what the hell he was doing.

It wasn’t until he started on the grey horse that he finally noticed Callan leaning in the doorway of the barn, his intense eyes focused on him. Waiting for him to fuck up, he imagined. Rhys felt a shiver go through him as he felt the gaze burning into him and his jeans instantly felt tight.

“You need to use release knots.” He turned to see that Callan had closed the distance between them and was loosening one of the nylon lead ropes that he’d tied in a knot around the post. “You really don’t know shit, do you?” Callan muttered.

Rhys forced himself to keep his mouth shut, reminding himself that any crap this guy spewed at him would still be better than two more years in a windowless jail cell.

“Where’s Finn?” Callan asked as he finally worked the first lead free.

“He needed some space.”

Callan scowled. “What did you do to him?”

Rhys shook his head and let out a humorless laugh. “Jesus, you really do treat him like a fucking kid.”

“I look out for him,” Callan snapped.

“Yeah? And how’s that working out for you? For him?” Rhys quipped.

Rhys was surprised when Callan didn’t respond and even more so when he actually saw a flash of pain in the other man’s eyes. “Hey man,” Rhys started, but Callan cut him off.

“You need to use a release knot when you secure a horse so in case something spooks them, you can get them free quickly so they don’t hurt themselves.” Callan looped the lead around the post and demonstrated. Once it was secured, he pulled one end quickly and the whole lead unfurled. “A leg injury on a horse can be a death sentence,” Callan said softly as one of his big hands fondly stroked the grey horse’s face. Finn’s horse. Rhys felt water drip onto his leg and realized he’d been staring at those fingers curling around the animal’s muzzle.

“You try,” Callan said as he handed Rhys the lead and took the hose from him. Their fingers brushed and Rhys felt it everywhere. Callan must have felt something too because he stilled, his gaze holding Rhys’ without mercy. Rhys forced himself to be the one who moved first and his fingers felt awkward and heavy as he tried to mimic the knot. He held his breath as Callan’s hands closed over his and guided him through the moves.

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