“SHHHHH, JESSIE girl,” Morgan whispered. Although he was focused on settling the baby in his arms, he was aware of the whispers behind him in Sylvan’s mission church. Morgan was there, Jessica’s biological mother and sometimes babysitter, Zelda, was there…. The church was in fact packed with neighbors and friends and patients, all there at sundown to attend little Jessica’s christening with the two men who were raising her.
The only one conspicuously absent was Luke.
“I’m sure it’s the usual stuff. One of the new foals needs the vet, or….” Gena shrugged, standing near Reverend Doyle as they waited on Luke. “If it’s not you I have to hold dinner for some nights, it’s Luke.”
Morgan sighed. “I know.” Ever since Luke took Morgan at his word and started up his trail-riding business, he’d been working like a man possessed. He called in favors from the other operations he’d worked for, getting advice, renting horses, and hiring two experienced hands. And Luke also had to go out with the tenderfoot tourists and guide them through the foothills, giving them a taste of real Western life.
“He’ll be here. He’s very responsible!” Zelda added. “Just like you, Morgan.”
Morgan hid a grin. Yes, he and Luke took their responsibilities very seriously: Morgan to his patients and to Jess and Luke, and Luke to his new business as well as Morgan and their child. But even when they were stiff with exhaustion, once they were under Morgan’s handmade quilt, Luke was definitely hot to explore lovemaking with Morgan. And he especially enjoyed making love to him on the trail rides they went on when they could cobble together the time.
The mission door banged open, and a perspiring Luke ran into the church. There was a cough from the pews that sounded like a stifled laugh. Luke flushed, yanking off his cowboy hat and hitting his chaps to knock off some of the dust, which were also crusted with mud. His fawn-colored hair was sticking to his neck in sweaty ringlets, but his labradorite gaze ensnared Morgan like the first time they’d met there in the mission.
Their gazes held, and feeling built like wood stacked for a bonfire.
Then Luke took a deep breath and gave a rueful half smile before walking more sedately to where Morgan and Jess waited.
“Hey, Doc,” he drawled. “Sorry I’m late.” He reached out and touched Jessica’s yellow christening gown in awe. “Whew! She looks like a porcelain flower. I’m almost afraid to touch her.”
“She was waiting for her daddy,” Morgan said softly.
“Look, before we do this….” Luke huffed out a breath, color touching his tanned cheeks. “I was never one to ask for help.” He faltered, and Morgan knew Luke was remembering the first night they met, when a desperate cowboy had come to the mission.
“I know, Luke,” Morgan said, wanting his lover to know he understood. “But it was more than you who found what you needed that night. I’d been asking too.”
Luke swallowed thickly, staring into Morgan’s eyes, and Morgan could read the love there. Sometimes deep in the night, Luke whispered the words against Morgan’s skin.
Luke put his arm around Morgan and Jessie. “Well, all right, then, Doc.”