Chapter 36

 

It took two and a half days to reach Stony Hills. By the time they arrived at the foot of the hills, it was past noon. Once there, Will noticed a small figure with long pigtails scampering around where the footpath up the hill started.

"Sally, what on earth are you doing here?" Will said to her.

"Here? I had half a mind to go up the hill and look for you," she said as she ran over to them and gave Will a hug.

"Don't ever think of doing such a thing. There are bandits about and the paths are rocky and dangerous," Will warned her.

Sally scoffed. But when Will kept on glaring down at her, she said, "All right. But I heard Mr. Russ hasn't been about to do jobs as usual. I got worried, so I've been coming by waiting for you here whenever I could get away for the past three days, Will. Now you're going to make me late getting home," she complained.

"You shouldn't be here in the first place, should you?" Will admonished her.

"I am visiting," she stated.

"And do Father and Grandmother know you are here, visiting?" Will said, knowing the answer full well.

"No," she said with a pout.

"I suppose they believe you're elsewhere," Will said wondering what kind of excuse she had given for being away from home.

"Maybe. And what about you? Where have you been all bedraggled? I can tell you've been trespassing all over the place, don't deny it," Sally told him.

"I have no reason to deny it," Will told her. "We've been here and there, but now we're back." He turned to smile at Russ and Quincy.

"Good," Sally said in that same scolding tone, but Will could tell how happy and relieved she was to see him after so long. She also gave a smile to Russ and Quincy.

"We went to see a lady so I could make Quincy my son. Mine and Russ's," Will informed her.

Hearing this news, Sally was too astounded to speak as she looked from Will to Russ to Quincy.

"You might have heard I named him Quincy," Will said to her.

"I did, but you call him your son?" she said.

"I do. Say good day to Sally, my boy," Will said to Quincy.

"Good day, Sally," Quincy said then he looked up at Will. "We're family with Sally?"

"Yes, we are. Since I am your papa, she is your aunt," Will said.

"I'm an aunt?" Sally said, astonished once again but also proud of her new title.

"And I'm sure you'll be a good one," Will told her. "Just as you have been a good sister to me."

"Listen to you, Will, getting sentimental. Of course I'll be a good aunt," she said and stood proud and tall, or as tall as a ten year old child could.

"Would you like to come up and have some food with us?" Russ asked her. "I don't know what we have to offer you in the way of hospitality, but we'll do our best."

Sally shook her head. "No, but thank you, Mr. Russ. I have to be off before I'm missed. I was running an errand."

"Don't you go running off again without telling Father and Grandmother where you are going," Will told her

"I can hardly tell them that I'm going too see you," she said then gave him a kiss on the cheek and one for Quincy too. Quincy looked shy to get a kiss from her. She then looked at Russ. "I don't want to kiss your scratchy beard, Mr. Russ," she said and offered him her hand to shake instead.

"His beard is not scratchy," Will corrected her. As it happened, he was quite fond of Russ's beard.

Sally only rolled her eyes at him then turned back to Russ. "You take good care of my brother," she admonished him then she was off at a run. Stopping a little ways off, she waved to them. "I think father might come around about Quincy," she shouted just before she went on her way again.

Will hoped that would prove to be true, but they both knew well that their grandmother never would come around. Will just had to resign himself to that.

 

The last part of their journey took them up the familiar footpath to Russ's house. Never an easy climb, the path seemed more tiring than ever. Will noticed that Quincy had more difficulty with the climb as well. Of course he did. Unlike before, Quincy got tired now. The poor lad was probably thirsty and hungry too.

"We'll have something to eat and at least some cool water to drink soon," Will promised him.

"Why don't I carry you for a while," Russ offered. He put Quincy on his shoulders and had him hold on well.

"Papa is big and strong," Quincy said as he hugged Russ's neck.

They made it over the final ridge and were coming in for their first view of the house. After days of travel, the sight of Russ's squat, stone house made Will's heart sing with joy. Russ and Quincy looked happy to see the place too.

Quincy jumped down from Russ's shoulders and immediately started exploring all the familiar nooks and crannies at the front of the house in search of Rusty. He called out to her then found her behind the woodpile.

Will only stood stock still, overcome. The sight of the house nearly made him cry, but he embraced Russ instead. As he could not embrace the house, he lavished kisses on the man who made it such a welcoming place to return to.

Leaving Quincy to his play, the two of them went inside and got together a meal from the food Russ had stored away. Russ went to get fresh water from the spring. Once Will had the fire going, Russ put some potatoes to cook. He might have done more, but Will would not leave him be. He wrapped his arms around him and leaned into his chest. Maybe Russ and everything about him was Will's true home.

Will raised his face to him and began kissing him again. "It's such sweet comfort to be back here," he said to Russ as they kissed.

"I'm glad you feel that way about it," Russ said then he suddenly grew solemn and stood with his head slightly bowed. "I want you to think of my home as your own and live with me here until death do us part."

Awestruck by his words, Will could only stare. "That's nearly a marriage vow," Will blurted out when he found his voice.

Russ looked more serious still as he nodded. "That's how I mean it. I wish to be with you for all time and for us never to be parted."

"To live as married people do? And make a family?" Will barely managed to say those hopeful words. He gulped air and was not sure he could stay on his own feet. Good thing Russ held him by the waist as he looked deep into his eyes.

Once again, Russ confirmed his meaning. "Yes. You, me and Quincy. Our boy is happy here, and this was where he named you and me his papas, and ate his first bit of food. This is his home and yours too, just say yes to me, Will," Russ urged him, his voice growing tight with feeling.

Too overwhelmed to speak, Will could not leave Russ's question unanswered. No words would come, so Will threw his arms around Russ and kissed him with all the love in his heart.

"You and me, Russ, forever," Will finally said. "My answer is yes a thousand times over." He then embraced Russ so hard, like he would chain the man to him and never release him again.

Russ let out a shaky laugh full of relief, but then he grabbed Will by the shoulders and questioned him. "You see no reason why you and I can't live together as married people do?"

"Honestly, it's a thing I never thought of until now," Will told him. "Marriage never seemed like the right thing to me until you proposed it. That's because no girl ever seemed right to me, but you are right and perfect, all I've been looking for. I love you, Russ."

"And I love you," Russ told Will, his arms tight around him as he buried his face in the crook of his neck.

Pushing away from him, Will blinked back tears. "You fulfill the dreams I never knew I had."

"As do you. You're something I lost a long time ago and nearly forgot. You're my lost family, the heart and the goodness in my life, things I only barely remember from when I was very small. Thank you for coming to me. My love for you is beyond telling, beyond anything I could ever show," Russ said and made tears well up in Will's eyes. Seeing his tears, Russ looked contrite. "Now I've made you cry."

As Russ wiped away his tears, Will promised him, "I'll only cry with gladness as long as I'm with you."

They embraced for a while and only let go of one another when they heard Quincy speaking to Rusty outside. He was telling her of his journey.

 

"Let's tell our boy," Russ said and they went out to him with their arms around each other.

"Come and sit with us on the bench," Will told him. As they all settled together with Quincy seated in the middle, Will delivered the news. "Russ and I have been speaking and exchanging promises. We promised to be together forever and to be a family with you. We'll live here for always and be happy," Will told him.

Quincy thought about this for a moment. "Winter when it snows?" he finally said.

"Yes. We'll spend winter here together and every other season too," Russ told him.

"We'll make friends with snowdrops," Quincy said.

Will laughed remembering their talk, which to him seemed a very long time ago. "I told him how snowdrops poke their heads out of the snow then hang them down sadly when they see they are all alone and the whole world is white."

"And our sweet boy wants to be friends with them," Russ said and smiled down at Quincy. "He's the sweetest boy in all the world."

They both hugged him and then Will and Russ went back to get the food ready. Things did not go smoothly in the least with Will wanting to kiss and hold Russ at every opportunity.

"We'll be sure to starve," Russ told him then kissed him back anyway.

As their lips parted on several soft kisses, Will stood and gazed at Russ. Callused hands, gruff voice, bearded face and the kindest dark blue eyes Will had ever seen – and to think he got to call this wonderful man his husband. Will ran his fingertips through his beard, smiling all the while as happy as a man can be.

 

The end

Also by Trina Solet:

Our Boys

After getting burned in his last relationship, Diego isn't looking to get involved. He is willing to allow only one little guy into his heart. That little guy is his irrepressible, four-year-old son, Jamie. But Trevor, a young neighbor who just moved in, might turn out to be too much of a temptation for Diego.

Trevor is taking care of his one-year-old cousin, but he's worried he might lose custody. He has quite a few challenges in his life, and Diego is driven to help him overcome them.

As the two families bond, the guys find their feelings for each other growing stronger. It's only a matter of time before they'll have to admit that they found in each other everything they ever wanted.

The Forever Manny

Marshall Bowen is more comfortable sitting in a boardroom, but now he has his baby niece, Tessa, to take care of. Until very recently, Marshall didn't even know he had a sister, and the baby is a complete shock to him. He's out of his comfort zone and doesn't know the first thing about taking care of a baby. But he'll have to learn fast.

He does have some help. Cody is his late sister's best friend, and he has become incredibly attached to the baby. After he and Cody meet, Marshall is determined to keep the young man around. It's only for Tessa's sake, of course. He would never indulge in his budding attraction to the baby's manny.

Cody is glad to help Marshall take care of Tessa, but it's only a temporary arrangement. Once Marshall gets the hang of parenting, Cody will go back to his old life. He can't stay Tessa's manny forever, can he?

But what will happen when Cody wants more? Will Marshall want a future with him?

A Bookworm for Christmas

Miles is not looking forward to a lonely Christmas when a chance encounter with his ex boss changes his prospects.

When Miles worked at his bookstore, Gavin was a strict boss and a secret crush. Gavin's life has changed since Miles saw him last, but he still seems unattainable.

Miles can't stay away from him though and ends up spending time with his little boy too. Benji is the big change in Gavin's life, and being a dad suits him perfectly. But will he see Miles as someone who can join their family, or will his misgivings win out in the end?

A Christmas Boyfriend

"Can you get me a man for Christmas?"

When he said those fateful words, Ben didn't know what he was setting in motion.

Ben is a busy dad to a four year old little girl. He doesn't have much time for a social life, but he wasn't serious when he asked for a man for Christmas. His daughter, Maya, doesn't know that. She is determined to play Santa and get her dad the gift he asked for.

The man she picks for her dad is her preschool teacher, Jason Kenney. Neither Jason nor Maya think he's the right man to be a present for Ben, so why is he standing there on Christmas Eve with a gift bow in his hair?

Smarting from a recent breakup, Jason isn't looking forward to the holidays. Despite his reservations, Jason gets tangled up with Ben. There is something about Ben that he just can't resist. As their feelings intensify, will spending Christmas together turn into something more?

Pizza for Thanksgiving

Mack and Enzo are roommates and nothing more. While sharing the same apartment, they live separate lives. Enzo is sweet but painfully shy. Mack is gruff and kind of intimidating. He's had a hard life and doesn't let his guard down easily.

Now Mack is anticipating a lonely Thanksgiving dinner, but Enzo won't let that happen. When he hears that Mack is going to be all alone for Thanksgiving, he gets up the courage to make him an offer. But things don't go as planned in more ways than one.

With the best of intentions, Enzo has woken up something in Mack that he might not be ready for. Can Mack stop hiding and holding back? When Enzo asks for too much from him, can he say yes anyway?

The Professor and the Manny

Ned needs a babysitter for his daughter, Mina. When he hires Jeff, he ends up with a manny and so much more.

Mina is a vulnerable child who has endured too many losses. Ned has given her a new life, but she doesn't come out of her shell for just anyone.

When Jeff comes into their lives, he wins her over and starts out babysitting for only a few hours a day. That's long enough for him to realize that he's incredibly attracted to Ned.

Ned feels the same way, but he's a professor and Jeff is a student at his college. Ned is determined to keep his distance. That only lasts until he learns that Jeff has been keeping something from him. When Ned finds out that Jeff has no place to live, he invites him home and hires him as Mina's manny.

There's no turning back now. Living in the same house, neither man can deny his feelings for long. But when danger disrupts their happy life, Jeff blames himself. Can Ned convince him to stay? The next time danger strikes, Jeff might be the only one who can protect what's most precious to them both.

Key To His Heart

Phillip Morton is a disciplined and self-assured young executive, but that's only on the surface. His heart is in turmoil. He has just discovered that his late brother might have left behind a child. This child is only a rumor, a possibility, but Phillip sets out to find him.

To help him with his search, he brings along Leon, his assistant. Leon is very young and new to his job. Phillip doesn't want things between them to turn too personal, but he needs Leon to keep him sane.

Even as he searches for his nephew, Phillip is afraid to hope. After the heart-wrenching loss of his estranged brother, it seems too much to expect that this child could be real.

It turns out that Ant, short for Anthony Morton Junior, is very real indeed. He is a sweet three-year-old living in precarious circumstances with an elderly relative. Phillip has found them just in time.

As Leon lends a hand with all the new challenges in Phillip's life, the two of them are growing closer every day. If only Leon can free himself of the demons from his childhood. While Leon's past still haunts him, he and Phillip can't rush into anything.

Will Phillip's love and patience win out in the end so they can all become a family?

A Midnight Thanksgiving

Alex and Vaughn have been frenemies for a while, but they never spent any time alone together. That all changes on Thanksgiving night. When they become concerned about a friend in crisis, Alex and Vaughn are thrown together as they go in search of him.

The guys make an unlikely team. Alex thinks Vaughn is too uptight and would never be interested in a carefree guy like him. Vaughn thinks Alex is irresponsible, but being around him breaks down his resistance. The more time they spend together, the closer they get. By the end of the night, they can't keep their hands off each other. But will they admit how they really feel or will it all be over when their mission ends?

Golden Days

How can a nerdy, young dad hope to attract his hunky new neighbor? And if he can get his attention, does he have any hope of making it last?

Kyle only recently became an adoptive father to a vulnerable little girl. He's a devoted dad, and Viv is a spirited and loving five-year-old. With the help of his little dog, Kyle worked hard to gain Viv's love and trust in record time. Now they are a family. That doesn't mean he has no room for a man in his life.

Luke has been working in a string of nightclubs for most of his adult life. It was an exciting life, but Luke had enough of it. A recent loss sends Luke into suburbia in search of a more peaceful life. The loss of his brother is still fresh, but spending time with Kyle and Viv brings him so much joy.

In the past, Kyle hasn't been lucky in love. He always goes for the wrong kind of guy. But with Viv in his life, he can't afford those kinds of mistakes.

When Luke moves into the neighborhood, Kyle ends up with two wounded souls on his hands. Good thing he has room in his heart for both of them. If Kyle can get past his fears, he might just get everything he has always dreamed of.

Staying True

Freshly out and with no experience under his belt, Troy just wants to have fun. His roommate is the first guy he has been with.

When he and Spencer get together, it's strictly casual, or so they tell each other. But the truth is that with every kiss and every touch, they are becoming too close.

Spencer doesn't have a ton of self-confidence. There is no way a skinny nerd like him can keep a guy like Troy all to himself. But how long can Spencer pretend that his heart isn't set on Troy?

And how is Troy supposed to get the experience he craves if all he can think about is Spencer?

In the end, maybe all the experience Troy needs is the love of one man.

Duncan the Third

Patrick and his little sister, Wendy, have just moved into Duncan's building and that means trouble. Patrick is exactly the kind of guy Duncan can't resist. Together he and his little sister might be the family Duncan has been yearning for but only if he takes a chance and lets them into his heart. Unfortunately, Duncan hasn't been lucky when it comes to relationships. After getting his heart broken too many times, he has sworn off younger men. While Duncan struggles against his attraction to him, Patrick is determined to win him over. As Patrick tries to change his mind, can he also heal Duncan's broken heart?

 

Where He Belongs

Jack thought he had everything only to end up without a wife, a best friend or a child. Now he is closed off and afraid to love. After despair nearly cost him his life, he can't afford another heartbreak. Burying himself in work, Jack has made business his whole life. Now a business opportunity has led him to Gus, the one man who can break down his defenses.

Gus doesn't know what he is getting himself into when he flirts with his new boss. The uptight younger man is irresistible to him. Is Gus being reckless when he falls for Jack despite all the warning signs? After all, Gus is a happy, single father to a little boy, and Josh is a happy kid.

As he is drawn into their lives, Jack finds that Gus and his little boy are everything he needs and what he is most afraid of. Jack can't risk his heart again, but he might be won over by these two goofballs despite himself.

His Winter Heart

Wes is living a lonely, stark existence when he meets Colin, a lively young guy in desperate circumstances. Wes is so taken with him that he has to have him. His decision to invite Colin to spend the night is going to turn his quiet life upside down.

Colin almost finds himself sleeping on the street. When the tall, blond man makes him an offer, he can't say no either to the money or to the man. Colin is impulsive and full of contradictions. He refuses to sell himself for money and ends up homeless because of it. But when Wes offers to pay him for sex, Colin jumps at the chance to go home with him. Something about Wes strikes a chord with Colin. He knows there is a warm heart under the serious, impassive exterior and an awesome body under all the layers of winter clothes.

Things don't go as planned when Wes decides that Colin is too young and inexperienced and refuses to sleep with him. That doesn't mean that he can stay away from someone who shakes up his world.

The more time Colin spends with Wes, the more he wants him. Colin isn't shy about getting what he wants. His relentless pursuit might pay off if Wes doesn't let family complications and his fears about the future keep them apart. Will Wes let go of his inhibitions and allow himself to love the younger man?

With Eyes Open

Jacob and his son, Toby, have just moved to a small town. Everything is going well so far, except for one thing – who is Toby talking to in the back garden? There's no one there.

Ian is wondering the same thing. He's taking time off from college to be with his dad. One day he sees the little boy acting strangely, and he decides to look into it.

While Ian is trying to solve the mystery of what Toby is seeing, he and Jacob grow closer. Jacob is a man Ian can trust and lean on at a difficult time. Jacob has some reservations about Ian, but his feelings are too strong to be denied. Even as unexplained events surround them, these two can't stay away from each other.

Good thing because when Ian finds the answers he's looking for, he's going to need Jacob more than ever.

Long Lost

Blake Adler is back in town on a mission. Years ago Blake's father cut him out of his life so completely that he never spoke of him. Now that his father has passed away, Blake finally gets to meet his younger brother and sister. But Blake didn't come back to Meadowview for a reunion with his lost family. He's desperate to find the man he can't live without and win back the love he threw away.

Blake and Reese were once best friends. They could have been more, but Blake screwed up the most important relationship of his life. Now he wants to fix things with Reese, if he can only find him.

Blake isn't the only one looking for Reese. No matter how far Reese runs, trouble follows him. Wild and vulnerable, he always had it rough. The one good thing in his life was Blake.

Now Reese is taking a big risk coming back to town. It might be worth it if he can reclaim the man he can't stop thinking about, the one who rejected him, the one he loves more than anyone.

His True Home

Alec has retreated to his childhood home after a life of too much fun. When a little boy is abandoned on the road leading to Alec's home town of Seaview Pines, Alec is the one who ends up taking care of him. Now Cory is on his way to join them. He was abandoned by his mother as well and wants to give Teddy, his little brother, the family he never had. As they spend time together, it's up to Cory to draw out the serious, silent little boy. He also has to convince Alec that his home town isn't just a temporary refuge. It's where all three of them belong.

The Right Guy

They came together in paradise, but what will happen when they go back to the real world and their everyday lives?

Nathan and Paul never liked each other. Paul was a snob, and Nathan felt like he was always looking down on him. Nathan wasn't interested in him anyway. He had his sights set on Turner. Now that Turner is getting married to another man, Nathan's heart is breaking. That's when he finds that Paul is right there by his side. This gorgeous man is ready to distract him and help him get over his unrequited crush.

After being with Paul, Nathan is finally ready to move on and let go of his hopeless feelings. But after a hot encounter on the beach, Nathan might be giving up his old crush for a new one. Knowing that his longing for Paul is just as hopeless, Nathan is at his wit's end.

But things aren't the way they seem. Paul has been watching Nathan pine after his friend for too long. All that time he has wanted Nathan all to himself. It's hard for Paul to believe that Nathan could ever return his feelings. After all, Nathan doesn't even like him.

He doesn't know that Nathan feels differently about him these days. When spending time with Paul stirs unexpected feelings that are more than lust, Nathan wonders if he misjudged this man. Could Paul be the right man for him? After chasing the wrong guy for so long, Nathan has to prove to Paul that his feelings are real. That won't be easy. Paul isn't the most reasonable guy, and he won't settle for anything less from Nathan than his whole heart.

Unexpected Dad

Tyler finds a big surprise waiting on his doorstep. Ready or not, Tyler is a dad. Tyler didn’t know he had a daughter until she suddenly dropped into his life. Whether he is ready for her or not, little Julie needs a father. Or maybe two. Tyler and Jake have been best friends, inseparable since college. Now they have to adjust to Tyler’s new role as a dad. As Jake helps him cope with being a new father to a little girl, Tyler might be looking at two big changes in his life.

Make It Better

A favor leads to a life changing experience. Ray is willing to do anything for the man he considers his savior. His mission of mercy is Marcus, a young man who can’t overcome his guilt over a tragedy in his past. Is Ray making a terrible mistake giving his heart to him, or will his love for Marcus be strong enough to save him?

More Than a Manny

A very young, rich widower needs a nanny, but a hot manny would be even better. That's where Nate comes in. Brent is a loving but irresponsible father to two young children from a marriage of convenience. He needs Nate in his life, but how will Nate, a first time nanny, fit into his unconventional household? The kids are a handful, especially little Georgie. Her big brother, Ricky, has a few issues of his own. But Nate is more than ready to take on the challenge and let all three of them steal his heart.

Possession

While looking for solitude, James finds love.

As soon as he arrives at the secluded, tropical villa, James knows he has found the ideal spot. Tranquil and remote, this place is just what he needs to get over a painful breakup. In perfect solitude, James's heart can begin to heal. But what if his solitude isn't so perfect, and Rob is. He is the young man who intrudes on James's privacy and steals his heart.

Rob is too much of a temptation for the cautious and uptight James. Even as he gives in to his desire, James reminds himself that this is just a vacation fling. Then why is the thought of leaving Rob tearing him apart? He can't get enough of the younger man. Once James has his body, he can't live without having his heart.

James thinks his yearning is hopeless. Then a revelation about Rob's circumstances changes everything. Will James have the courage to act on his feelings? He has to. This is his chance to have Rob, to give him the life he deserves and to truly love him.

 

Manny To The Rescue

Why would Owen be terrified of Connie and Maggie, his two adorable little nieces? Because he is about to be left alone with them. Owen thinks he is going to have to take care of his nieces by himself until Dan shows up. If Owen approves, Dan is ready to be the girls' manny. Right from the start, Dan is a big help and an even bigger temptation. And Owen isn't the only one being tempted. When he was younger, Dan had a crush on Owen. Now that he is living with him, Owen has never looked hotter. The crush is back in full force. Too bad Dan isn't the kind of guy Owen is into. But even a hint that he is interested might spur Dan to make a move. Unfortunately, Dan is bringing trouble with him, and he doesn't even know it. When Owen becomes a target, will Dan be there in time to save him?

Poison Heart

Is there anything Vince and Cal won't do for each other? The two of them grew up together and fell deeply in love. They were poor but happy until Cal made a big mistake and ended up in jail. He did it for Vince. To get him out, Vince is willing to do anything. Roland Granger has the power and influence to make Cal a free man. All he wants in return is Vince. Even if Cal never forgives him, Vince is willing to sacrifice himself. Now he has to make sure that Cal accepts this unwanted help. And while Vince is trying to set things right in his own life, can he reunite Roland with a self-destructive young man who loves him?

And Manny Makes Three

Mark is a struggling college student who has been working as a nanny for a nice family, but they don’t need him any more. Zack has been raising his son, Al, by himself and needs help. Al is a funny kid, and Zack is a funny dad, but more serious issues lurk under the surface. Will Mark be able to deal with these two? And how will Zack and Mark deal with their mutual attraction?

My Love Is Real: The Benson Brothers Story

For almost a year Sean and Brian thought they were brothers. Sean wants him more than anything, but will Brian ever accept his love? His pride is only one of the obstacles standing in their way. A dangerous man has a claim on Brian.