“W hen is Uncle Ford coming home?”
Stoney looked across Jellybean’s back at his son, who was scowling, a hint of temper in his pout. “Tonight, he said. He’s lawyering and dealing with fancy stuff.”
“Fancy stuff?”
“Uh-huh. You know how Mr. Sam is here working on lumber and building?”
“Yeah.” Quartz thought Sam was amazing. Absolutely amazing. He followed the big contractor around as if he were some sort of superhero.
“Well, your Uncle Ford is working with some guy to make it pretty and fancy for the big party.” Some designer guy who probably hadn’t ever seen a horse in person. Stoney had avoided the guy, because damn. He was fussy.
“I miss him. I want to show him what I did with his Ferris wheel.”
“Tonight, huh? Geoff is even making pizza.”
“Then he must be coming back!” Quartz hooted and jumped, which made Jellybean snort and toss her head.
“Easy. Easy.” He was talking to both of them, wasn’t he? “Shh. He’ll be back, and we’ll get ready for the party soon, huh? Only a couple weeks.”
“No. Now it’s a week and a half.” Quartz always knew his numbers, and Stoney was surprised Ford had been gone that long. He was starting to wonder….
Except Ford called him twice a day and texted once an hour.
Some of the texts made his cheeks burn. He’d never had a… friend? Lover? Partner? A Ford to tease him. The things Ford wanted to do with him, with him , made Stoney sweat.
“Your face is all red, Daddy.”
“Is it? Maybe it’s hot in the barn.”
“It’s freezy!”
“Yep. I have Jelly Roll, though.”
“Jellybean!”
“Jellyfish?”
“Daddy!”
“Peanut butter and jelly.” Ford stood in the small side door into the barn, smiling, the lines on his face etched deep.
“Uncle Ford! Oh, we missed you!” Quartz hugged him tight, and Stoney loved to see that, how much his boy loved Ford.
“Hey, kiddo! I missed you too. So bad.” Ford swung Quartz around. “How’s Jelly Belly?”
“She’s getting fat and sassy, Daddy says. Her coat looks better, don’t you think?”
“I think she looks amazing.” Ford came to him, arm around Quartz. “Hey. How’s it been?”
“We’ve been busy. I missed you.” I love you.
“I missed you too.” Ford touched his wrist, the tiny contact giving him a thrill right up his arm.
His cheeks heated and his entire body lit up like it was the Fourth of July.
“Daddy, I think you might have a fever. Your face is really red.”
“We should go get him some honey and lemon tea, huh? What else do we need to do here?”
“We were just brushing this little one out. She needs to learn that we’re the good guys.”
“Oh, so would carrots help?” Ford handed Quartz a Ziploc bag. “Start down there with Leonard and work up?”
“Yes, sir!” Quartz beamed, bounding down to the farthest stall, and leaving him with his lover.
“C’mere.” Ford reeled him in for a kiss that damned near stopped his heart. His lips burned, the connection strong enough to make him dizzy. Yeah, someone had missed him, for sure.
They clung together a moment, panting.
“Hey.” He couldn’t stop smiling.
“Man, it’s good to be home.”
Listen to Ford calling the ranch home. Stoney couldn’t be more pleased. “So, how was lawyer stuff?”
“Boring. I had to sit through three hearings on mineral rights. God save me.”
“I’m sorry.” That sounded like hell on earth. “The loft is damn near finished, and you got a wall in the kitchen now.”
“Progress! How’s Sam? Not killed anyone, right?”
“Nope. Not even that designer feller.”
“Uh-oh. That sounds ominous,” Ford said.
“Nah. You been dealing with him mostly. Sam, though, I keep hearing foul language about prissy designers.” Stoney chuckled softly. He thought the whole idea of a designer, here, was hilarious, but Ford wanted it, so he was going along. He couldn’t wait for Ty to see everything.
“Oh, God. He’s the one who insisted, and the one who picked Andy. God knows I would have hired someone else.”
“You know him real well?” They hadn’t really talked on it. Once Ford knew he was fixin’ to be out of town for a good bit… well, their talking had mostly been X-rated.
“I did once upon a time. We met in Aspen after I set up my office there.” Ford made a face. “He was looking for more of a, uh, supporter.”
“Like a sugar daddy?” Did people really still do that?
“Yep. Apparently I was neither a sugar nor a daddy.” Ford shrugged. “He seems to be good at what he does, though, so I’ll let it ride as long as Sam handles all the draws and such.”
“I don’t need a daddy, and I reckon him and me, we got different definitions of the sugar we want.” He felt so damn bold, so daring.
“Yeah?” Ford’s dark eyes went hot again, just for him. “I can give you some after supper.”
“Geoff’s making pizza.” That made for spicy kisses, which stung just enough to make things tingle.
“My hero. I swear, if we didn’t need him so badly, I’d back him in a pizza place now that Beau Jo’s is gone.”
“No way. He’s ours, and we’re keeping him.” Geoff was the brother of his heart and the conscience of the Leanin’ N.
“I know.” Ford winked. “We need to find him a nice boy.”
“Yeah. Someone special.” Not Ford. Ford was his.
“Yep. I’m glad you didn’t fall for him. I would have had to kill him.”
He checked on Quartz, then took Ford’s hand, twined their fingers together. “Good to see you, man.”
“You too, baby. I hear my Ferris wheel has been altered.” Ford rubbed his hand, thumb digging in to massage.
“Indeed. It has lights now and a faster motor.”
“Wow. I’ll have to crow over that.”
“One left for Bean!” Quartz said, bouncing over to feed the new mare.
She took it easily. Someone had taught her that people were good sometime in her life. Now they just needed to reinforce that. Remind her.
Stoney put Jellybean back in her stall. “Everyone have water? If they do we can go show Uncle Ford his wheel.”
“Water. Hay. Sweet feed. Life is good.” Quartz grabbed Ford’s hand. “Come see now.”
“Okay, kiddo. Show me.” Ford winked at Stoney and let Quartz drag him away.
He watched for a second until Ford disappeared in the snow and the glow of the Christmas lights, then he secured the barn.
All was right with the world, at least for now. He guessed he’d take it.
Stoney headed up toward the house but stopped briefly at the office to check messages since Mira had gone home a little early.
That designer feller, Andy, was in there, working on a little laptop. “Oh! I thought you were Ford. That was his truck not too long ago, right?”
“It was. I think he’s looking at his updated Ferris wheel.”
Andy frowned, then made an “ah” face. “That cobbled together toy in his office?”
“Yes, my son made it.”
“He told me. I suppose that’s why he keeps it, hmm?” There was something smarmy about this guy tonight, something mean-spirited. Of course, maybe that was just the whole sugar daddy thing.
“Either that or because he likes it. Did you need something? I know Sam’s already left for the weekend….”
“Geoff told me Ford might be back tonight, and I wanted to see him. I would have waited in his office, but I was already set up in here.”
“Yeah. He’s awfully particular about his office.” Psycho, really.
“Oh, I know. When we lived together, I despaired of ever getting him a room that suited the design of the house.”
Lived together? That didn’t sound like what Ford described at all. Stoney went for blank faced on that. None of his business, because he knew where Ford was sleeping these days, right?
“I can tell him you want to see him.”
“Would you? I have some decisions that need to be made for the party.”
“Well, I can probably help.”
“You? No. No, this is more suitable to someone that’s more Armani than Dickies.”
“Well, then.” Fuck you, asshole, and the horse you rode in on. “Let me get the horse shit off my boots, and I’ll fetch him for you.”
“Would you? That would be great.” Andy instantly dismissed him, turning back to his laptop.
“Yes, sir.” Eventually. Once he got himself warmed up and he took his work boots off. Maybe had a cup of coffee.
He did love his evening cup of Joe.
Ford high-fived Quartz. “That? Is awesome, kiddo. I love it. The lights are just like a real carnival.” He’d only been half an hour away as the crow flies in Aspen, but God he’d missed Stoney and Quartz and the bizarre cast of characters at the ranch.
With the weather and his late hours, he hadn’t been able to come home every night and, to be honest, he needed to see his little Aspen condo. He’d told Stoney that he wanted to bring Stoney down for a few days, wanted to show his lover a good time.
Wanted to introduce Stoney to his colleagues.
Ford grinned. He wasn’t sure Stoney was 100 percent in on that one, but he’d said he’d love to go to Aspen….
The main door in the kitchen slammed, and he heard Stoney stomping his boots. Ford’s pulse picked up speed.
“I hear your daddy. Should we shut the lights down?”
“Yeah. When Daddy comes in, we all start making pizza.”
“Sounds great.” Ford carefully turned off the wheel, watching it slow and stop. Then he followed Quartz to the kitchen, his belly rumbling.
Stoney’s boots were in the neat little holder on the way into Stoney’s side of the house. No other sign of the man himself, and Ford felt a flood of relief when Geoff joined them.
“Quartz! My man. Come help me get the crust rising!”
Ford winked his thanks and slipped down the hall to Stoney’s bedroom.
Stoney was stripped down to his jeans in the big en suite, washing up. The sight of the lean muscles working made Ford ache a bit with their sheer beauty. He reached out, hoping his hands had warmed up, because Ford had to touch.
“Mmm. Hey you. Feels good.”
“Yeah? Not too frosty?” Ford hummed, stepping closer.
“No, sir.” Stoney lifted his chin for an upside kiss, and Ford gave it, tongue sliding over Stoney’s lips.
He did love the way Stoney tasted. Coffee and mint and spice. Ford had always adored that flavor. He’d never discovered it anywhere else.
“Uncle Ford!” Quartz squeaked to a halt in the bathroom door, eyes huge. “Uh—you—I—and there’s Daddy and….”
“Breathe, son.” Stoney straightened up, but didn’t jerk away, didn’t hide from Quartz’s eyes. “What’s up?”
“The man. The man is waiting for Uncle Ford. He says you were coming to get him.”
Something very much like evil flashed in Stoney’s eyes. “Did I forget? Oops.”
“Oh, you’re a turd.” Someone was feeling his oats. Butthead. Still, the last thing they needed was for Andy to be bad-mouthing them to the organizers of the Gay Ski Week or the chamber.
“Am not. I get distracted.”
“I can’t help there.” Ford grinned slow and wide. “Let me get rid of him, huh?”
“Please. Don’t let Geoff invite him for pizza.” Stoney winked, playing with him.
“No, sir. Andy hates pizza. I mean, who does that? Where is he, Quartz?”
“I’ll bring you.” Quartz waited for him to leave the bathroom, and then he asked. “Are you going to marry Daddy?”
“I don’t know, kiddo. We’re working on things, but that sounds right nice.” The very idea made his cheeks heat and his heart race. They could do that now, for real.
“Okay. I’d like that, I think.” Quartz sounded pretty at peace with the idea.
They walked into the kitchen where Geoff kneaded dough and Andy sat, glaring.
“Like what, little man?” Geoff asked.
“If Uncle Ford married my daddy.”
Geoff chuckled. “Well, it would sure make things easier for those of us wondering which boss to go to.”
“Turkey.” Ford untied Geoff’s apron strings with a tug, just to be a butt. “Did you want to go meet in my office real quick, Andy?”
“Indeed.” Andy looked a little bit like someone had decked him—a touch stunned with a hefty addition of pissedoffedness.
Oh Lord help him. Ford smiled politely, waiting for Andy to get his shit packed up. Then he walked to his office, counting to ten so he could be prepared.
“Sorry. I’d asked Stoney to get you for me. I have some swatches and a few candelabras to discuss.”
“Sure. I missed Stoney in the hall. What can I look at for you?” Ford kept his tone light but professional. Andy could just be grumpy because he wanted to go home.
“We need to talk paint colors first. I’m not sure the green we chose was dead on.”
“No? I liked it.” Ford was pretty set on the green, in fact. Understated but natural.
“Well, there’s the sage we settled on, but there’s also a coriander and a creamy mango.”
Mango?
That was pink. Or was it orange. “What the heck color is coriander?”
“Sort of a sweet peach.”
“Didn’t peach go out in the eighties?”
Andy’s mouth compressed into a hard line. “I would expect Sam to say that. You have more refined tastes.”
“I learned to like real colors in Santa Fe, Andy. Let’s do the green. It will be a good background for my Navajo blankets.”
“You’re the boss, of course. Do you want the decorations in a rich wine or a bright red?”
“For the ski party? Deep wine.” He was still counting in his head. In Latin. “Candle holders?”
“What do you feel about installing a chandelier in the main room of the cabin versus floor candelabras?”
“As long as it’s ranch friendly and doesn’t foul the loft, I’m fine.”
“It’ll give an air of class, like crystal in a tent or something.”
“Well, if you have something fancy for the party, we can rig the place for a wagon wheel or something, and you can change out the fixture for a special event.” Oh, Stoney would love that. Love it.
“Hmm.” Andy’s designer savvy won out. “I like that idea. I can always wrap the chain to hide heaviness.”
“Absolutely. Sparkly lights with those little crystals. Shiny is always good at Christmas.”
“I have one I can pull out of storage.”
Ford nodded. He was sure there was an upcharge for that, but he could live with it. “Cool. Anything else? You must be anxious to be home to… what was his name? Hiram?”
“Oh, honey, Hiram is so two years ago. I’m on the hunt for someone much more long-term.”
“Well.” Shit. He’d stepped in it. “Good luck, huh?”
“Thanks. Do you have any other concerns? We’re heading into the last push. I’ll be back up tomorrow to work.”
“I feel pretty good. I’m here tomorrow, and then I have to run down to Santa Fe. I’ll be back for the reception, but Stoney will be available to you and Sam.”
“No offense, lovely, but the cowboy isn’t the most fashion forward human being alive.”
“Maybe not, but he’s amazing with guests and reporters alike. That destination report we got in The Sentinel ? That was all Stoney.” Andy needed to remember that Stoney was his partner.
“Uncle Ford?” Quartz tapped on the door, offering him an excited smile. “Geoff said to tell you that dinner is in half an hour. I made your pizza for you.”
“Thanks, kiddo.” Ford stood, feeling a bit like a dick for not inviting Andy to supper, but knowing he only had so much time to spend with his family before he had to leave town again. It was too precious to lose. “Can you see if Geoff has some of that white bean chili left to send home with Andy? You’ll love it, Andy.”
“Yes, sir.” Quartz ran off, thundering away.
“Look, I’m sorry I’m not asking you to stay for supper, but I have a lot to catch up on with Stoney, and Quartz is so stoked about pizza night….”
“No problem, lovely. Seriously. I never thought of you as the… family kind. It’s a nice look for you.”
“I do seem to be settling down way better than I expected.” Ford offered a genuine smile. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. You want me to pick up something from Annette’s for you on my way up tomorrow?”
“Would you bring some Kouign-amann for everyone to try? Expense it.”
Geoff met them at the foyer. “Chili and bread, and some berry crumble for dessert.”
“Oh. You are a great guy. Thank you. Seriously.” And there was the flash of genuine happiness that had drawn him to Andy in the first place.
“No problem.” Geoff waved and trotted off.
“Night, man.” He clapped Andy on the shoulder before putting a hand on Quartz’s shoulder. “Lead me to the pizza.”
“Yay! I made yours. Did I tell you?”
“You did! What did you put on it? Snails?”
Quartz screeched to a halt. “Have you eaten snails? Like for real?”
“I totally have. More than once.” He grinned. “Not on pizza.”
“Ew. And my daddy kissed you. Ew.”
“I like that way better than snails,” Ford said.
“I bet he didn’t know you ate snails, though.”
“No? I’ll tell him.” He tugged Quartz into movement, his stomach growling.
“I bet you he won’t never kiss you again.”
“I’ll take that bet.”
“What’s that?” Stoney asked. “Your Uncle Ford never bets unless he knows he can win.”
His family was standing there, watching him—all of them, Stoney, Geoff, Tanner, even Angie and Hetty had heard that pizza was on the menu.
“I said you wouldn’t kiss him no more ’cause he eats snails.”
“Meat is murder!” He was going to kick Geoff’s ass. No question.