Page 139 of Captivated
“That good, huh?”
Robert repeated the bare details of their conversation, then followed it with a recap of his chat with Derek. “I’m sharing this with you first because you run this ranch too.” He peered at Toby. “What do you think?”
Toby smiled. “I like it. I only hope Nate does too. It’ll mean a huge change for him.”
“And for us too, but it’ll be worth it if it ends well.”
Toby kissed the top of his head. “You have a romantic soul, baby, and I love it.” He cupped Robert’s chin and gazed into his eyes. “Almost as much as I love you.”
Their lips met, and the kiss grounded Robert the way it always did, Toby’s hand on his nape, gently squeezing, rubbing, connecting them.
Footsteps and laughter on the path leading to the house floated up to him.
Toby headed for the door. “I’ll go fetch some more tea.”
Robert snickered. “Don’t bother about some for Teague. He’d give you a look and say real cowboys don’t drink iced tea.”
Toby grinned. “Then he’s missing out.”
Teague and Sol approached the patio, and Robert gestured to the chairs. “Have a seat. We need to talk.”
Teague frowned. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Well, no, but it’s going to be. I hope.”
Sol snickered. “Well, that’s about as clear as mud.” The two men removed their hats and sat. “What’s up?”
“I have a plan that needs discussion. And before I elaborate on it, I have to tell you nothing has been etched in stone, okay? This is simply a proposal to get your input.”
“This is downright mysterious.” Teague folded his arms. “What gives, Robert?”
He took a deep breath. “I’d like us to take on a new hand. ASAP.”
Teague’s frown deepened. “We don’t need a new hand, do we?”
Sol touched Teague’s arm. “I think you’re asking the wrong question.” He glanced at Robert. “What we should be asking is the identity of this new hand.”
Robert smiled. “Nate Caldwell.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
August 11, 2024
Nate finished loading the dishwasher,then made coffee.
I even miss Zeeb’s coffee.Especially first thing in the morning, when he’d only just woken up, and Zeeb brought it to him, wearing those shorts that werewaytoo thin, because Nate could make out his?—
Don’t. Don’t go there.
Except that was the problem. He wanted to go there. At least,sometimeshe did.
Not for the first time, rage bubbled up within him. There had been some ‘patients’ at the camp who’d ended up there when they’d been caught having sex. Nate had been subjected to the same programs, the same horrendous treatment, and yet he’d been a virgin.
I still am.
God, that burned him.
Conversion therapy had stolen precious years when he could have been exploring his sexuality, learning about himself. It had robbed him of self-confidence. Dating? Impossible. He’d felt physically sick when he’d eventhoughtabout starting a relationship, swamped by feelings that it was wrong. Flooded with guilt for being gay, when he hadn’t doneone damn thingto feel guilty about.