The Twisted Oak

“Hey, you. How’s my girl?” he murmured. She nuzzled him in return and Wade grinned. “You’re itching to get out of here, too, aren’t you?”

As if she understood, she nodded again.

“All right. Let me get you ready.” Even though he spoke quietly, Wade’s deep voice resonated in the massive barn, carrying to Lance. Wade made his way to the small area where the tack hung. By the time he’d removed everything he needed and started back, Lance had reached the stall

Wade’s golden brown eyes widened in surprise. “Lance? What’s going on?”

Lance’s gut flipped at the sight of Wade. He couldn’t help letting his gaze travel down the man’s body. He wore a dark jacket over a gray Henley, tucked into his painted-on jeans, and God, the way that denim hugged his thighs made Lance’s mouth water. A day’s worth of stubble shadowed his face and damned if he didn’t stand there and flick his tongue across his lower lip as Lance watched. Lance swallowed hard and finally met his gaze.

Wade smirked as if he knew Lance had been checking him out.

Lance stopped in front of Stardust and stroked the side of her face. “Hi, Stardust,” he murmured, wincing at how rough his voice sounded. He looked at Wade again. “Can we talk a minute?”

Wade visibly tensed. “Sure. I was just going for a ride, but I can wait.” He locked eyes with Lance. “Unless you’d like to go with me?”

His words almost sounded like a dare. “I’d love to. Let me saddle Jasper and meet you outside. I’m sure Casey won’t mind if I ride him again.”

Wade tipped his hat in agreement and saddled Stardust before he rode her outside. Lance exited atop Jasper only a few minutes behind him.

The sky was brighter than the day before, and Lance enjoyed the sunshine, although the temperature was still dropping fast. The ride would have to be short, but it had been a while since he’d ridden for pleasure. The day before had been about chasing down Wade, and he hadn’t been out long enough to enjoy the time. Of course, it had been raining, too.

“Which way?” This chapter is updated first at novelceo . com.

Wade pointed to the west. “How about out to the old oak?”

He should have known that’s where Wade wanted to go. Lance had caught him before he’d reached the tree yesterday. He grinned and urged his horse to a run, Wade close behind.

Sunshine, wind, and Wade proved to be a heady combination and he let his senses become overwhelmed, giving into the freedom he felt as they flew across the Dwyer land. Jasper knew the way and moved with grace, his movements so smooth Lance felt one with him. A side glance told him Wade was keeping up and the smile on his face gave away his excitement.

The old oak, bent and twisted, its branches barren against the sky, came into view and his heart raced. There was something familiar and welcoming about it. He’d spent so much time there as a child, first playing on the tire swing Casey had hung for his brothers, then lying under the bowed branches, reading or listening to music. He knew it had been a place of escape for Wade as he’d grown—a safe place for him to get away from his father. That tree probably knew all of Wade’s secrets.

As they approached, Lance’s mount nosed forward and he threw his hands in the air. “Woo-hoo!” he screamed into the open sky as the wind picked the hat off his head and swirled it around before tossing it to the ground.

Wade guided Stardust to a slow walk and circled around to where the hat landed. He dismounted, grabbed the hat, and walked toward Lance, Stardust’s reins in hand.

“Lose something?” he asked with a smirk.

“I was too busy winning to worry about it,” Lance shot back, but the twinkle in Wade’s warm brown eyes told Lance he had been teasing. He took the hat and placed it on his head. “Thanks.” The source of this chapter is novelceo dot com.

Wade nodded and climbed onto Stardust again. “So, I guess we need to talk some?”

“I think so,” Lance replied. “I need to know if you’re okay with this, Wade. You haven’t had a lot of time to deal with it, on top of your father passing and finding out you have a sister.”

“Guess so.” Wade glanced toward the mountains. “I really appreciate what you’re doing, Lance.”

“But?”

Wade shrugged. “But…are you reallysure this is the only way?”

Lance sighed. “When your father first brought up this clause, I was sick about it. I couldn’t let him do that to you, so when my boss had me write it up, I carefully chose the wording. It was the only thing I could think of to help.”

“And you don’t think we can fight it in the courts?”