The Twisted Oak

“That’s an awesome idea, Wade!” Allyson said.

Wade glanced at her, surprised. “You think so?” Hope filled him and he wondered if they could really see the possibilities.

“Yes. I mean, I have no idea how one works, but you have a lot of unused land and there isn’t one in town, or even that close. Don’t you think it’s a great idea, honey?”

Casey came out of his stupor. “Um, yes? I mean, where did this come from? Was this your idea, Lance?”

“It’s been a dream of mine for years, Casey. But Lance is onboard with the idea.”

“I can help with all the legal issues,” Lance interjected. “I know you have a lot to talk about, but you can ask me anything about the process, and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll definitely find out for you.”

“Oh, God…does this mean we have to plant trees?” Landon’s question came out as more of a whine.

Wade chuckled. “Yes, but don’t worry, you’d have to plant only two or three hundred by yourself.”

Landon’s jaw fell until he realized Wade was messing with him. “Ha-ha, funny man.”

Jake laughed. “I can’t believe you fell for that.”

Wade turned his attention back to Casey. “I’ve written up—I mean, we’vewritten up the start of a proposal. I still need to get more information about cost, and of course, we have a lot of questions, but I think we could have it up and running in two or three years.”

“Let’s take a look at what you’ve got after dinner. Meet in the great room?”

Wade grinned. “Sounds good.”

“So, I hear we’re all going out to see Landon Thursday?” Allyson asked,

Thank goodness she had changed the subject, because Wade was pretty sure he was grinning like a fool. Lance, wore a big smile, too. New chapters come out on novelce⁠o.com first.

After dinner, Lance set up his laptop in the great room, then started to leave.

Wade grabbed his arm. “Where are you going?”

“I figured you guys would want some privacy to read the proposal and talk, right?”

Wade twined their fingers. “This involves the Dwyer Ranch. You’re part of that now. You should be there.”

Lance swallowed hard and Wade couldn’t help but stare at the way his Adam’s apple bobbed. He fought the urge to lick him right there, knowing anyone could walk in on them. Then it hit him that maybe Lance didn’t want to participate. Maybe he was thinking he would still be leaving at the end of the year and he didn’t want to offer any input on the ranch.

Lance squeezed his hand. “Not sure what’s going on in that head of yours, but the happy look in your eyes went away.”

Damn. Lance could already read his moods. “I wondered…if maybe you didn’t really wantto be part of the conversation tonight?”

“I do. I promise, Wade. I was just surprised you wanted me there.” He laughed. “For fuck’s sake, we sound like we’re in sixth grade and we’re talking to our first crushes. Do you like me? Check the box, right?”

Wade laughed and pulled him closer so he could whisper in Lance’s ear. “You were my first crush. And if it hasn’t been obvious, I definitelylike you. So, yeah, check that box.” Satisfied to feel Lance shudder, he kissed his cheek just as Casey entered.

They had a lot to talk about. 18

Lance

Despite the fear that Milton Randle was going to pull some crap, the first half of the week passed fairly uneventfully. Security cameras were installed and monitors were set up in the house, but everyone decided to continue with the nightly patrols, just in case.

Wade had pulled the duty on Wednesday night and was crawling into bed just as Lance was leaving for work Thursday morning.

He sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Wade’s arm. “Hey. How’d it go?”

Wade yawned as his eyelids started to close. “Jake tried to come out and run the perimeter with me. I’d told Charlie he shouldn’t let him, but the kid insisted. I finally sent him home around two this morning. He was falling asleep on the horse.”

Lance’s gut roiled and he pressed his lips together in a tight line. “You were alone all night?” This chapter is updated first at nov​elceo.com.

Wade’s eyes flew open and he pulled himself up to a sitting position, leaning his back against the headboard. “Hey, I was fine. I’m a big boy, you know.”

He shook his head and gritted his teeth. “Milton is bonkers. You don’t know what he’s going to pull next.”

Wade’s lips curved into a small smile and his honey brown eyes twinkled. “Are you seriously worried about me, Lance?”