Since I missed posting anything on Wednesday, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at another story I’m working on. I’ll tell you more about it when I finish it…like which publisher is getting it and stuff like that. lol.
A Coal Miner’s Son copyright c. 2016 T.A. Chase
“Great job, son.” Nicholas Callahan, James’ father and boss, slapped him on the shoulder. “I have to admit when you first suggested making these changes, I thought you were crazy.”
“Not to mention wasting a lot of company money,” James said, hiding his wince at the force of his father’s jovial display of approval.
“Well, that’s true.” Nicholas dismissed James’ comment with a wave of his hand before he dropped into the chair behind his desk. “It was going to be a big cost and it was hard getting the board to spend it.”
James strolled over to the window. Placing his hand on the cool glass, he stared out over the city. The sun shone down on the buildings, but James didn’t see the beauty of it. All he saw was the vehicles on the streets and people on the sidewalks. Charleston was the capital of West Virginia, which wasn’t saying much. Yet James wasn’t interested in it. Just like he hadn’t really been interested in all the other major cities he’d visited and lived in throughout his thirty-four years.
“Although the initial cost was high, the changes made have ended saving the company millions of dollars in fines.” He turned back to meet his father’s gaze. “Along with health insurance claims and work complaints. Maybe you won’t dig in your heels next time I want to make some changes.”
Nicholas snorted. “You know there will be a fight, no matter what, son. When it comes to spending money, there’s no way you’re not getting it without jumping through circles.”
That was the truth. Ever since James joined the company, he’d argued with the money people over every idea and change he wanted to make. It didn’t matter that he was the CEO’s only son. The board members hated giving up even a penny of the bottom line.
His father’s phone rang and James edged toward the door. “I’m leaving for Willow Hollow. I want to check the changes at the main mine. It’s been six months since we instituted the new safety measures. Also, the miner representative asked to meet with me.”
He dashed out of the office before his father could say anything. There was nothing his father disliked more than the miners and the people who represented them. Yet James had never had any trouble with them, even when they argued against the new safety measures he’d implemented earlier in the year. Their resistance had surprised him until his father reminded him that most people didn’t like change.
“James, my son, those people don’t like change. They like to do things the way they’ve always been done. I’m surprised they even agreed to it.” Nicholas shook his head.
It was a sentiment he’d heard most of his life.
“Those people” as Nicholas called the miners and their families who lived in Willow Hollow. His father believed the townspeople were backward and ignorant. He’d done his best to keep James away from them, rarely allowing him to visit the main mine and kept him close when they did go.
Yet James had figured out ways to sneak away and spend time with the miners’ children. He didn’t care that their clothes were ragged and their skin dirty. They didn’t care that James was neatly dressed and always so clean. None of that mattered. Children never saw the differences. They only saw the fun they could have together. It was worth all the punishments James had suffered when he returned to his father, covered in mud and leaves.
Willow Hollow had been a place of joy for James. A place where he could be a regular boy instead of Nicholas Callahan’s heir. Then he’d been sent to boarding school and college. It had been years before he’d been able to get back.
Friday, January 22nd, 2016,
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Filed under: A Coal Miner's Son,Wednesday WiPs,writing| |
3 Comments
Sorry for the delay. I was sick yesterday and forgot to schedule it to post. 🙂 But here you go. It’s a short piece, but there will be longer ones starting next Tuesday.
On Love’s Wings copyright c. 2016 T.A. Chase
Part Five-
“He is very loud, but you will get used to it, I’m sure. Put your hands around me while we fly. If you become scared, close your eyes and hide your face against my chest.”
Two slender arms embraced him, resting at the small of his back. He’d never been so overwhelmed with sensations. Heat and need roiled through him. Vikex turned to glance back at him, curiosity and a strange understanding shining in the phoenix’s golden eyes. Even after eight years, Ari had no idea just how much the phoenix understood. He had a feeling Vikex didn’t let him know everything. The bird had its own idea of what was important enough for his human companion to know.
He tensed as soft lips brushed over his chest, heading towards one of his nipples. Ari silently cursed his habit of not wearing a uniform. He didn’t feel the cold like his fellow soldiers, so more often than not, he wore a very thin layer of clothing that his servants created for him. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop him from feeling everything. Of course, he never allowed anyone to touch him like this whore was.
Ari slid his hand up over Miataga’s shoulder, planning on pushing the man away, but his body had another idea. His hand tangled in Miataga’s bright red curls and he pulled back, exposing Miataga’s mouth to his. He brushed their lips together.
The first touch jolted him, sending electricity through his nerves. Miataga swept his tongue into Ari’s mouth and the commander jumped, unsure what to do. He’d never kissed anyone before and being a whore, Miataga had probably kissed hundreds of men.
Stop thinking of him as a whore. Being a prostitute was merely Miataga’s job. It didn’t tell Ari anything about the man’s heart or soul. He was taught never to judge anyone until he learned their character. Ari already knew that Miataga was brave and beautiful. Anything else would have to wait.
Vikex shrieked again and they broke apart.
“You’re right, mate. We must go now or something will happen and we’ll be stuck here.” He looked down at Miataga.
The man’s lips were swollen and his eyes hazy with desire. Ari wanted to ask if Miataga really wanted him or was he just doing what whores did to convince their customer they were enjoying themselves.
“Please, may we leave?” Miataga’s breathy voice brushed over Ari’s chest. “I want to fly.”
“You heard the gentleman, Vikex. Let’s fly.” Ari patted Vikex on shoulder.
The phoenix launched its large body into the air and Ari felt the familiar rush of the earth dropping away. Miataga gave a little squeak, tightening his grip on Ari’s waist, but he didn’t hide his eyes.
Yes, Miataga had courage as well.
Thursday, January 21st, 2016,
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Filed under: Free story,On Love's Wings| |
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On Love’s Wings copyright c. 2016 T.A. Chase
Part Four-
He jumped when the commander threw back his head and a wild cry burst forth. He shuddered as a fierce yearning ripped through him. A yearning to be free and to be able to fly the skies without having to submit to anyone. An answering cry came from the sky and he lifted his eyes to watch for the commander’s bond mate.
#
Ari shot a glance at the man he had commanded to come with him. What kind of fool was he to think such a beautiful being would want to have anything to do with him? He should never have listened in on the conversation between two of his men. They talked about the Loving Houses down in the lower part of the city and the whores who worked in them. He had been appalled to know that a whole class of people was trapped in a society where they had to sell their bodies.
Shaking his head, he turned to see Vikex gracefully dropping from the sky. The society of Emmen disgusted and intrigued him. The Easterly Mountains had no lines dividing their people. They had no rich and poor; no slaves and masters. Mostly they had no whores that he knew of. Maybe he had been too sheltered before he was called to Emmen and his destiny.
Vikex landed and shook his feathers out, sparks flying from the tips of his wings. Ari heard the whore gasp and smiled. His bond mate was a beautiful creature. Bright yellow gold at the base of the feathers, Vikex’s wings spanned almost the entire flight field. Vikex’s golden eyes looked from him to the man standing next to him.
He took the man’s hand in his and held it out to his bond mate. “Vikex, this is…” He stopped when he realized he had never asked the man’s name.
“Miataga,” the man whispered.
“Miataga, this is my bond mate, Vikex. He will be traveling with us to our home, mate. We must take care of him.” He ran Miataga’s hand over the warm feathers on Vikex’s breast.
“What type of bird is he? I have never seen one so beautiful or so large.” There was a hint of fear in Miataga’s voice, but the hand touching the bird didn’t shake. “He’s so warm.”
“Vikex is one of the phoenix that live in the Westerly Mountains. They are very rare and only chose to bond with men once in a generation. That is why I came here. Vikex called me and I had to find my destiny.”
“A phoenix?” The surprise and awe in Miataga’s face made Ari laughed.
“You’ve never heard any legends of the phoenix?” He checked to make sure the riding pad sat just right on Vikex’s back. He didn’t want the bird getting any sores from their long flight. He needed to get away from this city.
“My instructors didn’t think the legends of our people were important lessons for a whore to learn.” Miataga’s voice was matter-of-fact.
“It’s wrong to allow anyone to be ignorant of their past, be he whore or rich man.” Ari mounted Vikex and offered his hand to Miataga.
“It’s a different world than where you lived, Commander. How long have you lived in Emmen?”
Miataga’s small hand joined with Ari’s and he lifted the man onto Vikex’s back. Ari placed him before him, so he could keep his arms wrapped around the younger man and insure he didn’t fall off during the flight.
He bit back a groan as Miataga’s firm ass rubbed against his groin while the whore wiggled around to get comfortable. The sting of his teeth on his lip jolted him back to what Miataga had asked him.
“I’ve been here for eight years.” He leaned forward, doing his best to ignore the woodsy scent drifting off Miataga’s red hair. “Vikex, are you ready?”
Vikex’s scream caused Miataga to jump and Air chuckled.
“He is very loud, but you will get used to it, I’m sure. Put your hands around me while we fly. If you become scared, close your eyes and hide your face against my chest.”
Two slender arms embraced him, resting at the small of his back. He’d never been so overwhelmed with sensations. Heat and need roiled through him. Vikex turned to glance back at him, curiosity and a strange understanding shining in the phoenix’s golden eyes. Even after eight years, Ari had no idea just how much the phoenix understood. He had a feeling Vikex didn’t let him know everything. The bird had its own idea of what was important enough for his human companion to know.
Tuesday, January 19th, 2016,
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Filed under: Free story,On Love's Wings| |
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On Love’s Wings copyright c. 2016 T.A. Chase
Part Three-
“Paster,” the commander bellowed out.
A young man dressed in the browns and green of an army courier materialized beside the commander. “Yes, sir?”
“I need a winter coat.” Dosterta glanced down at Miataga’s elegant slippers. “Also, a pair of boots. Bring them to Flight Field Eight.”
“Yes, sir.” Paster saluted and dashed away.
“We must walk a little further. I’ve nothing to keep you warm with except my own body. Would you allow me to put my arm around your shoulder?” Dosterta’s voice was polite and neutral.
Miataga was struck speechless. Who was this man that he would ask a whore’s permission before he touched him? He nodded and almost groaned as Dosterta’s arm slid around his shoulder and tucked him into the commander’s side. It wasn’t until the warmth invaded his body that Miataga realized how cold he was.
Winter was settling in around the country and the wind was bitter. His light silk shirt and cotton pants were no hindrance to the cold.
He sighed and snuggled closer to Dosterta. “Your uniform must keep you warm.”
“I’m used to temperatures colder than this. I was born high in the Easterly Mountains where winter comes early and leaves late.” Dosterta’s voice held a twinge of the rough accent Miataga had heard when he had serviced Easterly tradesmen.
“The Easterlies aren’t a part of Emmen. Why would you come here to serve in the army?” He asked though he knew he could be punished for it. Few people appreciated an intelligent whore.
“It was Vikex who called me here.” As Dosterta stopped and dropped his arm, Paster arrived.
“Sir, I brought a coat and boots. I took the liberty of bringing a pair of gloves and a scarf. If you plan on leaving on the wing, then he should be warm.” Paster nodded towards Miataga.
“Thank you, Paster. Inform the quartermaster to take it out of my pay. Now go back to bed, son. I’ll see you in a month or two.” Dosterta ordered the young man away.
Miataga watched the young courier raced away. When he brought his gaze back, he almost fell over at the sight of Dosterta kneeling on the ground in front of him.
“No, Commander. I can put my boots on myself.” He protested as Dosterta picked up his foot. He had to reach out and grab hold of the commander’s shoulders or he would have toppled over. A moan of pleasure ripped through him at the touch of the warm silky material.
A shudder ran down the spine of the commander. He wondered at that. None of the other men he had serviced ever enjoyed his touch. They were quick to get in and get it done. There was no build up and no enjoyment of it. He moaned again as the commander slipped off his slipper and ran a finger over the arch of his foot.
“Put your foot on my thigh while I unlace the boots.” Dosterta placed his foot on the thick muscles of his thighs.
Heat swelled over his foot and headed right to his groin. His cock hardened and began to throb. He had never gotten turned on by a man from just simply touching him. His fingers crept up to stroke the vulnerable neck left bare by the commander’s bowed head. He knew his fingertips were soft like a woman’s. He traced small circles and the commander sighed.
“I’d let you do that all day, but it’s cold and you need to be warm.” Dosterta tugged one boot on and laced it up. He quickly did the same with the other of Miataga’s boots. Standing, his eyes burned with desire and he leaned forward.
“I want to kiss you, Commander,” Miataga whispered. “Take off your mask, so I may touch your lips.”
Dosterta jerked away from him with a flare of fear in his eyes. Shaking his head, the commander moved a few feet from him. “Put on your coat and scarf. If you wish to wear the gloves, you may. I must call Vikex, so we may leave.”
Miataga wondered what had caused the fear in the commander’s eyes. If not for that flash, he would have thought Dosterta was disgusted by the thought of kissing him. Not many men wanted to kiss their whores. It was considered too intimate a gesture to waste on someone they paid for sex.
Sighing, he wound the scarf around his neck and tucked the ends in under the wool coat he slipped on. Both the scarf and coat were thick and warm. They were made from the hair of the mountain goats raised on the Easterly Mountains and imported by merchants to sell in Emmen. His coat and scarf had been dyed a golden color to match the commander’s uniform. Miataga stroked the soft material and thought about touching the commander’s skin. His cock surged to life and hardened. Looking up, he noticed Dosterta had moved off a little ways.
Thursday, January 14th, 2016,
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Filed under: Free story,On Love's Wings| |
2 Comments
First of all, if you’re interested
Peace is available at Pride Publishing for early download. Check it out
here. 🙂
Second of all, I’d like to share with you a snippet from one of my current works in progress. This one is
Fall into my Kiss, Book 1 from the
Merging Violently series. This is Edward’s story. 🙂 Hope you like it.
Fall into My Kiss copyright c. 2016 T.A. Chase
Excerpt-
“Aren’t you getting a little too old to be falling off your horse?”
Edward Monterrose glanced up from where he’d been staring out the window. He grimaced when the strained muscles in his back protested the movement. “It was an unplanned dismount. Apparently Gypsy thought there was a shark in the Liverpool jump and wasn’t going to risk getting eaten by it. Yet he was willing to use me to distract the monster while he got away.”
His step-brother chuckled and Edward smiled at the happy sound. Ever since Derek had fallen in love with Max Furlo and moved away from Nashville, joy had been seeping into everything Derek did.
“I finally got a chance to listen to your latest album. I think it’s your best yet,” Edward commented as he pushed to his feet to greet Derek.
Derek pulled him into a gentle hug then kissed his cheek. “Thanks. Can’t say I was happy to get a call from Scout, saying you were in the hospital.”
Edward shuffled to his bed and accepted Derek’s help to climb back into it. “I’m sorry, but accidents are a hazard of the job. I was due to have a wreck at some point. It’s been a while since I’ve lost my seat like that.”
“You weren’t expecting Gypsy to freak like that. He’s been doing great since you both worked with Les.” Derek pulled a chair up next then sat. He leaned back, crossing his legs while he studied Edward. “I guess I was imagining the worse, even though Scout said you were going to be fine.”
“I won’t be riding until the doctors clear me, which sucks. I’ll have to withdraw from some of the big competitions and it’ll hurt us in the year end standings.” He shrugged and winced.
Derek motioned to the cast and bandages. “What are your injuries? I didn’t ask Scout, just chartered a plane to get out here as soon as I could. Left Max at the ranch to hold down the fort while I’m gone.
Edward snorted. “Hold down the fort? You make it sound like you’re the one running the place. We all know Max is the reason why the cattle and horse part of your ranch is successful.”
“You make it sound like I’m useless,” Derek muttered as he pouted.
“You’re useless when it comes to ranch work, brother. But you have other redeeming qualities. Your record label seems to be doing rather well.” He shifted on the lumpy mattress, trying to find a spot that wouldn’t cause his body to ache. Being covered with bruises made it difficult to get a comfortable position.
Wednesday, January 13th, 2016,
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Filed under: Books.,Covers,Fall into My Kiss,Four Horsemen,Merging Violently,Peace,Pride Publishing,Wednesday WiPs| |
5 Comments
On Love’s Wings c.2106 T.A. Chase
Part Two-
“Are you still coming?” The question was soft and undemanding.
Miataga turned back to see the commander was standing a few feet from him. There was nothing in the man’s voice or body posture that told him the commander was going to force him to come.
“Yes. I was saying good-bye.” He moved down to join the other man.
“Why?” The commander glided towards the Wing’s barracks.
Following, Miataga tried not to gawk. He had never ventured out of the lower city of Spendler where the whores and slaves lived. His customers came to him and they would use one of the rooms at the Loving House. Without an escort, he wasn’t allowed to travel into the upper part of town where the soldiers and the politic leaders of Emmen lived. He shot a glance over at the commander striding next to him. What ranking did the stranger hold?
The skin-tight gold uniform told him nothing. There were no rank markings on the helmet where the commanders usually wore their stars with honor. They halted at a gate blocking the entrance to the barracks. Miataga became entranced by the gleaming and rippling gold of the commander’s uniform. It called to his hands to stroke. Before he thought of the consequences of touching a soldier without his permission, he trailed his hand down the shoulder of the man standing in front of him. The warmth and smoothness of it shocked him. He hadn’t realized the weavers had created material that felt so much like human skin. A muffled sound came from the man when he rubbed his hand over the shoulder again.
“I’m sorry, Commander.” He dropped his hand and lowered his head.
“My name is Ari.” The commander’s voice was rough with desire and surprise laced through it.
“Commander Dosterta, I thought you had left for the evening.” A young soldier saluted to the golden man as they walked through the gate.
“I’m back to get Vikex, then we’ll be on leave for several weeks.” Returning the salute, Ari ignored the look of disgust the young soldier sent towards Miataga.
Miataga was used to those looks. Soldiers and political leaders had only one use for the whores down in the Loving Houses. Other than for sex, they didn’t socialize with each other and he liked it that way. The thin veneer of civilization hanging over the commanders couldn’t hide the wildness racing through their blood. It was part of the bonding between the commanders and their weapons.
The Emmenian armies’ specialized weapons were huge birds of prey that lived in the Westerly Mountains. The lowest ranking commanders bonded with falcons and hawks. The higher ranks were for the eagles. The Supreme Commander of the Emmenian army always bonded with the largest of the birds, the golden eagle.
Miataga’s eyes went wide at the thought. He threw a quick glance at the golden man beside him. He cast the thought away. The Supreme Commander would never get a whore from the lower city to service him.
“Forgive the boy. He hasn’t had good manners beaten into him yet.” Commander Dosterta’s voice was loud enough for the soldier to hear.
Miataga caught a glimpse of the soldier’s red face before he dropped his gaze again. “It’s all right.”
“It’s never right to treat anyone-be he whore, slave or the Supreme Commander-as if he were dirt beneath your feet.” Dosterta’s voice was cold.
Miataga shivered and he started to apologize again. A gentle hand on his arm stopped him.
“No more.” The slender fingers traced over his cool skin. “I gave you no time to grab your coat when we left your House. That was unforgivably cruel of me.”
Miataga shrugged. “I have no coat, Commander, so you would have delayed for no reason.”
The yellow eyes of the commander betrayed his shock. “No coat?”
“Whores are expected to stay at their House. We aren’t allowed to travel the city without an escort.” He was surprised the Commander didn’t know that.
Tuesday, January 12th, 2016,
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Filed under: Free story,On Love's Wings| |
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Yay! I finished and submitted my first story of the year. It’s my short for the GRL anthology.
New Vocations. Not a bad way to start 2016. 🙂 So now I’ll be working on Edward’s story. That is next on my list to be written. Also have kind of a secret project. I don’t want to say anything because I don’t want to jinx it, but I’ll be working on that one as well.
Edward’s story is part of a new series I’m starting about an alternative rock band and the guys they fall in love with. The interesting thing is it’s a spin-off of the
Home series because the other MCs are all secondary characters from the Home series, plus there will be visits from the Home guys. 🙂 As soon as it’s done, I’ll let you know about release dates and stuff.
I hope you all have a great Monday. Stay warm and safe (for those of you hit by snow and bad weather)
Monday, January 11th, 2016,
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Filed under: GayRomLit,Home Series,Merging Violently,New Vocations,writing| |
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I chose On Love’s Wings for the blog story. It’s been one I’ve wanted to work on for a while. 🙂 It’s a sci-fi/fantasy. I’ll be looking for pictures to go with the guys, but I thought I’d give you a little peek.
On Love’s Wings c. 2016 T.A. Chase
“You’ll come with me.”
The pronouncement caused silence to fall over the room. Everyone turned to look at Miataga. The voice came from behind him and he turned with caution. What he saw standing there made him shiver and not all of it was from fear.
The body the voice belonged to was lean and muscular. Board shoulders tapered down to a slender waist. Washboard abs revealed by the skin tight uniform the other man wore. The man’s face was hidden by a mask allowing only his eyes to show.Those eyes were yellow and fierce like a hawk Miataga had seen when he was ten. He allowed his gaze to slide leisurely down the man’s body to when a small shield hung blocking his view of the man’s groin.
Resia, sitting at the table with him, jostled him and he realized everyone was waiting to see what he would do. Raising his eyes back to meet the man’s intense scrutiny, his own widened when he noticed the helmet the stranger was wearing. A pair of stylized wings wrapped their way around the man’s head. The tips met in the middle of his forehead where a gold beak connected with them. Holy Mothers of the God, a Wing commander had claimed him. Now the shiver chasing down his spine was fear. For a second, his mouth formed the words to tell the man he wouldn’t go. Miataga caught a flicker of disappointment skitter through the unblinking gaze. It was the sign of humanness and the way the stranger stood, shoulders thrown back as if he expected Miataga to refuse him that made up Miataga’s mind.
Miataga didn’t usually make snap decisions, but he decided to go with the Commander. He held out his hand to allow the man to help him to his feet. “I’ll go with you, Commander.”
The tension in the room released like everyone had been holding their breath. Quiet conversation rose as they walked from the room. He fell in behind the stranger as they left the Loving House. He stopped outside and looked up at the building for a second. He had the strangest feeling he wouldn’t be coming back to the only home he had known.
Thursday, January 7th, 2016,
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Filed under: Free story,On Love's Wings| |
3 Comments
It’s been a long time since I did one of these and I think I’d like to start it up again. Have to figure out what to do on Mondays and Fridays now. lol I’m determined to try and post something Monday thru Friday for you. It might not always work, but I’m going to give it my all. lol
Today’s Wednesday Work in Progress is
New Vocations. It’s a contemporary story set in Kansas City during the American Royal, an eight-week long event that features a rodeo, bbq competitions, horse shows and exhibitions. Since GRL is in Kansas City, we’ve decided to use this event as the background for our anthology. You’ll be getting cowboys this year. 🙂
Here’s the working blurb: (it might change for publication)
Two men who believe in second chances meet and their lives are never the same again.
Layne Daly comes to participate in The American Royal. He’s there to show off the abilities of the retired thoroughbreds he adopts straight off the track. He wants people to know these animals can do so much more than race. He has three horses there to do exhibitions in reining, barrel racing and cutting. When his usual groom gets sick, he has to hire someone fast.
Carl Stewartson used to love coming to Kansas City for the rodeo. He’d ride broncs and hang out with his friends. But since his career-ending injury early in the year, Carl has been spinning his wheels, trying to find something to do with his life now that he couldn’t rodeo anymore. He runs into Layne and offers to help him with his horses.
Together, they have to deal with not only the stress of the event, but starting a new relationship. Second chances are what Layne does best and he’s more than willing to give Carl the opportunity.
And here’s a little excerpt from it. I can’t give you too long of one since it’s going to be a short story. lol
New Vocations c.2106 T.A. Chase
Layne took his time pulling into the Hale Arena parking lot. Driving a four-horse trailer through downtown Kansas City was nerve-wracking enough, but having to back his trailer up to the doors and off loading his horses challenged even his expertise.
A whistle caught his attention. Looking into the side mirror, he saw a man motioning and he realized he was helping guide him. Layne waved then eased down on the pedal to keep moving. Another whistle let him know he was close enough.
Once he turned the truck off, he tugged the keys out of the ignition then jumped from the cab. He jogged to the back of the trailer, getting there just as a hoof hit the inside wall. The stranger jumped and Layne chuckled.
“Thanks for the help,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m Layne Daly.”
“Carl Stewartson. Glad to help. I’ve driven vehicles like this before, so I know how difficult they are to back up.” Carl shook his hand.
Layne wondered if he imagined Carl holding his hand a little longer than necessary. He gave himself a mental shake. Didn’t matter if the man had or not. Layne didn’t have time for a hook up. Not right then anyway. He needed to get the horses settled in their stalls. He checked his watch and grimaced.
“Got somewhere you need to be?” Carl tilted his head toward Layne’s wrist.
“No. Just wondering where my groom is. He was supposed to be driving over from the ranch earlier and have everything set up, so I could get the horses in right away. But Quinn hasn’t showed up yet.” He pulled out his phone. Both of them jumped when another kick landed on the wall closest to him.
Carl snorted. “Sounds like they’re getting impatient.”
Layne nodded. “Tigger hates being trailered anywhere. Thank God, Boom and Snack are so laid back, or I’d have a riot on my hands.” He brought up Quinn’s number then hit the send button. “I’m going to chew his ass out about not being here.”
“Well, if you need any help, just let me know. I’ll be around.” Carl started to walk off, but Layne reached out to grab his arm.
“Could you wait and help me get them unloaded? Even if he’s on his way, he won’t get here soon enough. If I don’t get them out of there soon, Tigger will end up hurting himself or the others.”
Carl grinned. “Be glad to. Why don’t I go see where your stalls are while you talk to your guy?”
He wanted to say that Quinn wasn’t his guy, just a friend and an employee, but he was pretty sure Carl didn’t mean it the way he’d taken it. “Thanks.”
“Boss?”
“Quinn, what the hell’s wrong? You sound like shit.” Layne winced at the harshness of Quinn’s voice.
“I’m sick. Came down with it just after you left this morning. Meant to call you, but fell asleep,” Quinn croaked out.
“Shit.” Layne swept off his hat then slapped it against his thigh. “Now I’m going to have to find someone to help me out here. I can’t take care of the boys all by myself while doing exhibitions and talks.”
Quinn coughed before saying, “I’m sorry, Layne. I know this is important to you.”
Layne shot a quick glance around at the busy crowd of people coming and going from the arena. Some were walking horses. Others were helping to herd the bulls in for the rodeo. He propped his hip against the wheel well of the trailer and sighed.
“I know you are. I’m not mad or anything, Quinn. It’s not like you planned on getting sick. I’m just cranky from driving all day and having to figure shit out. Get some sleep and if you need to, have Whit drive you to the doctor’s.” Layne couldn’t help but smile at the unhappy little whine Quinn gave at the thought of going to the doctor. “I’ll call Whit in a couple hours after I get the boys settled for the night.”
“I’ll let her know.” Quinn hung up.
Layne did the same then shoved his phone in his back pocket. Better suck it up, buttercup. There’s no one here to help you and you have three horses to get bedded down before you can leave. As exhausting as dealing with horses was, Layne wouldn’t have it any other way. His herd was his life. Hell, had been his life since he was old enough to walk and discovered how much freedom there was on the back of a horse.
An anxious whinny drew his attention to the open windows of the trailer. He saw Tigger stick his nose out, sniffing the air and curling his upper lip in a weird little smirk.
Hope this has got you interested. I’m planning on having a blurb up for you tomorrow on the blog story I want to start. Hope you all have a great Wednesday.
Wednesday, January 6th, 2016,
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Filed under: GayRomLit,New Vocations,Uncategorized,Wednesday WiPs,writing| |
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I’m still working out which story I’ll pick for the next blog story. Maybe a sci-fi/fantasy one. For some reason that’s talking to me at the moment.
I’ve started writing my story for the 2016 GRL anthology which will take place in Kansas City. I have two chapters done and am enjoying it right now. We’ll see if it keeps going. lol.
I hope you all have a great Tuesday and I’ll try to get you a blurb or something for the blog story on Thursday.
Tuesday, January 5th, 2016,
by ,
Filed under: GayRomLit,writing| |
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