Chapter 17

It was cold in the abandoned barn. Snow fell through the holes in the roof and blew through the holes in the walls. Jared huddled next to the tiny fire as the snow piled up around him, burying his feet and drifting ever higher. He knew there was danger hidden in the shadows around him but it didn't matter anymore. All of his attention was focused on the fire. The flames, which had once leaped high and filled the barn with a luxuriant heat, were sullen now; they flickered fitfully, smothered by the same snow that was slowly covering Jared. When the fire went out, there would be nothing left but cold and darkness. And Jared would die as the fire had, buried in the snow.

He woke, gasping and shivering, dream and reality so intertwined that he was disoriented, uncertain whether he lay in a bed of snow or of snowy white sheets, whether the wall before him was flimsy boards or sturdy logs. As his breathing eased and his heartbeat slowed, he realized where he was and why he was still so cold. Ethan must have turned over, depriving Jared not only of his body heat but a good portion of the covers, too.

He rolled over as well, exulting in the fact that the movement came so easily. His healing had progressed rapidly in the two weeks since they'd returned from town. His knee was doing better and he could limp around the cabin with no problem; he had even been outside a couple of times with the aid of his old stick, although only with Ethan close by his side. His shoulder and chest were almost healed, too. He wore the sling rarely now, only when the older man worried that he was overdoing it.

He scooted over until he was spooned tightly against Ethan's bare back and pressed himself into that haven of warmth, giving a contented sigh as the temperature immediately rose several degrees. His feet were still freezing though, and slowly, cautiously, he moved one of them until he could ease the icy toes between Ethan's nice, warm calves. After a long moment, when the older man showed no signs of awakening, he gradually moved the other foot, aligning it with the first one and--

"Move that foot one more inch and I'm going to swat you."

"Ethan! God! Scare the daylights out of me, why don't you?" Jared indignantly thumped the older man on the shoulder. "How long have you been awake?"

"Since you wiggled up against me so enticingly." Ethan turned over and pulled Jared against his chest. "You know, there are better ways to warm you up, little boy," he added, running his hand down the young man's back to the base of his spine. He gently squeezed the curve of the firm, taut butt below, one finger dipping into the tantalizing cleft, and this time Jared's shiver had nothing to do with being cold.

"You think you can get my toes warm, too?" he asked with a low-throated chuckle.

"I guarantee it," Ethan promised as he rolled over, pinning Jared beneath him.

"Wait, Yip," Jared told the black and white bundle of energy bouncing around his feet. "I'm fixing it. Wait, now." He stirred warm milk into the pan of stale bread and meat scraps and awkwardly knelt to set it on the floor near the woodstove, blocking the puppy as it tried to dive headfirst into the pan.

Yip gave an excited bark and an enthusiastic swipe of his rough tongue across Jared's cheek.

"Yip!" As the young man laughed and raised his hand to wipe off his face, the little animal lunged toward the pan, firmly planting both front feet in it as he gobbled it down, as if he was afraid it was going to get away. "Damn," Jared grumbled, sitting back to watch him eat.

"Still wants to stand in it?" Ethan asked as he came in from doing the morning chores.

"Yes," Jared sighed, looking up at the tall, dark-haired man. "I thought you said he'd outgrow that."

"He will," Ethan replied with a smile. "Give him a little time."

"You'd think he'd have learned he doesn't have to share anymore," Jared complained. "Toss me a rag, would you?"

Yip slurped down the last of the milk, licked the bottom of the pan a couple more times

just to be sure he'd gotten it all, and tried to jump into Jared's lap.

"Wait, Yip! This is a clean shirt!" Jared snagged him before he could put his milky paws all over it and wiped them off. "Settle down now," he said as Yip climbed onto his lap and attempted to wash his face again. He cuddled the furry bundle, petting him and rubbing around his ears until the little animal whimpered blissfully. "Okay," he said after a few minutes, pushing the reluctant puppy onto the floor. "That's enough for now. I have to make Ethan's breakfast."

The puppy whined plaintively and tried to burrow back into his lap.

"No, Yip. Basket," Jared told him firmly.

The little animal whined once more, then trotted over to his basket by the fire and lay down, resting his head on the side so he could watch every move they made.

"Good boy," Jared praised him lovingly.

"He's learning. You're doing a good job with him," Ethan praised in turn. He hung his coat and hat on the hook by the door, and then held out a hand for the young man.

"Thanks," Jared said as he accepted the help getting to his feet, and leaned in tight against Ethan's chest. He wrapped his arms around the older man in an attempt to get closer, savoring the feel of the warm, hard body against his. "What time are Fox and Gideon getting here?"

"Any time," Ethan replied with a sigh, running his hand through the silky blond hair. "We need to get moving, little boy."

"Damn."

"I know," Ethan agreed as he tipped the young man's face up for a long, lingering kiss. "But we don't want to be in bed when they get here."

"Well..." Jared pretended to consider the matter, then laughed as Ethan swatted him. "I'll have breakfast ready in a few minutes. How's the weather?"

"Clear and cold. I had a hard time breaking the ice in the water troughs." Ethan filled the basin with warm water from the kettle and began washing up. "I want you to stay inside and take it easy today."

"Oh, Ethan," Jared sighed. "Do I have to?" He set a cast iron skillet on the hot stove and put several sausage patties in it, then placed the big griddle next to it.

"Yes, you have to," Ethan told him. "The path is slick, you can't see what might be buried under the snow, and I don't want you to risk a fall. You know what the doc said about injuring your knee again."

"How long do you think you and Fox will be gone?"

"I don't know for sure. It depends on how far we have to go," he replied. "Fox said there's a lair in Rocky Canyon. If it's the right one and the cat's there, we'll be back late this afternoon. If we have to track it very far, we might be out overnight."

"At least it will be easy to track in the snow," Jared commented as he began ladling pancake batter onto the griddle.

The animal in question was a full-grown mountain lion. Gaunt with hunger, it had been drawn down out of the hills by a chance at easy prey among the young calves and horses. Both Fox and Ethan had seen it hanging around and chased it off, but had been unable to get a clear shot at it. With calving and foaling season fast approaching, they needed to get rid of it before it could attack the newborns.

"If the pelt is in any shape at all, I'm going to let Fox have it, if you don't mind. They're making their living by trapping this winter and we don't need it." Ethan poured two cups of coffee while Jared put sausage and a stack of pancakes on each plate and they sat down to eat.

"That's fine," Jared agreed, happy to give his friend a hand.

What are you and Gideon going to do today?" Ethan asked as he reached for the syrup.

"Another cooking lesson, I think. And I promised to teach him how to play poker."

Ethan raised an eyebrow at the thought of the open-faced Gideon in a poker game. "You can read him like a book."

"Better," Jared replied with a laugh. "But I told him I'd try."

They had finished eating and Jared was making Ethan's lunch when Yip jumped out of his basket and trotted over to the door. At the same time they heard the horses in the pasture along the road whickering. Fox and Gideon had arrived.

"It's dangerous," Gideon said as he stomped snow from his high-topped boots before stepping onto the porch.

"Yes," Fox agreed.

The young blond turned to fully face his lover.  "Then you'll need me there," he said solemnly.

The larger man cleared his own boots with two hard blows from a heavy stick of firewood before answering simply, "No."

Kuschel waved his arms about the air in frustration.  "Why not?"

"Because it's dangerous," Fox told him calmly.

"But I can help," he whined.

"You are helping, here with Jared."

"But Damien..."

The larger man shook his head. "Jared needs you, Mouse."

"But, Damien..."

Fox touched work-roughened fingers to his partner's lips. "Enough."

The conversation came to an abrupt halt as Ethan opened the door.

"Morning, Fox. Morning, Gideon." he said. "Come on in. I'll be ready to go in just a minute."

Red-faced at being overheard, Gideon ducked his head and slipped around Ethan into the cabin.

Fox followed him in silence, nodding his acknowledgment to Ethan.

"Hey, Gideon," Jared said as they entered the cabin. "Hi, Fox."

Gideon flashed a quick look at his partner. "Hi, Jared," he said softly.

"Is my lunch ready, Jared?" Ethan asked as he tied his blanket roll.

"Just about," the young man replied. He added another package of cookies to the saddlebag on the table and fastened it closed. "I put in extra in case you have to stay out overnight."

Gideon fidgeted a moment as he watched his partner at the door. "There's an extra blanket in the wagon, Damien. I can get it if you want."

"No need, Mouse."

The younger man paused again. "You have enough food?" he asked tentatively.

Silver Fox snorted in laughter. "More than enough."

"Can you take these out to the barn, Fox?" Ethan asked. "Lucifer's saddled and ready to go."

Fox nodded at Ethan, taking the blanket roll and saddlebags from him and opening the door. "Meet you in the barn," he said, holding out his hand to Gideon, who smiled brilliantly and hurried to his partner's side.

"You behave while I'm gone," Ethan told Jared as the door closed behind them.

"Yes, Ethan. You be careful out there," Jared replied.

"You stay in the cabin, hear?"

"Watch out for that cat. Don't let it double back on you."

"Don't use that arm too much. Let Gideon do the heavy stuff." A smile tugged at Ethan's lips.

"Don't get lost." Jared's eyes danced as he continued their little game. "Let Fox do the tracking."

"Don't worry if we're not back for supper. We might camp out if we're too far from home."

"Don't wake me up if you're late. I might go to bed early."

"Brat," Ethan said with an affectionate chuckle, wrapping his arms around the younger man. " I put the yearlings in the barn corral. I don't think you have to worry about the mountain lion while we're gone, but they're a little more protected there."

"All right."

We'll try to be back before dark, but if we aren't have Gideon close up the chicken house. Everything else should be all right until we get back."

"Yes, Ethan."

"You should have enough wood, but there's more split if you need it."

"Yes, Ethan."

"Your rifle is by the door, just in case you need it for anything.."

"Yes, Ethan."

"I left Dulce in the barn so if something does happen, Gideon can get help."

"Ethan!" Jared exclaimed. "We'll be fine. Just go get the cat and be home in time for supper, all right?"

"Yes, Jared," Ethan replied meekly and they both laughed.

"We'll be fine," the younger man repeated. "You be careful, ok?" He rested his head against Ethan's shoulder, missing him already.

"I will." Ethan tipped the blond head up and brushed his hand lovingly across Jared's cheek. "Don't overdo it, little boy. I don't want to come back and find you hurting."

"Bye, Ethan. Stay safe," Jared whispered, covering the hand with his own.

"I will." He kissed the young man good-bye, then picked up his rifle. "Love you, little boy."

"Love you, Ethan." He watched the cabin door close, then took a deep breath and began the morning's work.

"Ah, Fox." The words were a soft, muffled sigh against the roughness of Damien's coat.

The larger man rubbed the side of his cheek against the springy nest of blond curls.  "Yes, Little Rain?" he asked as he squeezed the warm body plastered against him.

Gideon stepped back so he could meet his lover's eyes.  "You will be careful."

Fox's lips twisted into a half-smile.  "Yes," he said softly.

"I would just slow you two down." He paused.  "And it *is* really cold." He paused again.  "You know how I hate the cold."

Fox only grunted as he tightly hugged the smaller frame to his.

"And Jared needs someone to stay here and help him." As a reward, Gideon found himself silenced by a breath-stealing kiss.

When Damien finally released his prize, the only thing that kept him upright was the larger man's embrace. "Are you all right?" he asked, amusement coloring his tone.

"I will be," Gideon whispered.  "As soon as you come back."

"Then we will hurry," Damien told him as he set Gideon back on his feet, indicating the closed barn door with a tilt of his chin.  "Ethan," he informed a pouting Gideon and stepped away.

Gideon nibbled at his lower lip, his eyebrows trying to meet each other in the center of his forehead, and Jared sighed. This was hopeless. It wasn't like Gideon had one or two 'tells' that Jared could warn him about. He was one giant walking, talking tell. Every move, every expression, telegraphed his hand and his intentions. And if they didn't, his questions did.

"So if I have four diamonds in a row, like 10, jack, queen, king, is that worth anything?"

"No, Gideon. You have to have five of them."

"Oh. What if I have the ace? I can play it high, right? And then the hand is worth something?"

"Yes, Gideon. Then you have a royal flush and it's the best hand you can get."

"Oh, good. What do I say again?"

Jared threw his full house on the table. "You say 'I win', Gideon. Wouldn't you rather bake something?"

"No, I'm having fun. I win," he announced proudly, laying his royal flush on the table.

Jared looked at the queen of hearts nestled among the diamonds, then at the full house he'd just tossed. "Gideon, are you *sure* you wouldn't rather bake something?"

"No, but if you want to--"

Yip, who had been sleeping with his head on Jared's foot, rose and began whining anxiously.

"Did I upset him?" Gideon asked, just as anxiously.

"No, he just needs to go outside," Jared replied as he stood up. He leaned against the table for a moment, until he was sure of his balance, then went to get his coat.

"Can I take him out for you? Please?" Gideon begged. "I'd really like to. It'll be practice in case we ever get a dog."

"Are you sure, Gideon? He doesn't always listen very well," Jared asked doubtfully, one hand on his coat.

"I'm sure. And you aren't supposed to go outside, are you?"

"I can go out on the porch. Just not any further."

Yip's whining grew louder as they debated and he began scratching at the door. Jared hurriedly opened it for him and he ran joyously out into the snow as Gideon snatched up his coat and followed.

The sun was shining brightly, but the air was still crisp and cold. Ethan had shoveled paths to the outbuildings and woodpile, but elsewhere the snow was about a foot deep, more where it had drifted against obstacles in its path. Yip immediately left the path, burrowing energetically through the snow, barking happily.

"Yip! Wait!" Gideon yelled, struggling to chase the little dog and get his coat and mittens on at the same time. He impatiently shoved his knit cap into one of the pockets on his heavy wool coat as he turned in circles. "Yip! Where'd you go?" He looked around the yard in bewilderment. How could the animal have disappeared so fast? "Yip! Where are you?"

There was a sharp bark and the puppy appeared from behind the snow-capped woodpile, looking like a large, furry snowball himself. He shook himself vigorously, spraying Gideon with half-melted snow, then crouched and yipped again, clearly inviting the man to play with him.

"Yip! Come on! If you're done, let's go back inside now."

The puppy tunneled enthusiastically into another drift.

"Yip! Stop it!  I'm not playing now.  Come on.  It's cold out here!" He crouched down, balancing himself with one hand while he called to the puppy. "Come on, Yip. That's a good boy. Come to Gideon now."

Yip joyfully tackled the squatting man, knocking him backward onto his butt, snatched the bright wool cap from his pocket, and took off again.

"Yip! Bring that back here!" Gideon floundered awkwardly after the puppy, which was clearly delighted with this new game. He ran circles around Gideon, dropping the cap to bark madly at him, then snatching it up and taking off again.

"Yip! Come back! Now!" As the puppy slowed and looked inquiringly over his shoulder, Gideon lunged forward and made a wild grab for him. His fingertips just brushed the soft fur before he landed face first in the snow, and the little animal darted under the bottom board of the corral fence.

The startled yearlings bucked and squealed, crowding into the farthest corner of the corral and eyeing him fearfully. Yip, well-aware of the penalty for chasing livestock, firmly resisted the temptation to challenge them. Instead, he dropped the cap and waited, panting happily, for Gideon to resume their game.

As Gideon irritably climbed out of the snowdrift he'd fallen into and brushed himself off, the cabin door opened. "Yip! Come here, boy," Jared called. "Gideon, don't let him play in the corral, all right? Ethan doesn't want him around the horses until he's been trained a little better."

Yip looked around, spotted Jared, and immediately scrambled back under the fence and ran as hard as he could for the cabin.

"Dumb dog," Gideon muttered. He repeated it with more force as he saw his cap lying just out of reach on the other side of the five-foot board fence. With a deep, discouraged sigh, he began slogging his way along the fence to the gate.

Gideon pulled the heavy cast iron dutch oven to the front of the hot stove and removed the lid, sniffing appreciatively at the enticing aroma that filled the air. He poked tentatively at the pot roast inside. "The fork goes into it, but not very well. I don't think it's done yet."

"No, it isn't," Jared agreed. "But we need to put the potatoes and carrots in now, so they'll all be done when it is."

"So what do I do now?"

"Quarter the potatoes and put them in around the meat," Jared instructed as he sprinkled cinnamon on the bread pudding they'd made. "Then do the same thing with the carrots."

"All right." Gideon got the pan with the potatoes and carrots and sat down at the table. "When we're through, can we play cards again?"

"Sure." Jared replied. He tipped golden brown loaves of bread from their pans and set them on a board to finish cooling, then stretched and glanced toward the window. Condensation had settled on the small square panes of glass, making it difficult to see outside, but the sky that had been so blue earlier was an ominous slate gray now. He stepped closer to the window for a better look, frowning at the dark clouds hanging over the horizon. He didn't want to say anything that would worry Gideon, but he sure hoped Fox and Ethan were on their home by now. It was going to be dark in another hour or so, and that storm looked like it was coming pretty fast. A movement near the chicken house caught his eye, and he swore softly under his breath. "Gideon," he said in a louder voice.

"Huh?" Gideon looked up from the carrots he was carefully cutting into chunks, a worried expression on his face. "Am I cutting them wrong, Jared? I thought you said--"

"The carrots are fine," Jared replied impatiently. "Did you go into the corral by the barn today?"

"Yeah. Yip dropped my cap and I had to go in after it. Why?"

"Did you close the gate behind you?"

"I- I think so," Gideon replied hesitantly, trying to remember whether he had or not. "I'm almost sure I did. Why?"

"Get your coat on," Jared ordered as he got his own off the hook.

"Why?" he repeated as he rose to his feet. "What's wrong?"

"The yearlings are out and you've got to put them back."

"Me??" Gideon almost squeaked in his dismay. "I don't know anything about horses!"

Jared swore again. "You have to do it, Gideon. We have to get them back in the corral and I can't leave the porch. Now get your coat on!"

Gideon hurried to get his hat and coat and then Jared sent him to the barn for a bucket of grain, some of the carrots Ethan fed to the stock, and a halter and lead rope. The half dozen young horses were bunched together in the yard, a little nervous as they explored this strange new territory. One of the fillies nosed at the pan of grain set out for the chickens and a hen scurried under her feet, clucking wildly. She jumped and the others stiffened, prepared to bolt if necessary.

"Easy, little one. It's all right. Take it easy," Jared called in his best imitation of Ethan's calm, confident tone. Damn it! Why did it have to be the yearlings? If it had been any of the older horses he could have chanced leaving them out; they were all pretty sensible and would stay together and out of trouble. But the yearlings were just inexperienced babies. It wouldn't take much to spook them and set them running, and then they'd get lost or hurt themselves stumbling around in the dark. He couldn't risk it, not with a storm coming on and maybe the mountain lion still on the loose.

Gideon panted up with the things he'd asked for, and Jared stood on the porch step and tried the two-toned whistle Ethan used. If he could just get one of them to come close enough to get the halter on it...

At the whistle, several ears pricked up and they all turned their heads to look at him. "Come on, now. Supper time," he called, rattling the bucket of grain. One or two took a hesitant step toward him, but then they all whirled and kicked up their heels. Clearly they weren't ready to be caught just yet.

"You're going to have to try, Gideon," Jared told his friend glumly after several more attempts had failed. "Take a carrot and the rope, and walk slowly up to Dancer - that's the gray filly over there - and offer her a chunk of carrot. While she's eating it, gently drop one end of the rope over her neck. Then hold both ends in one hand and use it to lead her into the corral. She's their leader, so once she's in the others should follow."

"All right." Gideon took a deep breath and started toward the horse.

"Slowly," Jared warned. "Talk to her, slow and easy. Don't scare her."

"It- it's all right, girl," Gideon tried to croon between dry lips as he hesitantly advanced through the snow. "I won't hurt you if you don't hurt me, all right? Just take the nice carrot and let me put this rope-- AGGHH!"

"Gideon! What the hell are you doing?" Jared shouted as man and horse both leaped backwards, identical expressions of terror on their faces.

"It bit me!"

"She did *not* bite you, Gideon! She was just trying to get the carrot out of your hand! Now try again."

Half an hour later, Jared was pacing the porch, frustrated and very close to losing his temper. It was getting dark, the first flakes of snow were drifting through the air, and they were no closer to getting the horses in the corral than they'd been when they'd started.

There was no point in yelling at Gideon. He couldn't help that he was terrified of the horses or that he was scaring them in return. He'd done his best, but he refused to get close to them and the yearlings weren't responding to the whistle or the rattle of the grain bucket. Gideon's attempt to herd them had been laughable, and the whole situation wasn't helped by the fact that Yip objected to being locked in the cabin and was barking hysterically in protest.

Getting the horses back in the corral was something Jared could normally accomplish in five minutes, but Gideon was never going to manage it. If only they were still in with the mares, Jared thought dismally. The mares would listen to him and the yearlings would listen to their mothers. That gave him another idea. Dulce wasn't their mother, but maybe--

"Come on, Jared, I'm cold and this isn't working. Can't we just leave them until Ethan and Damien get home?" Gideon begged.

"No. We can't," Jared replied as stubbornly as he had the previous times Gideon had asked. "I have another idea. Can you saddle Dulce by yourself?"

"No!" Gideon's mulish look was more than a match for Jared's. "And even if I could, I am *not* going to go looking for Damien and Ethan! It's cold and it's dark and I'd get lost before I got out of sight!. Just forget it, Jared!"

"I'm not asking you to go look for them; I'm not that stupid!" Jared retaliated angrily. "Can you at least get a bridle on her? So I can ride her?"

"Jared! You're out of your mind! Do you know what Ethan would do if he caught you riding Dulce?"

"Do you know what he'd do if he came home and found the horses gone?" Jared countered. "You want to be the one to tell him they're loose because you didn't close the gate behind you?"

Gideon didn't. "Oh, all *right*! But when you get in trouble for it, don't blame me!" He marched off toward the barn, self-righteous indignation registering in every forceful stomp.

"And bring me a lasso, too," Jared called after him.

"Lead her as close to the porch as you can," he instructed when the other man returned. "So I can use the step as a mounting block. The *other* side, Gideon! I have to get on from the other side."

"Sorry," Gideon muttered, turning her around. "Now what?"

"Hey, Dulce." Jared took a moment to wrap his arms around her neck and murmur softly in her ear, savoring the warmth of her shaggy winter coat. It had been so long since he'd been able to ride her and he'd missed her. Dulce seemed to return the sentiment, nuzzling at his hair and blowing gently into it. "That's my girl," he whispered, running his hand over her neck and patting it gently. "That's my beautiful girl."

He took a deep breath and boosted himself onto the mare's back, biting down on his lower lip as both his knee and chest strongly protested the movement. "Hand me the reins," he ordered between clenched teeth. "And then the rope."

Dulce pranced and sidled, confused by the mixed signals between knees and reins, but he didn't dare put any more pressure on his right knee than he needed to stay on. "Come on, sweetheart," he urged her. "You can do it. Just get me close enough to drop a rope over her. That's my girl."

She flicked her ears back and forth as if considering it, then obeyed the gentle nudge of his heel. "Easy, Dancer," Jared crooned to the wary animal watching them. "Come on now. You don't belong out here and you know it. Let's get you into the corral and you can have a nice long drink and something to eat. Come on now."

The dapple-gray filly stood her ground uneasily as they approached, unsure whether to bolt or not, snorting and dancing backwards as Jared tried to drop the loop of rope over her head. "Damn it, what'd you do that for?" he complained in the same crooning tone, as he recoiled the rope for another try. "How am I supposed to lead you back to the corral if you won't let me get the rope on you?"

He tried again and the loop settled over the her head this time. She snorted again and stamped her feet, still not sure whether she liked this idea or not, and Jared held his breath. If she took off, he'd have to let go of the rope. There was no way he could stay on at anything faster than a walk, not without using both knees. "Come on, girl," he urged softly as he slowly tightened the loop. "Work with me here, all right?"

Dancer tossed her head in reply and, as he started Dulce toward the barn, dug her feet into the snow and braced herself. After a long, tense moment, she finally gave in and followed the older horse. The others milled around them for a few moments, and then, one by one, fell in behind. "That's right," Jared encouraged them, whistling again for good measure. "Get the corral gate, Gideon," he called to his friend as they picked up speed. "And don't scare them."

Gideon made a wide circle around them and hurried to open the gate. As soon as they were all in, he slammed it closed and Jared heaved a big sigh of relief.

"That was great, Jared!" Gideon cried enthusiastically. "That was-- Uh oh." His eyes widened in dismay.

Jared twisted on Dulce's back to look behind him, although he already knew what he was going to see. God damn it! Why did Ethan always have such a lousy sense of timing!

"Hi, Ethan. You're earlier than I expected," he said weakly as the two men rode up through the dusk. "Did you get the cat?"

"Jared. Gideon." Ethan nodded at them. "Having fun?" Coming to a halt in front of them, he leaned forward a bit in the saddle, easing his weight after the long ride, and folded his gloved hands over the pommel. He appeared relaxed, as if he were merely passing the time of day, but Jared bit his lip and Gideon instinctively backed up a few steps.

"Not much." Jared tried for the same tone, with less success. "The yearlings got out of the corral, and I knew you didn't want me out walking around in the snow, so I thought--"

"You thought finding you out riding a horse would make me happier?" Ethan asked, raising one eyebrow.

Put like that, it didn't sound like such a great idea. "Well, no, but-- " He licked suddenly dry lips. "It was the only way I could get them in, Ethan! And it's starting to snow."

"How did they get out in the first place?" the older man asked in that same deceptively casual voice. "I know I closed that gate this morning."

Jared's eyes flickered toward Gideon and back to Ethan. The few times Ethan had caught him in a lie he'd had his mouth washed out with soap, and he wasn't anxious to repeat the experience. On the other hand, he didn't want to be a tell tale, even to stay out of trouble. "I just looked out the window and they were in the yard," he finally said as Gideon remained silent.

Ethan had seen the darting glance and his lips tightened. "I see."

Fox had also seen the look, and he spoke for the first time since they arrived. " It's time we went home. Thank you for your help, Ethan. Come, Gideon." He held out his hand for the young man.

"But, Fox! What about dinner?"

"Come, Gideon," he repeated, and the young man reluctantly took his hand and swung up behind him.

"I'll see you later, Jared."

"Later, Gideon."

Fox turned the horse homeward. Behind him, Gideon held on tight, burying his face in the rough wool of his coat. The big man could almost feel the young man's fear like a great wave threatening to engulf him. He could also guess at the things that ran through his mind.

'What good was he out here in the wilderness?'

'None. He was useless.'

'He couldn't even catch a baby horse.'

'Or a little dog.'

'Or remember something simple as latching a gate behind him.'

The young blond stifled a sob. Fox would be better off without him.

Another reason to go, Jared probably wouldn't ever speak to him again.

Maybe if he just went away. Left while Fox was asleep.

Gideon's breath hitched in his chest as he began making his plans. Tonight. . . after his lover fell asleep. . .

Suddenly, he felt a tug on his wrists. He looked up just as he partner looked back over his shoulder.

"You would be less effort to track than the mountain lion," he said quietly. "And easier to skin."

Gideon could only gape at him.

"No more thoughts of escape, Little Rain. We will talk at home."

"Get down," Ethan ordered as the other men disappeared down the trail toward their ranch.

Jared shakily obeyed, surreptiously leaning against Dulce to ease the strain on his knee. "Ethan, I can explain--"

"How's your leg?" the older man interrupted. "Can you walk on it?"

"I- I think so," Jared said doubtfully, measuring the distance to the cabin. He wasn't sure he could walk that far, especially without his cane, but he wasn't about to tell Ethan that right now.

"That means no." With an exasperated sigh, the other man swept him off the ground and carried him through the snow.

"Ethan, I can explain--" Jared tried again,

"Not now, little boy." Ethan ordered. He set the younger man down with a thump just inside the door. There was a slight pause as they both fended off the hysterically happy puppy jumping against their legs, then he continued, "Get your pants off and get in the corner."

"But, Ethan!"

"I said not now, Jared! I'm going out to do the chores. We'll deal with it when I get back. Come on, Yip."

Jared cringed as the door slammed behind Ethan and the dog. How had everything gone so wrong, he wondered mournfully as he hung up his coat and sat down to untie his boots. He'd been having such a good week and he'd tried so hard. He'd known Ethan would be mad, but what else could he have done?

If he'd known Ethan was going to be home so soon, he would have waited. If it had been any of the other horses he would have waited. But it was the babies, the most vulnerable members of their herd, and Gideon sure wasn't able to manage. There'd been no one to do it but him. So what else was he supposed to have done?

It wasn't fair, he thought rebelliously as he shoved his pants to his ankles and jerked them off. He was trying to be helpful and responsible. He was trying to do the right thing. Why couldn't Ethan see that? Ethan should be praising him for his actions, telling him what a good job he'd done, not punishing him!

He'd been in the corner, guilty conscience warring with righteous indignation, for what seemed like an hour before he heard the door open and Ethan come in. The older man didn't say anything and Jared kept his eyes on the wall, tracking Ethan by sound as he moved around the cabin.

"Use your hands," Ethan ordered when he shifted position, trying to keep the weight off his aching leg without losing his balance

He silently put his hands against the wall and rested his weight on them while Ethan filled the woodbox, fed Yip, replenished the fires, and moved supper to the back of the stove.

"Come here, Jared," he said at last, and Jared went to stand in front of him. "Take your shirt off and sit down." He indicated the straight-backed chair near the table.

Clad only in his long underwear and socks, he sat down, still torn between guilt and self-righteous indignation, trying not to flinch as Ethan loomed over him.

"Does your chest or shoulder hurt?" Ethan asked as he undid the buttons of Jared's underwear and pulled it open.

"No," Jared replied, cautiously moving his arm and shoulder. "It aches a little bit, but not much more than usual."

"It doesn't look like you tore it open," Ethan said, carefully inspecting the edges of the healing gunshot wound. "What about your knee?" He knelt down and grasped it, probing for sensitive spots. "Does this hurt?"

"It aches a little," he admitted. "But it isn't hurt bad. I was careful."

"You were lucky," Ethan corrected him as he gently bent and straightened the injured leg, watching Jared's face for signs of pain. "I don't know what you were thinking, little boy. You heard Doc Baker. You know that if you injure this again it will take longer to heal and you might be left with a permanent limp. And just in case you don't have the common sense God gave a gopher," his voice rose in angry frustration, "I *ordered* you to stay inside today. So tell me, Jared, what the *hell* were you thinking?"

Jared's temper flared in return. "I was thinking that the horses always come first! I was thinking that they're important and valuable and you need them to build up the ranch! I was thinking that if I didn't do something they'd get lost or hurt or killed by that cat and you'd be out two years of work! I was thinking about *you*, Ethan, and I think you might appreciate my effort instead of *yelling* at me and punishing me for it!" To his shame, his voice broke on the last word and he dashed angrily at his eyes.

"Oh, Jared," Ethan said, his tone changing to one of weary exasperation. "I don't know about you sometimes. Yes, the horses are important, but they don't come always come first. They certainly don't come before your health."

"But I didn't get hurt! I was careful!"

"You were *lucky*," Ethan corrected him again. "And it doesn't matter either way. I told you to stay inside today, not to stay inside unless you thought there was a good reason to go out. And you know what happens when you disobey me." He stood up and held out his hand.

"But, Ethan!" he protested as he allowed the older man to pull him up and take his place on the chair. "Can't we skip it, just this once? I won't do it again. I promise!"

"No, we can't," Ethan replied as he sat down. "You have a history of rash and impulsive behavior, little boy. That's why I give you direct orders in the first place. If I let you get away with ignoring them this time, it will make it that much easier for you to disobey me next time. And when I give you an order like that, I expect it to be obeyed. Every time, not just when you think it's the reasonable thing to do. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, Ethan," he replied miserably, reluctantly allowing himself to be drawn down across the other man's thighs. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you."

"I know you're sorry, little boy, but that doesn't change the consequences," he replied as he unbuttoned the back flap on the long underwear. The first swat landed hard across both cheeks and Jared jumped and yelped at the impact, automatically reaching back to block the punishing swats. Then, without being told, he drew his hand back, reaching down to get a desperate grip on Ethan's calf instead.

"Good boy," Ethan said briefly before continuing in the task of turning the milky pale cheeks a warm rosy pink instead.

Jared tried to remain still, but as the hand unerringly covered each inch of his butt, he began to squirm frantically, futilely trying to get away from the punishing hand. ""I'm sorry, Ethan!" he gulped between anguished sobs. "I won't-- do it again! I promise I'll-- I'll-- listen to you from now on. I *promise*!"

Finally, when Jared was sure he couldn't endure a moment longer, Ethan landed one last swat on the center of his butt and it was over. He slowly sank to his knees beside the chair, laid his head on his partner's lap and sobbed until Ethan wrapped him in a blanket and carried him over to the chair by the fire.

"I'm sorry, Ethan," Jared whispered softly after the tears had died away to an occasional sniffle. "I know I was wrong, but I was worried about the horses. I didn't think we could afford to lose even one of them."

Ethan stroked the tousled blond hair lovingly. "It would be hard to lose them," he agreed, "but you're more important, little boy. We could manage without the horses. We could manage if we lost all of them and the ranch besides. But I can't manage without you."

"Really?" Jared murmured wonderingly, tipping his head back to see Ethan's face.

"Really," Ethan reassured him. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

"You're the best thing that happened to me, too." Jared pulled Ethan's head down for a kiss, then winced at the pain caused by his movement. "Most of the time anyway," he grumbled half-heartedly.

Ethan laughed softly. "You know how to prevent it, little boy."

They sat silently entwined for awhile, then Ethan spoke again. "I've been thinking, Jared," he began.

"Mmmm? What about?" he asked drowsily when Ethan didn't continue.

"I've thought of you as my partner for quite awhile, even called you that when talking to other people, and I hope you feel the same way about me."

"Uh huh."

"How would you like to make it official?"

"What?" Jared sat up, ignoring the pain it caused. "I don't understand, Ethan. Make it official how?"

"I love you, little boy. This ranch and these horses, the freedom and independence they've stood for, have been the most important things in my life. But they wouldn't mean a thing if you weren't here to share them with me, so I'd like to share them with you. Publicly. I want to have papers drawn up putting your name on the deeds and making you my partner in the ranch. If you're willing."

"Oh, Ethan." Jared searched his face intently. "Do you really mean it?"

"Of course, I mean it." Ethan drew the beloved head back down against his shoulder. "Have I ever said anything to you I didn't mean?"

"No," Jared admitted with a small chuckle. "Never. I'd be honored, Ethan," he continued more seriously. "I can't think of anything I want more."

"Good. We'll do it next time we go to town." He brushed a kiss over the young man's hair and tighened his arms around him. "I love you, little boy," he repeated.

The tender moment was interrupted by the grumbling of Ethan's stomach and Jared struggled upright again. "Your supper, Ethan! You must be so hungry! I'll get up and--"

"No. I don't want you walking around anymore today. Let's get you ready for bed and then I'll finish making supper."

Later, Jared cautiously slid out from under the quilts and lay with his head at the foot of the bed so he could watch Ethan moving around the stove. His butt still hurt, his nose was stuffed up and his head ached; he should have been totally miserable, but instead he was sublimely happy.

In a minute, Ethan would notice him and tell him to get back under the covers. Then he'd bring supper over to the bed and coax Jared to eat. And he'd take a few bites, even though he wasn't hungry, just because it made Ethan happy. And then he'd go to sleep with his partner's arms wrapped around him.

Partners. Jared sighed contentedly, savoring the thought. A partner in the ranch, but more importantly, in Ethan's life. He'd do his best to pull his weight, to make this the best damned ranch in the state; but even if it wasn't, even if something happened and they had to move on, it would be okay. Because home wasn't just a house or a cabin or a ranch. Home was beside Ethan, no matter where they were.

"Jared, get back under those covers."

"I just want to see what you're doing!"

"I'm washing a pan. Now get back under those covers."

Yes, Jared thought as he obediently crawled back under the quilts. Life was good.