Page 117 of Stable Hand

“Let him know I’m here if he needs to talk.”

“Of course.”

“Did he tell you anything?”

“He told me everything.”

*

Luke was still sleeping when Noah came back from the grooming barn.

“Liv told me what happened. Is he okay?” he asked, sitting where I made space for him on my bunk.

“I think so,” I said. “He’s calmed down and slept most of the afternoon.”

Noah smiled. “I guess that’s good?”

I smiled back. “I think so.”

“He told me about what happened to his parents,” I said quietly.

Noah nodded. “Good. He needs to talk about his past.”

“Yeah.”

“Especially with people who care about him.”

“Yeah,” I said. “I do. I care about you too. Any skeletons in your closet?”

Noah laughed softly. “Nope. My life’s been pretty boring. Thankfully.”

I grinned. “I don’t think anyone who spends time at the Braided Crop Ranch can say their life is boring, Noah.”

Noah nodded with a smile. “Yeah. True. You got me.”

“Um, hey, do you know anything about puppy play?” I asked nonchalantly.

Noah’s head snapped up. “What? Why?”

“Has Lorraine ever put you in a pup hood?”

Noah stared at me, turning red. “Maybe.”

“Uh huh.” I pointed upward and spoke softly. “Luke? In a pup hood and tail? So hot and incredibly malleable.”

Noah’s chin dropped.

*

When Luke woke up later, and after he had a shower, the three of us took a walk.

Not to the shed. There was plenty of time for more assignations in the shed. This time we walked the other way, past the pebble beach on a trail winding through the woods until we reached the lake again.

The water reflected the late afternoon sun, glimmering blue and silver. Luke sat on a large rock and gazed out at this vista, taking the unbelievable beauty in. Noah and I found spots near him. We sat in silence for some time, appreciating the beauty of our surroundings and the company.

“I love this place,” Luke said finally. “This whole ranch. The people, the kink, the food. Everything.” He glanced at me and Noah. “Even Kamal.” He shrugged.

I took off my hat and wiped the sweat off my forehead, then replaced it. “I could have sworn you hated this place when I first met you.”