Cattle Valley Mistletoe CV2 (3 page)

“Hey,” he answered.

14

“Hey, you want to come over to watch the game later?” Gill’s deep voice asked.

“Sure, better than sitting home feeling sorry for myself.”

“The kid again?” Gill chuckled.

“He’s not a kid. I imagine he’s in his thirties. Casey just looks young.” Hal glanced out the window toward Casey’s house.

“Must be all that clean living he does,” Gill teased.

“Don’t remind me. I’ll see ya after work. You feeding me, too?”

“Sure, I’ll scrounge something up.”

“Okay, let me off the phone so I can get this job done and get out of here.” Hal started to hang up as he heard Gill laughing, damn him. Pushing the end button, Hal clipped the phone back onto his waistband and got to work. If visions of Casey next door in the shower happened to creep into his mind while he worked, well, who could blame him?

Putting the twelve-pack he’d brought in the fridge, Hal opened the box and took out a beer. “You want one?” he asked Gill.

“Are they cold?”

“They’ve been in my truck since lunch. What do you think?” Hal said, getting Gill a can.

“Damn, someone’s grouchy this evening.” Gill stirred what appeared to be a big pot of chilli.

“It’s Casey. He’s driving me nuts.” Hal took his beer over and sat on one of the stools at the kitchen island. Taking a big gulp, he shook his head.

“Just because you have some hang-up about dating a religious man, don’t take it out on me.” Gill opened his beer and leaned his forearms on the island. “I know you’ve got something against religion, but what does going out and getting lucky have to do with it?”

“He’s a reverend. You think he’s gonna settle for a quick fuck a time or two? He’s the kind of guy who’s going to expect fidelity and happily-ever-afters.” Hal ran his fingers through his short brown hair. “I don’t do those things.”

“You’ve cheated on someone before?” Gill asked, sounding shocked.

15

“Well no, but that doesn’t mean I won’t want to in the future. Besides, what would we talk about? How do you keep the subject of faith out of a conversation with a damned reverend?”

“You, my friend, are a puzzle,” Gill chuckled. He tore a paper towel off the roll and wiped his shiny bald head.

Hal looked at his friend, trying to figure out why there was no apparent attraction between the two of them. Gill was a damn fine looking man. It wasn’t everyday Hal found someone taller than he was, but Gill had him beat by a good four inches.

“What?” Gill asked.

“Why haven’t we ever hooked up?”

“Uh, because we’re friends and we both already have our eyes on someone else. Besides, I think you like being the top and no way in hell is anyone ever gonna top me.” Gill gave Hal a wink and went to stir his chilli again.

Hal smiled at the thought of anyone attempting to top the black version of Mr. Clean. Just the thought of fucking Casey had Hal’s cock hard in no time. “Thanks,” he said to Gill’s back. “I thought for sure I’d be able to get through an evening without a perpetual hard-on.”

Gill turned around and held his hands up. “Don’t look at me, man. Matter of fact, stop it.

Go in the bathroom and take care of it or something. I’ll be damned if I want to watch the game with you and your woody.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary. I’ll try to control myself around that big gorgeous body of yours,” Hal teased.

“Oh, now you’re just asking for a smack-down. Get your ass up and set the table. It would be nice if you invited me over to that house you’re so proud of once in awhile. But no, you always have to come here and eat up all my grub.” Laughing, Hal got out the big bowls and silverware. “Tell me again why we’re friends?”

“Cuz no one else will put up with your cracker ass.” Gill took the dishtowel off his shoulder and popped Hal in the butt.

“For you’re information, I do invite you over, but you always whine that it’s too far to drive. Besides, I can’t cook nearly as well as you do.” Hal got out the cheese, hot sauce and vinegar and put them on the table. “Crackers?”

“Yeah, don’t you know what a cracker is?” Gill asked like he was crazy.

16

Rolling his eyes, Hal gave Gill his bowl to fill. “Crackers, saltines, ya know those little square things with salt you put in chilli.”

“Oh, in the pantry, bottom shelf.”

“You know, someday someone’s going to hear you calling me that and come to the conclusion you don’t like me much.” Hal took his bowl before handing Gill another one.

Gill surprised him by leaning in and kissing Hal’s forehead. “They’d be wrong. Now, let’s eat.”

17

“Ow!”

“You okay?” Casey asked, walking over to Hal.

“Yeah, I wasn’t paying attention and got a splinter. I’ll live.” Hal sucked at the skin between his thumb and forefinger.

“Let me see.” Casey stepped up, and held out his hand.

Hal shook his head. “It’s nothing. I’ll dig it out with my pocket knife at lunch.” Casey rolled his eyes. Alphas could be such pains. “I’m not letting you
dig
anything out with a knife. Let me see it, and I’ll run over and get my tweezers if I need to.” Hal grinned. Casey was a bit surprised the man even knew how. “Not gonna
let
me, huh?” Hal teased.

Sighing, Casey emphasised his outstretched hand. “Just let me see it.” Grudgingly, Hal put his hand in Casey’s. Finding the small sliver of wood wasn’t hard, but it appeared to be fairly deep. Pulling Hal by the hand, Casey stood directly under a light. “I’m going to run home and get some stuff.” He willed his hand to release Hal’s, but his body had other ideas.

Looking up into Hal’s light blue eyes, Casey stopped breathing. Even standing as tall as he could, Casey only came to Hal’s shoulder. His lips felt like they were on fire with the need to kiss the bigger man.

Hal started to lean down, lips parted when his cell phone rang. Hal blinked and straightened, unclipping his phone in one fluid motion. “Hal.” Casey swallowed his regret and walked to retrieve his coat. He didn’t know how to feel.

On one hand, Hal looked like he’d really wanted to kiss him, but on the other, he let a simple phone call interrupt without a second thought.

By the time he got back, Hal was off the phone. Setting the first-aid kit on the work table, Casey waited. Hal walked over. “That was the heating guy. He’ll be here tomorrow to 18

install the ductwork. We’ll have heat in here before you know it. Of course it won’t be economical to turn on until we get the insulation installed.” Looking up, Casey noticed the way Hal’s breath was visible in the freezing room. “How long before that’s done?”

Hal scratched his chin and looked around. “With the two of us? I’d say we should be able to do it in two days. So by Thursday, we should have it ready for heat.”

“Um, do you plan on working on Thanksgiving?” Casey knew the man was a robot, but come on. What’s Thanksgiving without eating yourself sick and spending the day on the couch snoozing.

“Thanksgiving? I hadn’t even realised. I take it you’ll be going home for the holiday.”

“No, but I don’t want to work either, and neither should you. Don’t you have some family or friends you want to spend the day with?” Casey started sterilizing the needle and tweezers with alcohol.

“I don’t have much family, but I’ve got friends,” Hal said gruffly. He just seemed to pull away and shut down, like the almost-kiss never happened.

“Cool, then we’ll start again first thing Friday. As it gets closer to Christmas, I’ll have less and less time to help. There’s a lot of preparing for the party and services, as well as the kids nativity…” Casey stopped talking when he noticed the red flush creep up Hal’s cheeks. “Sorry,” he said and went back to working on the splinter.

After a few more pricks with the needle, he could see the end. Picking up the tweezers he pulled the sliver out, and held it up. “Wow, that’s a doozy.”

“Thanks,” Hal said and tried to pull his hand away.

“Wait. Let me pour some peroxide on it first.” Casey picked up the brown bottle, and dribbled some over the wound. It bubbled for a few seconds and then quit. “Okay, you’re good to go,” Casey said, releasing Hal’s hand.

Hal walked away, and went back to finishing the partition between the restrooms. Casey thought of Thanksgiving, and closed his eyes. Maybe he should have gone home? He knew he’d be welcomed at Nate’s, but it was the threesome’s first Thanksgiving together, and Casey didn’t want to interrupt that.

Picking up the broom, he started sweeping sawdust into piles. Oh well, he’d still get a turkey and do the day up right, even if it wouldn’t quite be the same.

19

Thanksgiving sucked. Well at least as far as Casey was concerned. He’d made a big dinner, set the table and ended up in front of the television, eating on the coffee table.

After doing the dishes, he looked around his small house for something to do. He’d never been much of a football fan, and he’d seen all the movies that were on. He’d called his mom’s earlier, and that had made him feel worse.

Walking from room to room, he decided to give in and call Nate. Picking up the cordless he dialled Nate’s number as he continued to roam. “Hello?”

“Hi, it’s Casey. I thought I’d just call to tell you all Happy Thanksgiving.” Casey could hear Rio and Ryan in the background yelling at the football game. Yep, that’s exactly what his parents’ house had sounded like, well except Nate didn’t have screaming kids running through the room.

“Hey, man. How has your day been?” Nate asked.

“Okay, fixed a big meal, have tons of leftovers.” Casey plopped down on the sofa.

“I figured a big man like Hal would really be able to put it away.”

“Oh, no, it’s just me. I think Hal was having dinner with a friend.” Casey picked at the frayed patch on the knee of his jeans.

“Really? As far as I know, Hal’s only friend besides you is Gill, and I know for a fact he’s in Tennessee.”

Casey felt his stomach do a little flip. Was it possible Hal was just as lonely as he was?

Nate made a sound that sounded a lot like a muffled moan. Casey could only guess, but he assumed it must be commercial break. “Well, I’ll let you go. I’ll call next week, and we can have lunch.”

“Sounds good. Take care, Casey.”

Nate hung up before Casey could say anything else. Setting the phone on the table, he rubbed his eyes. Should he take Hal some desert, or was he just using that as an excuse to see him?

Deciding it didn’t matter, Casey rose and went to the kitchen. Looking at the mountain of food, Casey decided to take Hal some leftovers. He wished he knew if Hal had cooked for himself. He knew his nurturing instinct was kicking in but instead focused on getting large enough portions packed away for a man of Hal’s size.

Forty minutes later, Casey looked at the piece of paper in his hand then back to the mailbox. “Wow, Mr. Kuckleman, who knew you lived in a chalet?” Driving on bad roads 20

with his little Honda was one thing, but the older car definitely wasn’t up to Hal’s driveway. No wonder the man drove a big four-wheel drive.

Casey cringed as the snow repeatedly scraped the undercarriage. With one quick, stupid move, Casey was stuck. After trying several times to get out, he shook his head. “Great.

What a perfect ending to my day.”

The house wasn’t that far, maybe a hundred and fifty yards or so. He could walk it no problem. Turning on the little overhead light, he reached into his pocket for his gloves and came up empty. Trying once more as if they’d magically appear, Casey still came up with nothing. He thought back to the last time he’d taken them off and could clearly see them sitting on the furnace vent to dry. Casey sighed and gathered his scarf and the big box of food. As soon as Casey opened the door the wind and blowing snow seemed to suck the breath right out of him. Adjusting the scarf to cover his face, Casey gripped the box and set out for the house.

By the time he reached the front door, he was numb. Saying a brief apology, he kicked the door with the toe of his boot instead of knocking. He was sure his fingers would break off if he tried. A few seconds later, he hit the door again just to make sure Hal heard him.

Finally, he saw the big man get up off the couch and walk to the door with a questioning look. It was easy for Casey to see Hal through the glass and wood door, but with no lights on, he was sure to surprise the heck out of Hal.

Walking up to the door, Hal reached over and flipped the switch. The porch flooded with light, and Casey winced. The door opened immediately, and Hal stood before him, shirtless.
Oh, God, please help me control myself.

“Casey? What’re you doing here?” Hal ran a hand through his brown hair.

Teeth chattering, Casey looked down at the box. “M-Mind if I c-come in?”

“Oh, shit, sorry.” Hal stepped back and Casey stepped inside. The house was as warm as a mother’s womb, and Casey suddenly felt like crying. Seeing Hal like this, all relaxed and warm, did a number on his heart. He held the box of food out, and Hal took it and looked inside. “What’s this?”

Casey tried to speak, but his teeth were chattering so bad he couldn’t get anything out.

Hal quickly picked up on his predicament. “What happened? Did your heater stop working in your car?”

Shaking his head, he took off his scarf. “S-Stuck d-down the d-drive.” Hal looked out the door. “Way down there?”

At Casey’s nod, Hal put the box on the floor and helped Casey get out of his coat.

“Where are your gloves?” he asked, looking at Casey’s frozen hands. The look on Hal’s 21

face melted his heart even more. There was genuine concern there. Maybe he wasn’t the only one feeling the connection?

“At h-home on the heater, drying.”

Hal pointed to a small bench beside the door. “Sit and let me get these boots off.” Following Hal’s command, Casey sat and held his foot out. On his knees in front of him, Hal pulled the snow boots off. “Come on in and set yourself beside the fire,” Hal pulled Casey up and helped him into the living room with a strong arm around his torso. Casey knew immediately that he’d been right. Friends don’t hold each other this tight against them, even if they are half-frozen.