Headstall

Went to town for prescriptions, and holy hell, the wind is fierce. Cookie and I went for a walk when I got back, and it was thrilling with the wind howling through the huge trees and making them creak and groan. I love that... feeling so small compared to Mother Nature.

We have to be careful we don't give @Danners a big head.

Hello, you lot! Mild but with flurries today, and the wind is picking up.

Dan is a funny guy.

This was a heartbreaking chapter. I felt so bad for both men. That kiss was not a good idea, but I understand why it happened. You can't control love, and you're a fool to think you can. You can run from it, but it's still a part of you, and time only dulls it, not kill it. These two are proof of that. Thanks, Albert.

Lol. Yep, he's here, so what will happen now? A talk is coming, but will it go well? Thanks, buddy. Loved rereading this chapter... couldn't stop once I started.

Again With the sheriff? Jeez. A weird mix of sexy and funny is good. I like those scenes to feel real... authentically human rather than mind-numbing over-the-top porn. For me, love and humor have always been integral and important parts of intimacy. In fact, I think we become more ourselves when we share this with another. Just saying.... I like your pun, buddy, and nothing was stopping Lucas from getting his way. So pleased you found the romance and the eroticism... that combination makes the world go round for me. And yes, there are more chapters to come... not many, but I will reveal that they are double length ones.

Hey, Dan. I was just quoting @FanLit... she has an innate ability to express her thoughts in amazing ways. Jubal shows his love by doing things for Lucas, and that is practicality at its essence. In fact, it seems like ha can't ever do enough for him, and that truly is a special kind of love language. Reid? What's all this fuss about Reid?

Coy has a heart as big as the all outdoors, and he has gained so much faith and confidence in himself that he is a force to be reckoned with. He is also damn clever, so....

Snowing here, and a very busy morning, but I'm done for the day. Just need to eat now. Be well, y'all.

Um... you're a top?

And Drewth is?

Thanks, em! That's all I needed to hear. Love found and explored is a beautiful thing.

I saying I am proud of. I have no idea where it came from. And why, pray tell, would you stay away from salacious?

Emotional drought is a great way to put it for these two men. Maybe it contributed to the close friendship they had almost immediately. With the wolfskins, I was showing the practicality of Jubal... love language... it's who he is and we all know it, but yeah, it gave him a breather to just enjoy the change that has occurred. There's no need to rush, and that timer in his head said there was a job not finished, and the quality depended on the second tanning being done at the right time. The hay could wait, but those skins could not. He was being true to his character, making something that will make his man's life better... so it was a typical act of love for Lucas... and I see it as one more present to Lucas... like the stairs and the loft and the back door and the windows and... and yeah, the chairs would fit into that pattern of how he shows love. I expect he will make furniture at some point, thanks to Vincent's lessons. Lol. I don't know if anyone can match Boone and Coy's sweet talking, but love, done right, frees us to be our best and most relaxed selves, so yeah, we get a good glimpse of that sweet and sexy banter. I've always found stews to be better the next day, but there is a big difference between eating it alone or with the person you love. In the bright light of day is symbolic, isn't it. No more furtive interactions with strangers, feeling empty or worse after. No betrayal by your own kind. Lust should have those connotations. It is a natural urge, and best experienced with someone you truly care for. Sure, casual experiences will always have their place, but for many, like these men, they are not the end game. Love is. Commitment is. Faith and trust in another is. Happy this all made you happy, my dear friend. This is why I write... to give us all these moments and characters to love and root for. Thank you!

Hi, Neal! Thank you! I can tell you Boone and Lucas once had a fling of sorts that only lasted a few days. Lucas was the one who taught Boone about the intricacies of sex between men. He was mentioned as Lucas, the red-haired (auburn-haired) cowboy that Coy saw kissing Boone. He was mentioned in both Sidewinder and Larkspur: An Old West Tale. Lucas, after leaving Boone to continue cowboying, realized he loved Boone, and eventually went searching for him in Larkspur. There was no interaction when he found him. He saw him in a wagon on the main street, and realized Coy and Boone were together and happy, so he left and made his way to Bearpaw, licking his wounds. Hope that helps, buddy. Lol. Yeah... another sheriff that i might need to find love for one day... Thanks, buddy... I'm pleased to hear from you, as always. Cheers! Gary.

Lol. There were a couple of branches in this chapter, Doc. Whether that sawed off one contributed, there was certainly some fire happening, and plenty of heat. Love that you quoted that part... it was where the teasing and sexual banter began, showing how comfortable they are with each other. These aren't first timers, and they both know what they want. I loved writing their entire conversation because of the love they find easy to speak of. They know what they've found, and they know what it's worth, and I think we see their determination to keep it. As much as this chapter was very much about the present, it is also very much about the future too. Lol... someone has to take over for @Ivor Slipper. You make a great point, though. Demons were laid to rest. Jubal isn't giving past fear much of a thought at all. All of that doesn't matter since he shared it with the man he loves. Like how he goes about accomplishing chores and building a home, he will do the same at building their life and protecting it. The difference is, he doesn't have to hide who he is to Lucas. That has to be empowering. Yes, there are more chapters... not many, but these stories always have to end. A comforting blanket? Wolfskins maybe? Thanks, my friend.

Oh, I love that song! And yeah, Jubal is a different man now. Smooth and sweet... hell yeah. I'm really happy to hear all this, sweet lady. I can be pretty needy after I post a chapter, and YOU did not disappoint. It's nice to hear I can still bring the heat. Hope all is well in your world. Cheers!

Thanks, Kris!! I'll take perfect any day. I agree this is the result of both men hanging in there, trusting each other, and pushing themselves and each other to find the path they both wanted to be on. Love is a beautiful thing, and worth all those sacrifices and fears. Appreciate the awesome support, buddy.

I'm always fine tuning, always hard to please, but I think that has made me a better writer. So pleased it flowed for you, my friend, and even more pleased you could relate to their communication and intimacy. Thanks for this, J J.

Awesome, t.n.! Happy to hear you felt this way about this one. Jubal is all in now, after he shared what he did with Lucas. I think he has always been ready to find love again, and maybe that is what kept him from hardening. Yes, he is definitely lighter, having shed the weight of fear and caution and past trauma. I admire him. He is able to show love in many different ways, and Lucas sees that. He knows how lucky he is to have Jubal come into his life. I have no doubts they will fight to keep what they've found. It is just too good, and impossible to replace. Thank you for the wonderful comment, and for your support, my friend. Cheers!

So nice to hear I can still thrill someone. This comment is wonderful to read and absorb. What a compliment for you to feel like you're coming home with each chapter. I love being a storyteller, and this one has been a joy so far. More than anything, I always hope to make readers part of the character's lives, and to feel like they can hear their conversations. Thank you, Ford, for the very kind words. They mean a lot, for I am always questioning myself. You be well too, my friend.

So glad you heard the music, Sherye. These men have found their rhythm, and their dance is both hot and smooth. Thanks for this, my friend.

Thanks for the affirming words, Les. Writing these scenes can be tricky. It's easy to tip in one direction or the other, and it is important to me that love is what is most felt. Of course I want these scenes to be sexy too, but without love, they just seem empty to me. As I said to someone else, I am pleased when readers appreciate the difference and my efforts. Cheers, my friend. Glad you felt what you did.

Am I'm loving this, Dan. Don't we all love love? I'm so pleased someone mentioned that line. One of my favorites too. As a writer, we have to amuse ourselves. I always say I write lovemaking scenes, not sex scenes, because that's how they feel to me. It means a lot that readers appreciate the difference. Thanks, buddy!