Headstall

Oh hell yeah!

Two K walk, Christmas decorations down, groceries picked up and put away, played ball with Cookie, and I'm exhausted.

Just a little misdirection. You're welcome. Thanks, Parker... happy to hear you liked this chapter. Happy New Year.

Lol. Yeah, it's been difficult to be patient, but it felt like the time was right. Jubal fought some of his demons the day of the chase, and realized he really didn't want to run. I think Lucas handled this feeling out just right, so yeah, kudos to him. He took a risk and showed trust in Jubal, and that was what it took. Thanks for the encouraging words. Beautiful and endearing are wonderful words to hear. It always amazes me how accurate gaydar can be when you have it. I ignored mine for years, but now it is definitely finely tuned. It would have been especially hard to navigate being gay back in those times without it. Fear has been Jubal's constant companion for years... since Vincent really, and I thought his stories heartwrenching. Betrayal is hard to swallow in any form, but what the preacher's son did was beyond the pale, yet Jubal felt sorry for him, even after. These two deserved this, and I was happy to give it to them. You are so right that it has been 'our' farm for a while now, and now there are no more secrets. One thing, though... I have never considered Jubal dense... not really. He is a survivor, and he learned some really hard lessons, and the biggest one was caution for his self-preservation. I adore his character, and I see him as a quiet hero, who shows love by doing. Thanks, buddy, for making my morning. Cheers and Happy New Year!

That's how I was... and it came back a second time. Stay hydrated best you can, buddy, and get lots of rest.

That is so sad.

Hey, all!

You're welcome, Doha. It's so encouraging to feel your enthusiasm for this chapter, one that was a long time in coming. To be accurate, not that much time has passed since they met, but still, we all hoped for this. You make a great point that if this conversation happened before the shooting, it may not have gone as well. At least, not the same way. Jubal has changed since then, and yes, even though he still had those fears and uncertainty, he has done a lot of thinking. All he needed was to trust Lucas, and Lucas gave him good reason to. So yeah, an earlier conversation may have been too soon because Lucas may have held back because of how easily Jubal was spooked. Yeah, these men fit, and they really have since the beginning. We all saw it, all that they had in common, and now they have the chance to build a life of love, passion, and mutual interests. You are preaching to the choir, my friend. It is way to easy in today's world, particularly in gay villages, to move onto to something new when things get tough or passion fades. Relationships require work and commitment, and there is no doubt in my mind that these men will always be satisfied with what they have. rules! Thanks so much for sharing your most welcome thoughts, and may this New Year bring you all you need.

And it does sound like something I'd do.

Oh, damn, sorry you are not feeling well, Albert. I always enjoy rereading stories with you, buddy. These two men are at a crossroads, and this is only the beginning. Thanks for supporting Sidewinder again.

Thank you so much, Terry. I've done a lot of thinking about Carlos lately. I always thought of New Year's as his day on GA. He always posted something on Jan 1. Overall, I'm pretty happy with this chapter. Every story I write builds to the moment that defines the essence of it, and this was the one for me. Happy to get such good feedback n the kiss. I was hoping it would be memorable, something readers could picture... and maybe feel. As always, I appreciate your kind words, buddy. May this new year be a blessing to you and Aod.

Sorry you're having trouble, my friend, but glad your hand is getting better. I remember well the troubles I had typing when my shoulder was messed up. Yeah, Lucas was determined, wasn't he? “Don’t need you to say nothing else. Only want you to listen so I can say what’s burning to get loose,” Lucas said, cutting him off. He was not going to be sidetracked or deterred. It was a conversation that really mattered, and I'm so pleased you found t worthy. I love writing dialogue, but I admit some of this was really difficult to get through. I tend to see those scenes I write about... and even dream about them. The kiss? Happy it came across as sensual. I tend to experience those too. Thanks very much, sweet lady, and I hope this year brings you all you need.

Thanks, John! And no, this s not the final chapter. They are definitely more to come. Yeah, in many ways id did seem like it could be a final chapter, but there is too much left to tell. There might even be a few surprises. I truly appreciate the support and the kind words... so glad you enjoyed this one, buddy. Fans? I have fans? Woot! Happy New Year to you as well.

Hey, Mags. Everything came to a head in this one, and you describe it perfectly. Lucas's trust and consequent sharing was the key to giving Jubal the confidence to open up. It was a difficult thing to contemplate, but Lucas made it easy. The Old West was a brutal time, and Jubal knows that as well as anyone. If there'd been no Vincent, what kind of man would Jubal have ended up being? I doubt very much he would have been the same. Most would hate the preacher's son for what he did, yet Jubal has compassion for him. Empathy. It is our very best human quality. I agree Reid is a good man. He's proved that with how he treated Jubal, once he saw how decent he was. It might be hard for him, but he stepped aside, accepting Jubal was the one who made Lucas happy. The kiss. Yeah... it felt like the right time for it to happen, and with it came a commitment from both men. I found it very satisfying to give them that. Thank you, my friend, and Happy New Year to you and yours.

Lol. Thanks, Doc. Happy Days! So much of their conversation was impactful. We learn so much and so many questions were answered. I appreciate you quoting this passage. This is where Jubal is starting to see what is right in front of him... trusting that what he sees is right... that Lucas might have love for him. That is a powerful thing... "feels easier to breathe". Lucas did a great job of coaxing him to share... and that all started by showing his own trust in Jubal. Lol. That branch has been tossed into the woods. The wildings? Oh yeah... I forgot about them. Happy New Year, buddy, and thanks for sharing this with me.

We have each others' backs around here.

Yep.

And Jubal gave him a run for his money. Lucas is a good man, and as confused as he was with Jubal sometimes, they seemed in sync a lot of the time. I agree that credit goes to Lucas and his patience. He's a man who trusts his instincts, and they told him Jubal was worth all the time he had.

I agree. In other words, he will be content building a life with Lucas. Isn't that what we all want, for him and for us?

Vincent was always meant to be an important character in this story, even though we never actually meet him. What he gave Jubal has kept him going. He had love once, and he never forgot it. It's why he kept trying, and as per usual with love, just as he was running away to hide on his own farm and give up on finding love, 'someone' had other plans for him. Lucas was like a lightning bolt to Jubal, but he never expected anything... the toll of life had been too great. Yet, his heart was more receptive than his mind, and that was because of both Vincent and Jubal's strength in enduring.

Aww... thank you! Let's hope it is a great year for all of us.

Lol. Tell me how you really feel! This is the reaction I was hoping for, my dear, sweet friend. Yes, the confusion and fear is gone, Lucas was the red-haired cowboy, the first man Boone had sex with, the one who taught him things 'he needed to know'. He was the one Coy saw kissing Boone. Are any of us surprised he fell for Boone hard? It's tough to say whether Reid saw Lucas as a challenge, or whether he really was changing and looking for something more stable. Sometimes that is a process, but I don't think it really mattered where he was at as far as Lucas was concerned. Lucas loved Boone, and Reid couldn't replace that. We all knows the pitfalls and dangers of rebounds. I think Reid did love Lucas... the man is a keeper for sure... but his attempts were always doomed. Love cannot be forced, even if the sex is great. It's what makes love so special... that mysterious attraction that often comes out of nowhere and often defies logic or planning. I can tell you honestly that Will Diamond was not the man who raped and brutalized Jubal in that hotel room. Though he would kind of fit the cruel profile, so kudos for thinking of him. Jubal's compassion for Earl, the preacher's son tells us even more about the man. It was the ultimate betrayal, but he understands what religious zealots can do... the hate, self and otherwise that they inspire. I expect Earl was beaten often, and we could almost bet his pa knew of his leanings. Pure ugliness. Fanfuckingtastic? Woot! Thank you!! And another Happy Year Year to a wonderful and supportive friend. Lol to the questioner's demise... "tripping head first into a pit toilet and breaking his neck". You should write... it would be eye-opening and amusing, I'm sure.

Exactly, J J! The bible is a book, written by men, and its words get twisted all the time. So much of it is ridiculous, but those who hate will fixate on a few select passages. The fact is, while we cant really blame inanimate object, this particular one inspires ugliness when it should do the opposite. Thanks, buddy. I hope you enjoyed the chapter... and Happy New Year to you and yours.