Wayne Gray

Great question. Posting serially like Engineer Benson is FAR more difficult. You can't go back and change earlier chapters to make things flow better or to add in foreshadowing. If you miss your window, then you've missed it. Writing a story completely, then having the time to go back and read and adjust earlier chapters, is far simpler. It creates a smoother tale, and it's just more polished. It doesn't mean serial posting can't work, but it does mean there are limitations a writer has to work within when they do it. Thanks for following along on this one and on my others, Larry. I definitely appreciate that you've stuck with me.

Oh, I think Zane is paying dearly. It's not an eye-for-an-eye, but he is paying for it. Frankly, I think Zane would rather be branded than lose control of critical parts of his ranch. But you're right about Taggert. Once he had resources, he used them to set up events he wanted to come to pass. Taggert is on the level of his grandfather, and Zane was badly outclassed. Yeah... publicly cutting Zane down a peg definitely stung. But the man had it coming, for sure. Thanks for the great comments concerning the story. This one was fun, and it felt good to write. I'll be back with something else soon.

Don't be sorry. They're good questions. Taggert owning pieces of Yoder Ranch serves an important purpose. That is, it keeps him safe. Zane can't act against him in any real way without destroying his own ranch. Could Taggert cripple Yoder Ranch? Yes. But then he'd lose leverage. If you push someone like Zane into a corner, you will end up with a very dangerous person. And Taggert doesn't want to antagonize him; he just wants to be left alone. Taggert wanted Zane to watch Bill's video because that's what his grandfather wanted. And after viewing it, there'd be no doubt that Zane should not move against his son, or Yoder Ranch would essentially be destroyed. Zane simply has too much to lose as things stand right now. And that's leverage Zane can't get past. Bill Yoder was brilliant, and the trust reflects that. I'm glad you care about Taggert. But... he's okay. Bill made sure of it. Thanks for reading and for the comments. I appreciate all of it.

Well, I've got other works in progress, and those really deserve to be finished. So there will be new work coming from me. After that, we may revisit the ranch and the Nasser crew. Thanks for reading and for the comment. I'm glad you enjoyed the work!

Aww. Thank you for the great compliment! I'm glad you enjoyed the end of this one. I think we sent these guys off as well as we could have hoped. There's more to come from me down the line. I hope you enjoy whatever comes next.

Thanks for the comment and for taking the time to read the story. Is it over? Maybe. Or maybe we'll see these guys again. They're awfully compelling for me as a writer, and there are still stories possible in this little universe. I suppose time will tell. But... I'm happy that you're invested enough to ask. 🤠

Thanks for the great comment. I'm really happy you enjoyed the work and that you took the time to say so. This one was a lot of fun to write, but even more to share it with readers.

Thank you for reading and commenting, Chris. Taggert is truly home, maybe for the first time in his life. Ash has everything he wants, and now Taggert does, too. And yes - Zane was beaten. Exactly what he deserved. 😁

I'm glad you enjoyed the ending. I worried that I'd packed just too much into one chapter, but all of these threads needed finishing. And ultimately, I'm happy with how it came out. Hehe. Yes. Zane. He did indeed go out in silence, publicly beaten by the son he had rejected. Eric getting his family homestead back, and our couple getting their dance, were both things I really wanted. Sometimes things make sense for a story, and sometimes they don't. I'm glad I was able to write this in a way that these things fell into place in a believable way. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate that.

Thanks for reading and for the comment. This one would probably lend itself well to both. There are other stories to tell, but I may return to these guys; that's awfully tempting. Regardless, I hope to see you at the next one, wherever we end up.

Thank you for the great comment. I really needed to read a gay cowboy story, but I didn't find one in the particular flavor I wanted. So... when what you're looking for doesn't exist, if you have the power to create it, then get busy. And that's what I did. I really like how it turned out. There's more coming down the line from me. I hope to see you around.

I like the "rough and gentle" description. That's a great way to put it. Rough, tough men, but gentle where it mattered. I can't help but think of Branford in the shower with Taggert. You don't get rougher than him. And he's not willing to coddle anybody. Yet, the simple act of acceptance made the moment one Taggert desperately needed. Rough and gentle. Yeah. Good description. Dignified is certainly a good word to pin on Taggert's moment with Zane. He did what he needed to do without drama. Simply delivered the USB, and walked away. Yeah. I think he handled that as well as he could have. Thank you for reading and for the great comments. I appreciate it.

Thanks for reading and for the great comment. Oklahoma's Sons. I like that, too. You're not wrong about that. And yes, they are a motley bunch. But each has a place, each is needed, and they all complement and support one another. They've found the place that fits them better than any other, and they're going to work hard to support Nasser Ranch any way they can. Hard work. But good, too. Hopefully I'll see you reading the next story, whatever it may be.

Thank you! Oh, and I wondered if Randy would get a mention. Yes, it's subtle, but I'm glad you didn't miss it. Zane publicly lost to his own son and Nasser Ranch. You can bet this auction will be discussed for years to come, and that it'll irk Zane every time it comes up. Couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.

He did. Taggert was very similar to Bill in many ways, and you hit upon those. And I like the contrast you mentioned between Taggert and Zane. You're right. Bill would have been proud of Taggert. The humor served a purpose, and you hit upon that, too. We need breaks between heavy emotional beats. And Rupert often delivered that. I used him quite a bit for that, but it fit his personality well. Thank you for reading and for the comment. I appreciate it.

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Steve. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.

Well, these guys are certainly compelling, and it's tempting to continue their tale(s). That may come down the line. As for what is next, I have a couple of stories already in process. I'm now going to refocus on those and get them finished. After that? Who knows. We'll have to see. Thanks for reading and for the comment. There's more from me coming.

I have no idea how to reply to this. Regardless, thanks for reading.

Thank you so much. I'm very happy you enjoyed it. 🤠

A good synopsis. Taggert has truly tied himself to Nasser now. That took trust from both Bert and Taggert, and I think they're all better off for it. Eric had a windfall in the form of the sale of his family's ranch - one he didn't expect. While he'd have rather still have his Dad and family ranch, he ended up about as well off as we could have hoped. And yes. Rupert isn't just a shit. He has feelings. Which he hates, of course. Haha. Thanks for reading and for the comment, Dave.

Thanks, tim. And... yeah. I was weak. Just HAD to post early! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think it ended about as well as it could have and still been somewhat believable. I appreciate you reading along.

Rupert's a simple man. And his needs are easily met. 😛 Thanks for reading and commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

Thank you, Kitt! I appreciate your help with this one. 🤠🐎

You're right. Taggert took a leap of faith in trusting Nasser Ranch. He knew what kind of people James and Bert were by then, so it wasn't like he was going in blind. Still. For a man who had been on the run from his old life for so long, it took a lot for him to trust that deeply. Zane lost in dramatic fashion for the entire ranching world to see. And speculation is wild among the movers and shakers of that world as to what, exactly, drove Taggert to bid against his own father and throw his lot in with Yoder's competitor. But facing the man who'd hurt him so much had to happen for Taggert to move on. And he did it. Eric was given an incredible gift, and the money to run his homestead for the rest of his life, plus some. Yes. You'd better believe Eric's first hire for his part of Nasser will be to steal Dale from Branford. Though Branford won't resist that theft too much. I like Bert. He's efficient, compassionate, experienced, and has a strong moral compass. He's a good man, and he's dedicated to his crew. One of my favorite parts of this chapter was him shaking Eric's hand and calling him "Mister Flemming." He's a man who isn't afraid to show respect for others. And that marks him as secure and strong in his arena. Our favorite couple has a lifetime ahead. And they've chosen one another. They're going to be fine. Better than fine. Thanks for reading and for the comments. I appreciate the time you've spent on this one.

I was trying to wait until you'd gone to bed, but... alas. 😛 Yes, I telegraphed Taggert's jumping into the auction from a mile away. The goal wasn't to surprise the reader with that bit, but to show the final disposition of how it shook out. Taggert partnering with Nasser, Eric getting his homestead back... both of those things were the real consequences of Taggert's actions. And I like how that ended up. Thanks for the comment and for reading. I appreciate it.