AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So what do you cowboys do when the weather is too bad to go out in?” Rafe asked as the wind rattled the windows. The sound was enough to make him shiver.
Russell suddenly got up and left the room, heading down the hall.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Just a second,” Russell called. “Yeah, it’s still here.” Then he returned with a beat-up guitar case.
“Where was that?” Rafe asked, not recognizing it.
“In the back of the spare room closet.” Russell sat down and took out an old guitar that had seen better days. “Your uncle used to play, and he taught me.”
Rafe inhaled sharply. “I remember that.” He smiled as Russell strummed a few notes and tuned the guitar. Then he slowly ran his fingers over the strings, playing a few chords. The dogs lifted their heads as though they were listening and maybe wondering where Uncle Mack was.
“I’m not much of a singer,” Russell whispered and then began playing again, his eyes shining as he glanced at Rafe. In a few minutes, the gentle sounds filled the room, and Rafe pressed closer to Russell, just soaking in the melody, happy all the way down to his heart. When the sound faded, Russell handed Rafe the guitar.
“I don’t know how to play,” he said gently.
“Hold it like this and put your fingers right here. Put that finger here, and this one here. That’s a D.” Russell positioned Rafe’s hands. “Now gently strum the strings.”
He was so close, Rafe could barely concentrate on anything except Russell’s scent wafting through the air. “That’s it. Now move your fingers like this. That’s a G.” Rafe copied him, and the strings sang a little higher. Rafe continued playing, alternating between the chords as Russell smiled. The fire popped, adding percussion to what Rafe was playing.
“There’s something soothing about this,” Rafe said softly. He stopped and handed the instrument back to Russell.
Russell returned to playing, and Rafe settled back, soaking in the music and the joy that floated on the notes. He didn’t move until Russell finished.
Russell set the guitar aside, then turned toward him with a soft smile and put his arm around him. “You are an incredible person, you know that?” Russell asked, his voice rough.
But Rafe just leaned against Russell’s shoulder, holding his hand and wishing they could stay like this for hours.
“I hate to say it, but it looks like the snow is letting up,” Russell said. The amount of light coming in the windows increased, as if to accentuate Russell’s words.
Rafe groaned and sat back. “I guess that means we should both get to work.”
“Or we could pretend it’s still snowing like hell,” Russell offered, tugging him to his feet. “The day is pretty much shot anyway….”
Rafe really wanted to take Russell up on his offer, but there were chores to do. “How about we get some work done? I have steaks in the freezer—we can have dinner together. But the drive has to be cleared, and your truck is still stuck out there. But once we’re done….”
Russell nodded. “You’re right, of course. Work has to come first. And I need to get my truck off the side of the road and back home before Dad starts to worry. But I’ll see you tonight.” With a burst of sudden energy, Russell got himself bundled up and strode down the drive toward his truck.
It might still be cold outside, but the heat from Russell’s kiss was enough to keep Rafe warm for hours.
Chapter 8
“I WASwondering where you were,” Russell’s dad said. It had taken longer than Russell had thought it would to retrieve his truck and get back to the ranch.
“I need to make some calls and arrange to travel tomorrow.” He was already on the way to this office.
Dad followed him. “If you’re going to get out, you need to do it now. The break in the weather is only going to last three or four hours. Apparently there’s another line of snow building to the west, and you know how it is most of the time. The snow settles over us and doesn’t move. Get to Denver and you’ll be able to get out. But that means you’ll need to leave now.”
“I’m supposed to have dinner with Rafe.”
He got a smile in return. “And you’d rather go have dinner than finish the deal that could put both businesses on the map permanently.” Russell flashed his dad a “don’t go there, old man” look, but all he got in return was laughter. “It’s about fucking time.”
“Excuse me?” Russell snapped. “I told you not to play matchmaker.”
“Don’t be snippy… and I’m not. But I am allowed to be happy. It’s about time that you found something more important than business. I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to happen again.” He smirked. “But that doesn’t change anything. You need to get to the helipad in the next hour if you’re going to be able to leave the valley. This needs to be done.”
“Shit….” Russell swore under his breath. “My bags are still in the truck.”
