“Damn it! That’s my life savings,” Mercedes said back. “No!”
“We have twenty-six minutes, come on!”
~~~~~~
Kitt pulled the cinch tight on the saddle, mentally going over everything to make sure he was completely packed and ready for the cattle drive. The route they were taking would drive them to the far reaches of the local reservoir. They would round it, and then back home along the National Forest. There would be no cell phone signal, no electronics, and nothing for the entire length of the trip. If Kitt forgot anything, it would make the trip that much more torturous.
“I’ll keep an eye on the horses. The Grainger farm has tons of men employed, but they don’t know shit about ranchin’,” Jose said, following along behind Kitt, making sure all the packs were tied down properly on his horse and nothing could come loose.
“They’re Austin’s security. Keep an eye on Hooch, even if you have to bring him over here, which is actually probably the best idea. Get ’em all and bring them over here.” Kitt locked his rifle in the saddle before he lifted his foot into the stirrup, and climbed on Bullet. Jose looked up at Kitt, shielding his eyes from the early morning sun.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to get arrested as a horse thief. That’s still a hangable offense here in Texas,” Jose joked.
“I’ll tell Mike when I get over there. Keep things under control here until I get back.” Kitt turned toward the Grainger farm where Mike waited for him.
Kitt kicked Bullet into a trot until they reached the other property. There was a gate now between the property lines with remote control access making it easier to get from one side to the other. Kitt opened Bullet up to a full run heading straight for the gate. He was behind this morning and knew as much as he wasn’t looking forward to this cattle drive, the kids and teacher were double time excited. He and Mike needed to get over to Micah’s and quit throwing the whole thing behind schedule.
Mike stood outside the barn, cinching his horse. Austin sat on the porch, drinking a cup of coffee, watching Kitt closely as he rode up. Kitt tried hard to ignore him. Austin was just so good looking with the sun hitting him just right. As he rode up closer to the barn, Mike pointed Kitt toward Austin.
“The boss wants to see you before we go. I’m gonna be a minute, I’m still loadin’.” Mike never stopped packing his saddles. Kitt slung a leg over his horse and looked over at Austin. He hadn’t moved since he rode up. Kitt hesitated. He didn’t want go over there. They’d said their goodbyes not three hours ago, and it hadn’t gone well. Austin couldn’t understand why he was going away for three days and wanted Kitt to back out. He’d made the mistake of telling Austin he hadn’t planned on going this year, but felt obligated. Austin jumped on that one. It even got to the point, Austin demanded he not go, or at the very least, come home after the first night. He declared he never left Kitt for more than one day at a time, but Kitt didn’t budge. He’d obligated himself, and it meant he must go. Austin wasn’t without power. He could get underneath Kitt’s skin faster than anyone, and if Kitt walked over there now, it would just make the leaving that much harder in the end.
“If you don’t come over here, I’ll come there!” Austin yelled out across the yard. He stood at the edge of the porch, closest to him. “I don’t think you want that.”
Kitt didn’t. After another pause, he rolled his eyes to the heavens and did the walk of shame across the yard, through the gate and up the steps. Austin had gone inside when he hit the gate and Kitt followed him in.
“Austin…” It’s as far as he got before Austin was wrapped around him, thrusting his tongue forward. Austin kissed him as if there was a threat of never seeing him again. After a minute, Austin pulled away, leaving Kitt stunned, wanting more, and pulling Austin back to him.
“Stay...please stay. I’ll leverage the washer in and I’ll bottom. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I like to bottom. I’ll bottom from this point out. Stay here Kitt…I’ll miss you too badly, and I have a bad feeling about this.” Austin leaned his head against Kitt’s forehead.
“Austin, please don’t do this again. I’m having Jose come get the horses. He can keep a better eye on them over at my place. Do you have a problem with that?” Kitt eyes stayed focused on the lips just inches from his mouth, and he leaned in for a soft, lingering kiss.
“Kitt, stay here, please.” It was the third time in a matter of days that Austin mentioned a bad feeling, but when he asked about it earlier, Austin couldn’t place it. It was just a gut level instinct.
“You go over there with Jose and keep our horses working, every day. I’ll be back in three days. I’ll call you immediately. Don’t jerk off! Be ready for me.” Kitt lifted a hand to Austin’s head and cut off whatever he was about to say by kissing him deeply, holding him in just the angle to delve deeper into the kiss.
“I have to go, miss me. I’ll miss you.” With that, Kitt left. Mike was waiting, mounted and ready to go. Kitt didn’t pause, but climbed back on Bullet, and they rode off together toward Micah’s place.
Chapter 25
“Boys, watch your flank!” Kitt yelled, keeping his eyes on the herd. Bullet moved instinctively with Kitt’s simplest body movements. This time, they moved toward the stray wayward cattle leaving the herd as the two boys bolted from the huddle they were talking in. They weren’t super steady in their saddles, their horses jerked, but luckily, it was enough of a commotion for the cows trying to make their escape. They rushed back together with the others, and it didn’t cause too big a problem.