“That’s right.” Zeke got in the backseat behind her.
Ty put the car in gear and drove down the winding path back to the road.
“A steam engine?” Marie asked.
“It’s a tourist thing,” Ty said. “It takes us on a scenic tour of Garrett Hills to see the fall foliage. Then we’ll stop in the village of Wakefield for an hour or so, then head back.”
“Sounds like fun.” She gazed out the window, watching the scenery pass by.
After they parked the car at the small train station, they approached the old train. A big black engine with three dark green and white passenger cars. Zeke took Marie’s hand and helped her step up into the train, then followed her through the car. She selected a seat near the middle of the car and he sat beside her. Ty sat facing her, a table between them.
The green seats were comfortable and the table made the arrangement feel cozy. People continued to board the train and, about twenty minutes later, the train whistle sounded, then the train chugged into motion. Soon the clickety-clack of the train on the tracks combined with the gentle swaying motion, providing a relaxing atmosphere.
Marie leaned back in her chair and enjoyed the delightful view of blazing red, orange, and yellow foliage beyond the lake, the calm water reflecting the fluffy white clouds in the blue sky.
Zeke and Ty talked about some of the cars Zeke had done custom paint jobs for recently at his shop while Marie watched a couple in a red canoe gliding along the lake outside.
About forty minutes later, the train pulled into the Wakefield station.
Ty led the way off the train, then held Marie’s hand as she stepped onto the pavement. The business district of the lovely village consisted of quaint colorful buildings overlooking the lake.
“The bakery here is great,” Zeke said as he led them to a red building with yellow trim around the windows.
They followed him up the steps to the door, then went inside. Ty picked up a loaf of multigrain bread and Marie selected some chocolate croissants and pecan tarts. Next, they poked around in the general store, with quaint craft items alongside food staples for cottage-goers.
Finally, Zeke led them up some stairs at the side of the store to a wonderful restaurant on the upper floor, overlooking the water. With the sun shining brightly, the afternoon had warmed up quite nicely, so they selected a table on the outside deck.
The men ordered beers and Marie asked for a white wine.
Ty took a sip of his beer, then leaned back and smiled at Marie. “So, I didn’t know you knew anything about pony play.”
She swirled her glass of wine. “Well, I read some of the literature in a folder at the cottage. They described a number of … um … activities I’ve never heard of before … and equipment … and how to use it.”
“To our good fortune,” Zeke said, grinning.
“You seem very relaxed with each other, which is really refreshing.” She watched Ty casually, noticing that he seemed to stiffen. “Is it okay that I … pushed you a little?”
“If it turns you on, I’m definitely okay with it,” Zeke answered with a grin.
“Ty?”
“Sure,” he said, but she noticed the tightness in his voice. “As Zeke said, if it turns you on.”
She leaned forward, capturing Ty’s reluctant gaze. “I don’t mean to be pushy, but … it seems like you two have a bit of a connection.” She hedged her words, noticing Ty shifting uncomfortably and not wanting him to shut down the topic. “Look, with the kind of relationship the three of us are sharing, I’m hoping you won’t mind if I’m frank. I know there’s a mutual attraction between me and each of you. I’d like to know if there’s one between the two of you, too.”
Zeke glanced at Ty. “I’d like to know that, too.”
“Why can’t you two just leave it the way it is?” Ty asked in a strained voice. “We do stuff. We enjoy it. We don’t have to talk about it.”
“If that’s what you want,” Zeke answered, then leaned forward a little. “But if it makes you feel any better, I’ve noticed that I have certain … feelings toward you. More than a friendship. It confused me at first, especially since I don’t have these feelings for other men … and I definitely enjoy women.”
“Amen,” Ty said.
“But … that doesn’t change the … I don’t know … attraction I feel for you. Maybe it’s just because we’re with Marie. She sees you as sexy, so…” Zeke shrugged. “It somehow feels natural to want to … share more with you when we’re in that situation.”
“Maybe exploring things a little more between you would be a good idea,” Marie suggested.
Ty leaned back in his chair, his fingers gripping the wooden armrests. “How about we change the subject?”