Rawhide Chapter 7
Title: Rawhide
Author: PetiteMiel
Pairing: Jack/Ennis
Rating: NC-17(eventually)
Warning: Contains harsh language, violence, m/m sexual encounters.
Disclaimer: All characters from Brokeback Mountain belong to Ann Proulx. I am just borrowing them and make no money from their use. No copyright infringement is intended. All other characters are mine.
Summary: Au!Au. This story takes place in 1867. Ennis is an eighteen year old wrangler at the Triple T Ranch in Texas where Jack, a sixteen year old runaway is hired for the upcoming cattle drive to Montana.
AN:This is the first time I've written BBM fanfic. The story is un beta'd so all errors are mine.
Arlene, Texas
Spring, 1867
Ennis made his way across the compound as the sun crept from its bed, the pale light guiding his weary steps through the cool morning air. The ranch was silent, even the birds still abed and he glanced around at the stillness surrounding him finding a certain sort of peace in the quiet dawning of a new day.
The other men were still asleep, taking advantage of the fact that it was Sunday, the one day a week they were not expected to work; of course this didn’t apply to Charlie who still tended to the cooking or Ennis. Horses didn’t take a day off and as wrangler for the outfit he was responsible for feeding the stock day or night, rain or shine. He hardly considered it work though, his love of the animals turning what would have been a chore for anyone else into something he took great pleasure in.
As he entered the stable the horses stirred, impatient for their breakfast and he set right to his task. His mind soon drifted though and before long he was thinking about Jack as he’d done continuously since his arrival at the ranch.
He had never been one to give much thought to his feelings, never having had the need but his feelings for Jack scared the Hell out of him. Being around Jack made his nerves jangle and his heart race and he knew that wasn’t normal but it didn’t feel wrong either.
Charlie had said he wouldn’t brand him a queer but Ennis had to wonder if he’d be right to. He didn’t think he was queer, had never thought of himself that way but how was he to know? He had never done anything that could be called queer and he didn’t think his dreams alone were enough to condemn him but his feelings for Jack were so confusing he didn’t know what to think anymore. What he did know though was that being queer was a dangerous thing.
He had once seen a man dragged through the streets behind a horse until there was nothing left of him but the dust he’d come from, just because he was queer. That wasn’t gonna happen to him and he sure as Hell wasn’t gonna let it happen to Jack because of him. He couldn’t give into the feelings he was having, it was the only way to keep them safe. Not everyone would look the other way, as Charlie had. Some folks needed to have something or someone to hate and anyone different would do.
A deep sigh echoed in the stillness around him as he filled the last feed bucket then he leaned against the stall his thoughts as tangled as the spider web hanging in the corner. Maybe he was worrying for nothing. Maybe it was just the newness of having a real friend for the first time that made him feel this way. Maybe the feelings would go away and there’d be no need for such thoughts as these.
“Maybe I’ll sprout wings and fly.” He mumbled to himself shaking his head.
For so long he had been sick with a lonely so deep that he thought he’d surely die and Jack had been the cure. That wasn’t something he wanted to give up but if he couldn’t control this thing growing between them he knew he would have no choice.
He pushed away from the stall and turned toward the door knowing there was only one solution and that was to resist. No mater what he was feeling or what it might mean as long as he didn’t act on it they’d be safe.
By the time he returned to the bunkhouse the men were up, Charlie having roused them with the smell of coffee and the promise of food. Ennis poured himself a cup sitting down next to Red, the other man’s plate piled high with ham, biscuits and gravy and he watched as he dug in not giving his breakfast a chance to cool.
Jack sat down on his other side smiling at him as he did and Ennis moved over trying to give him some room but Jack only scooted closer. Ennis looked around nervous but no one seemed to notice so he turned his attention to his meal deciding to just let it be.
“Ennis, tomorrow I want ya and the other boys to head over to Evans Peak and see if ya can round up some of those stray horses I told ya about last week. When I was down that way last, there was at least two-dozen roamin’ around and we could use a few more for the drive. Shouldn’t take ya more then a day.” Red said taking another bite.
“Sure enough.”
“Oh and Jack, I know ya ain’t got a rifle or a six-shooter so we’ll supply ya with both for the drive. Gonna be in some dangerous country. Can’t be too careful.” He added finishing his food.
“Thank ya.”
“You bet. Hey Charlie did ya put the washtub out back?”
“Yeah, soap and towels too but you’ll have to git the firewood from the pile yourself.”
“I think I can handle that. Now if ya gentlemen will excuse me I’m gonna go wash the stink off my skin before my sniffer stops working out of protest.” He said smiling as he got to his feet, grabbing some clean clothes and heading out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When breakfast was over the men set about taking care of more personal chores some waiting their turn for the washtub, others using the time to mend their clothes, clean their rifles or hone their hunting knives. Still others chose to take advantage of the all too brief respite from their daily toil by just enjoying each others company or engaging in more leisurely pursuits.
“Ya see Mr. Taylor, being the family man that he is always attends church on Sunday, feeling it’s the Christian thing to do.” K.C. told Jack as he watched the buckboard carrying the Taylor family ride through the main gate headed for Arlene. He packed his pipe and sat down on the porch, striking a match on the edge of his chair before he continued.
“Now because of this he lets us have our one-day of rest like the good book says. Course he’s always hopeful that we’ll use it to join him in church and git saved or somethin’ but no on ever does. Still we’re all grateful for the rest Mr. Taylor’s piety affords us.” He finished, puffing quickly on his pipe.
Jack laughed softly, smiling at the other man then looked over at Ennis where he sat on the rickety bench. Feeling Jack’s eyes on him Ennis looked up smiling briefly then looked down again, his hand guiding his knife along the curve of the wood he held in his grasp.
“Be kind of hard to save the devil himself.” Bull said glancing at K.C. from the doorway.
“Yeah, I’m purty nigh corrupted but whose fault is that.”
“Hell, don’t blame me cause your weak willed.” Bull replied as he stepped off the porch into the sun. K.C. just smiled but didn’t disagree.
A couple minutes later Billy walked around the corner of the bunkhouse straightening his clothes and slicking back his wet hair before depositing his hat on his head.
“Washtub’s free.” He said to no one particular before walking off giving Jack a sideways glance but making no other comment.
“Well I think I’ll take the opportunity while I got it.” Ennis said standing up and heading inside.
He came back out a minute later, change of clothes and straight razor in hand noticing as he did that both Jack and K.C. had joined the others out in the yard. He stood there for a moment smiling as he watched Jack’s attempt at playing horseshoes go terribly awry, the metal shoe almost hitting Bull in the head as it sailed by him missing it’s true target by at least two feet. He laughed then shook his head leaving the boys to their fun as he slipped around the corner.
The shed was located across from the bunkhouse and set beside a small stand of elm trees, which helped to shade it from the harsher summer sun. It was used to store the dry goods and other household supplies the men used throughout the year as well as extra weapons and ammunition.
A well had been dug behind it much like the one that sat between the bunkhouse and the stable only instead of being used for watering the stock this one was used to provide water for cooking as well as bathing when the men were so inclined.
Along the back of the shed sat a long table where Charlie had set some towels, a small mirror for shaving and a dish holding a large bar of soap. There were two small wash tubs and a scrub board setting under the table that were used for washing clothes which Charlie would take care of the following day.
The pump for the well stood off to the side a larger metal tub butted up against it so the pump’s spout hung over the edge allowing it to be filled without having to carry the water to it. When Ennis had filled the tub half way he took several metal buckets and filled them as well placing them on the fire. While he waited for the water to heat he went ahead and shaved then stripped out of his clothes, added the rest of the water to the tub and climbed in. The water wasn’t hot enough to scald but it was hot enough to make him suck in a breath as he eased himself down into it. He leaned his head back letting the warmth soak into his weary limbs then closed his eyes thinking he just might be in Heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I swear! Ya gotta be cheatin’.” Hank said as K.C. tossed the last horseshoe winning yet another game.
“How the Hell can ya cheat at horseshoes?” Bull asked.
“Well, he could have the horseshoes all maggitatized.”
“Maggita what?” K.C. asked looking dubious.
“Maggitatized. Ya know when metal stuff gits stuck together. I seen a fella at the worlds fair in fifty-three stick all sorts a metal stuff together.”
“I think you mean magnetized.” Josh said laughing softly as he picked up the horseshoes readying for a new game.
“Well, whatever ya call it. He coulda made it so the horseshoes stick to the stake.”
“Well I done heard it all now. If I done performed this marvelous feat of magnetization, how come the horseshoes ain’t all sticking together right now? They’re all metal ain’t they?”
“Hmmm.” Hank said looking down at the horseshoes in Josh’s hands, his brow furrowed.
“Yeah, hmmm. Ya dumbass.” He said smiling as he smacked Hank lightly on the back of his head knocking his hat into the dirt.
“Can we play another game or ya got anymore pearls of wisdom ya wantta share with us?”
Jack stood there laughing at them, shaking his head at their bickering then he looked up spotting Ennis. He begged off the next game, Walter coming over to take his place.
When he entered the bunkhouse, the first thing Jack noticed was Ennis’ wet hair the curls damp and dark against the nape of his neck and he found himself staring, wanting to touch. He took a step closer, the scent of soap filling his lungs and he took a deep breath just as Ennis turned around. Jack couldn’t help thinking how nice he cleaned up, his skin seeming to shine without the stubble to shade it and he wanted to touch that too.
“Ya want some?”
Jack frowned for a second not sure what Ennis meant then he realized he was referring to the pitcher of lemonade he held in his hands. He nodded and Ennis poured them both a cup, Jack taking a sip, the sweet sour taste a nice change from what they usually had.
“Hey Ennis, I was thinkin’ maybe we could work on your readin’ some, since we got all this free time and all. ”
“Well, OK. I’ll try but I ain’t makin’ no promises. I still think I’m too old to be learnin’ all that.”
“Naw, it’ll be easy. You’ll see.” Jack said, setting his cup down and hurrying over to get his ditty bag from off the nail where he’d hung it. He reached inside for his dime novel then he tossed the sack on his bunk. Something on his pillow caught his eye though and he walked over to it, reaching down to pick it up then he turned toward Ennis his eyes wide.
“Is this for me?”
“Yeah.” Ennis answered shyly looking away.
Jack stared down at the gift resting in the palm of his hand, the image of a bull and rider so intricately carved he almost expected them to move. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface not a sharp edge or nick to be found then looked back up.
“Ennis, I can’t take this. Ya worked so hard on it. It’s…it’s too fine.”
“It’s you Jack.”
Jack’s brow creased and he looked down at the carving once more seeing for the first time that the figure atop the bull was a small boy with a spur in his hand. The very memory he had shared with Ennis just a few days before.
“Ennis, I…” He couldn’t finish, his throat feeling like it was full of molasses and he looked away, swallowing hard, his eyes getting misty.
“I know it ain’t much…”
“Naw Ennis, I couldn’t never ask for nothin’ better. It’s…it’s my best thing, ever.” He whispered.
Ennis smiled at him unable to contain the sense of pride he felt at Jack’s words.
“Hell, it ain’t even my birthday or nothin’.” Jack said sniffing as he moved toward the table.
“But come on now. I said I was gonna teach ya how to read and I mean to.” He added as he slipped the carving into his shirt pocket keeping it close to his heart.
They sat down at the table side by side the book laid out before them, Jack pointing to the letters of each word and sounding them out. Ennis repeated the sounds feeling foolish as he did but after thirty minutes he was getting the hang of it, Jack’s presence and praise an easy incentive for hard work.
By noon the men were ambling in wanting their lunch and Jack and Ennis put the lessons aside for another day. They ate their meal quickly, some of the men choosing to head into town looking for something more exciting then horseshoes to occupy their time.
The Taylor family returned from Church not long after, the sound of the buckboard getting Ennis’ attention as he stood smoking in the doorway.
“Ennis you want to play some cards?” Josh asked pulling a deck out from under his mattress.
“Uh…sure. Gotta take care of the horses first. Just start without me.” He answered crushing out his cigarette and headed across the yard.
“Jack, what about you?”
“Naw, I got somethin’ I need to do.”
He sat down on the edge of his bunk pulling the carving Ennis had given him from his shirt pocket. He ran his hands lovingly over its surface once more, a small smile playing across his lips then he slid it under his pillow and reached for his ditty bag before getting up and walking out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Ennis returned twenty minutes later he glanced around the room looking for Jack but he wasn’t there. He frowned slightly wondering where he’d gone then he sat down as the others finished the hand they were playing.
Josh shuffled and dealt, each man holding his cards close to his chest as they tossed matches into the center of the table to ante up. They rarely played for money, most of them not willing to lose what they had worked so hard to gain.
“How many cards you want?” Josh asked looking at K.C.
“Two.”
“Hank?”
“I’ll take three.”
“Three it is. Ennis?”
“Uh…two.” He answered not really paying attention, his eyes drawn to the doorway as he waited for Jack’s return.
He folded a minute later along with Bull, Barnes and Hank, leaving Josh and K.C. to battle it out. After ten more minutes Jack had still not come back and Ennis was fidgeting in his seat, the urge to go look for him making him twitch. He tried to concentrate on the game but his mind wasn’t on his cards and he folded again not even sure if he’d had a good hand or bad.
He was feeling restless and he didn’t know why but Jack’s continued absence was making it worse and his curiosity was getting the better of him. He wanted to ask the others where Jack had gone but he worried his interest might seem odd so he held his tongue as he continued to glance toward the yard.
K.C. won the next hand making it three in a row and the other men groaned loudly as he scooped his winnings into a pile in front of him gloating all the while.
“Well, I’m out.” Barnes said gruffly as he rose from the table.
“Oh come on now, don’t be that way.” K.C. said smiling broadly but the new man just frowned at him and walked over to his bunk.
“Uh…I’m out too.”
“Shoot Ennis, we’ve only played a few hands.” Josh said taking the cards Hank dealt him.
“Need to git some air.”
He stepped outside lighting a cigarette, taking a deep drag hoping it would calm his nerves. He sat down in his favorite spot the bench seeming more rickety then usual but it was just the movement of his leg bobbing up and down that was making it so and he stood up once more. After another minute he crushed out his cigarette and walked off.
He glanced toward the outhouse on his way to the stable but he could see the door was standing open and there was no sign of Jack. The stable was empty but for horses and since Acorn was in her stall he was sure Jack hadn’t left the ranch. He frowned as he made his way back across the yard thinking there were only so many places a fella could git to.
He nodded to Barnes who was now standing on the porch smoking as he came back then he walked around the corner and made his way along the wall toward the shed. He heard a noise as he approached and smiled to himself knowing he’d found him at last. So pleased was he with this discovery he didn’t stop to think on what Jack might be doing back there but the answer was made all too clear a moment later as he rounded the corner.
Jack stepped out of the washtub and Ennis stood transfixed, unable to look away. His eyes washed over Jack’s naked flesh, following the trail of water that slid down his back between his shoulder blades and over the smooth curve of his ass. Ennis swallowed hard, his breathing labored as he broke out in a sweat and he reached out supporting himself against the wall as his knees went weak. The pounding of his heart drowned everything else out and he could feel his blood rushing south. The ache between his legs grew more intense as his cock pressed roughly against the fabric of his trousers threatening to burst the seams. He told himself to look away but as a small moan escaped his lips he knew it was too late.
Jack’s breath hitched as he turned, startled to find Ennis standing behind him, unable to move the intensity of the other man’s gaze holding him in place. Ennis’ eyes devoured every inch of him taking in the lean muscles, the flat stomach and what lay below nestled in the thatch of dark hair between his thighs. They stood there staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity before Jack’s instincts kicked in and he turned grabbing a towel to cover himself. By the time he turned back around Ennis was gone.
TBC
Author: PetiteMiel
Pairing: Jack/Ennis
Rating: NC-17(eventually)
Warning: Contains harsh language, violence, m/m sexual encounters.
Disclaimer: All characters from Brokeback Mountain belong to Ann Proulx. I am just borrowing them and make no money from their use. No copyright infringement is intended. All other characters are mine.
Summary: Au!Au. This story takes place in 1867. Ennis is an eighteen year old wrangler at the Triple T Ranch in Texas where Jack, a sixteen year old runaway is hired for the upcoming cattle drive to Montana.
AN:This is the first time I've written BBM fanfic. The story is un beta'd so all errors are mine.
Arlene, Texas
Spring, 1867
Ennis made his way across the compound as the sun crept from its bed, the pale light guiding his weary steps through the cool morning air. The ranch was silent, even the birds still abed and he glanced around at the stillness surrounding him finding a certain sort of peace in the quiet dawning of a new day.
The other men were still asleep, taking advantage of the fact that it was Sunday, the one day a week they were not expected to work; of course this didn’t apply to Charlie who still tended to the cooking or Ennis. Horses didn’t take a day off and as wrangler for the outfit he was responsible for feeding the stock day or night, rain or shine. He hardly considered it work though, his love of the animals turning what would have been a chore for anyone else into something he took great pleasure in.
As he entered the stable the horses stirred, impatient for their breakfast and he set right to his task. His mind soon drifted though and before long he was thinking about Jack as he’d done continuously since his arrival at the ranch.
He had never been one to give much thought to his feelings, never having had the need but his feelings for Jack scared the Hell out of him. Being around Jack made his nerves jangle and his heart race and he knew that wasn’t normal but it didn’t feel wrong either.
Charlie had said he wouldn’t brand him a queer but Ennis had to wonder if he’d be right to. He didn’t think he was queer, had never thought of himself that way but how was he to know? He had never done anything that could be called queer and he didn’t think his dreams alone were enough to condemn him but his feelings for Jack were so confusing he didn’t know what to think anymore. What he did know though was that being queer was a dangerous thing.
He had once seen a man dragged through the streets behind a horse until there was nothing left of him but the dust he’d come from, just because he was queer. That wasn’t gonna happen to him and he sure as Hell wasn’t gonna let it happen to Jack because of him. He couldn’t give into the feelings he was having, it was the only way to keep them safe. Not everyone would look the other way, as Charlie had. Some folks needed to have something or someone to hate and anyone different would do.
A deep sigh echoed in the stillness around him as he filled the last feed bucket then he leaned against the stall his thoughts as tangled as the spider web hanging in the corner. Maybe he was worrying for nothing. Maybe it was just the newness of having a real friend for the first time that made him feel this way. Maybe the feelings would go away and there’d be no need for such thoughts as these.
“Maybe I’ll sprout wings and fly.” He mumbled to himself shaking his head.
For so long he had been sick with a lonely so deep that he thought he’d surely die and Jack had been the cure. That wasn’t something he wanted to give up but if he couldn’t control this thing growing between them he knew he would have no choice.
He pushed away from the stall and turned toward the door knowing there was only one solution and that was to resist. No mater what he was feeling or what it might mean as long as he didn’t act on it they’d be safe.
By the time he returned to the bunkhouse the men were up, Charlie having roused them with the smell of coffee and the promise of food. Ennis poured himself a cup sitting down next to Red, the other man’s plate piled high with ham, biscuits and gravy and he watched as he dug in not giving his breakfast a chance to cool.
Jack sat down on his other side smiling at him as he did and Ennis moved over trying to give him some room but Jack only scooted closer. Ennis looked around nervous but no one seemed to notice so he turned his attention to his meal deciding to just let it be.
“Ennis, tomorrow I want ya and the other boys to head over to Evans Peak and see if ya can round up some of those stray horses I told ya about last week. When I was down that way last, there was at least two-dozen roamin’ around and we could use a few more for the drive. Shouldn’t take ya more then a day.” Red said taking another bite.
“Sure enough.”
“Oh and Jack, I know ya ain’t got a rifle or a six-shooter so we’ll supply ya with both for the drive. Gonna be in some dangerous country. Can’t be too careful.” He added finishing his food.
“Thank ya.”
“You bet. Hey Charlie did ya put the washtub out back?”
“Yeah, soap and towels too but you’ll have to git the firewood from the pile yourself.”
“I think I can handle that. Now if ya gentlemen will excuse me I’m gonna go wash the stink off my skin before my sniffer stops working out of protest.” He said smiling as he got to his feet, grabbing some clean clothes and heading out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When breakfast was over the men set about taking care of more personal chores some waiting their turn for the washtub, others using the time to mend their clothes, clean their rifles or hone their hunting knives. Still others chose to take advantage of the all too brief respite from their daily toil by just enjoying each others company or engaging in more leisurely pursuits.
“Ya see Mr. Taylor, being the family man that he is always attends church on Sunday, feeling it’s the Christian thing to do.” K.C. told Jack as he watched the buckboard carrying the Taylor family ride through the main gate headed for Arlene. He packed his pipe and sat down on the porch, striking a match on the edge of his chair before he continued.
“Now because of this he lets us have our one-day of rest like the good book says. Course he’s always hopeful that we’ll use it to join him in church and git saved or somethin’ but no on ever does. Still we’re all grateful for the rest Mr. Taylor’s piety affords us.” He finished, puffing quickly on his pipe.
Jack laughed softly, smiling at the other man then looked over at Ennis where he sat on the rickety bench. Feeling Jack’s eyes on him Ennis looked up smiling briefly then looked down again, his hand guiding his knife along the curve of the wood he held in his grasp.
“Be kind of hard to save the devil himself.” Bull said glancing at K.C. from the doorway.
“Yeah, I’m purty nigh corrupted but whose fault is that.”
“Hell, don’t blame me cause your weak willed.” Bull replied as he stepped off the porch into the sun. K.C. just smiled but didn’t disagree.
A couple minutes later Billy walked around the corner of the bunkhouse straightening his clothes and slicking back his wet hair before depositing his hat on his head.
“Washtub’s free.” He said to no one particular before walking off giving Jack a sideways glance but making no other comment.
“Well I think I’ll take the opportunity while I got it.” Ennis said standing up and heading inside.
He came back out a minute later, change of clothes and straight razor in hand noticing as he did that both Jack and K.C. had joined the others out in the yard. He stood there for a moment smiling as he watched Jack’s attempt at playing horseshoes go terribly awry, the metal shoe almost hitting Bull in the head as it sailed by him missing it’s true target by at least two feet. He laughed then shook his head leaving the boys to their fun as he slipped around the corner.
The shed was located across from the bunkhouse and set beside a small stand of elm trees, which helped to shade it from the harsher summer sun. It was used to store the dry goods and other household supplies the men used throughout the year as well as extra weapons and ammunition.
A well had been dug behind it much like the one that sat between the bunkhouse and the stable only instead of being used for watering the stock this one was used to provide water for cooking as well as bathing when the men were so inclined.
Along the back of the shed sat a long table where Charlie had set some towels, a small mirror for shaving and a dish holding a large bar of soap. There were two small wash tubs and a scrub board setting under the table that were used for washing clothes which Charlie would take care of the following day.
The pump for the well stood off to the side a larger metal tub butted up against it so the pump’s spout hung over the edge allowing it to be filled without having to carry the water to it. When Ennis had filled the tub half way he took several metal buckets and filled them as well placing them on the fire. While he waited for the water to heat he went ahead and shaved then stripped out of his clothes, added the rest of the water to the tub and climbed in. The water wasn’t hot enough to scald but it was hot enough to make him suck in a breath as he eased himself down into it. He leaned his head back letting the warmth soak into his weary limbs then closed his eyes thinking he just might be in Heaven.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“I swear! Ya gotta be cheatin’.” Hank said as K.C. tossed the last horseshoe winning yet another game.
“How the Hell can ya cheat at horseshoes?” Bull asked.
“Well, he could have the horseshoes all maggitatized.”
“Maggita what?” K.C. asked looking dubious.
“Maggitatized. Ya know when metal stuff gits stuck together. I seen a fella at the worlds fair in fifty-three stick all sorts a metal stuff together.”
“I think you mean magnetized.” Josh said laughing softly as he picked up the horseshoes readying for a new game.
“Well, whatever ya call it. He coulda made it so the horseshoes stick to the stake.”
“Well I done heard it all now. If I done performed this marvelous feat of magnetization, how come the horseshoes ain’t all sticking together right now? They’re all metal ain’t they?”
“Hmmm.” Hank said looking down at the horseshoes in Josh’s hands, his brow furrowed.
“Yeah, hmmm. Ya dumbass.” He said smiling as he smacked Hank lightly on the back of his head knocking his hat into the dirt.
“Can we play another game or ya got anymore pearls of wisdom ya wantta share with us?”
Jack stood there laughing at them, shaking his head at their bickering then he looked up spotting Ennis. He begged off the next game, Walter coming over to take his place.
When he entered the bunkhouse, the first thing Jack noticed was Ennis’ wet hair the curls damp and dark against the nape of his neck and he found himself staring, wanting to touch. He took a step closer, the scent of soap filling his lungs and he took a deep breath just as Ennis turned around. Jack couldn’t help thinking how nice he cleaned up, his skin seeming to shine without the stubble to shade it and he wanted to touch that too.
“Ya want some?”
Jack frowned for a second not sure what Ennis meant then he realized he was referring to the pitcher of lemonade he held in his hands. He nodded and Ennis poured them both a cup, Jack taking a sip, the sweet sour taste a nice change from what they usually had.
“Hey Ennis, I was thinkin’ maybe we could work on your readin’ some, since we got all this free time and all. ”
“Well, OK. I’ll try but I ain’t makin’ no promises. I still think I’m too old to be learnin’ all that.”
“Naw, it’ll be easy. You’ll see.” Jack said, setting his cup down and hurrying over to get his ditty bag from off the nail where he’d hung it. He reached inside for his dime novel then he tossed the sack on his bunk. Something on his pillow caught his eye though and he walked over to it, reaching down to pick it up then he turned toward Ennis his eyes wide.
“Is this for me?”
“Yeah.” Ennis answered shyly looking away.
Jack stared down at the gift resting in the palm of his hand, the image of a bull and rider so intricately carved he almost expected them to move. He ran his fingers over the smooth surface not a sharp edge or nick to be found then looked back up.
“Ennis, I can’t take this. Ya worked so hard on it. It’s…it’s too fine.”
“It’s you Jack.”
Jack’s brow creased and he looked down at the carving once more seeing for the first time that the figure atop the bull was a small boy with a spur in his hand. The very memory he had shared with Ennis just a few days before.
“Ennis, I…” He couldn’t finish, his throat feeling like it was full of molasses and he looked away, swallowing hard, his eyes getting misty.
“I know it ain’t much…”
“Naw Ennis, I couldn’t never ask for nothin’ better. It’s…it’s my best thing, ever.” He whispered.
Ennis smiled at him unable to contain the sense of pride he felt at Jack’s words.
“Hell, it ain’t even my birthday or nothin’.” Jack said sniffing as he moved toward the table.
“But come on now. I said I was gonna teach ya how to read and I mean to.” He added as he slipped the carving into his shirt pocket keeping it close to his heart.
They sat down at the table side by side the book laid out before them, Jack pointing to the letters of each word and sounding them out. Ennis repeated the sounds feeling foolish as he did but after thirty minutes he was getting the hang of it, Jack’s presence and praise an easy incentive for hard work.
By noon the men were ambling in wanting their lunch and Jack and Ennis put the lessons aside for another day. They ate their meal quickly, some of the men choosing to head into town looking for something more exciting then horseshoes to occupy their time.
The Taylor family returned from Church not long after, the sound of the buckboard getting Ennis’ attention as he stood smoking in the doorway.
“Ennis you want to play some cards?” Josh asked pulling a deck out from under his mattress.
“Uh…sure. Gotta take care of the horses first. Just start without me.” He answered crushing out his cigarette and headed across the yard.
“Jack, what about you?”
“Naw, I got somethin’ I need to do.”
He sat down on the edge of his bunk pulling the carving Ennis had given him from his shirt pocket. He ran his hands lovingly over its surface once more, a small smile playing across his lips then he slid it under his pillow and reached for his ditty bag before getting up and walking out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Ennis returned twenty minutes later he glanced around the room looking for Jack but he wasn’t there. He frowned slightly wondering where he’d gone then he sat down as the others finished the hand they were playing.
Josh shuffled and dealt, each man holding his cards close to his chest as they tossed matches into the center of the table to ante up. They rarely played for money, most of them not willing to lose what they had worked so hard to gain.
“How many cards you want?” Josh asked looking at K.C.
“Two.”
“Hank?”
“I’ll take three.”
“Three it is. Ennis?”
“Uh…two.” He answered not really paying attention, his eyes drawn to the doorway as he waited for Jack’s return.
He folded a minute later along with Bull, Barnes and Hank, leaving Josh and K.C. to battle it out. After ten more minutes Jack had still not come back and Ennis was fidgeting in his seat, the urge to go look for him making him twitch. He tried to concentrate on the game but his mind wasn’t on his cards and he folded again not even sure if he’d had a good hand or bad.
He was feeling restless and he didn’t know why but Jack’s continued absence was making it worse and his curiosity was getting the better of him. He wanted to ask the others where Jack had gone but he worried his interest might seem odd so he held his tongue as he continued to glance toward the yard.
K.C. won the next hand making it three in a row and the other men groaned loudly as he scooped his winnings into a pile in front of him gloating all the while.
“Well, I’m out.” Barnes said gruffly as he rose from the table.
“Oh come on now, don’t be that way.” K.C. said smiling broadly but the new man just frowned at him and walked over to his bunk.
“Uh…I’m out too.”
“Shoot Ennis, we’ve only played a few hands.” Josh said taking the cards Hank dealt him.
“Need to git some air.”
He stepped outside lighting a cigarette, taking a deep drag hoping it would calm his nerves. He sat down in his favorite spot the bench seeming more rickety then usual but it was just the movement of his leg bobbing up and down that was making it so and he stood up once more. After another minute he crushed out his cigarette and walked off.
He glanced toward the outhouse on his way to the stable but he could see the door was standing open and there was no sign of Jack. The stable was empty but for horses and since Acorn was in her stall he was sure Jack hadn’t left the ranch. He frowned as he made his way back across the yard thinking there were only so many places a fella could git to.
He nodded to Barnes who was now standing on the porch smoking as he came back then he walked around the corner and made his way along the wall toward the shed. He heard a noise as he approached and smiled to himself knowing he’d found him at last. So pleased was he with this discovery he didn’t stop to think on what Jack might be doing back there but the answer was made all too clear a moment later as he rounded the corner.
Jack stepped out of the washtub and Ennis stood transfixed, unable to look away. His eyes washed over Jack’s naked flesh, following the trail of water that slid down his back between his shoulder blades and over the smooth curve of his ass. Ennis swallowed hard, his breathing labored as he broke out in a sweat and he reached out supporting himself against the wall as his knees went weak. The pounding of his heart drowned everything else out and he could feel his blood rushing south. The ache between his legs grew more intense as his cock pressed roughly against the fabric of his trousers threatening to burst the seams. He told himself to look away but as a small moan escaped his lips he knew it was too late.
Jack’s breath hitched as he turned, startled to find Ennis standing behind him, unable to move the intensity of the other man’s gaze holding him in place. Ennis’ eyes devoured every inch of him taking in the lean muscles, the flat stomach and what lay below nestled in the thatch of dark hair between his thighs. They stood there staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity before Jack’s instincts kicked in and he turned grabbing a towel to cover himself. By the time he turned back around Ennis was gone.
TBC