Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

get the last of the planting done.”

    “Okay, give me ten minutes.”

    “Meet you at my truck.” Fred walked toward the equipment shed, and Len made sure everything was shut before meeting Fred at his truck. They both climbed in and headed toward the former Henderson farm. “Len, can I ask you something?” Len turned toward Fred. “Sure.”
    “What’s going on between you and Cliff?”
“Who says anything’s going on?”
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    “No one, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you and the way you look at him.” Fred blew out his breath. “Cliff loved Ruby, but he never looked at her the way he looks at you, especially when you’re looking the other way. And, I’ve seen you giving him the same looks.” Len peered out the window, unsure whether to say anything at all. “You don’t have to answer me, but I wanted you to know that it’s cool.” Len’s head snapped around to look at Fred.
    Had he heard right? Len stammered unintelligibly, his gut clenching, and he thought he was going to be sick.
    Fred pulled the truck off the road near one of the fields, and Len breathed deeply, trying to drive down this sick feeling. “I’ve known Cliff for almost ten years, and I’ve seen that boy go through hell. He won’t admit it to anyone out loud, but I know he’s not really into girls. I was sort of shocked when he fell in love with Ruby, but he did, and they were happy.” Len could hardly believe his ears. “You… you’re okay with that?”
    “Yeah, and I think Randy is too. So neither you nor Cliff has anything to worry about from us. Unless you hurt him. That’s boy’s been through an awful lot. His daddy was a good man, but he could be as closed-minded as they come, and he wasn’t shy about expressing his views, if you know what I mean.” Fred shut off the engine and opened his door, getting out of the truck.
    Len followed suit and didn’t know what to say at all but decided to go for the most obvious. “Thanks.”

    “You’re welcome. Now let’s figure out if we can get these fields planted.” Together they walked down the embankment and onto the tilled earth. “This seems pretty firm. We shouldn’t have any trouble getting in here today.”
    “Good. Let’s get the tractor set and get these planted so the 112
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    rain can do its job.” They got back in the truck, and after stopping at one other place, drove back to the farm. After eating his lunch, Len started the tractor and drove it to the fields, spending the rest of the day planting the last acreage. As he pulled back into the drive that evening, it was nearly dark. He put the tractor in the shed and covered the attached planter with a tarp.
    The farm was quiet, and no one else appeared to be around.

    Len looked toward the house and saw Cliff standing in one of the windows. “Patience, Len. You’ve got to have patience.” He waved, and Cliff waved back. Len then got in his car and headed for home.
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“MAKE sure you keep your feet down.” Nicole was standing in the middle of the ring, calling to her students. “Look at Len; his are perfect.”
    Len smiled to himself. He hadn’t been on a horse in almost three years, but it had all come flooding back as soon as he’d thrown his leg over Misty’s back. Yes, I definitely have to do this more often.
    “You’re all doing very well. Now let’s bring them to a trot, and remember to match your rhythm to your horse’s.” Len leaned forward, and Misty began trotting. He easily matched her rhythm, and they trotted around the ring. “You’re doing great, Len.” Nicole called as he passed. “Just a few more minutes.” They continued trotting until Nicole called a halt and had them dismount before walking their horses around the ring to cool them off.
    “Wen!” He knew that voice. Looking toward the barn, he saw Cliff holding Geoff on his shoulders, the little guy pointing. Len 114 Andrew Grey
smiled and walked Misty over. “Hossey wide.”
“He’s been watching you for the past half hour,” Cliff said.
Len remounted Misty, and Cliff handed Geoff to him. Nicole took the reins and walked Misty and her two riders around the ring.
    Geoff laughed and squealed as they rode. Every now and then, he’d pat her neck. “Good hossey.” Two times around the ring was enough, and Len handed Geoff back to Cliff and dismounted.
    Walking Misty out of the ring, Len led her back to her stall, took off her saddle and blanket, and