Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

mood anyway?”
    “I’m just worried.” Every farmer worried about things. Len knew that. After all, they were at the mercy of something as uncontrollable as the weather.
    “I know. But it has only been a little over a week, and I have a good feeling we’re going to get some rain soon.” From the look on Cliff’s face, he wasn’t buying it. Len looked again at Geoff, making sure he was occupied; the boy had climbed into his sandbox and was already playing happily. “Come on. I have something to show you.” Len led Cliff through the barn and into the tack room, pulling him inside and shutting the door. As soon as he heard the click of the latch, he took Cliff’s face in his hands and kissed him hard.
    “Len, we can’t. Not here.” There was no strength in his voice, 137
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and Len pressed his advantage, sliding his tongue along the ridge of Cliff’s lip, earning himself a soft whimper. “I’ve missed that.”
    “So have I,” Len said as he pulled Cliff into a tight embrace, doing his best to kiss him breathless. “Let’s plan on a ride this afternoon. I think we could both use it.” Cliff nodded, unable to form words as he ran his tongue over his kiss-swollen lips. “Mari said yesterday that she’d be able to watch Geoff for a few hours.” The surprised look on Cliff’s face was precious. “You asked her?”
    “She volunteered—said a ride would be good for you.” Len released Cliff and opened the tack room door, watching a smiling Cliff as he walked back to where Geoff was playing.
    Len went to work but was having trouble concentrating. His thoughts kept returning to Cliff. They’d been seeing each other, sort of, for the past few weeks, but they rarely talked about anything other than the farm. Len was hoping that Cliff felt something for him and that this wasn’t just about sex. He didn’t think it was, but Cliff didn’t talk about his feelings, and when he did, they were generally ones he yelled about.
    “Hey, Len. Morning.” He turned his head and saw Randy standing by the stall he was cleaning. “Where were you? I called a couple times, but you didn’t answer.”
    “Sorry.” He hadn’t realized he’d been that preoccupied.
“Looks like it’s going to be a hot one.” He looked toward the barn door. “Sure hope we get some rain.” The topic of rain was on everyone’s mind.
    “They’re calling for a chance of showers, but they’ve done that every day this week.” Len wiped his brow, more out of frustration than sweat. “With the rising price of corn and the drought in the 138

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    plains, the farm would clean up if we brought in a good harvest.” Len knew that would go a long way toward easing Cliff’s fears and help calm his prickly mood.

    “If you need me, holler. I’m going to check on the cattle, make sure they have enough water. Fred’s off today.” Len smiled and nodded. “And you do the same.” He got back to work, loading muck from the stalls into the wheelbarrow.
    “Len.” He jumped a mile when he heard the voice behind him.
Why was everyone sneaking up on him today?
    “Hi, Janelle.” He suppressed a groan. She’d taken to stopping by the farm to talk when he had work to do, and the attention was becoming less and less welcome. “How are you?” He kept his voice pleasant. She was his friend, after all, but he was finally beginning to see that Cliff had been right, and that she had feelings for him that went beyond friendship.
    “I’m fine. I was at the store this morning and saw a notice that Ludington was having a summer festival. I know it’s one of their tourist things, but it might be fun, and I thought we could go. I know Cliff will give you the time off.”

    “I can’t.” He smiled; for once he really did have other plans.

    “Cliff is taking Geoff to the beach, and I promised I’d go along.” There was no way he was breaking a promise to Geoffy. He’d been so cute when he’d asked; there was no way he’d have turned him down. Wen, will you go to the beach wiff us?

    “You’d rather go to the beach with a two-year-old than go out with me?” She looked mad enough to spit nails.

    Len set his pitchfork against the wall of the stall and turned toward her. He’d been trying to avoid this exact confrontation, but he couldn’t any longer. “Janelle, I like you. You’re a good friend, 139

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    but that’s it. I think you feel more for me than I feel for you.” He saw the