Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

her soda, fanning herself with a book. “Christ, it’s hot.” Vikki wedged herself out of the chair. “Take me home, Janie.” She folded up her chair and began waddling back to the car.
    Len stood on the sand and watched Janelle follow her. Never 164
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    in his life was he so happy to see someone go. As they were leaving, he saw Cliff and Geoff came out of the bathroom, with Geoffy skipping along behind and smiling. Cliff saw his sisters and waved.
    They waved back and drove off.
“I see they left.”
    “Yeah. I think Janelle may be suspicious. She asked if I like playing house.” Cliff settled on the sand next to him, and Geoff picked up his toys and continued playing.
    “Don’t worry about her. She can be a real pain in the a—” Cliff stopped himself just in time. “You know, but she’s my sister and wouldn’t deliberately hurt me. I think she felt more for you than she was willing to admit, and she’s a little hurt.” Cliff looked to where Geoff was playing. They both joined him, playing together until Geoff stifled a yawn. “We’re going to go in ten minutes, Geoff.”
    He didn’t even look up. “Okay, Daddy.”
“She’ll get over it. Just give her time.” Cliff said, alluding to their earlier conversation.
    Len hoped Cliff was right, but he couldn’t help wondering how Janelle would react when she found out that the man she was interested in was in love with her brother. Jesus Christ, his life was becoming a soap opera.

    “Geoff, it’s time to go.”

    Cliff wrapped a towel around his son and got him changed, and they walked back to the truck, carrying all the gear. “We can change back at the farm, if that’s okay.” Len agreed, and they loaded their things and pulled out of the parking lot. “How much more cutting is there to do?” 165
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“About two hours.”
    “When you’re done, come back to the house, and after dinner we can get cleaned up.” The leer on Cliff’s face left no doubt as to what he was thinking, and Len had to shift to keep his excitement from showing through his clingy, wet bathing suit.
    Len swallowed. “Okay.”
“Daddy, is Wen staying for dinner?”
“Yes, but he has work to do, and you’ll be in bed before he’s done.”
“But I want him to wead George.” Geoff was definitely tired.
He rarely whined like he was doing now.
    “If you’re still awake when I’m done, I’ll come in and read George for you. If not, I’ll read it to you tomorrow. Okay?” Geoff seemed mollified and rested his head against the side of his car seat, falling asleep before they were halfway home.
    Pulling into the drive, Cliff took Geoff in the house, and Len went into the tack room, changed his clothes, and got the tractor started. It indeed took him another two hours to finish the cutting, and when he got back, he saw Cliff waiting for him by the back door with a tall, cold bottle. “I thought you could use a beer.”
    “Thanks.” Len opened it and took a long slow gulp from the longneck.

    “Geoff’s asleep, and I have dinner ready. And afterward, I have something special planned. I already called Lorna and told her where you were. She laughed and told us to have fun.”
    “She really likes you, Cliff.” Len hoped she did, because he was way past liking him.
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“I think so,” Cliff said. Len finished his beer and put the bottle in the trash. “Come on inside. Let’s get you fed and loved.” “I like the sound of that.” He leaned close and felt Cliff’s lips on his.
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DINNER was quiet, just the two of them. The house was dark, the only light coming from the lamp above the table.
“That was really good,” Len said.
“It was just spaghetti and garlic bread. Nothing fancy.”
“Food doesn’t have to be fancy to be good. It’s just like men.”
    “I have something for dessert, but I think we can have it later.” Cliff leaned close, brushing his lips faintly over Len’s. “I think we need to get you cleaned up and those muscles soothed out, or it’ll hurt to walk tomorrow.” Cliff pushed his chair back and brought his dishes to the sink before taking care of Len’s. “Go on upstairs and get a shower. I’ll finish up here and meet you.” Too full and tired to argue, Len pushed back his chair and quietly walked up the stairs, down the hall, and to the bathroom near Cliff’s bedroom. Turning on the light, he stepped inside and closed the door. Taking a deep breath, he slowly