Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

Then he felt Cliff’s lips on his and the problems and worries slipped away. “I love you, Len.” He rested his head against Cliff’s chest, a steady heartbeat in his ear. “Let’s go upstairs.” Len shifted before getting to his feet.
    Cliff got up as well and led Len to the bedroom. Len slipped off his clothes and slid beneath the covers, with Cliff following shortly behind him. “Just hold me, Cliff.” Arms slid around him, pulling him close, Cliff’s chest to Len’s back, as lips skimmed over his neck. Cliff was right. All that mattered was the man holding him right now and the little boy sleeping in the next room. This was what mattered. In Cliff’s arms, the worries slipped away, carried off by the sound of the crickets outside the open window serenading them as they drifted off to sleep.
    SOMETHING wasn’t right. Len sat up in bed, his head turning from side to side. Cliff was sound asleep, snoring lightly. Through the open window, he heard a horse whinny and then another. “Cliff, wake up!” He shook his lover hard. “Something’s happening.” Len was out of bed before the words were out of his mouth. Pulling on his jeans, he yanked on his shoes and took off out the bedroom door and down the stairs, toward the back door, flipping on lights in the house as he went.
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Andrew Grey
    Bursting out the back door, he heard horses and saw one running out the barn door and into the farmyard. Len flipped on the outside lights, bathing the yard and the front of the barn in a warm glow. “What the hell’s going on?” Another horse ran from the barn, followed by two men. Crack!
    A loud shot rang out, and Len turned around. Cliff was standing on the steps, a shotgun pointed in the air. The men raced across the yard toward the road, hats flying off their heads. Car doors slammed, and an engine started and gunned. They could hear the wheels on the gravel as the car took off down the road.
    “Go check on Geoff. I’ll see about getting the horses.” Len ran toward the barn. A few of the stall doors were open, but the horses were still inside. Shutting the stall doors, he closed the barn door as a precaution and grabbed a few carrots before walking across the yard. One of the horses was near the equipment shed. Len approached slowly, not wanting to spook the already agitated horse.
    “That’s a good boy.” Holding out his hand, he offered the carrot and got a hold on the halter, leading him back into the barn and into his stall. “How bad is it?” Cliff walked into the barn, still carrying his gun and handing Len a shirt.
    “I think it was just the two horses. I’ve already got one back in his stall, but the other one could be a ways away.” Len closed the stall door. “How’s Geoff?” Len slipped the shirt over his shoulders.

    “Still asleep, thank God.” Cliff relaxed slightly.

    “Stay with him. I have to find Thunder.” Len hurriedly saddled Misty. He led her into the yard and settled into the saddle. “He could hurt himself if I don’t find him. I’ll be back as soon as I find him.” 199

    Love Means Courage

    “Hold on a minute.” Cliff went in the barn, returning a minute later, holding Thunder’s halter. “You’ll need this.” He handed Len the halter. “Where are you going to look?”

    “He headed off across the street, so I’m going to try to follow.
    Hopefully he’s still on the grounds of the community college.” Len coaxed Misty into a trot, and they headed off into the night. Across the street from the farm was the wooded campus of West Shore Community College. Their parking lots were lit, so as long as Thunder stayed on the campus, there was a chance Len would be able to find him. Len pointed Misty along the edge of the drive, looking and listening intently.
    Together, he and Misty roamed the parking lot and paths of the college until he saw a dark shape against one of the buildings. Len dismounted and led Misty forward, hoping the familiar horse would help calm the agitated stallion. As he got close, he could hear Thunder snorting and blowing out of his nose. “It’s okay, boy. It’s just me and Misty.” Len pulled out a carrot and held it in his hand for Thunder to see. Len kept talking and slowly walked closer. To Len’s relief, Thunder went for the carrot, and Len patted his neck as he slipped the halter over his head. Then he led both Misty and Thunder back toward the farm, walking through the quiet and deserted campus.
    The first light was