Love Means_. Freedom - Andrew Grey

uniforms." Jasper began laughing hysterically, and Preston couldn't stop himself and laughed right along with him, a deep belly laugh that he hadn't experienced in months.
    "They nearly killed me," Preston gasped. He hadn't thought of that in years.
"But the pictures were great blackmail." Their laughter drifted away, but the smiles remained.
"Thanks." He looked over at what he suddenly realized was the best friend he'd ever had.
"Let me go so you can get home to that man of yours."
    Preston was still smiling as he got himself in his chair, and Stone rushed out and helped him into the house, both of them waving as Jasper drove away. It had started to snow on the drive over, the landscape being covered in a fresh blanket of white, like nature wanted everything fresh and clean for the holiday. "Let's get you inside."
    "Not yet, okay?" Preston wasn't cold, and they sat quietly, watching the snow fall. Looking over at Stone, Preston took the younger man's hand in his and held it, fingers sharing their warmth. It had been a long time since he'd simply held hands with anyone. Kent was a more... active kind of guy. Basically, Kent had been all about the sex, jackrabbit-type sex, always a race to the finish. But sitting with Stone watching it snow was one of the nicest things he could remember. "Are the horses inside?"

    Stone met his eyes before his gaze drifted to the barn. "Yup, all snug and warm inside, which is where we should be as well." Preston nodded, and Stone helped him up the steps and into the kitchen.

    Warmth assailed him as he took off his coat and glided into the kitchen. Eli was still getting everything ready, and fresh bread was being pulled from the oven.
    "Man, that smells good."
Eli smiled as he closed the over door and put the bread on a rack to cool. "I used to work in my uncle's bakery." Eli continued working. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
    Eli looked like he was about to say no. "There is, actually. Do you think you could make the punch?" Getting out the fixings from the refrigerator, Eli placed them on the counter and told him how to mix it. "Stone, would you bring up a few chairs and set them in the living room?" Eli asked, and Stone hurried away. It seemed there was still a lot to do.
    Preston carried the ingredients to the punch bowl and began mixing them together. Geoff came in to ask a question and was given his answer and another thing to do. It seemed for this, Eli was in charge. By the time Preston was finished, Adelle joined them and began hauling more food to the table. It looked like they were expecting an army, and it wasn't long before one arrived. Geoff's aunts, cousins, their children, some of the men he'd seen around the farm. He was introduced to one and all, including a woman and her young daughter.
    "We can't stay long," the woman explained, "but Sherry insisted we stop by so she could give Mr. Stoney his present." The woman's smile lit the room.

    Preston watched as Stone knelt down, and the little girl gave him a big hug before handing him a drawing she'd obviously made herself. "Thank you, Sherry." Stone returned the little girl's hug. "Is that Mercury?"

    "Uh-huh," she said in her little voice, nodding vigorously. "And that's you on Buster." She seemed so proud of it, and he could tell Stone was a little choked up as he looked away from the little girl, trying to hide the stab of pain and loneliness that crossed his face.
    "Sherry, this is Preston." Stone said, and the little girl looked at him wide-eyed.
"Can you go fast?" she asked, pointing at his big wheels.
"Sometimes. Would you like a ride?"
    Sherry looked up at her mother, who nodded, and then she climbed onto Preston's lap and Stone pushed them around the house while Sherry laughed and urged them to go faster, dodging legs and howling with glee. After a few times around the house, they returned to the kitchen to find every kid lined up for his or her turn. Sherry turned and hugged him before sliding off his lap and walking to her mother, who wiped her eyes and looked at Stone.
    "I can't believe what you've done for her." She lifted Sherry into her arms. "What you've all done for her." She looked primarily at Stone and said, "Thank you." She sniffed, and Sherry settled in her arms. "We should go." She set Sherry down, and she put on her pink puffy coat and then said good-bye again, giving "Stoney" a hug before leaving, waving her tiny hand the entire time.
    "Can I have a ride?" one of the young boys asked