Love Means No Boundaries - Andrew Grey

on her neck so he could stroke her.
    “Wow, she’s really warm.”
“They’re heat generators, all right. Belle’s basically in retirement. She spends a lot of time in the pastures, and we only ride her occasionally. She loves the kids and is great for their first riding lessons. We don’t want to overwork her, but she just loves attention.” Belle slid her head against Robbie’s chest.
“What’s she doing?” There was a slight note of worry in Robbie’s voice.
     
“She’s just checking out your pocket, hoping for a treat.” Robbie laughed as Belle rubbed against him. “What’s happening outside? It sounds like kids, and they seem to be having fun.”
    “They are. It’s one of Eli’s beginner lessons.”
“Mr. Joey.” A high-pitched, delighted voice called out and small legs ran toward him.
“Karl—oof.” Joey’s legs were grabbed and hugged as the four-year-old jumped up and down. “How are you, buddy?”
“Good.” The youngster’s head craned upward. “Who’s that?” he pointed toward Robbie as he stood next to Belle still stroking her neck. God, Joey wished he could trade places with that horse. He’d love to have Robbie touching him like that.
    “That’s Mr. Robbie.” Joey’s legs were released, and Karl walked up to Robbie, lifting his arms to be picked up, but of course Robbie didn’t react, he just continued stroking Belle’s neck. “He wants you to pick him up.” Karl started jumping up and down, his arms still in the air becoming impatient.
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Love Means … NO Boundaries
“Please, I wanna pet the horsie.” Joey walked to Karl and lifted him up, his little hands stroking Belle’s neck. “Why can’t Mr. Robbie lift me up? Is he hurt?”
“Karl, Mr. Robbie can’t see.” The look of disbelief on Karl’s face was really cute, and it was even cuter when Karl began waving his hands in front of Robbie’s face, trying to check out the unbelievable story. Joey couldn’t help himself and began to chuckle.
    “What’s so funny?” Robbie asked, and Joey immediately became serious.
“He’s waving his hands in front of your face.”
“And that’s funny because?” The hurt tone in Robbie’s voice cut right to Joey’s heart. The last thing he wanted Robbie to think was that he was making fun of him.
    “Karl didn’t believe me.” He set the child back on his feet and scooted him toward the back door where he raced to rejoin the other kids. “I wasn’t making fun of you.” The very last thing he’d ever do was make fun of anyone. Joey looked into Robbie’s sightless eyes and saw that they were filled to overflowing. Without thinking he stepped forward and hugged Robbie to him. “I’m sorry. I thought Karl’s reaction was funny. I wasn’t laughing at you,” he whispered against Robbie’s hair as he slightly stroked the smaller man’s back.
    God, Robbie felt good against him, like they fit together. This man drove him to distraction, and holding him like this was like a dream come true. Joey stopped those thoughts cold. What kind of person was he—he’d hurt Robbie, and here he was thinking how hot he made him. “I’d never pick on you that way. I’m sorry.” Joey felt Robbie pull away. “I know. I shouldn’t have overreacted.”
    All he wanted to do was pull him back into his arms and hold him. “You didn’t. I think I’d be hurt too.” 41
Andrew Grey
Robbie’s expression softened, and Joey breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn’t hurt him too badly. “You said I could go for a ride earlier. Can I still do that?”
    Joey smiled involuntarily. Even though Robbie couldn’t see it, he smiled at the man. “Of course. Let me get her ready.” Joey left Robbie stroking Belle’s neck and got her things. It didn’t take him long to have her saddled and ready. “Robbie, I’m going to open the stall door. I need you to take a step back and then move about five feet to your left.” When Robbie was out of the way, he opened the door and walked Belle outside. “I need you to follow my voice.
    There’s a slight step down about three feet ahead of you.” Joey watched every movement Robbie made. “That’s it, step down. Good. Now take two more steps. Excellent. Belle is right in front of you.” Joey began looking around realizing he had a problem.
Normally, he could talk someone through mounting a horse, but Robbie was going to need extra help and he couldn’t do it holding Belle’s reins. Walking Belle to a fence post, he looped the