Love Means No Boundaries - Andrew Grey

surprised.
“I hear everything.” For a second his accent got heavier, and he sounded like his mother, making Joey laugh.
It didn’t take long, and all the horses were back in their stalls, each having had their treat and happily munching hay. Joey saw Eli and Geoff grooming and saddling their horses, a particular look on their faces. They left them alone, walking across the yard.
     
“It feels cold.” Robbie snuggled next to him.
     
“It’s fall, and it’s going to get colder,” Joey warned as Robbie shivered next to him. “But I think it’s the most beautiful time of the year. I wish you could see it.” He put his arm around Robbie to warm him.
     
“Tell me about it.”
     
“All the hills are covered with shades of red and yellow. The oak leaves are brown and some of the maples are orange. The pines are still green. It looks like nature got out her paint brush and colored everything.”
     
He felt Robbie burrow closer and looked at his face, seeing his closed eyes. “I can see it, just like you described.” Joey ran his thumb over Robbie’s lower lip. “Let’s go inside.”
     
“Okay, as long as you remember your promise.” Joey chuckled softly. He had every intention of keeping it. “I’ll keep you warm this winter.”
    “I was thinking of invoking that promise sooner than that.” Joey put an arm around Robbie’s waist as he guided him toward the back door. He heard Eli and Geoff behind him, mounting and then the pounding of hooves across the field, gradually getting softer. He could tell Robbie was listening as well and saw by his smile he knew what was happening. “Did they take blankets?” 198
Love Means … NO Boundaries
    “Yeah.” Joey kissed his lover and then opened the back door, and they stepped inside the warm kitchen. “Is that what I think it is?” Joey inhaled deeply, his stomach already growling even though dinner was hours away.
“Yes, I’m makin’ your favorite fried chicken.” Adelle continued working at the island, making sure the chicken was properly seasoned. “I also whipped up a batch of cornbread.” Robbie made a happy, contented sound next to him.
“Are you settling in okay?”
    She beamed at him, her eyes shining, “My, yes. The room is just lovely.” She kept smiling as she went back to work. About a month after Robbie left Natchez, he’d gotten a call asking if, “You boys could use someone to do the cooking and cleaning?” Joey and Robbie had discussed it with Geoff and Eli, and they’d all agreed that they’d love to have her come.
    The four of them had remade one of the bedrooms for her and even done a little moving around so she could have one of the rooms with its own bath. She’d moved in two weeks ago, and just fit right in. She quietly took over the management of the house. Individually they were Mr. Geoff or Mr. Eli, which tickled all of them no end, but on the whole, she referred to them as her boys, which tickled them all even more.
    Claudine had been fit to be tied when she found out Adelle was leaving, but she’d gotten over it. She was already on her second replacement. “Are you boys playing poker tonight?”
“Of course. It’s Friday.”
“I’ll make up some sandwiches then.”
“Thank you, Adelle. Are you joining us?” She did her best to look shocked.” Len and Chris will be over, and I think Pete, Frank, 199 Andrew Grey
and Lumpy will be coming too.” Joey laughed as Adelle looked like she was going to brain him with the towel, but she broke into a grin. “I’d prob’ly clean you all out.” Somehow, he didn’t doubt it.
“Now go relax, and let me finish here.” They left the room, and Joey settled on the sofa with Robbie reclining next to him, legs across his lap. Joey pulled off his lover’s socks and began rubbing his feet to a chorus of soft, contented sighs.
     
“How were your students today?” Robbie worked three mornings a week at the middle school teaching violin.
     
“Much better. They’re making progress, and they’ve learned they can’t put one over on the blind guy.” Initially Robbie had had some issues with a few students, but they’d learned pretty quickly that he didn’t need to see them to know what they were doing.
     
“They’re good students and a few of them are very talented. Our first concert is in December. Do you think you’ll come?” Joey ran his hand up Robbie’s calf, tickling him behind the knees. “Of course I’ll come.” He leaned forward, kissing him