Love Means No Shame - Andrew Grey

wouldn’t have anything to do with Eli, would it?” Geoff nodded slowly. “I can’t stop thinking about him, and I think I’m developing feelings for him, but I—”
    “You’re not sure if he likes you the same way?”
“Yeah.”
    Len started snickering and then laughed outright, covering his mouth with his hand to keep himself from getting too loud. “Good God, boy, what do you want him to do, hire a skywriter?” Len was shaking his head and kept chuckling, which only deepened Geoff’s confusion. What had he missed?
    “Let me see, each morning for the last week or so, your horse is groomed till he shines and saddled ready for you ride with him.” “Yeah, so?” Geoff shrugged, and Len shook his head again.
“Each morning, when you come down for breakfast, there are fresh flowers on the table.”
“I thought you picked those, like you always did for dad.” Len shook his head. “I haven’t been picking those. Eli has.
    And yesterday, he asked me what your favorite bread was, looked up a recipe, and made it for you. Grinned like a cat when you said how much you liked it.”
    “What is it you’re driving at?”
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Len shook his head again and rolled his eyes at the ceiling,
“He’s courting you, ya dummy.”
Geoff almost fell out of his chair. There was no way….
Oh my God.
Oh my freaking God. Geoff shook his head slowly as Len smiled and kept nodding.
    “In Amish culture, when you like someone, you groom your horses so they look their best, polish your tack until it shines, and take the object of your affection for a buggy ride. He doesn’t have a buggy, so he’s been saddling your horse and polishing your saddle for the last week, bringing you flowers, making you what you like to eat.” Len got up from the table. “Tomorrow, I suggest that you let the boy know his efforts have been noticed and that you’re interested. ’Cause if you’re not, he can bloody well court me.” With those final words, Len went upstairs, still shaking his head.
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    Love Means … NO SHAME
    GEOFF was up early on Saturday. Hell, the sun wasn’t even up, and he was out of bed, dressed, and in the barn. “Yes,” he whispered as he walked into the dark barn. “I beat you this morning.” Large heads poked out of their stalls, and Geoff stroked and patted each nose as he headed to the tack room to get the supplies.
    The horses were losing their winter coats, so Geoff grabbed a curry comb, brush, and treats, and then headed to Twilight’s stall.
    “Hey, girl.” He stroked his hand across her side and saw that inquisitive head turn to look at him. “I know; I’m not Eli, but I’ll have to do.” He gave her a carrot and led her to the grooming area and began brushing her out. She really liked it and moved slightly into his touch. “Feels good, girl. Yeah, I know it does.” He was just talking to keep her calm and to fill the dark morning with some reassuring sound. Once she was combed, he brushed her out, making her coat look its best. Then he got her blanket and saddle, placing them on her back and tightening the girth, and led her back to her stall. He’d put her bridle on when they were ready to leave.
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    Once Twilight was finished, he went to Kirk’s stall and got him combed, brushed, and saddled. Just as he was finishing, he heard the barn door open and a soft whistling as Eli entered.

    He heard Eli stop a minute to talk to Twilight. “Morning, girl.” Then Eli moved on down to Kirk’s stall.
    “Oh, you’re here.” Eli looked disappointed and backed out of the stall, walking back to Twilight. Geoff heard a sharp intake of breath and then a soft sigh. He finished saddling Kirk and led him out of the stall, meeting Eli and Twilight on the grass. “Thank you,” Eli said. His eyes gleamed, and Geoff smiled back, realizing that the initial message he’d wanted to send had been received.
    “You’re welcome, and thank you for the flowers and the cinnamon bread.” That earned Geoff a grin and a happy sparkle in those blue eyes. Eli mounted the horse, settling himself into the saddle. “Where are we riding today?”
“Why don’t you choose?” Geoff mounted as well and waited for Eli to lead the way out of the yard, and to his surprise, onto the shoulder of the road.
    “There’s a river up north of us about a half mile. There should be some wonderful wildflowers this time of year.” Geoff smiled and followed Eli's lead. At the corner near the farm, they turned