Love Means No Shame - Andrew Grey

sighed. “There’s some history there that you don’t know—and don’t need to know—but your Aunt Janelle is a bitter and unhappy person. For the longest time I took her side, but this has got to stop.” She sipped her coffee and then set down her cup. “I wanted you to know that I don’t feel the same way she does, and I told her she needs to let it go.” She stood up to go.
    Geoff was shocked as shit. Vicki and Janelle had been as thick as thieves for as long as he could remember. He stood up and gave her a hug. “Thank you.”
    “She’s my sister, and I love her, but sometimes the woman can be a right pain in the ass.” She returned his hug. “And I want you to know that the quilt is just a symbol. You do with it what you think best.” She left as Len came in and started making breakfast, the two of them exchanging greetings as they passed.
    “What did she want?” Len mused as he started breakfast.
“To let me know that she’s not Aunt Janelle.” Geoff watched as she got into her car and drove away.
    While they were eating breakfast, the guys showed up, and Geoff gave them their paychecks. Payday was usually on Monday, but Geoff had told the men that he would have everything ready on Saturday if they wanted to stop by. Len poured cups of coffee, and everyone chatted. Even though it was Saturday, there were still 87
    Andrew Grey

    chores to be done and animals to feed, but the workload was much less than during the week, so the chores were divvied up and everyone left, getting done quickly so they could have the rest of the day free. Joey walked in as the guys were leaving, so he and Len went out for his lesson.
    The rest of the day was typical for a Saturday. In the afternoon it rained, so they spent the time relaxing and watching a few movies, with Geoff checking the Weather Channel from time to time.
In the morning, Geoff got up and brushed the horses before pulling the truck and trailer around to the barn door. He loaded the blankets, saddles, and tack into the bins inside and then loaded the horses. To his surprise, both Kirk and Twilight went in without a fuss. Maybe they were getting used to him, or maybe it was the treats he’d placed in the feed bags. He closed the door of the horse trailer.
    “Morning, Geoff.” Eli was looking at the truck and trailer very curiously. “What’s this?”
    “It’s a horse trailer.” Geoff checked that everything was secure, went inside to get the cooler and lunch he’d packer earlier, and met Eli by the truck. “Get in. We’re going for a ride.” Eli looked a little dubious, but opened the door and got into the truck. Geoff started the engine and slowly pulled down the drive and onto the road. He drove carefully, taking the country roads until he got close to town, and then he turned onto Ludington Avenue as they headed toward the lake. Eli was watching everything, taking it all in as they drove.
    “Have you been here before?” Geoff asked.

    He nodded his head slowly. “Papa only went into Scottville, and only when he absolutely had to, but my uncle sells bread on the road to the state park during the summer, so I’ve been here with him a few times.” They turned north onto Lakeshore Drive. “Are we going to the state park?”
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Love Means … NO SHAME
“Yes, I thought we could ride on the beach.” Eli’s face lit like a beacon. “I’ve never been any closer than the cutoff where Uncle sells bread.”
    “Then you’re in for a treat. I thought we could park the trailer, unload the horses, and ride up the beach to the lighthouse, have a picnic, and then ride back.”
    Eli was so excited, he was practically bouncing, and Geoff smiled at the younger man’s excitement. They drove for a good ten or fifteen minutes before reaching the park entrance. Geoff waved to the ranger as they passed through the gate and then pulled into the first parking lot. “The lake is just over there.” He pointed, and Eli got out, running in that direction. Geoff shook his head as he got out of the truck and began unloading the horses.
    Eli returned, excitement written all over his face. “The lake’s so big you can’t see the other side.” He loved Eli’s innocence, the look on his face when he saw something new, but it scared him too.

    “There’s a pan in the back of the truck. Would you fill it from the jugs? I want the horses to have a drink before we start.” Eli rushed off and got the pan, filling it with water. Eli held Twilight’s