Love Means No Shame - Andrew Grey

hungry too.” “Thanks. Is there some rum for this?” He waved the Coke in Geoff’s direction.
“No. You’d never drink and drive.” Raine nodded slowly.
“Around here we don’t ride and drive.” Raine accepted the answer and took a swig of the soda, picking up a sandwich from the plate.
    They talked while Raine ate, Geoff catching up on news about the office, slipping back into the easy friendship they’d shared in Chicago. Geoff hadn’t been sure if things would change, and he was relieved by how easily they picked up their friendship. Raine soon finished eating, and they headed to the barn, laughing and joking as they crossed the yard.
    “How big is this place?” Raine craned his head as they walked.

    “Right now, about two thousand acres. I’m buying some more land that’ll add another two hundred and fifty. We have just over a thousand head of cattle.” Raine whistled, and his eyes went huge.

    “It’s the only way you can be profitable anymore. Smaller farms just can’t survive unless they have some sort of specialty.” Geoff opened the barn door, and they stepped into the dim coolness of the barn.
    The smell of fresh hay and clean stalls filled Geoff’s nose. “Eli is probably with Twilight.” Geoff led the way, opening the stall door. Eli was indeed in the stall, brushing the chestnut horse.
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Eli looked up and smiled when he saw Geoff. “I’m almost done.”
    Geoff nodded and shut the stall door, leading Raine to the next stall. “This is Belle. She’ll be the horse you’ll ride while you’re here. She’s really sweet and incredibly good-natured.” A big head poked out of the stall. “Wait right here.” Geoff went to the treat bin and brought back some carrots. “Give her one of these.” He handed the carrot to Raine. “Hold your hand flat.” Raine looked at Geoff and then the horse before backing away. “She won’t hurt you, just hold your hand flat.” Geoff demonstrated, and Raine followed suit, holding out his hand. Belle lowered her head and sucked up the carrot with her lips and began munching away. “That’s a good girl.” Geoff stroked her nose. “Come on, she’s not going to hurt you.” Raine stepped forward gingerly and stroked her nose the way Geoff had. “Her hair is soft.” He kept stroking gently. “Is Belle short for Bellamundo?”
    Geoff snorted softly. “No, it’s short for Tinkerbell.”

    “I’ll be riding a horse named Tinkerbell? Gee, thanks.” Raine’s eyes rolled, and then he burst out laughing. “A fairy horse being ridden by a fairy, how appropriate.” A stall opened and closed on the other side of the barn, and then Eli joined them.

    “Raine, this is Eli.” Geoff couldn’t keep himself from smiling.

    “Eli, this is my best friend, Raine.” Eli extended his hand, but Raine stepped forward, pulling the younger man into a hug. Geoff saw the surprised look on Eli’s face, but he returned the hug and then stepped back.
    “It’s great to meet you, Eli. Geoff’s told me so much about you.” Raine was grinning as he looked between Eli and Geoff. “Anyone who can make him smile like that has to be really special.
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Eli moved next to Geoff, putting his arm around his waist.
    “Belle is all saddled, and I got Kirk and Twilight brushed.” Geoff leaned to Eli, giving him a gentle thank-you kiss. “I’ll finish saddling Twilight if you’ll finish Kirk, and then we can go for a ride.

    You want to start him in the ring?”

    “Yeah, then we can go for a short trail ride. I’ve got picnic things for afterward. I thought we could go for a swim. It’s a hot one today.” Eli smiled, and they looked at Raine. “That okay with you?”
    “Sounds great. I’m already schvitzing like crazy.” Eli just shook his head and went to saddle the horse, not evening asking the question. Raine whispered. “He’s adorable, by the way.” Geoff looked at Raine seriously. “He’s the sweetest, kindest, most loving person I’ve ever met. He’s never selfish, works harder than anyone I’ve ever known, and he always puts himself last.”
    “So what’s got you worried?” Raine knew him so well.
All of Geoff’s doubts and worries surfaced. “What if I’m not good enough for him?”
“That’s the cop-out answer. What’s really got you scared?” God, he’d forgotten that he could never hide anything from Raine. The man could