Love Means No Shame - Andrew Grey

faded. This had happened every morning for the last week. For those first few seconds, he forgot that Eli was gone. For those first few seconds, he felt happy. The rest of the day was just work. Even things that he used to find fun had turned to drudgery. He still rode every morning but got no joy out of it. He did it because the horses needed exercise, not because he wanted to.
    Throwing back the covers, he got his butt out of bed, dressed, and went downstairs to the kitchen. Len was already there, and they talked about the day’s activities while they had their coffee. “Joey asked if we had any work he could do. I think he really needs a summer job.” “Of course. Hire him on for the summer. We could use the help.” With Eli gone, they were a man short, and they were going to have extra projects once they closed on the purchase of the Winters’
    farm.
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Len smiled. “I thought you’d feel that way, so he’ll be starting today.”
    Geoff shook his head. “Why didn’t you just tell me you hired him? I trust your judgment. You are the foreman, after all.” Geoff finished his coffee. “We should be on the lookout for another full-time hand. I think we’re going to need the help, particularly once we expand the herd.” “I’ll do that.” Len finished his coffee while Geoff put his mug in the sink and headed to the barn.

    For the first time in a week, he walked directly to Kirk’s stall and began brushing and saddling the stallion. “You ready for a ride, boy?” The sable creature certainly seemed to be bouncing in his stall. Once he was done, Geoff led the horse outside and mounted.

    “Okay boy, let’s go.”

    He spurred the horse on, and Kirk took off, running like the wind. They’d done it before, but this morning the speed and the wind began to clear away some of the cobwebs. He’d been fighting moving on, but now he realized he had to.

    Kirk reached the other side of the pasture and slowed. Geoff turned him around and spurred him on again. Another race across the pasture did them both good. Then Geoff slowed Kirk to a walk, and they headed to one of the other pastures to check on the herd. The long ride had done Geoff good, and after unsaddling his mount, he led Kirk into one of the paddocks and then headed inside, greeting Joey along the way. “Morning.”
    “Morning, Geoff.” The teenager was smiling excitedly.
“Thanks for the job. I promise I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will, Joey. What’s Len got you starting on?”
“He says I need to keep the barn swept, the stalls clean, and the tack organized and ready for use.” Joey’s smile faded as he 184 Love Means … NO SHAME
concentrated on what he’d be doing. “He also told me to keep track of our hay usage so we can make sure we put enough up for the winter.” “Excellent. And we’ll probably need your help building fences in a few weeks.” Geoff started toward the house but turned around. “Come to the house for lunch.”
“Mom packed me a lunch.” Joey held up a small brown bag.
    “Okay, but you tell your mom that you’re eating with the men from now on.” That got him a huge smile. Joey was a good worker, and Geoff knew he’d pull his weight. Besides, it would be easier on his mom if she didn’t need to worry about buying lunch things.

    “I’ll tell her.” Joey waved as he headed in the barn to get to work.
    Geoff’s good mood lasted until he walked in the house and heard voices in the living room. What’s she doing here? Walking in, he saw that he had a house full of relatives. His three aunts, Uncle Dan, and his cousins Jill and Chris, along with Len, were all sitting in the living room. “What are you all doing here?” He couldn’t help glaring at his Aunt Janelle.
    “We came to share some news.” His Aunt Vicki was glowing, and he shifted his attention to his cousin, zeroing in on her hand. Pete had finally proposed.
“Well, I see congratulations are in order.” Geoff hugged his cousin tightly. “You’re a very lucky lady.”
“Thank you.” Jill was absolutely glowing.
“I have something for you. Just a minute.” Geoff went upstairs to this room and grabbed a bundle from the closet before returning. “I want you to have this as a wedding present.” Geoff heard his Aunt Janelle inhale sharply. “This was your great-grandmother’s. 185
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    She and her mother made it for her wedding, and since you’re the first one of our generation to marry, I think it