Love Means No Shame - Andrew Grey

later?”
    “What did you do?” Eli watched Geoff shrug and smirk. “I’ll wait ’til later.”
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Love Means … NO SHAME
    Geoff put another log in the stove and went to the kitchen, brewing coffee and starting a light breakfast. As he expected, the scent brought Len downstairs, yawning. “What is it with you two?
    It’s a day off, and you’re still up with the cows.” Len yawned again.
“You’re worse now than you were as a kid.”
“It’s Christmas!” Geoff and Eli replied, and they laughed.
Len’s only reply was to shake his head and pad into the kitchen, returning with a steaming mug.
    Len sat in his chair while Eli and Geoff went to the tree and started handing out presents. Eli went first, handing Geoff a wrapped box. Geoff opened it and gasped. Inside was a beautiful wooden desk set Eli had obviously made himself. “Thank you.” Geoff pulled Eli to him for a hug. “I thought you could use it when you do the accounts.” Geoff handed Eli the package he’d brought in from the barn that morning. “This is for you from both Dad and I.” Geoff looked at Len and smiled.
    Eli opened the package and looked at both of them, confused.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
Geoff explained. “That’s one of the name tags we use on the stalls.”
“I see that, but why does it say Tiger on it?” Geoff leaned real close. “I know I call you Tiger, but what else on this farm has that name?” Eli’s eyes went wide. “You’re giving me the colt?” Eli sat on the floor, a tear rolling down that beautiful face.
“Merry Christmas.”
Eli jumped up and gave Len a huge hug before throwing himself into Geoff’s arms, hugging him tightly. “Thank you.” 207 Andrew Grey
“You’re welcome, Love.”
Len got up and finished making breakfast, with Geoff and Eli joining him a few minutes later.
AFTER all the festivities, the huge dinner, and the house full of relatives, the late afternoon quiet was wonderfully refreshing. “Thank you for a wonderful Christmas,” Eli said, looking at the glowing Christmas tree. “Where did Len say he was going?” “To Chris’s for a few hours.”
Eli moved closer. “How do you feel about him dating?”
“I’m thrilled for him, actually. He went through a lot with Dad’s cancer, and if he’s ready to date again, then I’m happy.
    Besides, Chris is a great guy and really seems to like him. To tell you the truth, I’m just so in love, I want the world to be in love.” Geoff had hired Chris toward the end of summer. He and Len had gotten along great from the start but had only started dating about a month ago. “Dad says that they’re taking it slow.” Eli snuggled close. “That’s what he says, but I see how he lights up whenever they’re together.” Eli smiled up at Geoff. Oh, he knew that lit-up look well. He’d seen Eli light up often enough over the last few months.
    “Look.” Geoff pointed out the window. Light snow had just started to fall in the fading twilight. “It’s so beautiful.” They stood together watching the snow, holding each other, but soon progressed to hot, slow, kissing. “I’ve got one more present for you, but this one’s different. It’s something we can work on together.” Eli’s eyes locked on Geoff’s. “Frank has an old carriage in his garage. It’ll need some work, but I thought we could do it together. We’d have to 208
    Love Means … NO SHAME
train one of the horses to pull it, but I thought it would be a fun project for us.”
    Eli’s eyes widened. “Is it plain?” Geoff shook his head. “It’s really fancy, black with gold scrollwork and red upholstery. It’ll be some work, but I thought we could take it to the fair next year if we get it done.”
    “You take such good care of me.” Eli moved closer, as if that were possible. “Yes, I’d love to work on the carriage with you. When can I see it?” Eli’s eyes were bright with excitement.
“We’ll take the truck tomorrow and bring it back.” The light outside was fading, the room getting darker, with only the tree for light.
    Eli led him to the sofa, and when Geoff sat, Eli straddled his legs, pushing him back against the cushions before taking his lips in a smoldering kiss. “Love you.”
    Geoff’s head lolled back against the cushions as Eli’s hands pulled at the hem of his sweatshirt, pulling it up and off. “Love you too, Tiger. More than anything or anyone.” He could feel a shudder travel through Eli. “When you were gone,