The Cowboy and the Hoodlum: A Gay MM Cowboy Romance (Farthingdale Valley Book 2) by Jackie North

Author:Jackie North [North, Jackie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Rain Press
Published: 2023-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Jonah

They finished up the painting on Wednesday, and Jonah swore off ever painting like that again, though he imagined the plans in the valley would involve more painting at some point. He’d just have to make sure he was elsewhere.

He was able to grab a quick shower before lunch, only to find that Royce was anxiously looking for him when he arrived at the mess tent. It was as if Royce was psychic and knew that Jonah had been searching for just the right moment for them to meet up.

“There you are.” Royce’s fingers curled around Jonah’s bicep in a way that felt familiar, like Royce had been doing that for years instead of only for a short while. As though Royce, and only Royce, had the right to touch him that way. “I’ve got good news.”

“Do tell,” said Jonah, lining up with his tray at the newly set up buffet line.

It might have been nice to have still been served one at a time while waiting at the table, sort of posh and strange all at the same time, but it was a good deal nicer to stand in line with Royce, their heads ducked together as they looked over the choices on the two long steam tables.

Here, Jonah could take as much as he wanted of the creamed corn and none of the spinach, could have two bread rolls with extra butter, and could copy Royce when he took two slices of roast turkey, plus crispy bits of skin, all in all a more satisfactory experience.

Plus, he could sit next to Royce at the end of the table, rather than hoping there would be a free seat he could grab, and if there wasn’t, having to stare across the table at Royce. This way, he could rub shoulders with Royce and snicker when Royce’s iced tea spilled, and hop up to grab extra napkins to clean it up before Neal shooed him away, bringing a bar towel to wipe up the mess and a fresh iced tea for Royce, besides.

“Thank you, Neal,” said Royce as he took a sip and sighed. “Now, about my good news,” he said, tucking his chin, turning to look at Jonah like he had a secret to share.

“What’s that?” asked Jonah, and he was all ears because Royce had never shared a secret with him before.

“It’s going to be a beautiful afternoon,” Royce said, his smile already bright with joy at the prospect. “And I’ve told Gabe that you and I need to do some recon on the ridge so I can see a bird’s-eye view of the tributary to help determine where a particular walkway might go. We’ll bring snacks and binoculars and maybe we’ll see some falcons.” That smile grew brighter. “It’ll be just you and me. What do you say? Care to join me?”

“Of course.” Jonah was on the verge of half-shrugging to demonstrate that he really didn’t care one way or another, but he really did care.

Royce had

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