The Outing (Texas Sterling Book 2) by RB Bartels

Author:RB Bartels [Bartels, RB]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Tuesday morning, they lounged in bed wrapped in each other’s arms until almost nine o’clock, well past their usual time. They rose, donned the thick terry robes, and wandered toward the kitchen. As they padded through the den, the elevator doors opened. He strolled over. A copy of the San Francisco Chronicle and the latest edition of The Advocate laid on the elevator floor. Wyl pulled The Advocate from under the newspaper and smiled at their picture on the cover. He resisted the urge to shout the news, letting Rod discover it himself. He laid the magazine on the table, covered by the newspaper.

While the coffee brewed and the toast browned, Rod sliced the fresh fruit they got from the Farmer’s Market the day before. Wyl set plates and silverware on the table and poured two steaming mugs of coffee. Rod brought toast and the bowl of sliced fruit to the table. They dug in.

As they ate, Wyl grabbed the newspaper and pulled out the first section, keeping Rod in the corner of his eye. Rod’s gaze turned to the magazine.

“Oh, my God!” He grabbed The Advocate and turned the cover toward Wyl. “Check it out… we’re on the cover!” The magnificent photo of two smiling cowboys, sporting their ranch duds and hats, with Sarge and Princess saddled and standing behind them, captured the essence of their life in one shot.

Wyl grinned ear-to-ear because of Rod’s exuberance. He loved seeing his cowboy happy. “We take an award-winning photo.”

Rod huffed out a chuckle. “We’ll create quite a sensation at Harvey’s today.”

“A sensation? You think anyone will recognize us?”

“Wyl, we’re in the city men launched gay America in the ’60s. Hell…we turn each other on. And cowboys are in, so we’ll be recognized.”

“I think we should commission a painting for over the fireplace at the ranch.” Wyl paused and gazed at Rod. “Do you realize how proud I am to be your husband?”

Rod’s eyes brimmed. “You always say the perfect words.” He stood, came up behind Wyl, and wrapped his arms around him, nuzzling his ear. “I love you so much.”

“Fate brought us together. Nothing can tear us apart.” Wyl wrapped his arms around Rod’s and held on tight. Since their first touch, he couldn’t hold his man enough.

They read Joe’s article about their meeting, encounters, challenges, and marriage. It told of their love, a story of never giving up. Love may be just around the corner.

They finished breakfast and cleaned up the dishes. As the last plate went into the dishwasher, Wyl wrapped his arms around Rod. They represented two of the most unlikely candidates for a gay union, a professor in his middle 40s and a retired Marine who turned 40. But somehow, they found each other, and now they adorned the cover of a national gay magazine.

Rod leaned into the embrace. “Let’s grab a shower. We can browse the shops along Castro Street before lunch.”

“I’ve never been to a gay district. This will be interesting.”

* * *

Around noon

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