Galen looked up to see Jordan running along the well-warn path that was used to get from the lodge to the barn and other outbuildings.
“W-what’s your hurry, Jordan?” Galen asked and then patiently waited for his friend to catch his breath.
“Walker is wondering what’s taking so long for you guys to get eggs and milk to him. It’s our day off and he wants to get breakfast over with as soon as possible so we have more time to spend somewhere on our own.”
“Did he forget that w-we have a great deal m-more animals than w-we used to? It takes longer to get the m-morning chores done.”
“Here’s the milk,” Raythe announced as he and Spyke appeared carrying two buckets each. “You got all the eggs gathered, Galen?”
“Uh-huh, and the chickens are feed and w-watered.”
“I thought you had extra help,” Jordan commented as he glanced around to see who all was about.
“Yeah, well Jay didn’t show up this morning,” Seth answered as he put in an appearance from the far side of the barn. He’d heard the tail end of the conversation. “The cows are back in the field grazing so they’re okay until this evening. Guess that takes care of my share.”
“So we are short one and Haly here is almost useless,” Spyke griped to whoever would listen.
“Hey, I not a farmer; never will be!” the young seaman pointed out for what seemed like the hundredth time. “I put some fresh hay in the stalls, didn’t I? What more did you want of me?”
“Hell, if you weren’t so fucking afraid of the hens peckin’ your fingers, you could have helped Galen gather eggs.”
“Back off, Spyke! He was helping milk until a cow kicked him,” Seth remarked while Raythe rolled his eyes.
“At least you make a better farmer than most of us do a fisherman.” Spyke back down and fairly gave the recognition due the man he’d complained about. “It took me plenty of time to get used to the animals as I was a city-boy before coming to the island.”
“Speaking of fishing, any of you guys want to join me on my boat today? I’ve got a good stash of tobacco on board. Both kinds too; one for smoking and the other for chewing.” Unsure of a certain quartermaster’s plan for the day, Haly decided to make some of his own.
“How come you do that stuff?” Galen asked, curious to know what the man got from it.
“It makes me feel good. It either helps me relax or at times can sort of energises me. Either way, it gives me pleasure. I’ve been doing it for years.”
“It’s habit forming, isn’t it?” Raythe spoke up.
“That’s the same as addictive, right?” Jordan just wanted clarification. Receiving nods from three of the men present, he glanced at Galen and they both squirmed at the memory of someone else having an addiction problem that not only affected the individual but also the entire community.
“Ever think of quitting?” Galen inquired.
“Doc has strongly suggested I give up chewing, but why would I? I like it too much.” Haly paused briefly when part of a conversation with Quentin came to mind; the older man had made it clear that he didn’t approve of the habit at all. “So, anyone want to take me up on it?”
Jordan shook his head. “Thanks all the same, but I don’t think I’ll ever be taking you up on your offer.”
“M-me neither,” Galen emphatically responded. He blanched slightly at the thought of how sick he got on the high seas. He didn’t even want to contemplate how smoking or chewing would only intensify such an illness.
“Suit yourselves,” Haly responded with a shrug. “What about the rest of you?”
“Hmm, not today. Maybe another time if the invitation still stands,” Spyke answered uncertainly. Raythe and Seth merely indicated their indifference with brief nods.
Before alternative proposals could be suggested, Thad showed up and from the expression on his face trouble was brewing. “Walker’s getting mighty impatient, boys, so you better get a move on.”
Two men leaned heavily on the tall fence. One with his arms folded on the top rail and the other with his outstretched in front of him. Mitchell smiled at the expression of joy on the younger man’s face. Hendrik was treating Walker’s horses to a handful of carrots and relishing some of the good memories such a simple activity reminded him of. It was fast becoming part of the cowboy’s morning routine.
“Sure wish they were mine,” Hendrik murmured wistfully. “Ya know, some folks refer to me as an ex-cowboy. However I say, once a cowboy always a cowboy.” He was warmed by Mitchell’s nod of agreement. “Guess I’ll just have to be content with having such beautiful creatures here with us.”
“More will probably arrive on future ships, sweetheart.” Mitchell watched his handsome partner give each of the animals a final pat and wipe his hands down the front of his pants. “Come and sit with me,” he requested, making his way over to the bench on the shady side of the barn.
Taking a penknife and block of wood out of his pocket, Mitchell began whittling. “Exactly what all is in those large crates you’ve stored in the barn?”
“You are not going to believe this!” the younger man animatedly exclaimed, energetically walking back and forth. “The ship brought in just about all the equipment any blacksmith would have need of.”
“Such as?” Mitchell smiled at his partner’s exuberance.
“A forge, a great deal bigger than the small one I fashioned to make the ring for Thomas to give Galen, bellows, a vise, an anvil, tongs, hammers and chisels.”
“And you know how to use all that?”
“Well, I admit to not being overly efficient, but I’ve seen it done many times and often had a chance to work with the travelling blacksmith who came to the ranch twice a year. I’ve even shod horses when a farrier wasn’t available. I just need to practise more. It takes time to perfect the craft…..and a lot more horse than we have at the moment.” Hendrick glanced up at the other man’s chuckle.
Mitchell turned serious. “There’s something else I have to talk over with you.”
“I’m listening,” Hendrik assured him, sitting down next to his partner. He rested his back against the building and pulled his wide-brimmed hat down over his eyes.
“It concerns the Liang brothers. You’re aware of Lakota having asked me to befriend Jay, right?”
“Yeah, but we haven’t really had time to discuss the reasoning behind that request.”
“You’ve notice that Jay is a great deal bigger and somewhat darker-skinned that his half-brother. The reason being, that he was born to an unwed mother after she had been raped by a rather large black man who was drunk at the time and supposedly infatuated with her. An older Chinese shoemaker married her when Jay was a baby and Shay was born of that union. Apparently, Jay has long harboured hopes of finding his biological father even though both boys have only ever been given the barest of details about Jay’s conception. This need for a paternal influence has further developed since the death of their parents three years ago. Although it has been explained to Jay that I could not possibly be his sire, he still sees me as a kind of father-figure.”
Hendrik used his thumb to push back his hat and grin at the man beside him. “The kid may be onto something ‘cause I think you’d make a great father. Hmmm,” he mused, a great deal of humour in his voice. “I wonder what that will make me.”
“I’m not sure. How about just a friend or maybe an uncle?”
“It might work; no promises though. Besides, where will this leave Shay? All of us seem to be spoken for, which means the kid’s chances of finding a partner are mighty slim.”
“I was thinking you might like to mentor him. That young man can do with a lot of well-earned affection from someone who is willing to offer him support and protection. He’s been caring for his brother at the expense of his own well-being.”
“I don’t know, Mitchell.” Hendrik sat up a little straighter and looked his partner in the eye. “I’m telling you right out, Shay is one good-looking young fella and I wouldn’t be surprised to find myself becoming attracted to him. That said, I certainly don’t want to do anything that will harm our relationship. I love you, Mitchell. I don’t want things changing between us.”
Mitchell wrapped a big hand around the back of Hendrik’s neck and drew him close. “I love you too, sweetheart.” He dipped his head and roughly kissed his lover’s lips, claiming ownership as he did so.
Ending the kiss, he looked into the younger man’s sparkling green eyes and gently inquired, “if it should come to pass, would you be okay with the possibility of us forming a threesome?”
“It’s worth considering. At least I’m not gonna say no without giving it some serious thought. If it happens, we’ll end up being a family of four.” Hendrik whistled as he settled back against the barn with a contemplative smile spreading across his face.
“One thing I want clear, Hendrik. I’ll assume all responsibility for Jay; no one else is to raise a hand to him.”
“I understand, Mitchell. It isn’t in my nature to do so anyway.”
“It may be where Shay is concerned were he to become our partner. He may prove to be a handful once he’s comfortable with his place among us. I’ve already heard about some of the younger men being warned not to follow Haly’s lead and chew tobacco. I feel Shay may be susceptible to the temptation to do so. One can only hope that if Haly and Quentin form a partnership, that our quartermaster will put a stop to this habit. In the meantime, I have a feeling discipline is going to make for an interesting conversation to have with Shay and Jay as I don’t think either of those young men have ever had much of it.”
“I am more than willing to leave that in your capable hands, Mitchell,” Hendrik smirked, not at all anxious to involve himself in that particular tête-à-tête.
“It is a dialogue we will all be taking part in, my good man,” Mitchell firmly insisted. “You should know that Jay asked me this morning if he could call me ‘Papa’. His request really caught me off guard. After all, I am only four years older than he is. But then I remembered Lakota telling me the lad would never mentally be older that thirteen, so I figured if it makes him happy, what the heck.”
“You know, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to eventually learn that the council might have considered this. It’s probably why we were given the larger bedroom downstairs instead of the average sized one we had first been allotted upstairs; particularly when you take in the fact that Shay and Jay’s bunk beds are practically right outside our door.”
“You have a good point there.” Mitchell grinned at his partner’s observations.
“While several of the couples have talked about building cabins of their own next summer, we’ve never discussed it. Guess it’s about time we did.”
“Hmm,” Mitchell nodded his agreement. “Some have even picked sites for their future homes. No rush though; we have plenty of time to see what takes place. In the meantime, we better answer the clanking that is announcing breakfast. Walker dislikes laggards.” He got to his feet and hauled Hendrik up. Together they made their way to the lodge.
It was shortly after their morning meal and Shay wanted to make plans for the day. “What have you got there, Jay?” he asked, squatting down next to his brother.
“Stones,” Jay answered, holding one up for his sibling to see. “Hendrik broke this in half so I can see how the inside sparkles.”
“I’m glad to see you starting a new nature collection after having to leave your old one behind.” Shay smiled at the sight of a bird’s nest lying amidst an array of pebbles and feathers. He watched as the box of treasures was shoved back under Jay’s bed. “Want to come swimming with me? The weather is changing and we won’t be able to go much longer.”
“Nah,” Jay shook his head and stood up. “Me, Mitchell and Hendrik are going for a hike. Hendrik said we might hunt for seashells too. Mitchell even packed some sandwiches and cookies.”
When no invitation to join them was issued, Shay straightened and turned away. “Fine; see you around then.” He left the lodge and found himself a place in the shade to think over his rapidly changing relationship with his brother.
This was their fourth Sunday on the island and Shay was still adjusting to them not having to work this one day a week. He realised being on his own would only make the adjustment all the harder. Everyone seemed involved with someone else.
He and Jay had spent the first Sunday with Haly on the fishing boat. The happy-go-lucky fisherman had convinced him to try chewing tobacco but the foul taste had him spitting it overboard. The second Sunday was an all-day affair which kept the entire community together preparing for Thomas and Galen’s wedding that took place later in the afternoon. The third he and his brother had spent at the swimming hole with several of the other men, enjoying the comradeship and the picnic that had been packed for them.
Raythe had first taken them there and had explained the man-made dam that caused the water to spill its banks and form a large pool. “Mitchell designed this. Brock says it was quite a feat. We’re kinda hoping it will freeze over this winter so next Spring we’ll be able to cut blocks of ice. The council just needs to figure out a place to store them.” He’d seemed pleased to have been able to pass this information along.
Shay was at a lost as to what he’d do on his own. All the men were matched up. Even Haly was probably off somewhere with Quentin. The two men had been getting together as often as time would allow in order to become better acquainted. And now his own brother had deserted him. Shay’s shoulders slumped as tears formed. He’d never felt so lonely.
A shadow fell over him and he glanced up to see Mitchell standing there. The large black man had a friendly smile on his face and for some unfathomable reason it made Shay think his present lot in life was about to change.
Shay’s dark eyes lit up when the older man asked if he’d be interested in going along with him, Hendrik and Jay on their outing. Shay didn’t have to be asked twice. He happily scrambled to his feet, willing at that point in time to follow the man anywhere.
Their trek led them along a path Shay hadn’t seen yet and far into the woods to a beautiful shaded area near the mouth of a small stream that eventually ended some distance away by emptying into the ocean. They stopped and listened. The only sounds were birds singing, a light breeze rustling the leaves overhead and the water splashing over a few rocks.
“I hope you guys are hungry,” Mitchell declared, setting the basket he’d been carrying down on the grass. “I know I’m starving. Of course, maybe you’d rather get wet first. Which will it be?”
“Eat!” was the unanimous response.
“So what do you think of island life so far, Shay?” Mitchell asked conversationally.
“It’s alright, I guess.” Shay mumbled with his mouth full.
“Swallow first please,” the older man advised. “We don’t want you choking.”
“Certainly not this far from medical help.” Hendrik included a teasing chuckle with his comment.
Shay obeyed and tried answering again. “I sure don’t miss city life. I don’t miss the constant noise or the bad smells. And I really don’t miss living every day in fear of getting caught.”
The two older men exchange looks and nodded understandingly.
“I take it you’ve made some friends here?” Mitchell inquired.
“Of course I knew Haly from the ship, and I met most of the guys over the past couple of weeks while working with some of them. I’ve met the rest when I got everyone’s foot measurements.”
“You’ve spent a fair bit of time with Raythe, right,” Hendrik stated more than asked.
“Yeah, he showed me around the day we arrived and has been filling me in on who’s who and what’s what.”
“Such as?” Mitchell probed.
“Well I know all about the council and the rules and stuff. Raythe told me about some of the guys having to go before the council and getting punished for breaking rules.” Shay’s shrug indicated his acceptance of all he’d learned. His friend being unbothered by having someone else governing the men’s actions made it seem reasonable. “I also know who does certain chores; like Thad and Jordan work most often in the kitchen with Walker. Wallace has started helping them. Nathan does just about all the sewing and mending with the help of his partner, Wes; and now with his Uncle Alfred pitching in. The list seems to go on and on. Raythe told me he, Galen, and Spyke mostly care for the livestock but now with so many more animals to feed and clean up after, they really can use some extra manpower.”
“Are you offering, Shay?” Hendrik asked and laughed when Shay merely turned up his lip in disgust. “Guess that answers my question.”
“I got old shoes to repair and new ones to make. That will keep me plenty busy. Besides, I know nothing about farming and such.”
Bored with the conversation and having filled his stomach, Jay got up and wandered over to the stream. He took off his boots, rolled up his pants and began to wade through a large puddle. The water had been warmed by the sun which made the activity even more enjoyable.
“Take care there, Jay,” Shay called out.
“He’ll be alright,” Mitchell assured him, acquiring a scowl from the younger man.
“He’s my responsibility,” Shay reminded him, “regardless of whatever arrangements you’ve made with him.” He glowered at the two men sitting across from him. “Jay might want you to be his father, but you’re not.”
“Does it upset you that he’s asked if he can call me ‘papa’?”
“I don’t care what he calls you,” Shay quietly responded with another shrug. He really was unsure of how he felt at this point. He’d enjoyed being together with his brother and these men but couldn’t quite comprehend how anything beyond a good friendship would develop between him and this couple. He wasn’t yet at a point of identifying the possibly of even wanting more.
“Jay wants to be part of Hendrik’s and my family, Shay. We’ve talked it over and decided we’d really like that too. But we’d also like you to be part of that family.” Mitchell paused to give Shay time to think over his proposal.
Hendrik wasn’t as patient. “What do you say, kid?”
Shay frowned; his confusion apparent. “And just where would I fit in? As far as you two guys are concerned. I may be Jay’s brother but I am not interested in being yours.”
Mitchell chuckled and attempted to answer the question. “Well, I don’t think there is a need for titles. Jay sees me as a father-figure and I am alright with that. But I can’t see it being the same between you and me. Why don’t we try to spend more time together and see what develops?”
“Me and Mitchell are both open to the notion of forming a threesome,” Hendrik declared much to Shay’s astonishment and Mitchell’s displeasure.
“But that will involve a lot of discussion; preferably at a later date and only if you are comfortable with the idea.” Mitchell would have favoured bringing up this subject after they got better acquainted, so therefore felt the need to clarify a few things. Shay seemed to be giving the idea some serious thought and Mitchell only hoped the younger man would exercise more patience than Hendrik had.
“Now that you mention it, I find I’m not overly shocked at learning about the two threesomes already on the island. They seemed to be working out rather well.”
“Well they do involve a lot of work,” Hendrik admitted. “More so than a couple would, I imagine.”
“What kind of work?” Shay’s curiosity had been aroused.
“Well, each member in the relationship has to be more understanding of each other, more willingness to compromise. I would assume there would be more of a need for a head of the household, so to speak.” Mitchell signalled Hendrik to wait for a reaction from Shay to this concept.
“Father was the head of our household,” Shay softly mused. “I kind of took it for granted that it was like that for every family.” He looked back and forth between the other two men. “Hmm, let me guess. Between the two of you, Mitchell is the person in charge, right?” Getting nods of affirmation, he leaned forward and squinted as he suspiciously studied their smiling faces. “A just what are Mitchell’s responsibilities as head of your household?” Shay hadn’t shared the fact that Raythe had told him about some of the other relationships; relationships of a kind he hadn’t heard of before.
“Once all members have accepted my leadership, I make the final decision regarding issues that concern any of us. I also enforce the expectations we have of each other.”
“That sounds like more rules,” Shay grumbled, “as if there aren’t already enough.”
“Whatever you wish to call them, Shay, rules or laws are what keep us civil; keep us safe and in some situations can save our lives.” Mitchell easily picked up on the young man’s uncertainty and changed the subject for the time being. “Tell me, Shay, have you always cared for your older brother?”
Shay nodded and picked at a small hole on the thigh of his pants. “Our parents were very busy keeping a roof over our heads and food on the table. We did spend most evenings together as a family but Mother and Father were often tired by the end of the day.” To the older men sitting there those statements had a ring of being parroted. “Jay and me fended for ourselves a lot of the time. I protected him from folks that bullied him just cause he’s different.”
Mitchell sat back and sighed deeply. He had suspected as much. Even though the lads had been loved and cared about, there had been a distinct lack of regular affection and cosseting. “You realise that kind of taunting won’t happen here, don’t you? It may have been the case at one time, but with having to learn about and accept folks for who they are, I do believe we’ve all moved past that kind of victimisation. Another thing I’d like to know is who watched over you, Shay?” the big man quietly asked.
“I guess no one did,” Shay kept his head down as he thought of the earlier years of his life. Then he brightened some. “But I spent a lot of time with my father once I got old enough for him to teach me how to make shoes.”
“What would Jay do during those times?”
“He’d mostly hang around, getting in the way. Some days he’d go off with our mother, but not too often. She said it was hard for her to keep an eye on him and that he behaved best when he was with me. I think he just like the more familiar surroundings.”
“Did you attend school regularly?” Hendrik decided he should take an active part in the conversation.
“I did when I was smaller; at least enough to learn how to read and write and do a bit of figuring.”
“Were there rules you had to obey while growing up?” Hendrik inquired. He suddenly realised he was interested in learning as many details as he could about the boys’ background.
“Not really,” Shay shrugged, “except to respect our elders and not take things that didn’t belong to us.”
“And were these rules enforced?” Mitchell asked.
“I can’t remember ever having disobeyed them. But Jay once took an apple from a farmer’s cart. Father said it was stealing. He made him apologise and give the man some money. Father wasn’t angry though. It seemed more as if he was disappointed.” The thoughtful expression on Shay’s face indicted he was trying hard to recall exactly what had taken place. He shrugged again when he was unable to clearly conjure up that past event. “Anyway, it was a long time ago.”
Mitchell wasn’t surprised to learn the brothers had led rather unstructured lives in many areas, even while in other ways they had been sheltered. “You’ve shouldered a big responsibility for a greater part of your life and it is now time for someone else to take it on.”
Shay opened his mouth to protest and discovered he wasn’t sure he wanted to. Jay, who had spent most his life shying away from people, had almost instantly latched onto this soft-spoken man. If his brother could instinctively trust Mitchell never to harm him, then why couldn’t he. Shay timidly nodded his acceptance.
“It’s also time for someone to start caring for you, Shay. Would you be willing to give me a shot at it?”
The young man chewed on his lip as he thought over the offer. He didn’t fully understand why, but it felt right to him. He really had only one major question. “Ah, about the rules; what happens if they get broken?”
“The one who breaks the rules gets punished.” Mitchell nonchalantly answered. He certainly didn’t want to scare the lad off at this early stage of a possible relationship.
Shay narrowed his eyes. “Let me guess; extra chores, lost privileges and stuff, right?”
“In some cases; others may warrant more.”
“Such as?”
“Grounding, writing lines and in the more serious breaches, a spanking may be needed to get the message across.”
Shay snorted and glanced at Hendrik. “He’s kidding, isn’t he?”
“Nope!” Hendrik assured him and laugh at the expression of disbelief on the younger man’s face. “I can attest to it. He really let me have it for disobeying a direct order concerning my recovery after I’d had a bit of surgery. And let me tell you, he’s got a very strong right arm and a hard hand on the end of it.”
Shay eyes opened wide in astonishment and try as he might, he was unable to utter a sound louder than a slight gurgle.
“We’ve talked this over with Jay but I am sure it will take some time before he begins to understand how his life will change. You’ll also need to be prepared for all this should you consent to become a member of our family, Shay. Do you think you’re capable of accepting that kind of care from me?”
Shay blinked several times as he contemplated what was being asked of him. He looked back and forth between the two men sitting in front of him and slowly nodded his acceptance for the second time in as many minutes. Again, it just felt right.
Meanwhile, Thomas was lying in the mid-afternoon sun watching the love of his life tenderly caring for the grape vines they’d planted just days before their wedding. Each individual vine was being devotedly watered and checked over almost daily.
Having marked out the acreage they’d chosen to build their future home on, Galen had next selected the area he wanted for their vineyard.
“W-we need a sunny, southern slope w-with course, sandy-type soil for good drainage to encourage early growth. It w-will result in the b-best yield for years to come. W-we can only hope these vines w-will survive the w-winter because spring p-planting is a lot m-more ideal. The fact that my p-parents chose to send this hardy Concord variety and p-packed them really w-well is in our favour.”
Thomas lay back and closed his eyes, a smile of his face as he listened to the on-going chattering from his new husband. The warm sun on his face was suddenly blocked and he glanced up to see Galen standing over him.
Galen smiled too as he lay down next to the man who over the last several months had steadily become the most important person in the world to him.
“The rain and cooler temperatures haven’t harmed the vines yet, Thomas. I sure hope the w-weather hasn’t interfered too m-much with the harvest.” Fingers slowly undid the buttons on the front of the older man’s shirt.
“Only a slight delay, Manari. We’ll have it all done by the end of the month.” Thomas smiled back at the young man he loved with all his heart and soul. It was hard to believe they’d been married for only two weeks and yet had learned so much about each other’s signals and personal preferences in such a short period of time. The older man had even begun learning some Greek words of endearment.
“S’agapó,” Galen whispered as he leaned in and gently kissed Thomas’ lips. Large arms engulfed him and he was drawn closer to the warm body as the kiss became more intense. Hands adeptly divested each other’s bodies of clothing as tongues sought out the sweet taste of each other’s mouths.
As usual Thomas had come prepared. They had spent last Sundays making love in this place they now considered their own. Soon the colder winds of winter would prevent them from indulging themselves in this manner and the seclusion they’d come to enjoy would be gone when they’d have only their room at the lodge to seek limited amounts of privacy in. But then the lack of privacy was an inconvenience all of them had to endure for the time being.
Well sated, they fell asleep in each others’ arms.
TBC…..
