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inspirational& loving. What did it mean? Anything? And why had Brody shown up here after being
safely out of sight for a week? He d had to know the risk of exposure of an appearance at a ranch
known by many to be run by a bunch of gay cowboys. What had he been thinking?
The earlier concerns about the press had been justified, too. It turned out one TYZ
reporter and one freelance photographer had come in with the parents. As soon as the
kids had left the tent, Cliff and Ty had introduced themselves to the uninvited members
of the press and escorted the men off the WSR. They had gotten one helluva story and
no doubt had been uploading photos before they d even been off the property.
Unsure where to put all the feelings the day dredged up, Whit kept his head down and
his feet moving. It had been a long day already, and they still had the basics of clean up to
get through before taking on the regular evening chores. He worked to load the ponies
and the animals from the petting zoo into the horse trailer, while keeping an eye on the
activities at the front of the compound. Cass, Ty, Brody, and Jesse were at the bus,
shaking hands with the kids and thanking all the adults for joining them.
When the last child was loaded, the four men stood shoulder to shoulder, waving at the
departing bus and the assorted vehicles in their wake. It was a good thing so many of the
parents were able to join their kids and the Pinetop Stars Camp. He slipped his hand
around Betsy s halter. You did good, old girl, he told the pony. He gave her an extra pat,
then led her into the trailer.
Those poor kids. I hate the helpless feeling when an animal is sick and I ve done all I
can. I m not very good at waiting to see if the treatment will work, Drew said. He set the
rabbit cage on the floor of the second stall in the trailer.
I was thinking pretty much the same thing. It must be so hard on the parents. I m glad
a few could come along. Those kids were real happy today, and I gotta believe that every
smile helps.
They checked to see everything in the back of the trailer was secure, before Whit
latched up the back. He checked the hitch while Drew climbed in the truck and started the
engine. Looks like you re good, Drew, Whit said after the vet tapped his brake lights,
then tested the turn signals.
That s what Holden says. Drew grinned, then his expression turned more serious. I
didn t realize you and Brody were& friends, he said, obviously referring to the song.
Whit s gaze drifted back to the drive and the four men still standing there, watching the
last of the guests depart. He shrugged. We go back to high school not a big deal. He
wished he didn t feel the heat crawling up his neck. Go on, Drew. Get these animals back
where they belong so you can get home to Holden and Alex.
Drew studied him another minute. I m not going to get in your business
But Whit interrupted with a laugh.
Exactly, Drew laughed. But& you saw what Holden and I went through. I was wrong
to judge him just because he didn t live his life the way I lived mine. He had a lot on the
line, including his fear of losing custody of Alex. I d imagine a man like Brody might feel
he has a lot to lose, too. And it s always personal& no matter who else knows.
Cut to the chase, Drew, Whit said. I think I need to go& He d spotted a vehicle on
the road heading toward them, not away, and it was moving fast.
Just don t make any rash decisions. If what I heard in that song was aimed at you& the
man cares. Give him time.
The incoming vehicle blew past the men and came to a stop in front of the main house.
Even though it was a different SUV than the rental he d been driving on his last visit,
Whit had no trouble recognizing the salt and pepper head when the new visitor emerged
from the driver s side door. Tim Fichter.
He patted Drew s shoulder through the open window. I gotta go be safe. Turning
toward the trouble, he matched his pace to Cass and the others, as they converged on Tim.
It was like a bad parody of the OK Corral, but if Tim was intimidated by the armed
cowboys surrounding Brody, he didn t show it.
Is there someplace private we can talk? Tim asked through a tight jaw. He looked as if
he d driven straight in from a business meeting. He wore rumpled slacks and a long-
sleeved dress shirt. His tie was pulled loose around his neck. A suit jacket hung over the
back of the passenger seat.
Why are you here, Tim? Brody asked. Tim was an attractive man, maybe ten years
older than Brody, but the dark pouches under his eyes and deep brackets around his
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