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Ryan swung his legs down from the chair they d been resting on and stood. Rio
grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the front door. They stood on the porch as seven
gorgeous adults climbed out of the big black Suburban.
Rawley and Jeb were the first to reach them.
 Hey, strangers, Rio greeted as he shook hands with the two men.
When Garron walked up the porch steps, he knocked Rio s hand away and pulled him
into a hug.  Missed you guys.
 We ve missed you, too, Rio replied. He let go of Garron and pulled Sonny into his
arms.  How s life living with a lawman?
 You should know, Sonny chuckled.
 You have my sympathy.
CATTLE VALLEY DAYS Carol Lynne
40
Sonny stepped back and the twins, Ryker and Ranger made their way onto the porch
with their wife, Lilly tucked between them.
Although Rio didn t know Lilly well, he hugged her anyway.  Nice of you all to come.
I m sure you re worn out from the drive.
Lilly let out a giggle.  I think Garron and I were the only ones awake for most of the
trip. You get these Good boys into a car, and it s like they ve taken a sleeping pill.
 At least we ll be wide awake later, Ranger said with a wink.
Lilly rolled her eyes and the group headed into the house.
 So where s the pretty one? Garron asked as they made their way out to the patio.
 Nate had a few last minute things to take care of. He should be here any minute. A
horn sounded as soon as the words left Rio s mouth.  Speak of the devil.
 Things going any better for him? Garron asked.
Rio could tell by the expression on the man s face that he d obviously talked to Nate at
some point since he d taken over as mayor. There was something in the way Garron asked
that had Rio s hackles up. Did Garron know something he didn t?
 He s finally asking for help, but he still takes too much of it on himself. We ll see how
things go after the celebration is over.
Garron was the first to reach Nate when he stepped onto the patio, grabbing Rio s Nate
up into a bear hug. Although Rio knew Nate and Garron had known each other for years, he
was man enough to acknowledge the streak of jealousy that raced through him.
Nate was unceremoniously passed from person to person until all greetings were out of
the way. Nate started to sit in the chair beside him, but Rio needed his lover closer. He pulled
Nate into his lap and gave him a quick kiss.
 I m happy you re home, he whispered in Nate s ear.
 I m happy to be home. Nate gazed up at Rio with those beautiful light brown eyes.
Uh oh, his little man wanted something.  What?
 Elliott Simms called me on the way home. He was supposed to take tickets at the
rodeo on Saturday, but he threw his back out stocking dog food at the grocery store.
 And?
 I was wondering if I could talk you into doing it?
 Will I still be able to see the rodeo from where I ll be standing?
CATTLE VALLEY DAYS Carol Lynne
41
 Yes. And with your height, you shouldn t have any trouble seeing over someone if
they get in your way.
Taking tickets all day in the sun wasn t Rio s idea of a good time, but he knew Nate
wouldn t have asked unless he really needed him.  Sure. Just tell me when to show up, and
I ll be there.
 You re the best, Nate said before giving Rio s mouth a slow and sexy tongue fuck.
Ryan cleared his throat, reminding Rio they weren t alone. He knew it was nothing
their friends hadn t seen before, but he d already promised Ryan he d be on his best
behaviour.
 So the parade is Saturday morning, and then the rodeo, right? Ryker asked.
 Yeah, but the preliminaries for the rodeo are all day tomorrow. Then the finals on
Saturday. Then after that comes the big street dance, Nate informed the group.
 What else is going on tomorrow besides the rodeo? Jeb asked.
 Well, the carnival will be running both days, but then there s the bake-offs, cook-offs,
baseball tournament&  Nate stopped.  Oh, shit.
 What? Rio asked as he rubbed Nate s back.
 I forgot about you and Ryan playing in the baseball tournament. What if you make it
to the finals on Saturday?
Ryan shook his head.  Don t you remember? You had the finals changed to Sunday so
they wouldn t interfere with the parade?
Nate sighed and leaned back against Rio s chest.  I swear I m losing my mind.
Snuggled up against him, Rio felt the vibrations of Nate s stomach growling.  Is that
my cue to start the grill?
 Would you mind? I haven t eaten all day.
 Nope. Let me up, and I ll get started. Rio gave Nate s ass a playful slap as he stood.
 Why don t you show me the horses I keep hearing so much about? Garron asked
Nate.
 Sure, Nate agreed and took off towards the barn with Garron following.
Rio stopped just inside the door and watched the two men heading across the field. He
wished he knew what they were talking about.
CATTLE VALLEY DAYS Carol Lynne
42
* * * *
Nate turned on the light in the barn as they entered. The sound of the fans blowing
made it hard to talk, but he was glad to get Garron alone. His old friend was the only person
he d confided his fears in.
 Now. Tell me the truth as to how things are going.
Nate sat on a bale of hay and gazed up at his friend.  Well, the planning is going a lot
smoother since I started asking for help, but what do I do next week?
 You get up and go to work.
 Easy for you to say. You know how to be a sheriff. I know nothing about being a
mayor. You know me, if it was up to me, every city employee would get a big raise every
year. But now I m in the position where I have to kinda pick and choose, and that s just not
me.
Nate started to run his fingers through his hair, but thought better of it. He was having
a damn good hair day, so why mess with perfection?  And it s not just the raises. It s
everything. I m so afraid I m going to do something wrong, I m afraid to do anything.
 I think you need to relax and cut yourself some slack. Everyone knows you re new to
the job. I doubt they expect perfection. Besides, they voted for you, they must believe in
you.
Nate buried his face in his hands. That was exactly the problem.  They voted for me
because they like me, not because I was more qualified for the job than Hearn. It was nothing
more than a popularity contest. Well, now I ve been crowned homecoming king, but I don t
know what the hell to do with the crown.
 Weren t you friends with the old mayor? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]