This is 3 of 3 chapters.

-X

Talisa Ranch, Kingfisher County, Oklahoma. 1982.

Exhausted and soaked to the skin, Bobby and his men, plus Della, paused as Mitchell Morris’ truck roared into the yard. Confused when Matt rushed out and ran to the passenger side.

“What are you doing with Old Man Morris’ truck?” Col called.

“He’s got mine. We need help,” Matt held the door open as Mack slipped out.

Bobby’s heart slammed into his throat as he saw Dyl, bloody and drenched, limp in Mack’s arms.

“What happened?” They all rushed forward.

“Long story,” Matt was breathless and shivering. Everyone was shivering. “Short version. River, tree, swept away.”

“How long was he under the water?” Della asked.

“Forever,” Mack managed, breathless with the weight of a soaked, fully clothed Dyl.

“Three minutes, maybe,” Matt amended.

“Oh shit, Dyl.” Bobby’s eyes were horrified on Mack’s.

“Col. Get the fire going in the main room. Ramon, go get blankets, towels, and the quilt from my room. Matt, get the kettle on. Pete, first aid box. Everyone else go get dry and warm then come back, we might need you.” Della barked out the instructions then turned more kindly to Mack. “This way. Bobby, stop gawping and get the doors.”

“Ma’am.” Bobby did as he was told, ignoring everyone else rushing off to follow instructions. His eyes locked on Dyl.

“Hold this here.” As Mack sat on the floor near the warm fire, Dyl still cradled in his arms, Della handed Bobby a kitchen towel. “Bobby, snap out of it. It’s a head wound, they bleed a lot. Press, but gently.”

She knelt and helped Mack lay Dyl out, immediately starting to unbutton his jacket as she questioned Mack. “Was he unconscious when he came out of water?”

“Most. Not lucid. He rolled and was sick and then went out.”

“Okay. Sick’s good. A lot of water?”

“Aye.”

“Hopefully if he rolled himself, his neck and back are okay, but we’ll be careful there.”

“I called the doctor, Della. I’ll make coffee now?” Matt’s were still huge as he placed a large bowl with hot water by Della.

“Perfect. Thanks Matt. Then go get dry.”

“I want to stay with Dyl.”

“Get dry first, honey.” Her voice was soft and Matt nodded before heading back to the kitchen.

After carefully slipping Dyl’s undershirt free, Della leaned down, her ear to his chest. She sat back up and nodded. “Sounds good. Doc will check. Where are my towels?”

“Here, Della,” Ramon knelt down with Della as they gently bundled and rubbed at Dyl’s cold skin. “Mack, there’s a towel and some dry clothes. They’re Bobby’s, they should fit you.”

Mack frowned.

“Get dry and warm, you can’t sit there dripping on him,” Della said firmly. “I won’t peek!”

“She’s right,” Bobby whispered, and he and Mack quickly stripped, towelled off, and dressed.

By the time they crouched back down, Pete, who had barely spared their naked butt’s a glance, had delivered the first aid box and Dyl was down to his briefs under a pile of towels and blankets as Della cleaned the cut just under his hairline.

“I’ll have to let Doc look at it. It’s deep. Press on this,” she moved back as Ramon gently held the padding in place.

“Della,” he whispered, as Dyl’s eyelids flickered a little. Then a cough and a groan. “Stay still, stay still,” Ramon said urgently as Della, Bobby, Mack, and Pete all pressed closer.

Dyl’s eyes opened and he blinked a few times before focusing on Ramon, dark brown eyes staring into near black. He smiled slowly. “You must be Ramon?”

“Hey.”

“Hi.”

“You just scared the hell out of us,” Ramon complained, then hushed Dyl as his face fell.

“Is the dog okay? Is Missy okay?”

Mack leaned over. “She’s fine.”

“Really?”

“I swear. All that, and you’re the only one who got hurt.”

“Hello, sweetheart,” Della leaned over smiling as Dyl’s eyes moved to her.

“Miss Della!”

“It’s so lovely to finally meet you properly, but right now I need to you stay really still until the doctor has checked you over. And I need to get dry.” She held Dyl’s head as he tried to nod in agreement. “Really still.”

“Oh.”

Mack moved behind Dyl’s head. “What do I do?”

“Just keep him in his current position. I’ll be five minutes.”

Mack carefully used his forearms and hands to create a brace for Dyl’s head and neck. “Like that?”

“Perfect.”

“Go get dry, Mrs Walker.”

“Della,” she instructed and hurried out, closely followed by Ramon.

“What happened?” Bobby asked. Not wanting to move or jolt Dyl, he simply laid a hand on his leg.

“Your neighbour had some sheep stuck in a trailer in the river. We got that free, with Matt’s truck, but then the dog tried to jump in to get to Jay. She got tangled up in a tree and Dyl went in to save her. Then a massive tree swept by and caught him.”

“Don’t be mad,” Dyl begged, gazing beseechingly at Bobby. “If we’d stayed in Oklahoma City then Missy and those sheep, and maybe Mr Morris and his son would all be dead.”

“Is that right?”

“And maybe Matt as well, because he was coming back whatever, and the drive was terrible.”

Bobby sighed as liquid chocolate eyes blinked up at him. “It’s good to see you, Dyl.”

“Made it back to the States,” Dyl grinned tiredly.

“Finally!”

“Well, I wasn’t going to sail.”

Bobby looked at Mack. “How was the trip?”

Mack huffed, “I’d rather be on a ship.”

They chuckled a little as Dyl wrinkled his nose, then looked up as Ramon and another man came in. “Doc’s here.”

Once Dyl was thoroughly checked over and declared fine to move, the cut stitched, Bobby and Mack helped him up the stairs where he was tucked in by Della.

“A day’s bed rest, that’s what the doctor said.”

“But.” Dyl shut his mouth at Della’s look. “Yes, Ma’am.”

When Della and Ramon left, Dyl looked at Bobby from his nest of covers. “She’s wonderful. And scary.”

“Oh, yea.” He looked at Mack. “Raid the fridge if you need, and if Dyl gets sick or you’re worried just open the door and shout. We’ll hear you.”

“Thanks, Bobby.”

Bobby rose and pressed a hand first to Dyl’s heart and then to Mack’s shoulder. “It’s great to see you both again. I’m excited to show you around, but you’ll rest tomorrow.”

“I guess,” Dyl sighed sadly. Bobby shook his head as he left.

-X

Ramon lay quiet snuggled down, still chilled, while Bobby came in and through to the bathroom. He idly listened to running water and splashing, his dark eyes peering over the covers as a naked Bobby walked around and slipped into the left side of the bed.

Bobby shifted a little to get comfy, pulled the covers up to his shoulders and linked his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling and letting out a hard sigh.

Ramon eased closer, pressing a kiss to Bobby’s shoulder, which was warm (how was it warm?) before resting his chin on the smooth skin and eyeing Bobby. His hand gently rubbing the still flat tummy.

“He’ll be okay. Everyone’s safe and the herd is safe.”

The stomach rose and fell under his hand with another huff. “I know, it’s just. Jesus.”

“Hey.”

Bobby turned his eyes to Ramon’s.

“Dyl is fine. We’ll make sure he rests a few days.”

Bobby smiled slightly. “Yea. Thanks. It scared me.”

Ramon nodded slightly keeping his eyes on Bobby’s as his hand drifted down. Bobby’s smile widened as did Ramon’s.

“What’s that you’re doing?” It ended on a hummed-gasp as Ramon loosely fisted Bobby’s interested cock.

“Warming you up.”

Bobby grinned now. “Come here,” he lifted the sheets as Ramon moved to splay over him. Their cocks rubbed and nestled, already leaking, as lips met and pressed.

Ramon gyrated as he nipped before licking into Bobby’s mouth, their tongues tangling slickly.

Bobby’s fingers gripped Ramon’s still black hair to hold him still, as lips became red and bruised.

Ramon managed to slide a hand down again and rub his calloused thumb up the underside of Bobby’s dick, making him gasp, his head falling back.

Ramon immediately started kissing and nipping down his neck and chest as the hands holding him fell to the mattress. “I win,” he boasted.

“You cheated,” Bobby said breathlessly, but he didn’t seem to mind too much.

With a wicked grin, Ramon disappeared under the covers as he kissed his way down, until Bobby hissed and thrust up, searching for friction. “Oh God. That’s so good.”

Ramon didn’t answer. His mouth was busy reducing Bobby to garbled nonsense.

Bobby lay helpless as he was emptied, laughing weakly as nips and kisses worked their way back up his damp skin.

“Hey,” Ramon said cheekily, as he emerged from the covers.

“Hi,” Bobby managed on a half laugh. Shoving the covers away from his hot body as Ramon eased up until he was perched, knees brushing Bobby’s shoulders. “Give it to me,” Bobby begged. Keeping his eyes locked on Ramon’s as he was fed hard leaking cock.

“All the way. Take me deeper.” Ramon bit his lip and winced at the overwhelming, almost painful sensation, as he slid into Bobby’s throat. The caressing swallow, teasing tongue, and hard suck pulling him almost instantly over.

“Cristo!” He gripped the headboard, his other hand stroking Bobby’s hair as he released.

The convulsions of Bobby’s throat were too much for his sensitive cock and he pulled back carefully before Bobby could choke. Deliberately smearing drips of cum on Bobby’s lips, enjoying the sight of his tongue darting out to lick them up.

“Uh uh,” Ramon shook his head and bent down to lick and kiss the cum away himself, smiling as Bobby pulled him down.

“Perfect. No mess,” Ramon claimed as he lowered his lips to lick the moisture from Bobby’s neck.

“You’re so considerate,” Bobby chuckled. His hands smoothing up Ramon’s damp back.

Ramon settled, finished his nuzzling and crossed his arms on Bobby’s chest. Resting his chin and smiling at him.

“What?” Bobby wondered.

“I’m thinking I look a lot like Dyl,” Ramon suggested. He continued when Bobby looked puzzled. “His eyes are almost as dark as mine.”

Bobby cracked up. “So I like dark eyed men. So what?” He stroked Ramon’s hair back fondly. “I honestly hadn’t thought of it.” He did so, for a moment. “No, you don’t really look alike. Why? Are you jealous?”

Ramon’s eyes widened. The height of amusement. “Did you see the size of Mack. You wanna take that on?”

“No, I really don’t.” Bobby turned more serious. “I love Dyl, but as a friend. We were never more than that. And I’m just as fond of Mack.”

“I know. I’m teasing.” Ramon dipped a kiss to Bobby’s breastbone.

“Actually, Mack is less annoying,” Bobby added. “I might like him better.”

“I’m telling,” Ramon threatened, but then moved his weight, snuggling to the side and pulling Bobby close. “He’s fine. Everything’s fine.”

Bobby nodded, closed his eyes, and took comfort.

-X

The following morning Bobby tapped lightly at the guest room door and eased it open the tiniest crack.

He could just about make out a pale hand waving, so went in, moving slowly as his eyes adjusted. He saw Mack put a finger to his lips.

“Morning.”

“Hey. Morning. Sorry, I just needed to check.”

“It’s fine. He’s still out of it, but he’s fine. He was a little bit sick last night, but I think it was more river water than concussion.”

“I can call the doctor?”

Mack shook his head. “He’s coming later this morning anyway. Honestly, I’m not too worried.” He held up a hand and squeezed when Bobby took it.

“Okay. You know best. Della will be in the kitchen if you need anything.”

“We’ll see you later. You out to check on the stock?”

Bobby nodded. “Yea, in case we missed any injuries last night in the heavy rain and dark. And a re-count, just to be sure.” He studied Mack. “Did you sleep. Are you okay?”

“Yea, but I’ll take a bit more. On and off, I guess. I’m pretty stiff. Bit sore from lugging this one around.” Mack ran a hand over Dyl’s hair, mostly hidden under the cover. “Getting old!”

“We’re not even sixty yet,” Bobby whispered, fake offended.

“How old is Ramon?”

“Fifty-five,” Bobby curled his lip. “Just.”

“Nice,” Mack drawled with a suggestive wriggle of his eyebrows and Bobby silently cracked up.

He pointed at Mack and winked. “Later.” Smiling at Mack’s easy wave.

“All good?” Della asked, as he entered the kitchen.

“Dyl was a little sick last night, but Mack’s not too worried. He said a check over later this morning is fine.”

“He must have swallowed some water,” Ramon said.

Bobby nodded. “Yea. Della, will you ask the doctor to check Mack over as well. He may have strained something. I don’t want his vacation ruined.”

Della handed him a mug of streaming coffee. “Leave it with me,” she reassured him. “And sit down to eat your breakfast like a gentleman.”

-X

At lunchtime Bobby found Mack and Dyl in Della’s pretty kitchen garden.

Mack was eating, but clearly in the middle of weeding. Dyl was curled up in a lounger.

“I thought you were to stay in bed?”

Dyl pushed himself to a sitting position, beaming a smile to see his friend. “Della and the doctor said I could get some fresh air for a little while, but I gotta take a nap this afternoon, like a kid.” He tried to scowl, but he was too pleased to see Bobby, who bent down to hug him.

“You feeling okay?”

“I’m fine. Everyone’s fussing over a few bruises.”

“Dyl, you got knocked out cold and drank half the river!”

Dyl pouted. “The doctor made me take some pills in case I picked up any nasties.” He wrinkled his nose.

“His head’s like concrete, so I doubt that did any damage,” Mack commented as he finished his lunch.

Bobby grinned as he pulled a chair over to sit by Dyl. “Did he check you over, Mack?”

“Aye. Your housekeeper’s a scary woman.”

“Tell me!”

“Cooks like an angel though.”

“She’s amazing. I want to keep her,” Dyl gushed.

Bobby smiled at him, lifting a hand to rub over his head. “Look at this. Your hair was wet last night. I didn’t release how grey you’ve gone.”

Dyl rolled his eyes. “Sarah calls it ‘salt and pepper’, but it’s mostly salt these days.” He turned his head pointing at the back. “There’s still some brown back here.”

“Like three strands,” Mack suggested.

“Alright, Mr ‘I’ve barely got a grey hair.'”

“Ach. I’ve got a few.”

“Me too,” Bobby admitted. “Ramon doesn’t have a one.”

“His hair looked really black in the firelight,” Dyl said. “But it’s hard to tell in photo’s?”

“It’s black,” Bobby confirmed. “His Mexican heritage.” He settled back a little, happier that Dyl was well. “So how is Sarah? I was so sorry to hear about Owain.” He reached out a hand and Dyl gripped it gratefully.

“She’s doing really well. She’s ten years younger than Owain, so she’s eight-three now.”

“Must have been a shock. Waking up to find him gone.”

Dyl nodded, his eyes damp. “Yea, but she was happy that they were together and it was peaceful. He wasn’t ill, or in pain or anything.”

“And the girls?”

“They’re good. Still coming up to us for a holiday, but with their separate families these days,” he laughed. “We would never fit them it all at once!”

“I only saw them once,” Bobby remembered. “Waiting for their dad one day. Two cute little girls. Weird to think of them having kids of their own.”

Dyl smiled, but his eyes were sleepy. Bobby gave Mack a knowing look.

“It’s pretty back here isn’t it?”

“It’s lovely,” Dyl said and yawned.

They all jumped at a sudden loud bark, and Mack groaned as Missy appeared from nowhere and thumped her front paws into his lap to lick at him.

“Hey girl,” he ruffled her ears. “Where’d you come from?”

She gave another happy bark, before turning and smearing her wet nose across Bobby’s outstretched palm. Then she spotted Dyl and the next bark was delirious, before she pounced.

“Oommpppffff. Missy? Hey, are you okay?” Dyl was buried under the large squiggling dog.

“Jesus, Missy!” Bobby got up to pull her back as Mr Morris came out and whistled.

“Down, Missy.”

Missy whined and burrowed against Dyl, trying to look hard done by.

“Down.”

“No, please can she stay?” Dyl wrapped his arms around the dog and cuddled against her. Missy hid a smug doggy expression against his chest.

Bobby heaved the dog so she was beside Dyl rather than squashing him. Unable to hide a smile as she snuggled close.

Mr Morris rolled his eyes and moved to Dyl, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You okay, son?”

“Yes, sir. Is Missy really not hurt?”

“She’s fine, we all are. Jay will catch up with you at some point, but he asked me to bring Missy over to thank you.”

Dyl nodded, and managed to whisper, “It’s okay.” Before he had to hide his emotions in Missy’s soft fur.

Mr Morris rubbed his shoulder, then Missy’s, before turning to take the coffee Della offered and looking questioningly at Mack.

“Bit battered and bruised, but no real damage done,” Mack told him. “Sheep doing well?”

“They’re good. I appreciate it.” He handed his coffee to Bobby to hold while he pulled out Della’s chair, then looked back at Dyl before sitting with a smile. “He’s asleep.”

Bobby peered and grinned. “They both are. Worn out by their adventures.”

“Not the first time he’s scared a decade off my life,” Mack told them. “I’ll be lucky to make it to seventy at this rate!”

Ramon came out with his own coffee. “What happened?” he asked, catching Mack’s statement.

Mack grimaced. “I once had to watch him squeeze into an old drain to lead some kids out of a burning building.”

Della immediately moved over to sit next to Mack and take his hand. “I never heard about that. You never told us,” she scowled accusingly at Bobby.

“I don’t know anything,” he raised his hands. “When was this?”

Mack thought for a moment. “Must have been the summer of, maybe ’51. I guess we had been together a couple of years.”

He smiled a little, seeing he was going to have to tell the story.

“Some kids snuck into an old derelict forge on the outskirts of the village. Rumour was it was haunted, so of course, the kids dared each other to clamber inside and start a fire in the old furnace. To tempt the ghost.”

He smiled a little. “The place was built in the mid 1800’s and abandoned at the turn of the century, but was never more than a shack really. On this particular day we were out for a walk and young Timmy came running up, having been too sensible, or more likely scared, to go inside.” He sipped his drink.

“Three lads were in there and had started a fire, but something had dislodged and half the building collapsed.” He shrugged. “I mean, half of what was still standing. It blocked their exit and some beams had caught on their fire. The whole place was ablaze.”

“Dear God,” Della pressed a hand to her chest, and Mack gave her a reassuring smile and her arm a pat.

“We sent Timmy on to the village to raise the alarm, but by the time we got to the forge it was well alight and the kids screaming from inside. I was yelling at them to move to the far corner and stay near the ground. Dyl ran around to try and find a way in.”

He took a breath, clearly moved by the memory. “He found this large drain, or pipe, and I remembered that my dad had told me the old guy that ran the forge had diverted a stream from the river. Piped it to the forge and it ran through the back of the building like an open drain before going back to the river. It gave him a free clean source of continuous water. But the diversion had been blocked off years ago.”

“So the drain Dyl found went straight into the building?” Ramon asked.

“Yea, but it was small. I was arguing with him when another large section caved in. There really wasn’t any choice. He went in.”

Mack blew out a breath as Della rubbed his back. “The fire service is fifteen miles away, but some people came running from the village. I told them what was happening and a young lady, only fifteen said he would crawl in and help. We said no, of course, but when we looked in the pipe with a torch we could see a pale face. One of the kids was trying to get out, so Kenny went in far enough to tug him out.”