Unconventional in Kansas City

Page

Unconventional in Kansas City

ISBN # 978-1-78651-476-9

Kiss Me, Cowboy ©Copyright Carol Lynne 2016

New Vocations ©Copyright T.A. Chase 2016

Stallions and Ice ©Copyright Stephani Hecht 2016

Playing with Fire ©Copyright Jambrea Jo Jones 2016

Resuscitating Love ©Copyright Devon Rhodes 2016

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright July 2016

Edited by Stacey Birkel and Sarah Smeaton

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2016 by Pride Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Unconventional in Kansas City

Kiss Me, Cowboy

Carol Lynne

New Vocations

T.A. Chase

Stallions and Ice

Stephani Hecht

Playing with Fire

Jambrea Jo Jones

Resuscitating Love

Devon Rhodes

‘Kiss Me, Cowboy’ by Carol Lynne

It isn’t easy to cling to teenage promises when you become one of the forgotten.

For Eli Barron, Jesse Clooney has always been the one. From their first day of kindergarten through their high-school graduation, the pair were inseparable. So, when a situation arises that splits the two men apart, it’s up to Eli to keep the home fires burning as Jesse sets off to follow his dreams on the rodeo circuit. But how long can a man continue to stoke the fire before the flames die out?

‘New Vocations’ by T.A. Chase

Two men who believe in second chances meet and their lives are never the same again.

Layne Daly comes to participate in the American Royal. He’s there to show off the abilities of the retired thoroughbreds he adopts straight off the track. He wants people to know these animals can do so much more than race. He has three horses there to do exhibitions in reining, barrel racing and cutting. When his usual groom gets sick, he has to hire someone fast.

Carl Stewartson used to love coming to Kansas City for the rodeo. He’d ride broncs and hang out with his friends. But since his career-ending injury early in the year, Carl has been spinning his wheels, trying to find something to do with his life now that he can’t rodeo anymore. He runs into Layne and offers to help him with his horses.

Together, they have to deal with not only the stress of the event, but also starting a new relationship. Second chances are what Layne does best and he’s more than willing to give Carl the opportunity.

‘Stallions and Ice’ by Stephani Hecht

Sometimes you have to climb a mountain to see the future.

While Brandon loves to go and watch his friend, Nichole, at the American Royal every year, there is no way that he is ever going to climb on a horse. His feet belong on the ground or the ice. As one the of the players of the local minor league team, the Wichita Thunder, all he dreams about is someday moving up to the major leagues. That is, until he meets Nichole’s brother, Ethan.

Ethan grew up in a family that has always been in the rodeo circuit. There was no question that he was ever going to be anything else…until he’s sidelined by seizures and can no longer ride. Then he meets Brandon and he begins to wonder whether maybe, just maybe, his life isn’t over.

Will decades of tradition tear the men apart? Or can they can overcome all their obstacles and be together?

‘Playing with Fire’ by Jambrea Jo Jones

Ranch cook against restaurateur—who does it better?

Hayden McGrath has the formal training and knowhow to run one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in the city. This year he wants to prove his worth by entering the barbecue competition at the American Royal. It has nothing to do with a certain cowboy from the Flying P…

Amos Vasquez has been the ranch cook at the Flying P Retreat since it was an actual ranch. Now it’s a place tourists flock to so they can have a taste of his food. This year he is going to win the barbecue competition and nothing will stand in his way, not even a certain sexy redheaded restaurant owner who has caught his eye.

This will be the barbecue competition to beat all competitions at the American Royal.

‘Resuscitating Love’ by Devon Rhodes

If Hill keeps putting cowboys ahead of his marriage, even being a cardiologist won’t help David fix their broken hearts.

Hillard ‘Hill’ Pearson, the new events director of the American Royal, has worked hard to get to where he is. This is his first year as director, and the huge responsibility of the more visible position has taken over his life. Yes, he could be considered a workaholic, but he’s put fifteen years into the event he’s loved since he was a kid, and now is his chance to shine.

When David Weinstein finally convinced his long-time partner, Hill, to marry him, he thought it would bring them closer together. Instead, they’re not even to their first anniversary and their relationship is suffering. David’s finally at a stage in his medical career where he has regular hours, but he can’t seem to connect with his husband when he’s free. Now, with the event that he’s sick of hearing about underway, he feels like he’s making all the effort with no return.

Can Hill and David resuscitate their love before David gives up on the promise of forever?

KISS ME, COWBOY

Carol Lynne

Dedication

Once again, I dedicate this story to Jambrea, Devon, T.A. and Stephanie. I love being a part of this yearly anthology to celebrate the GRL Retreat.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

Tractor Supply: Tractor Supply Co. of Texas

Chapter One

Eli Barron lay on his back, staring at the dusty beamed ceiling of the barn. What extended family he had left had gone back to Wichita after spending three days mourning the death of Eli’s dad, Jonathan. He turned his head to stare at the only person on earth who truly knew him.

The fading bruise under Jesse Clooney’s eye said everything about his fucked up home life. Jesse had spent a lot of time at the Barron ranch over the years in an attempt to distance himself from his abusive father, and, because of that, Jesse felt Jonathan’s death as deeply as any member of the Barron family.

Jesse squeezed Eli’s hand. You’re not coming with me, are you?

Eli shook his head. Since the age of fourteen, he and Jesse had made big plans to join the rodeo circuit the minute they graduated. Eli was okay at roping. He’d even managed to place first in the Johnson County Fair’s barrel racing competition the previous August, but he wasn’t near good enough to compete with the professionals. Jesse was good enough, or at least he could be with a few years of practice, but Eli had always planned to tag along with Jesse just to be close to the boy he’d fallen in love with at thirteen.

I can’t, Eli finally said. With Zeb in his first year of veterinary school, it wouldn’t be right for me to ask him to stay home and deal with shit here while I follow you around the country.

The realization that he’d be left behind hurt nearly as much as his dad’s death, but he couldn’t be selfish. Not only did he have two younger sisters, but his mom didn’t deserve to shoulder the burden of the Barron family ranch on her own.

Jesse rolled to his side and rested his head on Eli’s bare chest. I can’t stay here.

Eli wrapped his arms around Jesse. I know.

Eli had always known Jesse was better than the life he’d been handed. He still wasn’t sure why Jesse’s mom continued to stay with her abusive husband, but she’d made it clear during Jesse’s last beating that she wouldn’t go against her husband, even if it was to save her own son.

Maybe once you get everything settled, you can join me, Jesse said.

Maybe. Eli knew it wouldn’t happen. His dad had been sick, real sick, for nearly six months and in that time, it had taken every spare minute Eli had to keep up with the work involved in running a cattle ranch. It didn’t help that his dad’s treatments had necessitated cleaning out the savings he and Mom had built up over the years. With Zeb getting accepted to vet school, his folks had borrowed a shitload of money using the ranch as collateral to pay tuition, books and board. Eli didn’t begrudge his brother. Zeb had worked hard to get the grades he’d needed to get into the K-State program, and their parents, Jon and Val, had done everything they could to make it happen for their oldest son.

Jesse pressed his lips against Eli’s. Promise you’ll meet me at The American Royal in October?

Okay. Eli stared into Jesse’s big hazel eyes. He wanted to ask what the separation meant for the two of them, but he didn’t have the guts. Jesse would be driving around the country in his old green pickup with the used, red camper shell the two of them had saved to buy. Eli’s throat grew thick with emotion that he fought to tamp down. The thought of Jesse sleeping in the back of the truck with someone other than him killed him.

Eli! Rebecca, Eli’s youngest sister, called from below. Mom wants to know if Jesse’s staying for lunch.

You wanna stay? Eli asked.

Jesse nodded. My stuff’s already in the truck, but I can spare enough time to eat.

Eli took a deep breath. He’d have Jesse for at least another thirty minutes. Yeah, we’ll be there, he called back to his sister.

* * * *

After driving around the lot next to Kemper Arena for fifteen minutes, Eli finally found an available spot and parked. He was nervous—so much so, in fact, that he hadn’t been able to eat lunch or dinner. It had been over four months since Jesse had climbed into his pickup and driven away from the ranch house. He’d received a few calls, but they were always from pay phones along the circuit, so Jesse couldn’t talk long.

Eli gave his ticket to one of the volunteers at the front gate before making his way inside. He glanced at his dad’s old pocket watch for the time before moving to stand against the wall. He was supposed to meet up with Jesse at seven, which meant he still had fifteen minutes to wait. The drive from his hometown of Gardner, Kansas, had taken less time than he’d planned, despite the parking issue.

Laughter off to his left caught his attention, and Eli straightened because he’d know that sound anywhere. He wiped his palms on his jeans, hoping to hide his nerves.

Hey, Eli. Jesse stood among three other men, all of whom appeared to be bronc riders if their body builds were any indication.

Eli stepped forward and reached out to wrap his arms around Jesse, but was thwarted in his attempt when Jesse took a step back and held out his hand.

Guys, this is my best friend from school, Eli. Eli, this is Jimmy, Brett and Dane. Jesse pointed to each man as he introduced them to Eli.

Hi. Eli winced at the croak in his voice. He cleared it before continuing, Great to meet you.

Jesse laughed as he slapped Eli hard on the back. It’s good to see you.

Eli was five inches taller than Jesse, so why had the action made him feel so much smaller?

We doing this or what? Dane asked.

Hell, yeah, Jesse replied. He put his hand on Eli’s right shoulder blade and gave Eli a gentle push toward the arena. Let’s go watch the pros.

Eli glanced back at Jesse, and Jesse grimaced as he flicked his gaze to the three men who were walking in front of them.

"Sorry," Jesse mouthed.

Still hurt, but determined to make the most of the short time he had with Jesse, Eli nodded. Jesse didn’t need to know that he’d thought of nothing but their reunion for months. Eli had spent what little free time and money he had to fix up a decent bunk room in one of the old outbuildings. He’d already talked to his mom about asking Jesse to spend the off-season at the ranch. Lord knew he could use the extra pair of hands. Rebecca and Mary had helped with hay season, but it had taken twice as long to get everything in because of their inferior strength and experience.

They found their seats, and Eli was thankful his was on the aisle next to Jesse. The others in their group seemed nice enough, but he’d come to see the man beside him. After several minutes, he leaned over and whispered in Jesse’s ear, I need a drink and some nachos. Will you make a run to the concession stand with me? Eli prayed Jesse saw past the excuse and would follow.

Sure. Jesse leaned over to the men on his opposite side. Making a food run. Be back.

Eli stood and had started down the steps before he felt Jesse’s presence behind him. He had so many things he wanted to say and a quick trip to the lobby wasn’t going to cut it. Once he reached the bottom, he turned to face Jesse. Can we go out to my truck for a few minutes?

Jesse glanced up at his friends. I don’t think there’s time for that, but maybe we can find a quiet corner or something.

Although he hadn’t said it, Jesse’s meaning was clear. They would talk, but anything physical between them wouldn’t happen. Eli wasn’t a sex addict or anything, but he’d gone without the feel of Jesse’s arms during one of the hardest periods of his life, and he needed to know his heart still mattered to Jesse.

After making their way through the milling crowd, Jesse leaned against the wall in a spot that would offer only a modicum of privacy. Sorry about the guys. Brett got us all jobs at his uncle’s ranch in Texas. We’ll have to work and the pay is shit, but it comes with room and board. The best part is we’ll be able to train on our days off.

Eli took a step back as Jesse’s words sank in. I fixed up a room for you in the barn. He shoved his hands into his front jeans pockets. I thought maybe you’d come home with me and help out around the place until the season started back up.

Jesse gave a slight shake of his head. I can’t go back to Gardner. At least not yet.

Why? Eli’s breath felt heavy in his chest. Damn. Everything he’d ever wanted was slipping through his fingers, and he didn’t know how to stop it.

You know why, Jesse said. That town’s too small for my folks not to hear I’m back, and you and your family don’t deserve to deal with that shit anymore.

No. Eli pulled his right hand out of his pocket to squeeze Jesse’s shoulder. You know how Mom and the girls feel about you, so don’t say crap like that. If you don’t want to spend time with me, just fucking say it.

It’s not you, Jesse denied. It’s that place. I can’t stand the way people look at me there.

Eli sighed. It wasn’t a secret in town that Jesse had issues with his dad or that his mom never lifted a finger to intervene in Mr. Clooney’s harsh punishments, but Eli couldn’t leave. If Jesse refused to come back, how would they ever be together again?

Swallowing every ounce of his pride, Eli squeezed Jesse’s shoulder again. I need you.

I’m sorry. Jesse took off his battered, straw cowboy hat and ran his fingers through his flattened dark hair. Maybe I can get away around Christmas and come up for a few days.

Eli stared down at Jesse, remembering the taste of him, and how it felt to be inside him. Fuck! He wanted that back. Will you really try to get up here?

Yeah, Jesse replied. Not sure my truck’ll make it much longer, but maybe I can ride the bus or something.

Just holler if you need help with the fare, Eli offered. Since you’ll be in one place, do you think you’ll be able to call more often?

Don’t know the set-up down there yet, so we’ll have to wait and see. Jesse glanced to his left as a small crowd of people walked by them.

Eli had danced around the one question he still needed to ask, and from the way Jesse was starting to fidget, Eli knew he needed to get it over with. "Are you with any of those guys?"

Jesse settled his hat back onto his head. They don’t know, and they can’t find out. Money’s tight, so if weather’s bad or we start to smell, we all chip in for a motel room.

Eli felt slightly better. Has there been anyone else?

Jesse shook his head. No. He stared up at Eli. "I don’t want anyone else. I know shit’s fucked up right now, but once I start winning, and you get the ranch settled, we’ll find