Beneath the Palisade (9 page)

“Well, when Harper told me about the trial, he didn’t seem very bummed out. It was no big deal, all in a day’s work kinda thing. He was more concerned about Flynn’s wife, who I guess is a real piece of work.” Ian embarrassed himself, realizing he was putting some serious wear on Harper’s welcome mat.
Shut up already.

“Now and then there are pictures of her in the newspaper. I’ve always thought she looked mean, even when she was smiling.” Andy shuffled a stack of product catalogues on his desk.

“Like Mrs. Babbett, our third-grade teacher?” Ian was happy to change the focus of their conversation. “Remember how wicked her smile was? It scared the crap out of me. I think she wanted to beat us but couldn’t.” He slid a catalogue he’d been looking at across the desk to Andy.

“I wanted to beat her, I know that. Well, I have to get out on the lot and start filling an order. Somebody is supposed to be here at three to pick it up.”

“Andy,” Ian said, getting up from his chair, “thanks for being the bad cop.”

“No problem, Spanky.” Andy strolled over and took him into his arms. “We’ve looked after each other for so long it comes naturally. I’m on board. You deserve someone special, and it sounds like you might’ve found him.”

“
T
HAT
was a good practice, don’t ya think?” Spencer asked. He and Andy gave Spencer a hand lugging the equipment back to his car.

“Yeah, we’re starting to gel, I can feel it.” Andy waited for Spencer to open his trunk.

“Why does Mitch want to move into the outfield? He’s too responsive to waste out there.” Ian was disappointed he wouldn’t have his trustworthy second baseman to throw to. Trapping runners between first and second had been a specialty they’d developed over the last couple of seasons.

“I think he’s concerned about the baby. Donna is due in a few weeks, and he wants to make sure he has all the free time he can to enjoy playing daddy. Anyway, that’s the gist of what I got from our telephone call last week,” Spencer explained.

With Ian’s encouragement, Spencer had assigned Larry Pelter to replace Mitch. It would take some time, but they’d click soon enough. Larry was wasted in the outfield. He was smart and quick. A necessity for playing second base.

“Thanks for the help, knob-gobblers. See you at Merl’s.”

“Not me.” Ian looked away.

“It’s starting.” Andy glanced over to Spencer to see if he caught on.

“What’s starting? Is there a bodybuilding competition on tonight? Wait, are you broke?” Spencer looked up from the trunk of his car.

“No, I’m not broke. I’m busy. I have plans.” He needed to hold his ground here. Although he couldn’t rely on Andy to help him out, he hoped his buddy would refrain from adding another log to the fire.

“Oh, I get it.” Spencer shook his head sadly. “It’s new boyfriend disease, isn’t it? ‘Forget all about your other friends’ disease. I’ve seen it a million times.”

“Call it whatever the hell you want, but yeah, I guess it is.”

“You’re going to let him get away with this?” Spencer wasn’t giving up without a fight.

“I’ll cut Spanky some slack for now. He’ll be begging us to hang around for another beer before we know it.”

“So, which one of you is the girl?” Spencer grinned, knowing he’d stepped across the imaginary line of acceptable insults with such aplomb.

“Interesting you should ask me that, Straight Cat. Andy and I have been asking ourselves the same question about you and Allison for years.”

Spencer, unable to mask his delight in Ian’s sassy comeback, blew his whistle while the three friends exchanged high fives.

Because of their schedules, Ian had planned to meet Harper after practice. It was agreed he would pick up Chinese on the way over. Unsure of what Harper preferred, he chose three different entrees from Peking Palace. He was surprised when he arrived to find the house dark.
Maybe he’s watching television with the lights off?
He pressed the doorbell and chuckled, recalling Andy’s line about a “Hello, Dolly!” ringtone.
What an idiot.
He pressed it again and waited. Turning to head back to his truck, he remembered Harper had given him a key. Entering the kitchen, he fumbled around in the dark until he found the light switch.

“Harper, you here?”

Setting the food on the counter, he went through the house, turning on lights. A quick visit to the upstairs confirmed what he had suspected: his boyfriend had been detained at work. It was strange being here without Harper. Strange, too, because it felt good to be here. The place had a welcoming feel to it. He turned on the oven and, after opening many wrong drawers and cupboards, found what he needed to have dinner organized and waiting. Helping himself to a beer, he sat down on the couch and turned on the television. To his delight, the Twins were playing the White Sox.

A
NGRY
at himself for not calling Ian, Harper pulled into the driveway.
Thank God!
The lights were on, a good sign Ian was inside waiting. He couldn’t imagine another night without Ian. Grabbing his briefcase, he got out of the car and locked it.
Whoops!
He unlocked the car and reached into the backseat for the small box.
Can’t forget this!

Something smells delicious!
In the kitchen, he spied the empty plates and glasses arranged on the counter. The television was on in the next room. He dropped his briefcase off on the dining room table and carried the small package behind his back into the living room. Ian, still dressed in his uniform, was fast asleep on the couch.

Harper stood beside the sofa and looked down at his hunky boyfriend.
Do you have any idea how happy I am now that you’ve entered my life? I’m going to love you like you’ve never been loved. I’m going to work so hard at making sure you’re happy, and if you’re ever not happy, I’m going to do whatever it takes to make you happy. What do you need to do in return?

He smiled. This was a no-brainer if there ever was one.
You need to trust my love for you. I require no other changes.

“Hey, sleepyhead.” He bent down and kissed Ian’s neck.

“Harper.” Ian opened his eyes and smiled. “Wow, I can’t believe I fell asleep.”

“Sorry I’m so late. I should have called.” He knew he had plenty of changes to make after being on his own for so long. “I guess that’s something I’d better get used to remembering if I have any chance of keeping you happy during this Flynn mess.”

“It’s cool. I figured that’s where you were. Have you eaten? Dinner’s warming in the oven.” Ian rubbed his eyes and sat up.

“I’m starved.” He decided to change his plan. Dinner first and then gift. Gift required an explanation and possibly a discussion. It would be better to approach both with a full stomach.

“Here, this is for you,”—he presented the small box—“but let’s grab some food first, okay?”

“Sure!” Ian took the box from Harper and shook it next to his ear before setting it on the table. “I wonder what it could be.

“It’s nothing. Well, that’s not exactly right.”
Ian, it’s the beginning of everything.
“Come on, slugger, let’s eat.”

Ian pulled the containers from the oven and opened them up. “This is shrimp in garlic sauce. This is kung pao chicken, and this is chicken chow mein. There’s white and fried rice. Oh, and egg rolls. How’d I do?”

“I’m going to have some of everything. They all look good.” Harper grabbed a plate and handed it to Ian. “You want another beer?”

“Actually, I’d like a glass of milk.”

Harper chuckled, opening the refrigerator. “Of course, what else does a growing twenty-eight-year-old boy drink?” He poured a glass for Ian and grabbed a beer for himself. “Let’s watch the rest of the game while we eat, okay?”

“Perfect!” Ian led the way into the living room.

“Wow!” Harper placed his plate down on the coffee table after wolfing down a healthy portion of each entree. “Did that ever hit the spot.”

“What was your favorite? I wasn’t sure what you’d like.” Ian sat back.

“Garlic shrimp. Okay, it’s gift time.” He handed the box to Ian.
Relax. There’s only two ways this can go.

“What’s this all about, anyway?” Ian seemed genuinely excited to be the recipient of a gift.

“Well, I’ve been thinking…. Go ahead, open it.”

He had been thinking. For most of the day, he’d weighed the pros and cons of what this was all about. Trusting his instincts, he’d decided to go for broke and had sent his assistant, Brent, on a shopping trip when he’d decided on the appropriate gift.

Ian removed the metallic paper, exposing a long, narrow box. “I hope you didn’t go overboard. I love presents, but really….” Ian giggled.

“Trust me, you’re worth every cent and so much more. Now open it.” Despite coaching himself over and over in the car, he was surprised at how nervous he was.

Ian opened the small box and, after a second or two, looked up, bemused.

“Is the color okay?”
Follow the script, Harp!

“All right, what the heck is this about?” Ian chuckled, removing a bright blue toothbrush from the elaborate box.

“Ian, last night was painful, not being with you after our incredible weekend together.”

“So you bought me a gift? Let’s see, if I stay away, I get gifts? I’ll have to remember that.”

“That’s right.” Harper laughed. “And you get gifts for summer solstice, double coupon day, and whenever there’s been a blackout. You’ve hit the jackpot.” He brushed Ian’s chin with his thumb. “This Flynn case, it’s going to continue to suck the fun out of everything. My only saving grace is to have you to come home to. For the next couple of weeks, could you, would you consider….”

“Moving in with you?” Ian tested the bristles on his new toothbrush. “Great, it’s a medium, just like at home.”

Harper held his breath.

“Sure. It only makes sense. I have a ton of work to do around here, and—” Ian placed the box and the toothbrush on the table and put his arm around Harper’s shoulder. “—last night was no picnic for me either. I was awake half the night trying to come up with a way for us to spend time together. I knew this was the best solution but didn’t know if I should ask. I didn’t want to come off as pushy.”

Harper burst out laughing. “As you can see, I do pushy really well.”

“But you’re right about the phone call. You need to work on that.”

“I promise! Anything else? I’m a quick study, and not to brag, but I’m used to getting all A’s.”

“Just this.” Ian leaned forward and kissed him.

“When this Phyllis thing settles down,”—he buried his head in the crook of Ian’s neck—“we’ll spend a whole bunch of time at your place.”

“Well, let’s cross that bridge when we get to it. I love your house. When I was here alone, I still felt comfortable. I mean, it feels a whole lot better now that you’re here.” It was Ian’s turn to have a nervous laugh.

“Nothing you could have said could have made me feel happier.” He rubbed Ian’s knee, his body sending unmistakable signals at the thought of rubbing much more once they’d gotten into bed. “It’s been a long day for us both. Let’s leave this mess and head upstairs. I’ll take care of it in the morning, okay?”

“Thank you, Harper.” Ian stroked Harper’s face with his warm hand.

Harper removed the hand and kissed it. “Thank you for what?”

“For the toothbrush. I thought at first it might be some tacky piece of jewelry.” Ian’s eyes twinkled.

“Like this?” Harper pulled from his pocket a handsome black onyx and leather bracelet.

H
IS
large suitcase in one hand and an armful of shirts still on their hangers in another, Ian trudged up the narrow stairs of Harper’s to the small empty room across from the bathroom. Harper had mentioned a small dresser and the closet if he needed it until they could figure out a permanent solution. He hung his clothes in the closet and walked over to the dresser. On the top was an envelope with his name on it. He picked it up, noticing that the otherwise very neat and orderly Mr. Callahan had atrocious handwriting. In it he found a note wrapped around a check for $10,000.

Ian,

Welcome! Please consider this your home now too. I’m smiling as I write, because I can’t remember a time in my life when I’ve felt this happy. It’s like I’ve stepped out of the storm and into the sun when thinking about you… us. If you need to get a hold of me for any reason, call my assistant Brent (553-9887), and he’ll track me down. The check is an advance for your work and supplies. Hugs and kisses, Harp.

PS: I emptied the drawers and ran a damp towel inside to make sure there weren’t any dust bunnies.

It does feel like home, Harper. You feel like home too.

Ian plugged Brent’s number into his cell phone and emptied his suitcase into the dresser. By the time he was back in the yard, Earl from Prairie Planks had pulled up with the arbor.

The two men unloaded the pieces and carried them into the yard. They placed the four posts into the holes Ian had pre-dug. Next, using two ladders, they began piecing together the four sections of the top, an ornate grid that would eventually support the vine Harper had requested.

“Looks great, Earl. Thanks for getting this done so quickly.”

“No prob. We were just standing around twiddling our fingers. Orders are starting to come in, so I expect from here through the rest of the season we’ll have plenty to keep us busy. Geeze, Ian, I’m impressed. Looks like you had the holes right on the money. This thing is as straight as it can get."

Kinda like you, Earl.

“Well, after the fiasco we had out in Maple Plain last year, I learned my lesson. You were a trouper to stick with me on that one,” he reminded Earl with a guilty shake of the head.

“Oh hell, I’d forgotten all about that.” Earl chuckled. “We had a hell of a time out there, that’s for sure.”

Ian thanked Earl and sat down with his clipboard on one of the lawn chairs Harper had dug out of the garage, to go over his notes. Now that the arbor was in place, things could really start rolling along. Dirk, a friend who had helped with paving jobs in the past, needed money and was happy to help out. Dirk had agreed to come over later that morning to start. Ian still needed to call a plumber to have a line run from the house out to the corner of the yard where the water feature was planned. This needed to happen today. Andy had the list of product, much of it already in stock, and it could be delivered anytime.