Blaecleah Brothers 5: Cowboy Up (9 page)

“I suppose I will be, but it depends on how Alani is feeling.” Sandy frowned. “Is Mrs. Blaecleah sick?” Ruben chuckled. “No, no, she’s fine. Mahra and I named the baby after Ma. That’s who I was referring to.”

“Is she sick?”

“No, but she’s not used to the cold weather either. She was born in the deserts of Africa. The climate change has been a little hard on her.”

“Oh, well, if you can come, be sure to stop by with her. My husband would love to meet her. He misses our grandchildren so much. They live so far away and can only get out here a few times a year.”

“I’ll be sure and do that.” Ruben smiled. “How is Mark?”

“He’s good. Having a little trouble dealing with retirement, but he’ll get there.”

“I didn’t know Mark had retired.” The man seemed too young.

Granted, he was in his midfifties, but that wasn’t retirement age. And he was pretty physically fit the last time Ruben had seen Mark on the street.

Sandy sighed. “It’s the economy. The mill had to lay people off.

They decided to totally do away with Mark’s division and outsource the work to another company. Mark’s been looking for another job, but not many people want to hire someone his age. So we’re calling this his retirement unless something else comes up.” Ruben frowned. “He has a lot of years of experience at the mill, doesn’t he?”

“Almost twenty years.”

“Doesn’t he do any carpentry work, too?” Sandy chuckled. “Only as a hobby. He loves working with his hands. That’s why he went to work at the mill. It gave him a chance to work on wood and use his hands. Two of his favorite things.” Ruben had an idea. “Does he know anything about cabinets or trim?”

“Not formally, but he’s been working on stuff like that for years.

He did all of the work on our house.”

“I might have an idea if Mark agrees.” Ruben slid forward on his seat. “Ma and Da bought ten acres for me on the far side of the ranch.

They’re going to help me build a house for Alani and me. While the contractor for the actual house has already been picked out, there is some special woodwork that I’d like done to make the place unique.

Do you think Mark might be interested in that?”

“How long would the job last?”

Ruben shrugged. “Until the job was done, I guess. It’s not a ton of stuff, but it should give Mark some work for at least a couple of months. If he does a good job, I imagine word would get out and maybe he can get some work doing custom woodwork on houses, even if he just wanted it to be a hobby.” Ruben was relieved when Sandy began to smile. He wasn’t sure the woman would go for the idea, and he was even less sure of Mark.

He barely knew the man. But he needed the work done, and why not someone in Cade Creek?

“I’ll talk to Mark and tell him to give you a call.”

“That would be great. The contractor can build the basic house, but you really need an artist to make it special.” Ruben gestured to the baby strapped to his chest. “This is where Alani is going to grow up, and I want it to be the best place possible.” Sandy’s smile widened. “That’s all any of us want for our children.”

Ruben opened his mouth to reply when the door to Elijah’s office suddenly opened. Elijah and another man walked out, Elijah shaking the man’s hand. “I should have those papers filed for you by Wednesday, Bob.”

“Thanks, Elijah.”

Ruben knew the moment Elijah realized he was in the room. His body posture stiffened, and a slightly panicked look came over his face. Ruben felt an instant of pain. He sighed and climbed to his feet, wrapping his arms around Alani to ground himself to someone that loved him.

“Mr. James, I know I don’t have an appointment, but I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time.” Each word was like a dagger in Ruben’s chest. He hated the need there was to pretend they had no relationship outside of Elijah’s office.

“Yes, of course, Mr. Blaecleah.” Elijah smiled at Bob then turned to Sandy. “Could you get the Blaecleah file for me, Sandy?”

“Right away, Mr. James.”

Ruben waited until Sandy walked away and Bob left then turned and followed Elijah into his office. He almost jumped when the door shut forcibly behind him. “Elijah, what—”

“Damn it, Ruben.” Elijah pushed his hand through his hair as he paced back and forth in front of the door. Ruben wasn’t sure he had ever seen the man so agitated. “You can’t come to my office.” Ruben blinked in confusion. “I can’t?”

“No, you can’t.” Elijah sent Ruben a look that said he thought he was crazy. “What if someone saw you? What if Bob talks or starts asking questions?”

Ruben swallowed past the bile rising in his throat. He reached into the baby bag and pulled out the manila envelope he had been bringing to Elijah. It was his will. He had it notarized and now needed Elijah to file it with the court. He slapped it against Elijah’s chest, not surprised in the least when Elijah’s eyes widened.

“What if I was simply a client bringing you some legal papers I needed filed with the court? Would it be acceptable for me to come to your office then?”

Ruben didn’t wait for Elijah to reply. He turned and yanked the door open, storming past a startled Sandy. Tears prickled the corners of his eyes by the time he made it to the front door and walked out.

Fuck him!
Ruben didn’t need this shit in his life. He had a lot of work ahead of him in his life being a single parent. He didn’t need to be Elijah’s dirty little secret as well. If Elijah was so ashamed of him that he didn’t even want him coming by his office, then Elijah could go fuck himself.

Ruben slowed his steps when he realized people were starting to look at him as he stormed down the street. Despite how much he felt like his heart was being ripped out of his chest, he refused to bring this back on Elijah. Apparently, the man’s privacy meant more to him than anything—even Ruben.

He had better control of himself by the time he reached his car. He carefully took Alani off his chest and then buckled her into her seat belt. He dropped the baby bag in the backseat then quietly closed the door.

Ruben was just climbing into his car when his cell phone rang. He picked it up and answered without looking to see who it was, and instantly wished he had when he heard Elijah’s voice come over the phone.

“I’m sorry, Ruben. I overreacted. Why don’t you meet me at my house, and we can talk about this.”

Ruben sighed and rubbed his eyes. “No, Elijah. I think it’s best if I just go home.”

“Ruben, please. I said I was sorry.”

Ruben’s head dropped back against the seat rest. “I know. I heard you, and I believe you.”

“Then meet me at my house.”

Ruben swallowed hard. There was a thick knot of tears clogging his throat. “I’m just going to head home, Elijah.” Elijah sighed. “Fine, then I’ll meet you out at the ranch after work.”

“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea either, Elijah.” There was silence for a moment, and Ruben knew Elijah was thinking best how to word his next sentence. Ruben could have saved him the trouble. He had thought he could wait, that he could give Elijah the time he seemed to need. He was wrong. Elijah’s reaction at this office told Ruben all he needed to know. Elijah was never going to come out of the closet, and there wasn’t enough room in there for Ruben and Alani.

“Ruben, please.”

There was a pleading tone in Elijah’s voice. It almost made Ruben break until he remembered how he had felt when Elijah denied their relationship. He swallowed again as a tear slid down his cheek.

“Good-bye, Elijah.”

Ruben’s hand trembled as he hung up and tossed his cell phone onto the passenger seat next to him. He felt numb as he turned on the car and pulled out into traffic, heading for home. He just wanted to go home and pretend he had never met Elijah James. He just didn’t think it was possible. The man was imprinted on his very soul. And Ruben didn’t have a clue what he was going to do without Elijah in his life.

Ruben wiped the tears out of his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt.

He blinked when headlights flashed in his rearview mirror. The car pulled up right behind him, blinding him from seeing who was in the driver’s seat.

A quick check of the speedometer showed he was doing the speed limit. Ruben slowed down so the asshole behind him could pass him, but the car just slowed down and continued to follow him.

Ruben swallowed hard and reached over to grab his cell phone.

Something ominous started to climb up his spine. Ruben was driving.

He didn’t feel safe taking his eyes off the road long enough to search through his contact list or dial a number, so he just hit
connect
on the phone. He knew who would answer.

“Ruben?”

“Someone is following me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Oh yeah, I slowed down so that they could go around me and they just slowed down. They won’t go around me.”

“Don’t stop for any reason, Ruben. Head straight for the ranch.

Sandy is calling your brothers on the other line. They will be coming from the direction of the ranch. I’ll be heading out from town.”

“Elijah—”

“I’m leaving now, Ruben. Just stay on the line with me.” Ruben was terrified. No matter how much he sped up or slowed down, the car behind him stayed right on his tail. The car was so close that if he had slammed on his brakes, the vehicle would slam right into his bumper.

Ruben ran through all the scenarios he could think of. Stopping, speeding up, turning off onto another road, turning around, or even pulling over to the side of the road. He couldn’t work out what would be best, what wouldn’t harm the precious package in the backseat.

“Ruben?”

“Yeah?”

“Talk to me, babe.”

“I don’t want to talk to you. I’m mad at you.”

“I know, Ru, but talk to me anyway.”

“You suck.” Ruben smiled when he heard Elijah’s chuckle come through the phone.

“Yeah, babe, I do, and I’m sorry. I panicked.” Ruben sighed. “I can’t keep doing this, Elijah.”

“Ruben—”

“No, listen to me. I have too much on my plate right now for this shit. I don’t have the energy to check to see if someone is watching every damn time I want to talk to you or kiss you. I thought I could wait for you to get used to us, but I can’t. I’d rather be alone than feel like you’re ashamed of me.”

“Damn it, Ruben,” Elijah snapped. “I’ve never been ashamed of you.”

Ruben sighed. “Well, it sure as hell feels like it.”

“Ruben, I—damn it, this isn’t the time for this conversation, Ruben.”

“Is there ever a time?”

“Damn it, Ruben, you are not giving up on me. I won’t allow it.” Ruben blinked and pulled the phone away from his ear to stare at it. Elijah wouldn’t allow him to give up? Since when? He seemed to be the one running, not Ruben. Just as Ruben started to put the phone back to his ear, the car behind them bumped into them.

“Oh, shit!” Ruben shouted as he dropped the phone and grabbed the steering wheel with both hands. The car swerved enough to make Ruben’s heart thunder in his chest then headed down the road once more. Ruben looked into his rearview mirror. The other car was still following close on his tail.

Ruben knew he didn’t have far to go to reach safety when he saw the headlights of several vehicles coming in his direction. His eyes nearly bugged right out of his head as the long line of trucks broke into two lines, taking up both sides of the road.

Instead of slamming on the brakes, Ruben prayed and then sped up. The line of trucks separated long enough for Ruben’s car to get through then closed ranks once again. Ruben drew in a deep breath.

He glanced over his shoulder just long enough to see two of the trucks swerve around and start following him. The rest were blocking the road.

Ruben headed for home.

Da was standing at the bottom of the steps, a shotgun in his hand, when Ruben pulled up. Ma stood behind him, pacing back and forth on the porch. The moment Ruben pulled his car to a stop and turned off the engine, both of them were headed for the car. Rourke and Billy climbed out of one truck. Seamus climbed out of the other. They all headed over.

“Are you okay, Son?” Da asked as he scanned the driveway.

“I’m fine, Da. Just a little scared.” Ruben stepped to the back door and opened it and then leaned in to pull Alani out. She was still sound asleep. He grabbed the diaper bag and swung it over his shoulder then nudged the door closed with his hip.

“Come on. Let’s get you two out of the cold,” Ma said as she wrapped an arm around Ruben’s waist. “I have tea heating in the kitchen.”

Ruben started to follow Ma up the steps until he heard the others returning. He handed Alani off to Ma and walked over to stand next to Da and the others. His heart beat a little faster when he saw Elijah’s car pull in behind the others. He couldn’t believe the relief he felt at the sight of the man.

Ruben waited until Elijah climbed out of his car and started talking with his brothers then turned and walked into the house. If he waited until Elijah stood in front of him, Ruben didn’t think he would be able to stop from throwing himself into Elijah’s arms.

And Elijah didn’t want that.

Ruben walked into the kitchen and took Alani from Ma then went and sat down at the table. He wrapped his arms around his daughter and bent his head down over hers to hide the need on his face. It wouldn’t do him any good.

Besides, he knew he needed to get control of himself before everyone else came inside. They would want to question him. He would have to have control in order to do anything other than stare at Elijah.

“Here’s some tea, son.”

Ruben smiled up at Ma when she set a cup of tea down in front of him. “You always know what I need, Ma.” Ma sat down beside Ruben with her own cup of tea then reached over to pat Ruben’s hand. “That’s what a mother does, Son.” Ruben’s jaw dropped. “Oh hell, I know what happened,” he whispered.

“Ruben!”

Ruben flushed. “Sorry, Ma.”

Ma frowned. “Now, what are you going on about?”

“I know who was following me.”

“Who?” asked a voice from the doorway.

Elijah watched from the archway between the dining room and the living room as Ruben’s head snapped up at his question. “Answer my question, Ruben. Who was following you?”