Rough Ride CV4 by Carol Lynne Read Free Book Online Page B

work on a ranch in Montana. The other ranch hands he worked with liked to tease him about being unable to find a horse big enough for ‘Andre the Giant’. They also began to question his sexuality. That’s when he knew he needed to get married.
    A mixture of anger and regret caused Ezra to strike out, punching the barn door. He felt the blood dripping from his knuckles before he saw it. Pulling a handkerchief out of his back pocket, he wrapped his hand and sat on a bale of hay.
    “I’m so sorry, Nancy,” he whispered to the dusty rafters.
    Nancy Lanham was such a shy, sweet girl when he’d met her. Heavier than most of the women in town, Nancy was an outsider like him. Maybe that’s what drew them together.
    They were married six months after their first date and for another nine years, he’d tried to forget his longings to be held in another man’s arms. Then he’d gone to that damn convention in San Antonio. Ezra shook his head. He couldn’t do this again. Nancy was gone and it was, and always would be, his fault.
    His thoughts turned to Wyn. He was in love. He knew that for a fact, but what kind of relationship could they build if deep down inside, his lover was afraid of him?
    “Ezra?”
    He turned to see Wyn silhouetted in the early morning light.
    “I made breakfast,” Wyn said.
    He nodded. “I’ll be in soon. I’m getting ready to feed Lucky one more bottle.” He rose and went to the workbench. “We’ll have to get more colostrum and milk. Richard said there’s a dairy farm down the road that should have some you can buy.” After fixing the bottle, he walked back to Lucky. He didn’t dare turn around and look at Wyn. He didn’t think he could handle it, not yet.
    He felt a hand land on his back and closed his eyes.
    “I know I hurt you, and I wish I could take it back. It wasn’t you that frightened me.
    Brian really did a number on me, and sometimes the memories overwhelm me.”
    “I’d never lay a hand on you out of anger. It’s just not my way.” Lucky finished the bottle and Ezra turned to face Wyn for the first time. “All my life people have been afraid of me. It hurt more than I can say when you shrunk back from me.” ROUGH RIDE
    Carol Lynne
    42

    “It wasn’t you, I promise. It was the tone of voice. I suddenly saw Brian towering over me and reacted. Maybe I need to talk to someone.” Dropping the bottle to the barn floor, he wrapped his arms around Wyn. “Maybe we both should,” he said, kissing the top of Wyn’s head.

    ROUGH RIDE
    Carol Lynne
    43

Chapter Seven

    Two days later, Wyn rented a couple of large cattle trucks from the auction house to load the stock. Richard was back to help and they appreciated the extra set of hands. Wyn sat atop his horse and looked over his shoulder at Ezra.
    Their relationship seemed to be back on track, but they’d agreed to make appointments with Cattle Valley’s only psychiatrist when they returned. Wyn knew Ben Zook as a customer, so he hoped it wouldn’t become too awkward.
    “Can you get the gate?” Richard asked, driving a wayward steer towards him.
    “Sorry,” Wyn said and reached down to open the gate to the holding pen. “Is that the last of them?”
    “I think so,” Richard replied.
    Wyn closed the gate. “How about we break for lunch before loading them?”
    “Sounds good to me,” Ezra chuckled and rubbed his belly.
    Wyn licked his lips. He wished it was his hand rubbing that furry washboard abdomen.
    Knowing they wouldn’t need the horses for anything else, he dismounted and started to remove Brandy’s saddle.
    “We’ll take care of the horses if you want to start on the food,” Ezra said coming up behind him.
    Wyn turned and received a kiss. “Sounds like a fair trade-off.” Ezra wrapped his arms around Wyn and pulled him closer. “I like seeing you like this, out here in the fresh air. Even though the store suits you, I think this does too.”
    “It’s okay. I like to ride more than I like to work