Les took the pie from Margie and set it on the counter before he hugged her. “You’re not old. You’re aging to perfection. Besides you don’t gossip about what Randy and I do in bed.”
“Oh goodness no. My heart can’t take that.” She blushed beet red.
“Quit teasing her, love.” Randy joined them in the kitchen.
Tony came over and hugged Les, pressing his lips to Les’ ear. “Glad to hear my advice worked.”
Les glared at the bull rider for a second. He placed a hard kiss on Tony’s mouth. “I don’t want to talk about it, but thank you.”
Brody looked confused while Tony and Randy leaned against each other, laughing.
Les sighed and grinned at Max, Tony’s foreman, who stood in the doorway, watching them.
Max Furlo was average height, maybe six foot with his boots on, but the man was wide; big shoulders and barrel chest. Everything about the cowboy spoke of power. Les had watched him pull a calf caught in the birth canal of its mother with nothing more than his bare hands and a grunt. His light brown hair gleamed with auburn streaks as he took off his hat.
“Would you like a beer, Max?”
“Sure, mate.” Max’s Australian accent was faint.
He pulled more beer out for Max, Tony and Randy. After handing them out, he poured hot chocolate for him and Margie. They filed out into the living room and settled down. He and Randy sat on the couch with Margie. Tony and Brody shared a chair and Max stood by the fireplace.
“Where are the boys?” Les rested his arm on the couch behind Randy and let his hand play with the curls at the nape of Randy’s neck.
“Juan had to show Yancey the horse you’re letting him ride.” Tony shrugged.
“They’ve been inseparable since Yancey got home this morning.”
“Give them a few more years. They’re building something that’ll last.” Max stared at the bottle in his hand as he spoke.
“True. I’m glad Yancey decided to go to U of W. Gives them more time to grow up without the other always around.” Tony settled back against Brody’s chest.
“If Juan keeps going the way he is, I’ll be sending him out East to ride with Edward Monterrose.” Les saw the frown on Tony’s face. “You can’t keep him here, Tony. You have to give him a chance to find his own place in the world.”
“It’s hard to watch them grow up and move away,” Tony mumbled.
“Almost like watching your own child leave.” Margie stood up and patted Tony’s shoulder as she walked past to the kitchen. “Max, can you help me set the table?”
“Yes ma’am.” Max swallowed the last of his beer and went to the dining room where Margie had set the dishes and silverware.
“I always wondered what his story is,” Randy said quietly as they sat watching the foreman for a moment.
Brody set his bottle down and pulled Tony tighter to him. “Never thought about asking; his references came back clean.”
“Doesn’t go out much. He’s a loner, I guess.” Tony grinned at Les. “When are the others getting here?”
“Rick and Lindsay should be here soon. Jackson will be here in fifteen or so. He went to pick up Tammy and Peter.”
A knock sounded on the door and Les slid away from Randy to stand and answer it.
David Preston stood on the porch with Tee and Beth, David’s parents.
“Evening. I’m glad you made it. We’re waiting for Rick and Lindsay to arrive before we start dinner.” Les stepped back and gestured for the Prestons to come in.
Headlights swept over him and he yelled back at Randy, “I think Rick and Lindsay just pulled in.”
Randy leapt to his feet and raced to the door. Les caught the younger man before he ran out into the snow.
“If you’re going out there, put shoes on first.” He pointed to Randy’s sock covered feet.
Randy hopped from foot to foot as he waited for Rick to help Lindsay out of the car and up onto the porch.
“Don’t worry about the luggage. We’ll bring it in later.”
Les hugged Lindsay while Randy and Rick pounded each other on the back. He pulled her into the living room where the others were chatting quietly.
“Lindsay, you know Tony. This is his partner, Brody MacCafferty. The two youngsters who have snuck in the back are Juan, Tony’s nephew and Yancey, Brody’s younger brother.” Les introduced her to the rest. “Margie and Max are in the dining room setting the table. You two could go and see if they need help.” He nodded at Yancey and Juan.
The younger men wandered off to the kitchen.
Fifteen minutes later, Margie announced dinner was ready. Les stood and gestured for the others to go into the dining room. He was glad they had invested in a larger table to fit everyone. He laughed. Who knew their family would expand to include so many?
He watched them all sort out their spots. All the couples sat together, even Yancey and Juan. David, Max, Peter, Les’ accountant, and Margie sat grouped at one end. He held out a hand for Randy to take and stood at the end of the table. He waited until everyone was quiet and watching them.
Les wrapped his arm around Randy’s narrow waist, drawing his lover closer to him.
He smiled at everyone.
“We’d like to thank you all for joining us tonight. It’s Valentine’s Day and I know you’d all probably rather be spending time with your significant other.”
Everyone laughed.
“When we decided to have this commitment, we wanted it to be private and personal. Family and friends had to be here which is why you were invited.” Randy rested his head on Les’ shoulder. “Whether you’re related by blood or love, you’re family to us.”
“Let’s enjoy the marvelous food Margie made for us and after dinner, we’ll do our thing.”
Randy sat to Les’ right and dinner started.
* * * *
Randy stood with Les in front of the fireplace. He was dressed in black jeans and a button down dress shirt. Les had picked it
