Les wore khaki pants with a grey and black sweater. Randy thought he never looked more handsome.
“You two are about to make me go into sugar shock if you don’t stop staring at each other.” Rick’s voice broke up Randy’s intent study of Les’ face.
He turned and grinned at his brother. Rick sat in one of the chairs with Lindsay on his lap. Randy had been thrilled when he realized his brother was involved with her. It might be because he liked Lindsay and thought she would be good for Rick or simply because he was in love and thought everyone else should be as well.
Margie bustled out of the kitchen where she had been directing the loading for the dishwasher. Her eyes were shining with tears. Randy couldn’t help himself. He went over and hugged her.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“You’re welcome.” She hugged him back. No other words were needed. She understood what he was thanking her for. She knew he considered her more of a mother than a housekeeper.
Yancey, Juan, Burt, and Dusty filed in from outside. They had gone out to check the animals.
“We didn’t miss anything, did we?” Juan’s smile was infectious.
“No. We wanted everyone here before we said our vows.” He reached out and took Les’ hand. Turning back to their gathered company, he smiled at them all.
Tammy was crying already and Jackson had his arm around her, shaking his head with a rather deer-in-headlights look. Randy knew his foreman would be hearing from his sister about a ring soon. Good thing the man had bought one already.
Brody and Tony snuggled close at one end of the couch while Yancey and Juan got cozy at the other end. Max and Peter stood separate from the others, but still a part of the group. Dusty, Burt, David and David’s family gathered around as well. Randy studied each one and felt the caring connecting each of them to the others. They were becoming their own family.
He glanced over at Les and his love squeezed his hands. God, he loved this man with every atom in his body. He grinned at Les and looked back at their family.
“I never thought I’d get a chance to love someone. Life had taught me I wasn’t special or privileged enough to have my wishes granted. I had a great sister.” He winked at Tammy who was still sobbing quietly in Jackson’s handkerchief. “Even though she’s a bit watery right now.”
Tammy flipped him the finger and everyone laughed.
“Looking at all of you, I know I’ve gained what I was always looking for: laughter and love, friends and family.” He met Les’ eyes. “I gained all of this because of you, Leslie Hardin. You opened your home and your heart to me. You took me as I was and made me better.”
Tears glistened in Les’ dark eyes.
“It took me a while, but I finally figured out my heart lies in your hands. I am yours forever and longer if it’s possible.”
He pulled a wide silver band out of his pocket. Grasping Les’ left hand in his, he slipped the ring on Les’ ring finger. He made sure it was secure and lifted the hand to his mouth. He placed a kiss on the ring to seal his vow.
Les took a deep breath. His hand gripped Randy’s hard for a second before relaxing.
His lover cleared his throat and sent a soft smile in Margie’s direction.
“After my father died, it was only Margie and I. We rattled around our lives, helping others and letting them go when they healed. I never thought someday I’d meet someone I didn’t want to let go.”
Attraction raced through Randy as Les faced him again. It was the same feeling he felt three years ago when he met Les for the first time. He hoped it would never go away.
“Who knew it would take a beat-up bronc rider to turn my head and make my heart race?”
He chuckled along with the others.
“I’m not very good with words. Understand this, Randy Hersch, no matter what happens from here on out, you are where my home lies. I don’t plan on ever letting you go.”
Les tugged Randy’s matching band from his shirt pocket and slipped it on Randy’s finger. Randy gasped quietly as Les sealed his vow with a similar kiss to Randy’s band.
Randy stepped closer, cupping the back of Les’ head with his hand and urging Les to kiss him.
He didn’t take the kiss as deep as he wanted. There would be time for that later after everyone went to bed. With a light nip at Les’ bottom lip, he pulled back and smiled. The love shining in Les’ eyes filled him with warmth. For a moment, they were alone with only each other.
Tony was the one to break the silence. He jumped to his feet and whooped. The rest joined in and soon Randy found himself surrounded by people, being hugged and kissed.
When Tony hugged him, Randy whispered, “When are you and Brody going to do this?”
Tony shook his head. “Rings and formal vows aren’t our thing, cowboy. We’re solid.”
Randy didn’t say anything, but he decided Tony and Brody needed to be next; maybe next Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve. He’d talk to Les about it. He took the champagne flute Max handed to him, grinning as Yancey and Juan took their glasses with wide eyes.
“To Les, the man who loves my brother and has a heart big enough to love all of us as well.” Tammy lifted her glass.
Les blushed. Randy wrapped his arm around his lover’s waist and pulled him close.
It was true. Les had a capacity to love and care rarely found in a person. It was that ability that filled the living room with people and the barn full of horses.
“To Randy.” Margie smiled at him. “You saw beyond the
