Cowboys Love Forever

Chapter 4: Final Words

Chapter 4: Final Words“Well, get on with it, brother,” Macon said, “I’m getting hungry. But darn, Nicky sure pegged you. And I for one, will be happy to do what he said and kick your butt.”

“He wrote for you to do that only if Jace needs it,” Erica said. “And from what I can tell, Jace is doing fine. You don’t want to argue with Momma, do you?”

“No, Ma’am,” Macon said.

“I am kind of hungry myself,” Jace said. “I’ll finish this up then.”

In closing, I just want to share a dream I had last night. I was in a green pasture and there were horses everywhere. Beautiful horses who came right up to me. And He was there among them—the man himself…heaven’s greatest cowboy, Jesus. He looked at me and smiled. It was awesome. There was no doubt my time was coming, but it didn’t scare me. I’d held on as long as I could, so Cody wouldn’t be alone. But I know he won’t be and I’m at peace.

I love all of you and we’ll have fun when we meet again. And yes, of course there are horses in Heaven. Somewhere in the Bible I read that Jesus will come back on a horse, so they have to have horses. That means there must be cowboys and rodeos too. Till we meet again. God bless you all.

“Wow,” Cody said.

“Of course there are horses in Heaven,” Elvira said. “Now let’s eat.”

Everyone got up and walked into the dining room, where food had been set out on the table.

“I’ll get the kids,” Luna said.

“Nicky had told me about the dream,” Meili said. “It was the night before we brought him the food. He knew he didn’t have long to live, and I thought he was right. That’s why Tommy and I were determined to make sure he got what he wanted for his final meal.”

“I can’t thank you two enough for doing that for Pops,” Cody said. He smiled when he felt Jace’s arm around him.

“Nicky was family,” Tommy said, “we take care of family—that’s what we all do.”

“That’s right,” Macon said, then looked at Jace and laughed. “Darn if Nicky wasn’t right. Jace is incapable of keeping his hands off Cody, just look at those two.”

“They give you and your man a run for your money,” Elvira said, and everyone laughed.

“It’s nice to see our cowboys in love,” Luna said.

They ate and talked about happy days past, as well as forthcoming plans. Hamilton took photos of the whole group together and some of the kids, the happy couples and also the single members of the group.

* * * *

It was late when Cody and Jace got home to Rusty, who greeted them as they walked into the house.

“Hi, buddy,” Jace said, then squatted to pet Rusty. “You missed a great evening.”

“And we didn’t forget your treat,” Cody said as he opened the package of leftovers Elvira had given him for Rusty.

Ever curious, Rusty sniffed the air as Cody poured the leftovers into his bowl. Rusty greedily ate the treats, then rushed upstairs to catch up with his daddies, who were undressing in between kissing.

“Things will be a lot more fun if you stop kissing me long enough that I can undress,” Cody said.

“No can do,” Jace said, and went back to kissing Cody. He was happy to give Cody a hand, though.

Jace quickly pulled down Cody’s pants and briefs. Then he unbuttoned Cody’s shirt while still kissing him.

“You’re a wild man,” Cody said, then smiled, stepped out of his shorts, and slipped off his shirt.

The whole time Jace nibbled at Cody’s neck.

“Rusty,” Jace said as he took off his shirt, “corner, buddy.”

Rusty went to his corner, and Jace finished undressing, put his arm around Cody, and led him to the bed.

“Tonight was nice,” Cody said. “Pops gave us his blessing.”

“That was awesome,” Jace said, “Nicky is a true brother, and he was right about me being unable to resist you—even for a second.” He got on top of Cody and kissed him hard while holding him as closely as he could. Somehow, it just never seemed enough. He was so overwhelmed with love for Cody, he didn’t know what to do sometimes. For now, he covered Cody’s neck in kisses, making him giggle. It was absolutely adorable.

“I love you so much, Jace,” Cody said.

Jace spotted tears in Cody’s eyes and he kissed him hard on the lips.

“Sorry, Cody, I just can’t seem to let you go tonight.”

“Good,” Cody said. “Hold me as tight and close as you want. I’m yours, cowboy.”

“Not completely…yet. Our wedding can’t get here soon enough for me.”

Cody laughed.

“You and Macon won’t forget our anniversaries,” Cody said.

There’s no chance I’d ever forget the day or that night to come.” He patted Cody’s butt, then kissed him.

That was the last bit of talking they did for the night. They were much too busy doing other things that were significantly more fun.

The next morning, they walked Rusty together, then went inside to have breakfast. Out of nowhere Jace began to chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Cody said.

“I was just remembering how you referred to Erica as Mrs. Sugar last night. Sometimes you can be downright cute for such a rugged, handsome, sexy guy.”

“Methinks you just earned yourself a kiss,” Cody said. “Don’t you think so, Rusty?”

Rusty barked, and Cody gave Jace a kiss.

“Yum,” Jace said. “That was better than breakfast.”

“You know what?” Cody said.

“What?”

“I can’t seem to get enough of you, Jace.”

“Now you know how I constantly feel about you,” Jace said, then kissed Cody.

“I don’t know why, but today more than ever, I wish we could spend the day in bed just doing nothing but each other.”

“That is a nice thought, but I have lessons to give and you have work to do. But Sunday I’m all yours to do with what you want all day.”

“No, you’re not,” Cody said. “You’re forgetting something.”

“Shoot! That’s right. Macon and I have that new riding class for our fellow gays starting.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I’ll miss our Sundays alone together. Join the class and help a guy out.”

“I should,” Cody said. “Those gay men are going to be lusting hard after you.”

“And it’ll all be unrequited as I’ll be saving myself for you.”

“Maybe I will sit in at least that first class.” He saw Jace smiling and kissed him. “You are so wonderful. Even more than I could’ve imagined you’d be.”

“I’m glad I didn’t disappoint.”

“There was never even a possibility of that happening. Off to start the day.”

“That’s okay. As long as we always end the day together, I’ll be happy.”

“You can count on that, cowboy.”

* * * *

Cody was glad that he’d be working outside on Opium’s patio. They had to excavate the ground and prepare it for the rocks and landscaping that were coming. Luna and Bailey would be helping, as well as Meili and her son. But at present, Meili and son were with the son’s husband visiting the Munroes at the future ice cream parlor.

As soon as their lessons were over, Jace and Macon headed over to the patio to see Cody and Bailey. They silently watched them working from the doorway for a moment, before they were discovered.

“It’s my baby!” Bailey said, then rushed to Macon and hugged him.

“Hi there,” Cody said to Jace.

“Whoa,” Jace said. “If I’d known you were working out here shirtless…”

“You would’ve left your lesson early to see him,” Luna said, and smiled.

“Not hardly,” Jace said.