Heartward Read online

  A throat clearing behind him nearly made him jump. “I’m sorry to disturb you,” Eli said just above a whisper.

  “No… I…,” Tyler began nervously.

  “It’s okay. We sometimes have important moments here. This is a very special place for us.” Eli lowered his gaze. “Sometimes families need a minute after they have spent special time together.” He did understand how Tyler felt. “Please take your time. There is no hurry.” Eli waited with them until a tall man, quite striking, strode down the aisle. He seemed about Eli’s age, maybe a little older. The skin around his intelligent eyes had fine lines, but as he drew closer, he smiled, and Eli moved right into his arms.

  “Geoff, this is Alan and Tyler, and Tyler’s son, Abey. They were here for riding, and I think Abey made a new horse friend with Peaches.” The looks of adoration that passed between the two of them were unmistakable, and it warmed Tyler’s heart. He reached over, taking Alan’s hand.

  “You must be the new fire captain I’ve been hearing about. The Jacobses are good friends of ours, and they have been singing your praises for rescuing Valerie.” Geoff extended his hand, and Tyler released Alan’s to shake it. “It’s so good to meet you. I was thrilled when you called to make the riding appointment. Would you like to come to the house for some tea or something?” Geoff asked, taking Eli’s hand. “It’s great to meet another family in town like ours. Eli and I have a son as well. Jakey is older than your Abey by quite a few years.”

  “He’s going to be a sophomore at Michigan State this fall.” Eli shared a contented look with Geoff. “Please come inside. I made some fresh cinnamon raisin bread this morning. It’s Geoff’s favorite.” He motioned forward, and Tyler followed the others, with Abey half asleep on his shoulder.

  The inside of the farmhouse was warm in every sense of the word. The kitchen was rather large and well lived in, with an old table under large windows that had probably seen generations of family meals prepared there. The entire room seemed imbued with family dinners and years of love and care.

  “Come in and sit down,” Eli said softly, noticing that Abey was asleep. “I remember when Jakey used to fall asleep like that on my shoulder.” Eli cut pieces of bread and slipped them into the toaster. “Do you want to lay him down?” When Tyler nodded, Eli led him into the living room, and he laid Abey on the sofa. Eli handed him a light blanket, and Abey slept on, hopefully dreaming happy dreams of Peaches. Tyler watched his son for a few moments and then returned to the kitchen.

  The room smelled of fresh bread and warm butter. He sat down next to Alan, and Geoff brought over plates and glasses, along with a pitcher of milk. The scene seemed surreal to him, wholesome and old-fashioned, yet as welcoming as anything he had ever experienced in his life. “The riding was wonderful. Thank you.” Tyler shared a smile with the others.

  “It’s our pleasure.” Eli pulled out a chair and sat next to Geoff. “He and I started the therapy riding a number of years ago.” They shared a knowing look between each other. “It started with Robbie. He’s blind, and he works with us here. Riding with his husband, Joey, was one of the things that helped him form his own life all those years ago.”

  “We believe that animals have power. They can help take us outside ourselves and get us in touch with what’s really important.” Geoff leaned over the table a little. “So we were happy when you called because we thought that maybe we could help you.”

  Tyler wasn’t entirely sure what Geoff and Eli were getting at. “Abey has had a difficult time over the last few months.”

  “He sure seemed happy today,” Eli said, and Tyler had to agree with him. Abey had had the time of his life.

  “I think we all were,” Tyler said. “I know Abey had a great time, but so did I.” He shared a smile with Alan.

  “It’s our pleasure, and Eli and I were hoping that we’d get a chance to meet you,” Geoff said. “I know it sounds a little crazy, but we heard stories that you worked with the Red Cross and things. Eli and I have always done our best to help the people of this area. It’s important to us that we give back.” He stood and got a pitcher of cold water from the refrigerator.

  “That’s something that’s important to both of us too,” Alan said, and Tyler squeezed his hand.

  Tyler nodded. “I’ve only been here a short time. Word gets around fast.”

  Geoff chuckled softly. “Let’s put it this way. There aren’t that many gay people in this area. And when we got word that the Scottville Town Council had hired a new fire captain and that he was gay, well, we wanted to meet you. He and I have encountered our fair share of hatred and hurt over the years, and….”

  “And you wanted to make sure I wasn’t encountering anything?” Tyler found himself smiling as the tension building in his belly melted away.

  “Yes. I know it sounds sort of stupid on our part. Though we love this town and area, it can be a little closed-minded sometimes.” Geoff poured himself some more milk and offered the pitcher around the table.

  Tyler chuckled. “I’m fine. After all the things I saw in the Red Cross, I think I can handle just about anything.”

  “We’re sure you can, but Geoff and I know that the fire chief isn’t the most accepting person on earth.” The naughty twinkle in Eli’s eyes told Tyler they were finally getting to what they really wanted to talk about.

  “The man is an ass,” Geoff said softly but with venom. “It’s pretty well established that he covers for his friends and cronies. The guy’s like a small-town mafia. There are so many people who owe him favors that he can get away with just about anything he wants.”

  Tyler had thought he’d seen some of that at work in the Wilson fire report.

  “Can you prove it?” Alan asked. “Because if you can, I would love to plead my case for his termination to the council.” He took a bite of toast, and Tyler shared a look with him. He felt a little like partners in crime. “There’s a difference between knowing something is true and being able to prove it. Half the town knows something is off with him.”

  “Including my father and a lot of his friends. It’s pretty common knowledge, and everyone is scared to cross the chief because they think that if they have a fire, the department might just take their time and get there just quickly enough to save their basement and nothing else,” Tyler explained.

  Geoff drank his milk. “I know that Eli and I are taking a chance talking to you about this, but we figured since you’re new and hired by the council that you were very likely clean.” Geoff sighed. “I don’t know how much Eli and I can do to help, but we wanted you to know, both of you, that we’re in your corner and will do what we can.”

  Alan took his hand and lightly squeezed his fingers. Tyler was a little nervous about all this and appreciated the backup at the same time. “I don’t know what I can do.” He stood and peered into the other room to where Abey was still napping. “I came here to get away from this kind of drama.” It seemed the right time to be honest. “I spent years in disaster zones and sometimes on the outskirts of wars. I saw things that no one should have to see, and now that I’ve done my time, I wanted to come back here to raise Abey in a place that was going to be quiet and safe.” He swallowed hard. “I didn’t come here to take on the leader of the Scottville mob.” He knew it sounded silly as soon as the words crossed his lips, but that was how people seemed to be treating the chief.

  Alan pushed his chair back and stood next to him, his arms snaking around Tyler’s waist. “I know, and this is my fault. I pushed so hard to hire you because I needed someone from outside who might be able to help us clean out the department.” He rested his head on Tyler’s shoulder. “That was wrong of me. I blindly thought that if I brought you in, you would be my man in the department. I didn’t think about how that would affect you or how you would feel about it. I was selfish and I see that now, but I did it for the town.”

  “My papa used to say the road to hell is paved with good intentions,” Eli said from where he sat. “But I don’t b
uy that, at least not totally.” He sighed. “They look so good together.”

  Geoff chuckled. “Eli, honey, stay on track.”

  “Yeah, the road to hell may be paved with good intentions, but the people in hell are the ones who have no good intentions for anyone other than themselves.”

  “Dear, that was pretty good,” Geoff said.

  “I just made it up.” Eli grinned.

  Tyler chuckled. Those two were adorable together. They exuded love for each other. And when Tyler turned to Alan, he knew he wanted that same thing for them. At least it was his hope that someday he could have that with someone.

  “I’m not angry with you,” Tyler told Alan. “I just don’t want to let you down, and I honestly don’t know if I can live up to everyone’s expectations.”

  “But you’re a hero. Just ask Valerie and her parents,” Eli said. “They’re willing to put you up for sainthood.”

  Tyler didn’t know what to say at first. “Heroes are short-lived. They get put on pedestals to stand above everyone. But most of the time, they have a tendency to fall off, and then we vilify them for being human. Just watch the news any day and you’ll see it.”

  “Thank goodness I never watch television,” Eli said. “I like my heroes up on their pedestals just fine.” He finished his piece of bread. “Would anyone like more?”

  “No, thank you. It’s great,” Tyler said as he ate his last bite. “Probably some of the best I’ve ever had.”

  “Thank you. I used to work in my uncle’s bakery before I left the community.” Eli leaned against Geoff’s shoulder. “That was a long time ago, a completely different lifetime.”

  “Eli was raised Amish, and I found him sleeping in the barn in one of the empty stalls. His father had dropped him off to find his own way, figuring Eli would just go home when things got hard. Instead, I found him and I fell in love with him.” Geoff stroked Eli’s arm. “And I was lucky enough to have him fall in love with me in return.” For a second Geoff seemed completely lost in Eli, and Tyler put his arm around Alan, drawing him close. If this was a safe place to show affection, then he wanted the man his heart was coming to rely on to know how he felt, or at least some of how he felt.

  “Papa,” Abey called.

  “I’ll get him,” Alan said, leaving the room and returning with a bleary-eyed Abey, rubbing his eyes. He went right to Tyler, who sat with him on his lap, and Eli got him a small slice of bread. Abey barely waited until it was buttered before eating half of it in a single bite.

  “What have we talked about?” Tyler said gently. “No one is going to take your food.”

  “Grampy steals,” Abey said petulantly in his defense.

  “We talked about you sharing with Grampy and Grammy. No one is going to take your food. So you can eat slowly and taste what you’re eating.” Tyler lifted the piece of bread and put it to Abey’s lips. He took a small bite, and Tyler rubbed his head gently. “You’re my big boy, and I love you.”

  “I love you, Papa.” Abey hugged him as he chewed in his ear. “And I love Mr. Alan….” Which Tyler thought was adorable and special because he was starting to love the man too. “And Peaches.”

  “I see. He loves me the same way he loves a horse he met an hour ago,” Alan fake groused, and Tyler took his hand.

  “He lists who he loves, and sometimes I fall right behind Mickey Mouse, so don’t take it personally.” Tyler winked at Alan and got one in return. “Finish the yummy toast and then we can go.”

  Abey ate what was left, and Tyler paid for the session. It looked like Eli was going to demur, but Tyler insisted.

  “Come back to see Peaches?” Abey asked as they were heading for the back door.

  “Yes. Mr. Eli and I will set up a time when you can come back to see Peaches again.” Tyler shifted Abey’s weight and got him into his car seat. “I’m off Wednesday and Thursday next week. Do you have time available?”

  “Of course. I’ll check the book and message you with what’s available, and you can pick what works for you.” Eli placed his hand on the side of the car. “If you want to come and ride on your own, that would be fine too. Maybe you and Alan would enjoy it.”

  Tyler nodded. “But the purpose is for Abey and….”

  Eli nodded. “There’s no denying that Abey had a good time and that he likes the horse you rode, but of the two of you, the one who was getting the therapeutic benefit from the session was you. Your shoulders relaxed and you settled in the saddle. It didn’t take much to see that the pressure on your shoulders lifted for a while, and while Abey was happy, you were relaxed and rather peaceful.” He cleared his throat and turned away. “Sorry, I sometimes just say what I think.” He backed away a few steps. “You think about what you’d like to do and let me know. I’m here, and the horses love their time with the guests.” Eli turned toward the back door of the car. “And sometimes we all need a horse friend.” Eli’s smile was totally infectious.

  Tyler got into the car. Abey was awake in the back seat, swinging his legs, singing to himself some made-up song about horses and Peaches. “What would you like to do now?” he asked Alan, who leaned across the seat with a very naughty twist to his lips.

  “I just spent half an hour watching you in a saddle.” His eyes burned, and Tyler swallowed hard. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do to put out Alan’s fire or the one that he’d just lit inside him.

  “See Peaches,” Abey said.

  “How about we go into town and stop at the Dairy Barn for ice cream?” Tyler offered, and that sent Abey into songs about ice cream. Tyler couldn’t help smiling. He started the engine and pulled out of the farmyard, heading to town, holding Alan’s hand across the console.

  “What are you thinking about?” Alan asked after he’d gone quiet.

  “Nothing I should be while I’m in the car with you, holding your hand.” Tyler flashed a smile. “I keep thinking about the chief and what he’s up to. There has to be more to what’s going on than his prejudices. Either that or that’s all there is to him.” Tyler sighed. “I keep wondering if maybe we’re both wrong and the guy is just a grumpy old man, and because we don’t like him, if we’re seeing things that aren’t there.” It was in his nature to question things. “I haven’t seen him do anything illegal. Maybe sloppy and closed-minded, but nothing more than that.” Yet the guy rubbed him the wrong way on so many levels.

  “I understand, and if I could figure out what he was doing, I’d tell you, but I can’t.” Alan was pretty clearly frustrated. “I know in my heart that he’s up to something. There have been too many irregularities in the past. But I’m going to have to ask you to trust me.”

  That was the thing—he did trust Alan. “What are these irregularities?” Tyler asked.

  Alan squeezed his hand. “Nothing I can put my finger on really. Just some weird things in the department accounts. They always balance and there’s never anything missing, but some things make my gut ping.”

  “Then why don’t we have a look at them? You’re on the council, and there have to be records that you audit. If there are copies, get them and we can look them over.” Tyler was willing to do what Alan asked, but he was starting to think he’d be better off if this whole thing could go away and he could simply do his job. But Alan was so persuasive and earnest. Maybe if they looked things over and found nothing, then the whole thing would die and they could all go on. The chief was old enough that he wasn’t going to be around forever.

  “I can get copies, but I’ve had people look at them and they can’t come up with anything,” Alan said.

  “Then what makes you think there’s an issue?” Tyler asked. “I’m not trying to be a pain, but if professionals can’t find anything, why would I be able to?”

  Alan scratched his head and sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I just keep thinking that there’s something there if we can only figure it out. I know numbers don’t usually lie, but they can be made to paint a very specific picture.”

  Tyler
pulled up in front of his house after a stop at the Dairy Barn for treats. “Okay. If you’re willing to spend the time to see what we can find, then I’ll be there right along with you. I don’t know if we’ll find anything, but maybe two heads are better than one and we can figure something out. Where are the books now?”

  “They’re at the town hall. I have copies of last year’s department audit. Maybe we can start there.” Alan smiled, and danged if Tyler wouldn’t do just about anything for one of those.

  “If you get them and bring them to the house, I’ll go over them with you tomorrow. It’s my last day off this week, and I didn’t have any plans. Can Marcie work at the store?”

  Alan nodded and grinned. “Yes. I already asked her to work when you told me it was your day off.” He colored slightly. “I guess I hoped that you’d want to do some things, but I was being presumptuous and….”

  “I like that you want to spend the time with me.” He leaned over to kiss Alan across the console, then straightened up. “We should go inside. Do you want to stay for dinner?”

  Alan nodded and leaned close. “I was hoping I could stay for breakfast too.”

  A shiver went through Tyler, and he nodded, then got out of the car to help Abey out of his car seat, and the three of them went inside.

  Chapter 8

  ALAN SAT on the sofa next to Tyler. Abey was in bed, and the monitor was turned up and sat on the coffee table. With the television on low, Tyler shifted closer, and soon neither of them was paying any attention to whatever was on.

  “I love how you feel,” Tyler whispered to him. “You’re strong and hard under your clothes. I like that.” He shivered, taking Alan right along with him. Alan adored the way Tyler touched him. There were no tentative touches. Tyler had power in his body, and the way he touched reflected that, strokes that Alan felt bone-deep, caresses along his chest that Alan felt to his toes. It was almost overwhelming.

  “Me too,” Alan said as he slipped his hands under Tyler’s shirt, taking in the rippled muscle underneath. “You make me feel special.” He tugged at Tyler’s shirt, slipping it upward to expose his warm skin. “Do you have any idea how hard it was—pun intended—watching you on that horse? God, I swear you were born to be a cowboy.”