The Cowboy and The Pencil-pusher

As soon as I ordered the food, I drank most of the beer, and a little nervousness flowed from my body.I was surprised that Maddie would go along with my suggestion, but not particularly happy about it.I looked around this dim little restaurant helplessly, and drove the picture of my sea view room out of my mind. The Rusty Nail Inn and its adjoining diner will serve as my new home for the months to come when I am away from home.

"What's next?" Kurt asked.He took a sip of his wine and looked at me over the rim of his glass.

"I have new loan paperwork, right at the hotel. As soon as we get the budget from the local contractor, we'll redraft the paperwork, this time covering the cost of renovating the ranch."

He sighed. "It's weird to think that things are going to change around you."

I think from the point of view of the parties, this may be a terrible thing. "Things change. That's life."

He examined me calmly. "Maybe."

To avoid more personal conversations, I decided to get down to business. "How many workers' dormitories does your ranch now have?"

"Six, but only two are in use."

"Do you live there?"

He shook his head. "No. I have my own quarters, behind the main house. Small but enough for me."

I sat up straight and looked away deliberately. "A rough cowboy like you probably only needs a bed and a spittoon?"

"I'm not that picky. I'm all about spitting."

I hold back a smile. "Really?"

"Of course. I sleep with my horse, and he doesn't seem to mind."

"So you're not single?" I pressed my tongue against the inside of my cheek.

He brushed his hair and laughed gruffly. "A lot of people in this town would rather have me and my horse than see me flirting with another man." As if emphasizing his speech, he fixed my gaze.

You guessed it.It seems that Benjie's information is very accurate.

Is it because he found out that I also like men, so there is no psychological burden to confess to me? "It's a small town after all, am I right?"

"Yeah." He glanced at me. "No one has privacy or anything."

"Indeed." I laughed dryly.I figured since he was so open and honest, there was no need for me to hide my sexuality. "The Texas town I stayed in not long ago was horrible and homophobic everywhere. I must not let them know about my boudoir, or I will be paraded in the street on the back of a horse."

He gave me a knowing look. "You mean where Frank's estate is located?"

I nod. "That man is a fucking fighting chicken in a douchebag." I stroke the soft fabric of my jacket. "Maybe I'm more conspicuous there."

"You must be garish. You probably paid more for this hairstyle than the trucks that people drive here." He smiled, which made his words seem less critical.

"It was pretty scary. I even considered renting a girlfriend there."

"Like 'Same Wife'?" He grinned.

"'Same Wife', 'Same Sister', or 'Same Aunt' is really not good." I smiled and lowered my eyes.

"We're not like that at Bender. I mean, of course there's a badass here too."

"I'd be surprised if there wasn't a single goddamn thing."

"I've lived here all my life and never had a problem." He leaned against the booth. "It's a nice little town."

"My time here has been pretty good." I cleared my throat. "You know...except about being almost eaten by a cougar."

His smile was warm and pure, and the familiar throbbing rose again.

I sat up straight, hoping to distract myself from the work in my hands. "So in short... After the documents are signed, we will draw up some blueprints. The land you own is larger than Frank's. In theory, more tourists can be accommodated here at one time."

He bit his lip. "Maddy didn't want to spoil the vibe at the ranch."

I nod. "Of course not. Like I said. City folks come here to experience the real thing. We have to expand your back kitchen to cater for more tourists, and we need to build dedicated guest rooms. The appearance of the guest quarters will Keep the original ecology, consistent with the overall style of the ranch. Inside the house is a different scene. After all, after a day of spreading the wild, those flowers in the greenhouse need to enjoy some modern conveniences.”

He narrowed his eyes. "I thought you said they wanted to experience the real thing."

I laugh out loud. "Yeah and no. When you drag them out to the pasture, they'll have to put up with it. But when they get back to their quarters, the hot shower, satellite TV, and comfy mattress will relieve them of all the stress they've had all day." The exhaustion accumulated by animals after having fun."

"How are these items charged?"

"Oh, in the summer you can book about $2900 a person, including six days."

He whistled once. "Serving these city people for a whole day, how can you earn so much?"

I watched him, wondering what he thought of it. "What do you think of this project idea?"

"Honestly, I don't know if I'm ready."

I think the same as him. “If you hire the right people and train the staff, you don’t have to lead the team yourself for very long. You can do the cattle ride if you want, but it doesn’t have to be.”

"Maybe." He didn't seem to believe me.

"Have you talked to Frank, did he say he doesn't have to walk around?"

"He did." He bit his lip. "I thought, I just suspect that maybe he wasn't telling the truth."

I raise my eyebrows. "Really? Do you think he lied to you?"

He squeezed his face. "Not necessarily lying to me. Maybe embellishing some facts? As far as I know, he got some kickbacks from you and your dad, and then went to convince people like Madi to go along with your plan."

I frown. "No, we didn't do that."

He didn't answer.

"You can dislike me for legally foreclosing. But I never trick people into doing things they don't want to do." I shake my head. "Honestly, I feel humiliated that you think so."

he laughed. "Don't be so angry about your little niece, which must be frighteningly expensive."

"Then don't think so badly of me."

He tilted his head and sighed, "Okay."

His obedience surprised me, and I smiled. "It's easy to say."

"You're right. I'm not fair. I think you're a ruthless person, but I don't think you're a shameless person. I guess I'm a little paranoid. This whole set of thoughts just makes me very uncomfortable gone."

His sincerity strikes me as odd, almost sympathetic. "You'll be fine. I think the townspeople will love you and your cowboy outfit."

"You think I'm dressing up?"

My cheeks heat up. "Maybe I'm a misnomer, I'm just saying this gritty style will make you popular."

"Wow, got it." He shook his head, drank his beer, and beckoned the waiter over.When she came, he ordered another round of drinks.

I frown. "I'm not sure I want more. I'm not very drinkable."

"Come on, enjoy life." He blinked.

Trudy twitched impatiently. "Do you want it, kid? I don't have that much time."

I shrug. "I don't think it hurts to have an extra glass."

She nodded and walked to the bar.

Kurt looked at me with crossed fingers. "How do you live in Los Angeles?" he asked.

I folded the corners of the cocktail pads. "Why do you want to know?"

Kurt was amused. "I do not know why either."

I examine his angular face, wondering why he affects me more than the average person.His candid eyes particularly caught me. "Working most of the time."

He nodded, with an accommodating expression on his face. "Yes, me too."

Trudy arrived with a tray. "Okay, boys, let's eat."

We make room for food and another beer.After Trudy left, Kurt raised his glass. "Cheers to saving Maddy's ranch."

I clink glasses with him. "He'll be fine. He made a smart decision."

"hope so."

We eat in silence.I ordered the filet mignon and it almost melted in my mouth.There was a bit of garlic cream sauce on top, and I savored it with my eyes closed, floating on the beer and earlier tequila.

When I opened my eyes, Kurt was looking at me playfully.He looked away quickly, but his expression was still weird.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked, forking a huge pile of fluffy baked potatoes and sour cream.

"You never liked to tell me much about yourself." He cleared his throat. "Do you have a boyfriend in Los Angeles?"

I was surprised by such a personal question.Why is he asking?I don't have a boyfriend, but I also don't want to look like a leftover.I do not know how to put it.

He straightened up and put down the fork. "I won't inquire about your personal affairs."

He looked embarrassed, which gave me a soft spot. "It's okay." I smiled. "I don't know why you care about this."

He squeezed his face and said. "You remind me of someone."

"Is that the city guy Trudy mentioned earlier?" I watched a blush rise in his cheeks.

"Yes." He lowered his eyes. "But that was a long time ago."

Now, he piqued my curiosity. "Is it a bad ending?"

Shaking his head, he said, "We're all too young." He smiled dryly. "We met as teenagers when he was here for the summer."

"Ah. First love." Imagining how he looked at that time made me smile. "I'm not sure if I should be mad at myself for reminding you of your youth."

He grinned, dimples appearing. "You two look the same: blond hair, blue eyes."

I look at the ceiling. "You're associating me with an underage boy."

"No. The boy I'm talking about is of age."

"What happened? He went back to the big city?"

"Yes."

I took a sip of my wine.This frivolous conversation in a slightly drunken state put me in a strange mood.I put down the glass carefully. "If you're still thinking about him after all these years, it must go beyond sex."

He swallowed and looked away. "He's been back a few times since then. I think, I'm a little lost on what this is about."

"Oh, he still has relationships with you?" Hearing what he said, I unexpectedly felt disgusted in my heart.

"It's not that formal. I haven't seen him in almost a year. He's married and closeted."

"Ha." I glanced at his tense cheeks.

"You can understand my situation."

I shook my head and said, "I don't get it. Although I rarely date, I would never date someone who is not out. It's just looking for something."

His gaze immediately became wary. "Like I said, we were kids when we met. We didn't figure out who we were when we were together. But I'm lucky that my family and friends are willing to accept me for who I am. Riley didn't I was so lucky. He came from a very religious family."

"Hey, cry for Riley."

He frowned. "What?"

"Nothing. Forget it, it's none of my business."

He folded his arms across his broad chest. "No. Speak up. I want to hear what you have to say."

"why?"

"I wonder what you think of it."

I squeeze my lips together.I actually knew I'd better keep my mouth shut, but the alcohol irritated me, and Riley sounded like a selfish jerk. "You said he was married?"

"Yes."

"So every year when he visits here, you two have sex?"

He lowered his eyes, looking uncomfortable, and sighed. "yes."

"It sucks. I'm sorry to say that. Just because he doesn't know how to live doesn't give him the right to ruin that poor woman's life."

"He said they were a happy couple—"

"You're not serious, are you?" I interrupted. "Then why does he still come to mess with you?"

"From the very beginning, even if we were separated, we would still be inseparable."

"It's brilliant. Her husband likes dicks, but he's too scared to admit it. Even if he thinks he's bi, it won't do the poor woman any good. Either she catches him cheating, or She was abandoned by him first. The woman suffered psychological trauma from then on, all because this man refused to face himself and be an upright man. "

He raised his eyebrows and opened his eyes wide. "Tell me how you really feel, Paul."

I shrug. "It was you who asked."

"Yes."

"I don't feel sorry for Riley at all. I feel sorry for his wife. Is it that hard to come out? Indeed, when my dad found out that I liked men, he was a fucking jerk. So what? I Not going back in the closet just because he doesn't like it. To hell with him and all those who have a problem with me."

He flashed a bright smile. "Damn it, you're really a bad-tempered little bastard!"

I blushed and took another gulp of beer. "Like I said, I'm a city guy but I'm not a coward."

"You're very angry." He laughed. "I have to say, I find your attitude that the king and I don't care about you very sexy."

A burst of excitement welled up in my heart.He thinks I'm sexy? "Really? My sex often works against me."

"You're refreshing."

The theme of this meal has gone completely off course, and I didn't expect it to.The current mood of flirting is completely beyond my expectations. "Huh. I'd say most people don't see it the same way you do."

"Well, I'm not like most people."

"Yes. You are indeed different."

His smile faded. "It's a pity that I don't have the good fortune to fall in love with people in the city."

"I don't have a good fortune in falling in love with anyone."

he laughed. "It's been an interesting meal so far."

I squinted at him. "Yes. I thought you would be annoying, but it turned out not to be particularly annoying."

"Seconded."

I pick up the beer, admiring the golden liquid. "Maybe I'm drunk."

He snorted. "I don't." He grinned and picked up his glass too. "But it's a long night, Paul. If I'm lucky, I'll get drunk with you, too."