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  About 2 Hearts Rescue

  Rescued Love

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  2 HEARTS RESCUE

  Thank you for your purchase of this 2 Hearts Rescue story. The ranch at 2 Hearts Rescue is a very special place, where love rescues both animals and people alike. In fact, it’s as special as the 2 Hearts Rescue project, which is designed to bring together readers and authors who love animal rescue and great stories.

  Visit the website at http://2heartsrescue.com to learn more about the world, the characters and how you can help animal rescue efforts, both in conjunction with the individual authors, as well as by supporting organizations.

  A portion of the proceeds from each 2 Hearts Rescue story goes to support animal rescue efforts, so please read through the entire story so each page gets counted. We’ll be updating our readers with what we’ve been able to accomplish at the website.

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  The scent of sun-warmed equine failed to push Jay’s blues away. He tried. He buried his face in Jenny’s mane and even shed a few tears. Jenny’s hay-scented breath brushed across his cheek in an intimate caress, and neither the pleasure of that simple moment nor any number of tears erased the fact. Without help he was going to lose his ranch, and with it, ten rescue horses, half a dozen cats, and two dogs were going to lose their home. He needed cash and had no idea where to turn.

  For the millionth time, he contemplated brushing off his resume. Going back to a corporate job would bring in money, but would it be enough? Not to mention the long hours away from the ranch would make doing chores without help even more difficult than it already was. The to do list on the white board in his office of repairs for the barn was growing longer by the day. “I don’t know what to do,” he said to the horse, giving her one last, lingering pat before backing out of the stall.

  You’ll find a way. The big dark eyes promised complete and total trust, a trust Jay wasn’t sure he deserved. The orange shafts of sunlight poured through the open barn door, reminding him it was close to sunset and he still hadn’t eaten yet. He checked all the doors and latched the bottom doors of the barn closed, and started toward the house.

  A truck pulled into the yard. A nice truck, one that looked like a much newer model than his own. The truck parked and the door opened. Out stepped Cody Jewelles. Time hadn’t aged his tousled dark blond hair, though a few more lines bracketed those deep blue eyes. A worn shirt stretched over broad shoulders and defined a set of abs as hard as the concrete he needed to break up in the north pasture. Jeans more expensive than his last feed bill sat on narrow hips and clung to his long legs and the boots on his feet were worn and very expensive.

  “Cody,” Jay said, wishing his heart wouldn’t pound so hard. “I never thought…” He couldn’t finish the sentence, didn’t want to finish the sentence because it brought with it the memory of a horrific fight and so much yelling and in the end, slammed doors and broken hearts.

  “Jay. I’m glad you’re here.” He crossed the space between them and clasped his former lover on the shoulder. “I should have called.”

  “I wouldn’t have taken them,” Jay admitted with a grin.

  “And that’s why I didn’t call. Can we go inside? There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

  A flash of anger tore through Jay. He drove all this way, after so many years, and demanded to go inside and talk to him. Yet, Jay couldn’t refuse him. Not when there was sadness in his eyes and regret, so much regret, filled them both about what had happened. “Okay. To talk.” He wasn’t sure who he was convincing more, himself or Cody. It didn’t matter because he turned and led the son of one of Wyoming’s wealthiest ranchers into his modest two-story house.

  He tried to see it through Cody’s eyes and failed. Most of the rooms were empty, or almost so, because he hadn’t the time or the money to furnish them. A desk sat in the corner of the living room, his office and adoption room. He had to be careful with the animals he’d taken in; he could only care for so many and the need was so great. He adopted just as many out and was proud of his success. There, by the desk were two mismatched chairs that routinely got the dog hair removed from them. He gestured to one and Cody sat. Jay took the other.

  Half a dozen phrases came to mind and were just as quickly discarded when he looked at Cody. It’s been a long time. How had he been? Did he know about the rescue? About their financial problems? About how he might have to go back to work, and how false accusations of ethics issues had nearly disbarred him. He worked a little on the side, probably did more pro bono work than he ought to, and the ends still never met.

  “There’s no easy way to say this. I need a place to stay. I can help. I have my personal money, though I’m no longer heir to the Jewelles family fortune.” Cody stopped and took a deep breath. “I heard you take in strays.” He grinned.

  That smile could sweep a lesser man off his feet, and Jay wasn’t immune. Or at least not as immune as he’d like to be. Stay. Stay forever. He tamped down the hope that maybe the answer to his prayers, more than one of them, had just walked into his house. Instead he asked, “what happened?”

  Cody shrugged. “The election, mostly. Though this had been coming for a while. Dad seems to think there’s nothing wrong with grazing the public lands we lease and lobbying the BLM to get the mustangs removed. I don’t agree. And then I tried to tell him the man he voted for didn’t give two shits for his son or his son’s life, and dad didn’t like that too much.” Cody shook his head. “I don’t understand why dad and his brothers voted why they did. I honestly can’t figure out how they sleep at night. But he said that in his house, his word and his politics were law, and no liberal snowflake son of his would tell him how to ranch. I said good, because I didn’t want to ranch, at least not the way in which he was doing it, and walked out the door. I guess I don’t know officially that I’m disinherited, but I can guess.”

  “I’m so sorry.” In some ways Jay was thankful he was all alone, parents gone, no siblings. No one to fight over. No one to get estranged from like this. “You’ll have to reconcile with him eventually, even if it takes place after 2020.” His words coaxed a smile from Cody.

  “I know. But for now, I could really use a place to crash, and I understand that your rescue needs help.”

  There, the truth of the matter finally came out. “I won’t deny it. We’re hurting. But that’s not why I’ll give you a place to crash. You accused me of being after the Jewelles money once. I’ll be damned before I give you an excuse to accuse me of it a second time. Come on. I’ll show you to the bedrooms on the second floor.”

  “Jay. You know I didn’t—”

  Jay stopped and turned. “You did. Words were said. And that’s all I want to say on the matter.” He glanced down at Cody’s empty hands. “Do you have luggage? We don’t have any bellhops here.” He didn’t miss Cody’s visible wince, and maybe he’d been tough, but damn it, he’d been contemplating sad endings to his rescue dream all day and had no time to deal with old lovers who thought they’d toss money around and make it right. Except, he knew he wasn’t being fair to Cody.

  “Just one bag. I’ll get it later.”

  Cody’s answer surprised him. When he’d last been at the family ranch Cody had a walk-in closet full of designer suits and jeans, more clothes than a man could probably wear in a year. A flash of silver
around his throat caught Jay’s attention as he stood. A necklace? For a moment he thought it might be the horseshoe set with two fake diamonds that he’d gotten Cody several Christmases ago. A memory of that night, of placing the necklace around Cody’s neck, then making love in front of the fireplace on the second floor of the ranch house while everyone else was out caroling filled his mind. He swallowed hard and started up the stairs.

  Neither man said anything as they ascended the stairs. They didn’t need to. The peeling wallpaper from the 70s and chipped wood on the banister spoke volumes. The first door was closed, and Jay opened it. “I can get you some fresh sheets,” he said hoping the old twin bed and scarred dresser wouldn’t scare Cody off. Then again, he’d made it this far into the house. The furniture had been flea market finds, back when he dreamed of having help living on the ranch with him, working in the shared dream of rescuing animals. “I dusted a week or so ago. Maybe two. I can get paper towels and dust—”

  “It’s fine.” Cody stepped forward and pressed his fingers to Jay’s lips. “I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m not the spoiled rich kid I used to be.” He removed his fingers and leaned forward to brush a kiss across Jay’s mouth. “I appreciate this more than you know. I’ve had a long drive and grabbed something at a fast food place in town. I’d just kind of like to stretch out and rest if you don’t mind. Anything else can be said in the morning.”

  Jay nodded, feeling completely like an ass for the harsh way he’d treated his former lover. “Of course. Let me get those sheets.” His lips still burned from Cody’s touch, and his kiss.

  ~ * * * ~

  Breakfast consisted of a cooling cup of coffee and a clumpy bowl of instant oatmeal. Only one packet. He saved the other for Cody, if the man wanted it. He hadn’t realized how long he’d put off getting groceries until he tried to make breakfast. There were eggs. The dozen ex-battery hens he’d rescued made sure of that. So much so, that he sold a few cartons a week to help offset their feed. The sound of someone coming down the stairs startled him. He’d almost forgotten that someone had stayed in the house last night.

  Cody came into the kitchen and headed right for the coffee maker. He grabbed the mug, poured the coffee in it, and spooned some instant creamer into the cup. He took a sip and sighed. “Sorry I slept in. I’d meant to help you with the chores.”

  “It’s okay. You probably needed the rest. Want something for breakfast?”

  “Not yet. Let me wake up first. I thought maybe you could show me around. I could see what I’m getting into.” Cody smiled his million-watt smile, and Jay tried not to fall hard for him again.

  “Sure.” Jay took a sip of coffee to collect his thoughts. “Did you mean it? About helping Two Hearts out?”

  Cody nodded as he swallowed his beverage. “I did. I won’t go into it now, but I saw a lot. I finally got down out of my second floor suite as you once said and worked with the men. I ate tacos and learned how to make the best guacamole with Javier and his wife Maria. I rode the far range with George and Mitch, watching the cattle and seeing the way that they treated mustangs like rats. I listened to my father lobby a Senator and see if he could get a meeting with the Interior Secretary. I didn’t like what I saw in terms of how my father managed his men and his land. I wanted to do something different and I thought of you.”

  “It’s not going to be easy.” Jay put his mug on the counter.

  Cody followed. “I know. But I also know I work for what I want.” He set his mug down next to Jay’s and leaned into him. Cupping his cheek, he brushed his thumb across Jay’s lips. “I also know I was a jackass.” He replaced his thumb with his lips.

  Jay leaned into the kiss. The gentle pressure of Cody’s mouth on his set his nerve endings on fire. Memories flooded his mind, and he cupped Cody’s strong shoulder to steady himself. A soft moan escaped his slightly parted lips. Cody pressed his advantage, tongue dipping inside to stroke and coax an even greater response from him.

  He pulled back, his breathing ragged. “We better take that tour.”

  Jay agreed and led the way outdoors.

  The tour of the farm, including the barn and all the rescue animals, ended in the small first floor room Jay used as an office. Better let Cody know what he was getting into if he decided to stay, and to help out. As they walked, Cody had shared a bit more of his story, including an epic blow up with his father who never quite understood why Cody wouldn’t settle down with a nice girl and keep the family legacy alive. He handed the ledger across the table. “It’s pretty bleak, but here it is.”

  Cody looked over the numbers and turned a few pages back. “This is all in some program, I assume?”

  Jay nodded. “Of course. I use this paper copy as backup. And the on-line file is stored in the cloud as well as on my computer. The numbers are safe.”

  “I didn’t mean to imply anything, just that with charting and graphing tools it’s easier to show cash flow. But it all looks in order, especially for a rescue.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say it, though wish the bank saw it that way. Even with my law license and my earnings potential, the bank won’t give me a loan to complete some of the repairs and maybe even bring on some staff.”

  “You should never borrow for operating costs.” Cody handed the ledger back to him. “I can help, if you want me to that is.”

  “It’d be like a guardian angel fell out of the sky. If you’ll excuse me, I need to exercise the horses. Red needs walked.” Jay stood.

  “I should run into town for a few things. I’ll be back later this afternoon.”

  Jay watched Cody go and wondered what had possessed him to come here, and now. It truly was like his own guardian angel—and he had always thought of Cody as his angel—had shown up just when he was needed most.

  ~ * * * ~

  That evening, his stomach full of a delicious Angus burger and steamed green beans and herbs, Jay leaned against the kitchen counter and looked out the window over the sink. Cody hadn’t just returned from town; he’d brought the entire grocery store with him. Cupboards that had been bare were full again, and not with the cheap processed crap Jay had been eating. A load of hay had been ordered for the horses, and the feed store bill had been brought current. That was just this afternoon.

  Jay curled his fingers into the sink and took a deep breath. To be honest, Cody’s sudden appearance and generosity was a bit overwhelming. It reminded him of the man he’d loved and the hole in his heart that he’d tried so hard to patch when things didn’t work out. He didn’t know if he had the strength to pick himself up and go on again.

  Strong hands settled on his shoulders. Jay closed his eyes and relaxed into the touch. Warmth spread through him and he leaned back against Cody. “I’m glad you’re here,” he admitted.

  Cody dipped his head, his breath teasing the hair near Jay’s ear. “Me too.” He turned his head and kissed the sensitive skin behind Jay’s ear. Gentle nibbles became tugs on his earlobe that made Jay hard and aching for more. Sucking kisses along his neck became hungrier, more demanding as Cody began unfastening the buttons of Jay’s shirt. “Turn around,” Cody ordered, his voice husky with desire. “Please.”

  Maybe it was the ragged please that got to him or maybe it was the gift of food and support. The reason didn’t matter because Jay found himself giving into Cody’s gentle persuasion, turning around to rest his ass against the edge of the counter. He helped unbutton his shirt and push it to the floor just in time for Cody’s searching lips to kiss down across his collarbone to his chest. He licked a nipple.

  Jay moaned. His jeans were too tight; his need so acute. He hadn’t had anyone since Cody, hadn’t wanted anyone, and his body desired the pleasure that he knew he’d find in Cody’s arms. Cody grabbed his hips, holding him still as he traced a path down along the arrow of hair leading to his waistband. Jay curled his fingers into Cody’s hair. To stop him? He didn’t think so, but Cody paused.

  “Let me do this. I want to do this.” The wo
rds were too much, and with a sigh Jay gave himself over to Cody’s gentle ministrations. Deft fingers worked his belt free of its loops and then opened the buttons on his jeans. He pushed the fabric aside and stroked Jay’s cock through the cotton of his briefs. He gently worked the briefs down until Jay’s cock was free, a drop of precum forming on the tip. Cody held the turgid shaft in his hand and gently stroked from base to tip.

  Jay groaned. “You’re killing me.”

  Cody’s fingers tightened and Jay drew a tight breath. “Been a while?” If there was pride in the words, Jay didn’t begrudge Cody that. Sex had never been a problem for them. He continued stroking until Jay swore his knees would buckle, and in that moment, Cody leaned forward and licked the tip.

  “Oh god. Cody!” The fingers in Cody’s hair tightened, pulling him closer so Jay could thrust into his mouth. He was pushing. They hadn’t talked about safety or anything, but the hot wetness of Cody’s lips surrounding him, the tongue that remembered the sensitive spot just beneath the head, had him thinking only of sending his seed deep down Cody’s throat. “Yes!”

  He thrust harder and Cody took his entire length, relaxing so the end of Jay’s cock could slip into his throat. Cody increased his suction and Jay knew he wasn’t going to last long. “I’m going to. Ah—ah—oh Fuck!” His orgasm burst from his balls, too quick to contain. Waves of pleasure pounded through his body as he spilled his seed into Cody’s throat. The sound of his panting breaths echoed in his ears, and only when Cody had licked and sucked him clean and had stood back up, did Jay realize his cock had been tucked back into his briefs, his jeans buttoned once more.

  “Cody,” he breathed.

  Cody leaned forward, kissing him so Jay tasted himself on Cody’s lips. He deepened the kiss, drinking hungrily from Cody’s mouth. He wanted—no needed—to return the pleasure and so he pulled away and began the same odyssey over Cody’s jawbone, to the shirt he unbuttoned, down over a chest and set of abs that would make a model weep to the waistband of yet another pair of designer jeans. He unfastened the buttons and when he parted the fabric, Jay realized Cody had gone commando. Damn! If he’d known this, he might have dropped to his knees sooner.