Morning Side of the Mountain-5
Author: Elsa Rose
Plot bunny and main researcher – Judy
Dedicated to: Acacia and Jude

“RISE AND SHINE BOYS AUNTIE EM IS HERE AND HIS FLAME IS BURNING BRIGHT!”  Emmett stood in the middle of the lounge area in the barn, his suitcase at his feet as he shouted up to the loft areas. 

“AUNTIE EM!” Gus screamed and ran down his staircase to through himself in Emmett’s arms. “This is so cool.” 

“Uh, Gus Honey, you really should put some clothes on. Someone just might get the wrong idea about us.” Emmett kissed Gus’ cheek and then patted it lightly as he looked down at the naked boy pointedly. 

“Oh, sorry, I forgot,” Gus laughed. “It’s not like you haven’t seen my dick before.”

“That’s true Dumpling, but you have changed just a teeny tiny bit since I changed your diapers,” Emmett said. “Now take that pretty little body of yours back up the stairs and put on some pants.” 

“Yes, Auntie Em,” Gus said looking contrite, which of course lost its meaning when he stuck out his tongue as he ran back up the stairs.

“Emmett what the fuck are you doing here at the crack of dawn?” Brian moaned as he opened his eyes. 

Emmett burst out laughing at the sight before him. As Brian became aware of his surroundings he looked around and started to laugh along with his friend. All the T’s were curled up tight next to him, sleepy cat eyes looking from him to Emmett who stood almost at the top of his stairs. 

 “My, my, Brian Kinney sleeping with pussy, and mighty fine pussy at that,” Emmett smirked.  “Hello my little Sweeties,” he cooed. 

“One step closer and I’ll pitch you off the top,” Brian warned. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of his amazingly comfortable blow-up bed. Of course, it would be too soft to fuck on, but it was great for sleeping. The T’s seemed to like it too and to prove the point all put their heads down and went back to sleep once the commotion died down. 

Brian stood up and scratched his balls.  As Emmett stood a couple of steps below, his line of sight happened to be even with Brian’s crotch and he inadvertently caught himself as he stared at it. 

“Yes, they look the same,” Brian drawled referring to the fact that he’d had one removed after a bout with testicular cancer. He bent down and found his jeans, slipping them on quickly. 

“You are still a bitch,” Emmett said and turned to walk down the stairs. “In case you’re interested there are umpteen cars outside and some mighty nice young ladies with their mothers cooking breakfast.”

“Thanks for sharing Em,” Brian grumbled, as he turned and glared at the T’s before following Emmett down the stairs. “Gus get a move one, Em tells me the yard is full of people.”

“I know Dad, I can see them,” Gus said as he leaned out of an open window.  “HEY MOLLY!” he shouted and waved both arms, having gotten so carried away he almost fell out.

“Fuck Gus, watch what you’re doing. It’ll be damn hard to be an artist with your arms broken,”  Brian mumbled as he headed for the bathroom . “I need to take a piss. I hope the toilet is working.”

“Dad you have to use the one outside until the new one is hooked up,” Gus reminded his father as he grinned at Emmett. They both knew what Brian was thinking.

“Isn’t that just peachy.” Brian stomped outside, pausing only long enough to slip on a pair of sneakers.  He didn’t know why he even bothered putting them on when he had to brush off his feet from the dust and dirt that was a natural part of living in his new home. No matter how much they’d worked to make it semi-livable; it was still a barn.

“Mr. Kinney,” chorused the voices of various women as they waved at him. 

Brian gritted his teeth and waved back while making his way to the outhouse. Fuck would this weekend never end?  He wondered to himself.

As he pissed in the outhouse he took in his surroundings, and wondered what in hell the person who had built it was thinking. There was wallpaper of faded cabbage roses as big as his head wrapped around the rude wooden walls. He could almost make out faces in each of the bilious pink flowers. As far as Brian was concerned, it was right out of a Stephen King novel and he was relieved when he finally stepped back outside. He looked around for a place to wash his hands, surely he wasn’t expected to piss and then eat breakfast without benefit of hand washing. 

“Uh, Dad.” Brian looked over where Gus stood. He nodded to a pan of water that sat on a stump. “I know what you’re thinking. You can wash your hands here.”

Brian eyed the water suspiciously. “How many other hands have been in that water?” he asked. 

“You’ll have the honor of being the first,” Gus grinned. “I even have soap and a towel.” 

Brian stalked over and quickly washed his hands ignoring Gus’ smirk. “Cleanliness is hardly a problem Gus,” Brian said. 

“Considering where you’ve been known to have your tongue, I’d say that you’re a tad anal about washing your hands after you piss,” Gus snarked back, his voice remarkably like his father’s. 

“Gus,”  Brian warned, indicating his son had gone too far. If he had his morning coffee he might have taken the joking better.  

“Hey Brian.”  The sound of the blond’s voice made Brian’s heart beat fast and he turned toward it casually. He had to use all of his strength not to run over to Justin. 

“Hey Sunshine.”  Brian managed a smile as Justin drew closer. 

“I thought you could use a coffee to start the day,” Justin smiled as he handed him a large thick mug filled with a fragrant brew. “I added too much sugar, just the way you like it.”  

Brian raised his eyebrows questioning Justin’s knowledge.

“Molly told me.”  Justin grinned, “Or I’m psychic.” 

“Tastes great,”  Brian replied as he savored the first sip. 

“It’s a special combination of beans I get. I’m afraid I became addicted when I was at the University. I have them shipped in and grind them as I need them.”  

“What, no chicory?”  Brian said with a laugh in his voice. The coffee he’d had the day before had been laced with the stuff. It was an acquired taste, one he had yet to attain. 

“I can’t stand the stuff,”  Justin laughed. “It’s the South’s way of poisoning the Northern boys.” 

“You’re from the South,” Brian laughed.

“As my granny used to say …. ‘just because a child was born in the South doesn’t make them Southerners. After all if a cat had kittens in the oven, that wouldn’t make them biscuits.”  Justin had tried to imitate his grandmother’s voice as Brian struggled to keep from grinning at his attempt. 

“Interesting,”  Brian finally said and snorted.

“The coffee isn’t that bad is it?”  Justin asked.

“The coffee is fine,”  Brian smiled as he emptied the mug. “And sweetened the way I like it.” 

“Gus told Molly that you use lots of sugar because you need the sweetness in your life.”  

“Gus has a big mouth.”

“What can I say, he’s in like with my sister,”  Justin shrugged. “I made the mug what do you think?”  

Brian had been admiring the heavy coffee mug. It was made with a thick handle that fit his hand easily. The colors were vibrant, yet flowed over the pottery in a design that intrigued. “I like it,”  Brian said simply.

“I brought over a set of the dinnerware for you to use. It’s one of my more popular designs and is a big seller in New York.”  Justin shrugged, “Of course, I don’t actually make each and every one anymore. It’s farmed out to a group of men and women and provides them with a job but I do go over and spot check once a week or so. I want the designs to be true and the workmanship to continue to the standards I’ve set.” 

“Quite the entrepreneur,” Brian replied. “Thanks for the dinnerware.” 

“Consider it a barn warming gift,”  Justin smiled. He wanted to throw Brian to the ground and smother him with kisses. Instead, he walked beside the taller man as they talked, leading him back into the barn so that they could have another cup of coffee. 

Brian looked over at the busy tables. People were arriving in trucks of all descriptions. It was more like a party than a work thing and he had to wonder what in hell was going to be accomplished today. He’d be glad when he only had himself and Gus, and Emmett to worry about. 

He didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but he never had been a gregarious kind of person and all this friendliness was telling on him in the worst way. “I have to get my cell phone out of the jeep. I left it there re-charging,”  Brian muttered. He handed Justin his mug and headed to where his jeep was parked. He needed to be alone for a few minutes if that was even possible. He could see three people heading in his direction and he wondered if he could out run them.

Emmett saw what was happening at the same time Gus did. They both knew about Brian’s penchant for running away and realized that it wouldn’t be a good idea. As only close family members could read one another, Gus signaled Emmett with a look. He all but jogged toward Brian and managed to reach the jeep just as the brunet’s hand hit the door handle. 

Gus smiled at the approaching men and women distracting them from their current target; Brian Kinney. Stopping them with a question they were soon embroiled in a long explanation, their pursuit of his father forgotten as Gus led them back toward the activity. 

“Em,” Brian nodded his acknowledgement of his long time friend. 

“Hey Brian, this is going to be fun,” Emmett began. “These people are all so nice. Have you had the peanut pancakes yet? They’re to die for.”

“Not having a death wish, I’ll resist them,” Brian drawled. He unlocked his jeep and disconnected his cell phone from the re-charger. 

“Since we have a moment alone, can you tell me just why I’m here?” Emmett began. “I’m sure you just didn’t invite me to come for breakfast, lovely though it is.”

“I’m going to need some help here,” Brian began. “Seeing all the stuff in the house, which is now laid out in the barn, gave me some ideas. I was going to throw it in the dump or give it away, when I had an idea. Let me develop it some more and when I’m ready, you and I’ll talk. Meanwhile, make yourself useful around here. I’m sure Gus told you that the main house is going to undergo a renovation so we can live in it. So, for now we’re stuck in the barn.”

“And a lovely barn it is,” Emmett shuddered. Living in the barn was not his idea of a fun vacation. 

“It was a lot worse before half of Tennessee showed up yesterday.” Brian looked over at the busy men and women.  “At least by tomorrow we’ll have electricity and a working bathroom, and hopefully in a few days we should have phone service. The house has its charm and I can see the value of keeping the basic bone structure of the place, but it needs a lot of work. There will be some additions besides the obvious ones.” 

“Brian you do know that this is going to cost a lot of money,” Emmett began. 

“Of course, I’m not stupid. What it will cost to do a renovation here and what it would cost in the Pitts or New York is two different things. I have enough money left to do what needs to be done. I didn’t come here stone-broke. It’s all relative Emmett, in New York, before the lovely Mathew showed his true colors, I had[…] well let’s just say I had more money than I knew what to do with,” Brian sighed. “Well those days are gone now, no point in dwelling on them but I still have enough money to set myself up here.”

“But Brian, you’ll only be here for a year. What’s the point in spending a lot of money if you’re only going to leave? It’s not like any of these people can buy you out.”

“I’m not living in a fucking barn for a year, Emmett,” Brian stated in a exasperated tone.  Besides, I’m not living in a relic from the past, pumping water by hand and visiting the little boy’s room by walking out in the fucking woods. It was the only viable property available for sale close to where Gus needs to be. I’m Brian Kinney for fuck sake, I have some standards,” he attempted to joke. He wrapped an arm around Emmett’s shoulder and gave him a quick hug. “I need you here so I don’t step on anyone’s toes too much. It’s more for Gus’ sake than my own. You know I don’t give a shit but Gus does, despite being a straight boy he’s sensitive about shit like that. I want him to have the best year ever. It’ll be a memory he has for the rest of his life.”

“Hmmm, I always suspected you had a heart hidden deep down inside,” Emmett smiled. “Why don’t you show me the house and give me some idea of what you want to see done?” 

“Actually, I’m meeting with a contractor in an hour Emmett.  If you want to join Molly and I, we’ll go through the house and discuss the changes. She’ll be the one to draw up the plans for the guy. I figured she might as well get some practice, maybe it’ll convince her to go back to school and get her degree in Architectural Design.”

“And keep Gus busy and away from her,” Emmett smirked. “I bet you don’t plan on being a granddaddy any time soon.”

“Fuck Emmett, don’t even say such a thing. Maybe I should have a talk with Gus tonight and go over all the rules of sex. The first one on being safe.” Brian shook his head at the very idea of becoming a grandparent now.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“What do you think Emmett and your dad are talking about?” Molly asked. 

Molly and Gus had snuck away from all the activity and were sitting under the willow tree.  Gus’ fingers were busy sketching the pretty blonde as she sat with her hands on the grass behind her and the early morning sunlight haloed her head through the soft green leaves of the hanging branches. He’d never seen anything more beautiful and wanted to capture the image for posterity. 

“I don’t know and I don’t really care,” Gus mumbled.  “I think dad asked Emmett to come here because he had some idea that Emmett can be his Southern interpreter. Like this is a foreign country or something.”

Molly laughed and said, “Your dad is right. I think we are in a foreign country sometimes. Wait until you get to the high school. Believe me you’ll be glad it’s only for a year.”

“It can’t be that bad.” 

“Remember Sunnydale High?” Molly asked referring to the high school on Buffy the Vampire slayer. “Well, Sunnydale was a picnic compared to this one.”

“Hmmm... vampires in the basement, ghouls in the halls,” Gus joked. 

“Worse, rednecks in the halls. If you’re even a little bit different, you’ll feel their wrath. Just being the new kid is going to make you different.”

“I have a shiny red truck. Maybe I could put the dogs in the back and teach them to bark on queue. “

Molly giggled, “That might help.”

“I’ll put a confederate flag decal on the truck and get mud flaps with a naked lady. Hey, want to pose for that one?” 

“Very funny Gus,” she responded and playfully glared at him. “Your dad is going to let me design the renovations for the house. We’re meeting with the builder this afternoon. Emmett is going to help with the interior. That’s probably what your dad is talking about to him.”

“Could be, but I’m warning you. Dad has very specific ideas about things he wants and heaven help you if you try to change any of them.” Gus put the final touches on his drawing and closed the sketchbook. “I’ve met some of the kids that’ll be in the high school with me. They don’t seem too bad.”

“You’ve met the decent ones. The ones who do things with their parents like come and help out here. Believe me they aren’t the regular troublemakers. The ones I’m talking about are junior members of the KKK and want to be just like their dear old, redneck, white sheeted daddy’s.”

“No shit, there’s the KKK around here?” Gus looked interested. “That’s like sooooo nineteenth century. I mean look at Daphne and your brother. What about those two? Daphne doesn’t just have a suntan you know.”

“I know and believe me it pisses dad off every time he looks at her and the kids. It doesn’t help that Jace and Sissy look so much like Justin but with a tan,” she giggled. “Or that Daphne calls them Jace and Sissy Taylor even though she and Justin never got married. He would freak even more if he knew that Justin was gay and that he never fucked her, instead, he just jerked off into a cup. It would be kind of like a double whammy. ‘White boys are allowed to fuck black girls and they do on occasion knock them up. But damn boy don’t you know that you don’t rub our noses in it.’ That’s a direct quote from dear old dad. He such an asshole.”

“He sounds like a grade A jerk all right,” Gus agreed. “I can’t believe that Justin isn’t ‘out’ though. I mean I can tell he’s gay, why can’t everyone else?” 

“It’s just that around here, unless a guy is flaming like your Emmett, people just put it down to peculiarities. Even Emmett; unless he’s fucking someone in the middle of the street, will probably be deemed just a tad odd.”

“Oh my gawd,” Gus said and rolled his eyes. “And we’re spending a year here. My moms would have a complete cow if they knew about this kind of thing.” 

“Nobody is going to do anything, I’m pretty sure.” Molly moved over to sit beside Gus. She loved that he was so much taller than her.

“Well they damn well better not do anything to my Auntie Em. He’s like the best person there is. He’s been my friend since I was born, which is even better.” 

“Hey you guys, have you seen Brian?” it was Justin, he’d come up from behind them. 

“Justin,” Molly grinned up at him, but she made no move to stand up. She rather liked having Gus’ arm around her shoulders.

“Hey Justin,” Gus said. “Dad was just talking to Auntie Em down by the jeep. But I think they headed back into the barn. Maybe he’s showing Em where his room is.” 

“I just came from the barn and they weren’t there.” Justin looked out at all the activity.  “You two should get your butts down there and help. Molly I saw Jackson arrive. Find him and I’ll find Brian. It’s time to get the show on the road.” Jackson was the name of the local builder and a friend of his father’s. He wasn’t sure how the meeting was going to go and Justin was worried. 

“Maybe Arnie knows where Dad is,” Gus offered. “Arnie always seems to be somewhere close to dad. It’s kind of like he’s watching him.”

“More likely watching ‘out’ for him,” Justin explained. “Arnie is like that, if he didn’t like your dad taking over the Anderson place you would never have seen him. But right from the first moment he heard the news about your dad buying it, Arnie has been happy, which for Arnie isn’t the usual state of affairs.”

“No kidding,” Gus shook his head as he reflected on that comment. “Dad doesn’t usually affect people that way or at least I don’t think he does.”

“You’ve only seen your dad in an environment where he’s well known. You don’t know what he’s like outside of that environment. Don’t underestimate him, your father is very personable and definitely a kind and gentle man. Arnie would recognize that right away,”  Justin smiled at the astonished Gus and turned to head for Arnie’s place behind the barn. It was one spot he hadn’t looked.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Yip, there’s lots of em,” Arnie agreed. 

The younger man had been invited into Arnie’s lean- to which to his surprise, opened up into a spacious room with high ceilings The lean-to fronted onto the side of what Brian had thought was the back of the barn and the side of a hill. He’d been impressed with the way the man had used nature to construct himself a home of sorts. What he was seeing was amazing.  

“Your house is beautiful,” Brian said. “And so big.”

“Yip, pretty big. I kin show you some time, not today, too busy building stuff.”

Brian sipped the mug of peppermint tea that Arnie had insisted he have,  “You must have thousands of these carvings.” 

“Yip, probably,” Arnie agreed. 

“Would you sell them?” 

“Maybe, nobody asked bifor,” Arnie shrugged. “Jai Boy likes them. I showed him when he was but a little’un. Arnie sat down on an intricately constructed chair. A soft pillow was placed on it to cushion the wood. He nodded toward another chair so that Brian would sit. 

“I might be able to sell a couple,” Brian said. “That’s if you don’t mind.”

“Kin use the money I suppose,” Arnie shrugged. “Can’t spend gold these days. ‘Sides, it be not mine anyway,” he chuckled and looked into the distance. Brian couldn’t help but wonder just how with it the guy was. 

They both turned when they heard a knock on Arnie’s door. “That be Jai Boy lookin’ for ye,” he said.  

“Hey Arnie,” Justin said as he came into the older man’s house. He bent over and kissed the grizzled cheek. “What are you doing with this man?” he teased.

“Bin show’n my wittlin’s.” The old man patted Justin’s hand. “This boy be gonna sell some. Make me some money.”

“Hey, that’s nice,” Justin grinned at Brian. “I’ve been trying to get Arnie to let me sell them for years. You’re only here a day and already he’s trusting you with his treasures.”

“I’m flattered,”  Brian smiled gently at the old man. “I’ll see what I can do for you.” 

“You be a good boy,” Arnie smiled. “Can’t tell you the secret tho,” he said as he looked at Justin. “Not yet.” 

“What secret?” Brian asked. 

“I don’t know. Arnie has been talking about a secret for as long as I remember,” Justin shrugged. “It could be anything.” Justin had walked over to where Brian sat and had seated himself on the arm of Brian’s chair. 

“Wouldn’t be a secret if’n I told,” Arnie grinned at them both. “That Miss Molly be comin’ now,” he announced and sure enough a quick knock on the door announced her presence. 

“Are you two hiding?” she asked with a cheeky grin. “You both better be careful or Arnie will drag you both back into his cave and lose you there,” she giggled as she walked over and gave Arnie a kiss on the cheek and a quick hug. 

“I not be losin’ the boys now Miss Molly,” Arnie laughed. “Not now that the Kinney has returned. Bin too many years away.” He stood up and walked out of his home not saying another word, but leaving Brian, Justin and Molly to stare at each other puzzled by what the old man had said.

“I didn’t know that you were from around here,” Molly said. “Gus didn’t say anything.”

“That’s because as far as I know we’re from Pittsburgh, via Ireland,” Brian shrugged. “I don’t remember much about my grandparents on either side. My father is dead and my mother sure as fuck wouldn’t give me the sweat off her ass let alone tell me any family history.”

“Loveable is she?” Justin asked. 

“Yeah, like a bear with a sore ass.” Brian huffed a laugh, “A religious one.” 

His hurt and unwillingness to discuss his family was apparent, so Justin stood up reminding his sibling why she had come looking for them. “I suppose there was a reason you tracked us down Mollusk,” he said to his sister. 

“Jackson is here with his son. I guess he has things to do later and he wants to see the house. I think we’d better go if we want to keep him in a good mood.”  Molly turned and left the house.

“This Jackson, what’s with him?” Brian asked Justin as they walked out of Arnie’s house. 

“He’s kind of an asshole, but the best builder around here. He does good work and he makes sure that everything is perfect. But don’t ever let your guard down around him. Asshole is a polite term for the kind of guy he is,” Justin shrugged. “He’s a buddy of my dad’s and I think that’s why he agreed to do this job. He wouldn’t want to offend my father.”

“I haven’t even met your father,” Brian said. They were quickly approaching a bearded man standing beside a dual-axled Dodge truck. He was talking to a younger version of himself. The younger man’s head was shaved and if looks could have killed his father would have been dead on the spot. 

“Jackson knows that our family is kind of sponsoring you. He also knows you spent a lot of money in town yesterday. You can bet he knows to the penny how much you spent and he wants a piece of the Kinney pie.”

“Is he the only builder around?” Brian asked; already he didn’t like this asshole.

“No, there’re others, but their companies are smaller, more like one or two man companies. They call in family help when they need them.”

“Why didn’t you call on one of them to do the renovations?” Brian asked, they’d almost reached Jackson. 

“Jackson called me. I didn’t have time to call anyone else.”

“That’s all I need to know,” Brian said. He approached the man standing by his truck. “Mr. Jackson, I’m Brian Kinney. What can I do for you?” he asked as if he had no idea why the man was standing there.

Molly and Justin looked at each other. Molly had to bite her tongue to hide her smile. 

“I understand you need a contractor to do some renovations. Well let’s see what you need. I could work you into my schedule  in a couple of weeks,” the contractor stated as he started to walk toward the house. 

“Mr. Jackson, I’m sorry, but you must be mistaken,” Brian said, not moving from where he’d been standing. “I’m not in the market for a contractor today.”

The other man stopped abruptly and turned around to face the trio. “That so,” he said as he looked from Brian to Molly and Justin. “Jai Boy’s daddy said you needed a contractor. My company is the best in the county. I’m here as a favor to Craig Taylor.” 

“That’s mighty fine of you to come out on a Sunday and everything Mr. Jackson, but frankly when I decide a contractor is needed, I’ll get one. Until then, I’m not interested.”

“This is a big job. There isn’t another contractor qualified to do the work. You’ll be sorry you didn’t take me up on my offer,” the man’s voice was tinged with anger. 

“Brian Honey, will you get your cute little tush over here.” Emmett ran up to Brian and joined the rest of them. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but there is a teeny little crisis happening with my room. You just know I can’t sleep in a room with...” his voice lowered as if confiding a secret. “Spiders on the ceiling,”  Emmett shuddered dramatically. “I need a tent or at the very least one of those pretty gauze canopies over my bed.” He posed prettily ignoring the look of disgust on the faces of Jackson and his son.

“Emmett I was thinking the same thing last night,” Brian laughed. “I agree, we need a tent or something over our heads at night.” 

Molly and Justin burst out laughing. “You two are such wimps. A manly man would sleep with the spiders,” Justin said between gasps. Jinx had walked over to see what all the laughing was about. No one paid the old dog any attention until he lifted his leg and pissed on Jackson’s boots. The man didn’t notice what was happening and Molly and Justin were almost incoherent with laughter. Emmett had watched the dog and he couldn’t help but grin but noticed Brian was oblivious to what had happened. 

“I’ll tell you what Sunshine, you sleep in my bed and I’ll sleep in yours. I think you’ll change your mind the first time you have company in your bed and that company has eight legs and fangs. “

Brian’s words cracked Molly and Justin up even more.  Jackson and his son turned and without another word climbed into the large truck. They backed around and drove out, barely missing some of the people in the yard. 

Emmett leaned down and hugged the old dog. “Baby dog, I think you and I could be become best buds,” he said and kissed the dog on the top of his head. Jinx wagged his tail, it wasn’t often he received kisses and it was rather nice. 

“Brian I’m afraid you’ve made yourself an enemy,” Justin said to the other man when everyone had drifted off. “Jackson is one vindictive son of a bitch.”

“Apparently he hasn’t ever faced a pissed off Brian Kinney,” Brian shrugged. “Look Justin, I’m all for employing locals, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to be railroaded into employing a bigoted bastard. I grew up with a guy like this Jackson. I know an asshole when I see one. There is no way I’d ever work with one. I’ll live in the fucking barn for a year if I have to.” 

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary. You’ll have offers from other contractors before the week is out. Jackson takes on all the good jobs, but there are a lot of fine carpenters and other workmen in the area. I bet they already know that you turned Jackson down.” 

“Molly, if you have some time to spare tomorrow can we meet and draw up a list of things I want in the house? You can take that list and create a plan that we can follow to get the renovations started.”

“Sounds great,” Molly grinned at him. “What’s Gus doing tomorrow.”

“Gus is spending the day with your brother if I recall,” Brian said. “That’s why we’re here isn’t it.”

“I suppose, but Justin couldn’t you and Gus do your sketching here?” Molly asked

“Actually Brian, we could do sketching anywhere. It’s kind of the whole point. Gus needs to learn different techniques and forms and what other way than to travel around.”

“Good one Justin,” Molly winked and gave him a ‘high five’.  

“I can’t win around the two of you,” Brian laughed. 

“Well boys and girls, I’m going to return to the good ladies of Rocky River, we have plans for this afternoon’s soiree.” Emmett waved at his friends  as he and Jinx headed back down the small hill to join the ladies who were busy setting the table for the luncheon. 

“Soiree?” Brian asked Justin and Molly.

“I think he means the party,” Molly replied. 

“What party?” 

“Well, since you guys have been doing your darndest to avoid work, others haven’t and in a couple of hours everything will be finished as far as your living quarters in the barn are concerned,” Molly explained. “Even the electricity to the house will be up and ready to go. Of course, it’s just a temporary construction service, but still it’s electricity. Once the hydro department does its thing tomorrow, you’ll come back into the twenty first century.”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say twenty first century, late seventies maybe,” Brian said with a grin. “So then we’ll have a party and celebrate.” He looked at Justin with a smirk on his face.

“Yes Sir, Mr. Kinney Sir, “ Justin mocked. “With fiddlin’ dancin’ and food,” he drawled. 

“Ahh, the three essentials for a party.” His eyes locked with Justin’s and they both knew that they wouldn’t be dancing tonight at least not with one another. Brian lowered his eyes with regret, his smile wry. Justin shrugged and turned away. He wanted desperately to be in Brian’s arms, but it wasn’t going to happen today.

All of them spent the next few hours working hard to complete the inside of the barn and to record the hundreds of items on the tables. Brian and Molly worked with Justin and Gus cataloguing and photographing each item. It was all part of Brian’s plan and he was pleased with the results of some of his finds. 

Every now and then Emmett would find them and bring welcome glasses of ice cold lemonade that he told them over and over was his Auntie Maude’s old recipe. Brian finally promised he’d make a note of that fact if he ever wrote his memoirs. 

There was lots of laughter and fun as they worked steadily into the late afternoon. The four of them hadn’t stopped for lunch although Gus had managed to eat a couple of hot dogs when he’d reported on their progress to Jennifer Taylor.

Finally, Brian pronounced their efforts complete or at least as complete as they would be for the day. He was about to go up to his loft bedroom when he caught sight of a rather large bright red dome tent that had been erected where his bed had been the night before. He looked and noticed two more tents were erected on the other side; one for Emmett and one for Gus. Brian looked puzzled until Arnie’s head appeared on the far side of his tent. 

“Should keep the spider’s out of your hair boy,” he called down to Brian and grinned as he gave him a thumbs up sign.

“Arnie, you’re a marvel,” Brian called up to him. The old man grinned down at him. 

“Can’t have spiders in ma boy’s hair,” Arnie called back before turning around and continuing to work.

“Damn, you’re barely here a couple of days and you’ve already got Arnie spoiling you. “ Justin came up behind Brian and placed his hand on the middle of the man’s back, pleased when he felt him lean into it.  The blond looked around and not seeing anyone reached up to whisper, “Hmmmm, camp out sex” 

Brian chuckled, “Watch it Jai Boy, your queer genes are showing.” He winked and began to climb up the stairs. Justin stood at the bottom watching Brian’s tight blue jeans covered ass ascend the stairs; the word delicious came to mind.

Brian’s head cleared the top of the loft platform. Waiting for him were six identical young cats sitting in front of his tent, their ends tucked under and all of them staring in his direction. “Well, so you guys can’t open up tents. That’s nice to know,” Brian said with a grin. “No spiders and no T’s. Ahhhh, all the luxuries of home.” 

“Now boy, don’t you be teasing the T’s, if it wasn’t for them kitties, you’d be knee deep in field mice.” Arnie had suddenly appeared from the far side of his tent. 

“But for some reason Arnie, they want to sleep with me.” 

“That be ‘cause you warm. Kitties like to cuddle up to something warm,” Arnie smiled at him. “Could be worse, could be Moonie. That cat sure passes some bad air,” he chuckled. “Be glad it’s just the T’s.”

“Thanks for the heads up about Moonie,” Brian said tongue in cheek. “I’ll send him over to sleep with Emmett if he comes visiting.”

“Oh, Jinx and Harold be sleeping with Miss Emmett,” Arnie said as he disappeared down the stairs. 

Brian shook his head in wonder. He opened his suitcase and found a clean shirt but his jeans would have to do for now. Back downstairs he stepped inside the bathroom and was pleasantly surprised to find it fully operational. He looked with longing at the shower but settled for a quick wash at the sink.  Brian noticed someone had been thoughtful enough to provide towels. He made a mental note that he would have to thank everyone at the party for all of their kindness. 

He smiled to himself when he saw Justin slip inside the bathroom door and carefully lock it behind him. “You should lock the door; you never know who might walk in on you,” Justin said. 

“Since it’s my barn, I wasn’t expecting anyone that I don’t know to walk in.” Brian held out his arms as if it was the most natural thing in the world to have Justin walk into them.

“I know I shouldn’t be here, but I wanted to give you something in private., Justin murmured against Brian’s chest.

“What?” Brian purred.

“This.” Justin pulled Brian’s head down so that their lips met. He put all the passion he’d been saving all day into the kiss, increasing it even more when he felt Brian stiffen against him, a groan barely muffled. 

“You’re bad,” Brian whispered when Justin finally pulled away.

“No, Mr. Kinney, Sir, I’m good, very, very good,” Justin grinned and unlocked the door to slip outside. 

Brian stood in the small bathroom, his hard cock aching for release, his lips still tasting of Justin and his heart beating fast. 

“Dad will you hurry up in there,” Gus shouted from the other side. “Some of us have to get ready.”

Brian startled at the sound of his son’s voice. His hard cock began to deflate, but he could still taste the blond and he could still feel the heat of his body. “Keep your pants on Sonny Boy.” Brian opened the door and walked out of the bathroom ignoring his son’s glare and Emmett’s amused stare.

“Auntie Em, I think dad really likes Justin,” Gus spoke quietly. 

“Hmmm, I did rather notice,” Emmett smiled at his young friend. “It’s a good thing the rest of the gang isn’t here to interfere. Justin seems like a nice young man and he sure isn’t hard on the eyes. Your dad could do a lot worse and he has as a matter of fact.”

tbc