Another Chance

Disclaimer: This story is fiction. Some of the things that happened or will happen with Jim are inspired by bits and pieces of my life. Parts of the character is fictional as well. All other characters were made up and any similarities are just coincidental. This is gay romance between teenage boys, there may be sex, but for the most part, it's about their true love of each other so if that offends you, please discontinue reading. Also, if it is illegal for you to read such material, you have been warned. Continual reading could cause a knock at your door. And you can always contact me at zarek@roadrunner.com mailto:zarek@roadrunner.com with suggestions or concerns. Thoughts and suggestion are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

I hope you're enjoying it so far and that the story draws you in wanting more. Some people have noticed that this story was "inspired" by another story, a great story, here on Nifty, "Riding Lessons" by Andrew Todd. I hope I don't step on anyone's toes and you give this story a chance. While there may be some similarities, I believe there will be enough differences as well. Mr. Todd was given my rough draft before I made my first submission. He was flattered by the fact I like his story and wanted to refer to it. He's also flattered by those who wrote him to "warn" him about this one. All I can say is, I'm glad you are loyal to him and I hope any references I use do his story justice. If you feel that I let his story down in any way, shape or form, please call my attention to where I did.

AND, if you enjoy the stories on Nifty.org, please give a donation to help cover their expenses. While the site is currently free, only donations from loyal fans can help keep it that way. Any amount will help.

Another Chance

Chapter 36

It seemed weird to Jim working two days without Zac around, but he understood that his boyfriend had to take the days off. Jim could have, also. He could easily hit forty hours without working the days Zac was off. Joe kind of wanted Jim to be there. He was going to try again to teach Jared how to ride and he wanted Jim there in case he could give him some ideas if the kid went on about Brock again.

Jared's dad dropped him off at noon as was scheduled. Joe had the horse ready to be prepped for the saddle when Jared arrived. "Is Brock here?" were the first words out of Jared's mouth. Jim smiled.

"Brock works at the Rescue, he may visit over here sometime, but you need to focus on learning to ride," Joe told him.

"I know for a fact that Brock is interested in you. He told me that once you learn how to ride, he'd love to take you on the trails, himself," Jim told a little white lie.

"Seriously, he's interested in me?" Jared asked.

"Couldn't stop talking about you. He's hoping that you're a quick learner so the two of you could go riding, I swear."

Brock chose that time to bring Jim's jeans over. He was hoping that Jared would be there. "Hey Brock, I plan to learn how to ride as quick as I can," Jared stated.

Brock wasn't sure why Jared said that, but he smiled. "I was kind of hoping you'd be here. It's why I chose this time to bring Jim his jeans. Do me a favor and pay attention to Joe. I have faith that he'll teach you everything that you need to know, then maybe we can go riding sometime."

"Sounds like a plan, but right now, my heart is racing and I think I need mouth to mouth," Jared stated. Brock smiled and gave him a kiss. Jared pulled him in tight.

After they separated, Brock went back to the Rescue and Jared looked at Joe, "Guess I was a bit distracted yesterday, I'm ready to learn."

"Just so you know, mouth-to-mouth isn't meant for a racing heart," Joe stated.

"It worked didn't it?" Jared gave a wink and Joe smiled.

As Joe worked with Jared, he was very much paying attention and soaking in everything he was learning. Joe was impressed with how quickly he was catching on. Before the end of the week, Jared was ready to ride on the trails, but wanted to continue lessons so as to perfect his riding skills. "I know that I'll never be perfect but I want to get as close as any human can be," he stated.

"I think if you just ride regularly, you can do that, but if you want to continue with lessons, I'd be happy to assist. If you're just doing it for chances to meet Brock, you could just come to ride on the weekends," Joe advised.

"Perhaps we can do lessons until he's ready to go riding? I really would like someone advising me on how I can improve," Jared said.

"Sure, just have your dad book the lessons. If he wants, he can do it tomorrow with Jackson."

"He would like to meet him. He's been talking about it since Monday," Jared stated.

"Have you met Brock's dad yet? I know he would like to meet you," Joe asked.

"Oh no, I've been too scared to meet him. He's rich and what if he didn't approve of me dating Brock?" Jared was obviously nervous at just being asked.

"Just be yourself, I know my dad will approve of you," Brock's voice came from behind almost scaring Jared.

"And besides that, I would never tell my son who he can date. If he loves you, so will I," another voice said. Jared had his horse turn around. A handsome man looking like an older version of Brock was standing beside the boy of his dreams. "Hi, my name is Brock Allen Radcliffe the Seventh, and this young man's father," Mr. Radcliffe added while holding out his hand. Jared shook it nervously.

"Pl-pl-pleased to m-m-meet you, s-s-sir," Jared stammered out.

"You were not kidding, he could almost be the kid who played young Clark Kent in the Man of Steel movie," Mr. Radcliffe stated. "Hair is not quite as dark, but very close."

"I've heard that a few times. I've never watched the movie, though," Jared said as his nerves settled a bit.

"Well, perhaps you would like to come over sometime and watch it with Brock, we have almost every movie ever put out. We even have the VHS movies that never made it to disc," Mr. Radcliffe offered.

"Are you serious?" Jared asked.

"He is, and if there's anything you'd like to watch, I'd enjoy watching it with you," then Brock added, "So, how are your lessons going?"

"Joe says that I'm a natural. He thinks that I don't really need any more, just need to practice, but I want to improve as much as possible," Jared responded.

"Would you like to go riding then? Dad said that if you were ready, he'd come back in an hour."

"Would love to ride you, er... I mean with you," Jared said excitedly. Everyone laughed at Jared's slip.

"Sir, if you want, I can drop Brock off again so you needn't make the extra trip," Joe offered.

"Appreciate the offer. See you when you get home, Brock," Mr. Radcliffe said.

"Love you, Dad," Brock shot back.

"I think your dad is almost as cool as mine," Jared stated now that his nerves had calmed down.

"You do have a cool dad, but I like mine better," Brock said with a sheepish grin.

With that, Brock grabbed a horse and the two boys went riding. Joe started removing the tack from the horse he was using and Jim strolled over. "You've done an amazing job training him," Jim said.

"Really, once he wasn't distracted, he became an amazing student. May be just me, but I think those two belong together."

"Yeah, I'm glad that both of them are so happy just being with the other," Jim said.

Jared looked at Brock as they rode, "Why did you do that to me?" Brock looked puzzled so Jared added, "You know how scared I was to meet your father."

"But I knew that once you met him, you would like him. He liked you from the moment I started telling him about you."

"Still, you made my heart jump into my throat. I could barely breathe. But then, I am also glad to have the initial meeting over with. If left to me, I may not have ever met him," Jared said smiling.

"That's what I was thinking and I really wanted the two of you to meet," Brock stated.

The two boys rode side-by-side holding hands. When Jared saw the lake coming into sight, he couldn't believe how intoxicating that view was. They hitched up the horses and sat on the beach. Brock took off his shirt and Jared marveled at how well his body was defined. "I have servants who work out for me," Brock joked.

"But wouldn't they be the ones with the defined abs?" Jared asked not realizing Brock was joking.

"If I really HAD servants doing it," Brock said smiling, "We actually have a lady who cooks and cleans. She doesn't touch our bedrooms, though. Dad said that was our responsibility."

"Does she live at the house?" Jared was curious.

"Yes, and she has a bedroom beside my father's. I could be wrong, but I think Dad has a thing for her. I've told him many times that she's more of a mother than my real mother has ever been. She's not afraid to tell me when I'm doing something wrong. She holds me when something is bothering me and Dad's not home. When I get hurt, she patches me up. She's even told me that she loves me as if I were her son," Brock said smiling.

"That's cool, but what happened to your real mom? She die or something?" Jared asked, not knowing. His heart sank as Brock started to cry.

"My dad has known that I am gay since I was thirteen. One night we were having dinner and that woman was making rude remarks about homosexuals. Dad could see that it was hurting me and he asked her to stop. She asked why and I told her that I was gay."

"What did she say?" Jared asked moving to put his arms around his love.

"She didn't say anything at first, she just got up and went to their bedroom. Dad followed her. She packed a bag and started for the door. Dad told her that if she left, he was filing for divorce and she'd be penniless. She tried to claim that she'd take him for half of what he had and he said something about a pre-nuptial agreement that if she left for any reason other than his infidelity, she got nothing. He always pointed out how faithful he has been. Then what she said really hurt. She said that she would rather be penniless than have a faggot for a son." After telling Jared that, Brock really started to cry.

"Then she doesn't deserve a son as good as you," Jared said.

"I know, but she's still my mom," Brock cried.

"No, she may be your mother, but it takes more than just giving birth to be a mom," Jared said, and then added, "Look at me, I don't even know who my mother and father were. They were killed in a car accident on the way to the hospital with her in labor. I have no idea if they would have accepted me or not. I just know that I spent years in the orphanage, went into foster care and as soon as the foster parents found out I was gay, I was back at the orphanage. When Mom and Dad took me in for a week, I let them know right away and they still accepted me. They are my mom and dad."

"Man, I never knew how rough some people have it. I'm crying over one person's rejection, how many rejected you?" Brock asked.

"I don't even care how many there were. None of them matter to me, only ones that do are Mom and Dad and now you. As for you, it was your mother and that carries a lot more hurt," Jared told him.

"I don't think it will so much, I have been accepted by the sweetest guy I know. I have made a few friends here and like Zac told me, it's her loss. If she doesn't accept me, then why should I worry about her," Brock was wiping his tears.

"Well, it may hurt some, because she is your mother, but be happy and think of how much you have to gain. May be too soon to say this, but I love you," Jared stated.

"Is it too soon for me to say that I love you, also?"

"Not if you were told that you were loved," Jared said smiling.

"Then I love you, also. Want to go swimming?"

"I didn't bring any trunks," Jared warned.

"From what I gather, the guys swim here naked a lot," Brock said slipping off his jeans. Jared started taking off his clothes, too.

When Brock got home that day, Mr. Radcliffe noticed that he seemed happier. "I take it that you had a good time with Jared?" he asked.

"More than that, we did some talking. He asked about your ex-wife and explained that she may have been my mother but she was never really my mom. If she were, she would have accepted me for who I am."

"Sounds similar to something I tried to tell you," Mr. Radcliffe stated.

"I know, but coming from someone not in the family makes it more believable. It's like yes, you fathered me, but you are my dad. You care for me even with all my flaws," Brock said smiling.

"Only flaw I ever saw was when you acted like a spoiled brat the other day. I love you too much to see any other flaws," Mr. Radcliffe told his son.

"And that's why you're more than a father," Brock said with a single tear running down his cheek as he hugged his dad.

"Why the tear?" his dad asked wiping his cheek.

"Because I love you so much. I want to do whatever it takes to make you proud of me," Brock said.

"Just so you know, I am proud of you. Yes, I was on my last nerve on Monday, but look how you have turned yourself around. I am so proud of you, that I am forgetting the punishment that was suspended. I do not want you feeling like it is hanging over your head, how does that sound?"

"To be honest, I wasn't worried about it," Brock stated.

"I am glad, that tells me a lot," Mr. Radcliffe said with a smile.

"I know it's none of my business, but are you ever going to ask Miss Winslow out?" Brock asked changing the subject.

"Well, that is partly your business. I would not want to date anyone unless you approve of them and they accept you," Mr. Radcliffe responded.

"Dad, how many times do I have to tell you that she's already being more of a mom than my mother ever was?"

"Yes, but that does not mean that she accepts you for who you are. She works for me and has to treat you that way," Mr. Radcliffe explained.

"I think I would know if it were just an act. I'm going to go ride my bike," Brock said as he headed to the garage.

Brock rode to the fanciest restaurant he could find and asked to speak with the manager. "What can I do for you, young man?" the manager asked.

"I was wondering if you could help me do something. See, my dad loves this lady and I keep telling him that he should ask her out. He says that he won't unless she's willing to accept me as his son."

"That's understandable, what can I do to help?" the manager asked interrupting Brock.

"Well, she tells me all the time that she loves me like I were her son. Dad thinks she's just saying that because he hired her," Brock stated.

"I don't think she would have said that if it were not true," the manager said.

"Those are my thoughts. Anyway, I'd like to set up a dinner date. I don't care what the cost is, I will pay for it," Brock declared.

"You are Mr. Radcliffe's son, correct?" the manager verified.

"So you know I'm good for it," Brock said grinning.

"How will you get them here?" the manager asked.

"Well, could you call my dad, tell him that I just ate a meal and forgot my wallet?" Brock asked.

The manager chuckled but agreed. As he called Mr. Radcliffe, Brock called Miss Winslow. "May I ask why you're still there, didn't Dad tell you?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about," she replied. She started getting nervous over what Brock just said.

"Dad must have forgotten to tell you, we're having a family meal and he wanted you to join us," Brock told Miss Winslow. Then he gave her the address of the restaurant.

Brock stayed in the kitchen and watched as his dad came in. "I couldn't find Brock's wallet in his room, how much does he owe and where is he?"

"If you'll have a seat here, the manager will be with you shortly," the maître d' stated.

Shortly after Mr. Radcliffe was seated, the maître d' sat Miss Winslow with him. "Did the manager call you, too?" Mr. Radcliffe asked.

"No, Brock called and said that you and he were having a family dinner. He said that you wanted me to come."

Mr. Radcliffe laughed. "You have no idea how long he has been after me to ask you out. Guess I need to hide the Parent Trap movies from him."

"Hope you don't punish him for this. He's a good kid and I love taking care of him."

"You seriously think that way, even though he's gay? You're not just saying that because I pay you are you?"

"No sir, I love him as if he were my own son, and I tell him that constantly. It doesn't matter who he loves as long as they make him happy."

"In that case, would you like to have dinner with me?" Mr. Radcliffe asked.

"Is it ethical for me to have dinner with you?"

"I do not see why not. I think that you are a very attractive lady. I've been wanting to date you ever since I divorced his mother. I am hoping that you find me attractive."

"I find you dashing and charming and everything that I want in a man. I actually thought about quitting a few times because I was afraid I would do something stupid," Miss Winslow stated.

"You ever quit on me, I will fire you," Mr. Radcliffe said with a chuckle. "I know Brock likes having you around and you do an awesome job. I would be honored if we could date and see where this goes."

"I've worked for you for almost three years. I don't know about you, but I think I've gotten to know you as well as I ever will. To be blunt, sir, if you were to ask me to marry you, I would say yes. I love your son as if he were mine, and I find you more than attractive. I know what makes you happy, I know what makes you sad. I know what makes you angry. With all that in mind, I can honestly say that I love you and was hoping this day would eventually come."

"In that case, can you forgive me for waiting so long to ask you out? And if the answer is yes, I think I know you about as well as I ever will now. Would you like to skip the dating ritual and go directly to an engagement? You are an attractive lady who makes me happy just being around. Late at night when you are in the library reading, I come in and pretend to read just so I can watch you. And most importantly, you will make a good mom to my son. He already thinks of you along those lines."

Suddenly Mr. Radcliffe heard his son cheering in the kitchen. He walked to the door and motioned with his finger for Brock to come. "You're not mad at me for doing this, are you?" Brock asked.

"Actually, I'm quite pleased that you did this," Mr. Radcliffe stated.

"You used a contraction?" Brock said.

"Yes I did. My heart just feels so lifted right now. I have a beautiful lady and a wonderful son joining me for dinner."

"But I was planning it to be just the two of you," Brock stated.

"Did you tell Tonya that I wanted to have a family dinner and invited her?" Mr. Radcliffe asked.

"Yes sir," Brock answered,

"Then you have one of two choices to make. You can either join us to help us celebrate, or you're grounded for a year for lying," Mr. Radcliffe stated as he laughed.

"A year? That's a no-brainer. Guess I'll help celebrate," Brock stated laughing.

"I figured if I made it a year, you'd pick the right answer," Mr. Radcliffe told his son. Then he looked at the manager, "Can I have your best champagne? I want to celebrate Tonya and my engagement."

"For you, sir, only the best is good enough," the manager said. After a few minutes, he returned to the table and showed the bottle to Mr. Radcliffe. "Unfortunately, I cannot serve your son, but if I leave the bottle here, nothing says that you cannot serve him."

Mr. Radcliffe pulled out a credit card and handed it to the manager, "I don't know what deal you made with my son, but put everything including the champagne on this, and throw in a hundred dollars for yourself. Second thought, you had a hand in this set up and I'm in a really good mood, make it two hundred."

"I'm always happy to take care of you, sir," the manager stated.

Sunday at the ranch, Zac was helping unload the delivery. He was hoping that he ordered correctly, he basically looked at the last six weeks and based his order on the average. Knowing that Jackson usually ordered for 8 days, cutting back once in a while when they started getting too, much, Zac figured that it would be an easy fix if his order was off. The week had gone by rather quickly, and smoother than Zac had expected. Monday, dealing with Brock was the hardest.

Jackson pulled up as they had finished unloading the truck. "Looks like we picked the perfect time to return, after the hard work is done," Jackson quipped. "So, how did the week go?"

Zac told him about the incident with Brock, and that he was now volunteering at the Rescue. He told him about Jared taking riding lessons, but didn't say anything about Jared's father looking like him. "I'm curious, when is your birthday? I tried looking in your file, but it's the only one that doesn't have date of birth," Zac asked. Jackson laughed.

"Were you going to try and plan a surprise party?" Jackson asked.

"You are the master at that, I doubt I could get away with it if I tried," Zac stated.

"He was born on the seventh of July," Ryan whispered into Zac's ear. Zac smiled. They may have missed it this year, but wait until next.

"Did you just tell him my birthday? " Jackson asked.

"Would I do such a thing? I told him to not even try, I know how you hate having your own birthday parties, but you love giving everyone else one," Ryan said defensively. Zac backed him up.

As they were talking, a black SUV pulled up. Jacob Dylan stepped out of the driver's seat and walked over. "You must be Jackson Sprayberry, my name is Jacob Dylan," the man said.

"I do declare, I feel like I'm looking in a mirror," Jackson stated.

"Oh, and one more thing I've yet to mention. Jared's dad looks like you," Zac said smiling.

Jackson took Jacob to the office and they started talking. Jacob shared everything he knew about being adopted and being a twin. Jackson said that to his knowledge it was only him for five years and then Jeff came along. The lady he knew as his mother never said anything about adopting or putting one of her sons up for adoption. "Well, I was born just after midnight on the eight of July. I understand that we were born the same year," Jacob told Jackson.

"Wow, I was born just before midnight, the day before, but I was born in Jackson, Alabama, thus the name I was given. I wasn't born around here."

"Things are adding up. I recently moved here from Florida, but my place of birth was Jackson, Alabama. I think we are twins with different birthdates just because of the times we were born," Jacob said.

Jackson didn't say anything, he just picked up the phone and tapped some numbers. Jacob could barely hear the person on the other end enough to know that they were female. Jackson hit the speaker button. "Mom, were Jeff and I the only children that you had?" he asked.

"What makes you ask that question? Are you sick or something? Or is he?" she responded.

"No, I'm not sick, I know that I grew up with only Jeff, but something is gnawing at me telling me something."

"Heavens, I've been wanting to tell you this for some time, I just didn't know how. When I was pregnant with you, you did have a twin. We could barely afford to raise only one child, not two. We didn't know what to do. One of the hardest things I ever had to do was decide which child I would raise. Your dad was out of work and looking eighteen hours a day until he passed away when you were four. I only got to hold Jacob once before they took him to the adoption agency. I still cry about having to give up one of my babies. Then shortly after your dad died, I met the man you came to know as your father. He adopted you and nine months later Jeff was born."

"Have you ever thought about looking for Jacob?" Jackson asked. Jacob was staying quiet.

"I have, but the adoption agency won't give me any details of who adopted him. He's twenty-three now, so you would think they'd be more forthcoming. I really wish I knew what happened to him," Jackson's mom told him.

"Mom, this is Jacob. The adoption agency hasn't been very helpful with me either. I just moved to Cody and ran into Jackson," Jacob finally spoke. She could hear sadness as he talked.

"My word, Jacob, is that really you? I am so sorry for giving you up. I didn't know what to do so that you both could survive," Mrs. Sprayberry was crying hard.

"I understand, Mom, and while I wish I could have known you sooner, I was happy with the family that I grew up with and I don't blame you one bit. Perhaps I could come see you?" Jacob stated, now crying himself.

"I'd love for you to come visit, but I'm getting on a plane tomorrow. Jackson bought me a ticket to come visit him. Since you are in Cody, perhaps I can visit with you while I'm there. You have any family?"

"That would be wonderful. I have wanted to meet you since the day I found out I was adopted. At first it was to find out why you didn't want me..." Jacob started.

"Honey, I always wanted you, my heart still aches over having to make that decision," Mrs. Sprayberry stated.

"I know that now, after hearing you talk with Jackson. Hopefully now that we have talked, your pain goes away. I know mine has already. I've not met you yet, but I do know that I love you. And wait until you meet Elizabeth and Jared. Elizabeth is my wife and she was adopted too, so for our first child, we adopted Jared. She doesn't know that I know, but I found a pregnancy test in our bathroom when we were packing to move. I think she's pregnant."

"My plane won't leave fast enough, I wish I were there right now. I am looking forward to meeting your family."

"One thing you might want to know. After meeting Jackson and his family, I'm sure it won't matter, but Jared is gay."

"Like you said, that doesn't matter. I knew Jackson was when I caught him having two GI Joe action figures making out," Mrs. Sprayberry said laughing. "Jeff told me shortly after he knew that I still love Jackson."

"That's enough, Mom. See you when you get here," Jackson stated as he hung up the phone.

"Well, I have good news and bad news," Jackson told Jacob as they came back out of the office.

"What's the good news" Jacob asked.

"I don't charge my family to ride or get lessons, so all Jared's lessons are free," Jackson said. Jacob smiled and asked what the bad news was. "Apparently you are my brother and have a face that looks like mine," Jackson said laughing.

"Well I happen to like my face and so does Elizabeth. She wants to learn how to ride eventually but wanted to wait until Jared was done so it wouldn't be such a financial burden," Jacob said grinning.

"Well, have her come by and we'll get her riding," Jackson stated. "I'll teach her myself."

Jeff was coming home from the university that he was attending. Seeing Jackson and Jacob on the porch in front of the office, he walked over. "I'm not sure what happened, but I think I'm seeing double," Jeff said.

Jackson started laughing, "Jacob, this is our youngest brother Jeff. Jeff, I'd like for you to meet my twin, this is Jacob."

"So are you the one Mom has been crying herself to sleep every night over?" Jeff asked.

"Seriously, you know that she has been crying over me?" Jacob asked. He thought that she was sincere when she said that she had been hurting, but for Jeff to come out and say this, it really made him believe.

"I always thought she was a little sad, but when Jackson moved out here, I would hear her at nights asking where you were. I always thought maybe Jackson's father was named Jacob, and I wondered how she could do that to my father. Now you show up and I just had to ask," Jeff explained. "Dad always told me that she'd explain when she was ready and he seemed alright with it so I never pursued it."

"Wow, I believed what she said and all, you make me love her even more," Jacob said with tears running down both cheeks. "You didn't even know about our conversation with her and you confirmed every word that she said."

"You never told me about Mom crying when I moved," Jackson said looking a little upset at Jeff.

"I should have, but I didn't know what to think and Dad said what he said, so I didn't think anything further of it," Jeff explained. "Is she still flying out?"

"She'll be here tomorrow night. You riding with us to pick her up?" Jackson asked.

"Are you kidding me? When she gets to see Jacob, I'm taking a picture," Jeff stated. Jackson and Jacob both said that they want a copy.

"Should we introduce Colt to Jared? They are cousins," Jackson asked.

"I think we should," Jacob agreed.

With that, Jackson called Colt over and introduced him to Jacob. Colt was impressed with the whole story and welcomed Jacob to the family with a hug. They told him that he has a cousin and took him to where Joe was finishing Jared's riding lesson for the day.

"Jared, I have learned that Jackson is my twin brother," Jacob started telling his son as he dismounted. "And this is your cousin Colt."

"Pleased to meet you, Colt," Jared extended his hand.

Colt shook Jared's hand and said, "You look pretty good on the horse. How long have you been training?"

"I started on Tuesday, well technically Monday but I really didn't learn anything that day."

"How's come? Joe knows how to teach, I've seen him," Colt started. Brock had just come over from the Rescue to see Colt talking to Jared. He was a little nervous as to why this kid was talking to his boyfriend, but seeing two versions of Jared's father, he thought he better not react until he knew what was going on.

"Well you see, I was a bit distracted the first day. I'd like for you to meet my new boyfriend, Brock," Jared said. Hearing him say that calmed Brock down a lot. "Brock, I just found out that I have a cousin. He was adopted like I was, this is Colt."

That really made Brock feel at ease and glad he didn't react like he first wanted. "Pleased to meet you," Brock said. "Jared and I were going riding, would you like to join us?"

"Are you sure? I don't want to intrude, but I would like to take Midnight Star for a ride," Colt replied.

"You two just discovered that you are cousins. I'm sure you both have questions for the other. And I would really like to know you better myself. You're my boyfriend's cousin and that means we'll probably see each other a bit," Brock said. Part of him wanted Jared to himself, but he also felt like he was the one intruding. He had just met Colt and already liked him, not even close to how he likes Jared, but definitely thought this would be a cool kid to hang with.

Colt came back with Midnight Star and started grooming him for the ride. Brock walked over and started chatting. "Beautiful mustang, mare, stallion, or gelding?" He asked.

"She's a mare, but be careful. I got her from the Rescue and due to the injuries she underwent, she's deaf," Colt advised.

"I see, I'm working at the Rescue now. I'm getting a horse from there also. I should be able to take him home soon," Brock said. He started helping Colt groom his horse.

"Why take him home? You can board him here for free so that you have a horse here to ride. But then, we do have plenty of horses that you can ride," Colt said.

"Except Gold," Brock said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, Gold has only let Jim ride him until Jim got injured and needed help. His only concern was getting Zac to Jim as fast as he could."

"So I've heard. I'm hoping that if Gold sires any more foals, I am able to raise the little one and be as close to him or her as Jim is to Gold."

"So, hope I don't offend you, you seem a little too preened for the typical teenager that volunteers at the Rescue," Colt asked.

"Long story short, I was being a spoiled brat and my father tried to get Zac to use me for the day. Even offered to pay him for my services. After that, I realized that I better change my ways. I was hoping to work here. Zac said that they didn't really need anyone here, but the Rescue was looking for help. Thought that was a good way to show my father that I don't want to be a brat and am willing to give of myself. Now, I am so glad that I am able to help the horses there. Saddens me what they've gone through, though."

"OH, you're the one Zac was telling Dad about. Said that you tried to buy Gold," Colt said chuckling.

Brock looked down, "Yeah, that was me."

The boys finished getting the horse's tack on and the three boys headed out for a ride. As Colt was getting to know his cousin and new friend, Jackson looked at Jacob, "Why don't you get your wife and bring her here? I would love to meet her and we can do a cookout by the lake. I think she would love that view."

"I should be back before Jared gets done riding. If he does get back before I return, just let him know that we are staying," Jacob advised and got in his SUV to go pick up his wife.

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