Jansen Cedars walked past the horse stall and into the equipment barn of the Capitol Star Ranch. Sunlight streamed though the window onto the pine wood floor as the cool Texas morning that he awoke to was giving way quickly to what pomised to be hot afternoon. Chase had told him at breakfast to report the barn and ask for "Jay", but as Jansens boots echoed through the near empty space, there appeared to be no one here save for the two tractors located in the back.

"Hello" Jansen called.

"Yup." Said a voice in response.

Jansen looked around. "Jay?"

A shirtless blond body attached to a goateed face popped up from behind one of the tractors.

"Hey." Jansen said with a breath. "I'm Jansen Cedars and Chase sent me down to..." The blond body moved out from behind the tractor to reveal a pair of strong legged blue jeans covered with black chaps. "…work for you." He finished with effort.

The shirtless blond looked up to the rafters. "J.! The new guy is here!" The body moved toward Jansen, he felt his heart beat more rapidly sending a flow of blood down to his crotch as the sweat on the washboard stomach glisened in the streaming sunlight. A hand extended to Jansen. "I'm Toby."

"Jansen Cedars."

"So, you said."

A wiz filled the air as a another chapped body came sliding down a rope next to the two guys. With a thomp the body landed sure footed on the floor and extended a hand. "Hey, I'm J."

Jansen stood there and looking into the face of a short, but obviously strong brown haired woman who looked as much like she belonged on 5^th avenue as she did in a barn.

"Jansen Ceaders. Please to meet you ma'am."

"You were expecting a man weren't you?"

Jansen started to stammer.

"Don't bother, happenes a lot. Girls vote now too, you know." She turned to Toby. "Those horses are as hungry as you."

Toby looked at J., then back at Jansen, nodded and walked off.

"Come on." J. said, shakin' her head.

Forty mintues later Jansen and J. were on the outsirkts of the Capitol Star Ranch. Jansen was now dressed in his own pair of chaps, courtesy of J., and work gloves. On their way over to the west side of the ranch, J. had explained that today there were going to be fixing a part of the cattle fence that one of the longhorns got hung up on, and searching for other spots that might have come undone. She also explained that among his other duties would be mucking out the horse stalls, feeding and brushing the horses, working the soil in the fields, harvesting, bailing hay, and eventually working up to hearding up the cattle

Now they were working on resetting a fence post and fixing the barb wire.

"Is it straight?" J. asked.

"Yup." Jansen replied.

"All right, filler her in. So, most of your work in the beginning will be working with Toby," she glanced at Jansen."But you'll both be reporting to me. Hand me the pliers."

J. began taking out the old tacks from the fence post "I tell you what to do, where to do it and when. After hours if you want someone else to do that than you’re free to do so--hammer--but I'm your master."

"Yes ma'am." Jansen replied.

"And call me J., please." She started to pound in the tacks and wire. "After hours if you want to call me bitch, you're free to do so." She winked at Jansen and he smiled.

With the next wack of the hammer the head split off. "Damn." J. said, and reached over into the tool box to pick up the second one, whose head immeadiatley fell off. J. screwed her face up. "Well, time to go to Jake's."

The Hardware Store

J. hoped out the Dodge Ram and stepped up onto the curb. "Remember," she said speaking rapidly to Jansen. "2 tack hammers, 1 regular, 1 sledge, 2 pairs of pliers – needlenose, 50 feet of barb wire and 100 3" tacks." She paused "Got it all that, cowboy?"

Jansen respond with a wide eyed "Ya."

"All right. Like many places in town we’ve an account here, so there’s not need for cash. I’ll run over and order the feed and then meet ya back at the truck." She slapped him on the arm twice and then was off across the street.

Jansen walked down isle 9 and picked out two pairs of needlenose pliers from the stock hanging on the shelves and repeated the list to himself once again, looking into his cart to be sure of what he had and trying to remember what he needed.

"Got the hammers, got the pliers, tacks, barb wire." He looked up and repeated the list again to himself trying to recall the other items on the list. He bit his lip, shook his head and then walked over to the counter.

"Excuse me." He said.

The clerk turned around and Jansen found himself staring into the same young, boyish face that he had met the night previous at bullmasters.

The clerk instantly recognized Jansen and flashed a big grin. "Hey there."

"Hi," Jansen said managing a smile and feeling a little embarrassed.

"Surprised to see me here, I bet. Well, singing doesn’t always pay the rent."

"I need barb wire." Jansen said, unable to thinking of nothing else to say – feeling stupid he added "50 feet."

Dwayne’s smile left his face for a moment, then recovered. He nodded. "Okay."

"Well, we met unofficially last night." Dwayne said as he and Jansen walked to the back of the store. "I’m Dwyane Filly."

"Jansen Cedars."

"Pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise." Jansen said.

"So, you must be new to town. I’ve never seen you around before."

"I’m working at the Capitol Star—"

Dwayne’s smile grew

"Just started today."

"Where you originally from?" Dwayne asked as he started to measure the barb wire.

"Kentucky."

"What part?"

"Eastern."

"Grew up on a farm?"

"Yup."

"Musta liked it."

"Sure did." Jansen was beginning to feel more at ease. "How about yourself?"

"Texas born, Texas bread and when I die, I’ll be Texas dead." Dwayne looked at Jansen who was grinin’ now. "Galveston originally, then San Antoine for a bit, Big Lake—that’s a smaller town. After living there I decided that I really like living in a small town vs. big city and so I arrived here in White Star."

Dwayne cut the wire.

"50 feet."

"Why don’t you set all of that out into the truck." Dwayne said as they made their way back down the front of the store. "I’ll total it all up in here and print out your account receipt for you to take back."

Dwayne grabbed a sledge off of the rack and dropped it into Jansen’s basket.

Jansen stopped stride for a moment, smiled, then picked up pace again.

Hard Days Work

Jansen walked slowly into his bedroom. He was covered in sweat and dirt. He and J. had spent all day out in the hot sun, taking down fence posts, putting up others, mending barb and replacing ones that were rusted. He took a good look at himself in the mirror. His face looked red, and his hands would have calluses in the morning.

"Good first day." A voice said from behind him.

"Uh-huh." Jansen replied taking his hat off and wiping his brow with the back of his arm

"Looks like you could use a beer."

"Uh-huh." Jansen said letting out long breath.

"Just imaging how a man my age feels after a day like that." Chase said.

Rickett came out of the ranch house to the porch. Chase's chair was empty. Ricket walked down the steps and looked toward the barn. Didn't see him there. He walked over to the other side of the house before the sight of light from the bunkhouse caught his eye. He noticed two bodies up there, one of them with a familiar frame to it. He watched for a few moments and then saw another shirtless from pass by the window. Something in his stomach grew and moved up into his throat. He walked briskly around the side of the barn toward the bunkhouse.

"You don't have to get too fancy for dinner now." Chase said. "Most of these boys just come in with what they had on in the field. Not that Cin appreciates to much."

"I don't want to smell myself anymore." Jansen replied opening a bottom drawer and pulling out a light blue checked button up shirt.

"Some men like that."

Jansen looked at him. Chase gave him a wink.

Jansen's face began to take on a puzzled look.

Chase let out a laughed, shook his head and walked over to Jansen, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Don't take me too seriously, Jansen. You'll find that you'll be getting comments like that a lot, and some men will mean it in a different way. I know your young and not used to it, but you will be." He began to walk back toward the door. "And don't take too long getting purty. If there's one thing Cin hates more than a messy hand at dinner, it's a hand that's late for dinner."

Chase just about started through the door when Rickett entered, not quite busting in the room, but coming in with some effort. He looked from Chase to Jansen and then back to Chase looking him up and down. He let out a huff. "Cin says dinner's on and to c- come now or it'll be the dogs that'll be having your supper."

Chase nodded at Rickett, a hard expression on his face. It lightened as he turned to Jansen and said, "Ya see."

Chase walked out the door. Rickett paused for a moment looking a Jansen and then left out himself.

Jansen's Bedroom - Midnight

Jansen woke up with a start. The room was dark. He looked toward the window; night. 'What time is it?' He rolled over to look at the clock, his back ached; 12:13am. 'I've been asleep that long?' He thought to himself.

He had been so tired from the day's workout that after supper he had come up to his room just to lie back for a few moments. Still fully dressed he flopped himself into bed. A movement that made his muscles ache. He didn't realize that he would conk out for so long.

He rolled back over slowly, putting his arm over his eyes. Supper, he thought about what a good meal it had been. Cin had made up t-bone steak, peas and biscusts. He also thought about the way that Rickett had stared at him from across the supper table. He was someone who was obviously going to be trouble for Jansen. Rickett seemed like he was a little bit on the edge, maybe even a bit crazy, the kind of guy who could do bad things to people if he wanted to.

Jansen bolted up for a moment. Was that movement he just sensed? He peered into the pitch darkness of his room. There was no moon out tonight and the stars gave little light though the window. After a some contemplation, Jansen decided it was only his nerves.

He lay back down.

A boot scuff on the floor brought him upright in bed again.

"Relax", A voice said from the blackness.

A familiar masculine hand placed itself on the inside of Jansen's thigh.

Jansen looked up at the shadowy outline. He was unable to make out the face, but the fan of dark hair that was visable underneath the all too tight tank top gave the figures identity away.

Drake started moved his hand over Jansens leg, down to the calf, up and over the thigh.

Jansen winced slightly.

"Sore?" Drake asked.

"A bit." Jansen replied taking measured, nervous, excited breaths.

Drake ran his hand up to Jansens crotch, rubbing between his legs. Jansen could feel the rush down his pelvis, stiffing him.

"Swollen?" Drake teased with a gruff tone.

Jansen only nodded.

"Well, we'll have to take care of that."

Drake got down on his knees and buried his face in Jansen's crotch.

Jansen gulped in a breath.

"Hmm," Drake growled in the denim. "Don't come, now"

Jansen shook his head side to side. Loosing himself in the hot pleasure of Drake mouthing, tonguing and teething the bulge in his pants. Jansen reached down and began to undo his belt. Drakes masculine hands took over and finished the task for him, letting his rod spring up from the fly in his boxers. Drake took it all in his mouth, sluppin', tasting, sucking in the fleshy sweetness.

Jansens hips moved automatically up and down causing a low squeak from the bedsprings. In and out, up and down, moaning with the pleasure of having the lips of this man wrapped around him.

Drake positioned himself to look right into Jansen's face, contorted in ecstacy. Drake teased his him with his eyes and teased him more with his tongue, while providing swift, strong strokes with his right hand.

Drake climbed up onto the bed. Lying over top of Jansen. He lowered his pelvis slowly and began to grind. Again and again. Alternating between slow and rotating, then hard and swift. He put his thumb up to Jansen's lips, which Jansen sucked eagerly.

Drake leaned his face close to Jansen and licked is lips, cheeks, and nose, then dove his tongue deeply into Jansesn's mouth.

Jansen's own hip movements increased. He and Drake kissed hot, hungrily. Jansen wraped his legs around Drakes waist, arching his body.

Drake sat up, pulling Jansen with him. They kissed again. Slurping, wet, passionate kisses.

"Your turn." Drake said.

Jansen looked at him quizzically.

Drake took a hold of the shirt and ripped it open with his muscular hands. Buttons scattered about the room. He pulled it over Jansen's shoulders and down to his arms, pinning them. Then he ran his tongue all over Jansen's exposed shoulders, chest and nipples.

Jansen could feel sweat form on the back of his neck. His arms demaneded to be let loose. To run his hands over Drakes hairy, hard body.

Sensing Jansen's struggle, Drake pulled Jansen's shirt off over his arms. Jansen's lept on top of Drake, needing him now.

Drake and Jansen both fell to the foot of the bed. Drakes head hanging over the side. Jansen licked his neck, shoulders and exposed hair. He moved his mouth toward the armpit and Drake lifted it up willing.

Jansen's tongue and lips drove into the hairfilled pit. The musky sent of it increasing the hardness that like a redwood, stuck out from his pelvis. He reached down to stoke it himself, but Drake took hold. Jansen struggled to free himself of his pants and succeeded with further help from Drake, who then ran his hand over Jansen's plumb buttocks.

Jansen pulled aside the tank top to expose Drake's dark nipple. He began to suck and lick savagely.

"Ya, lap it up." Drake growled, grabbing a hold of the tank and tearing it free of his back. "Lap up that musk filled pit."

The bed squeeked rythmicly as Drake drove himself into Jansen again and again.

Jansen moan and cried out into the mattress. "Yes, fuck me Drake, drive me hard!"

Drake's pelvis met with Jansen's buttocks. Draked grabbed a hold of Jansen's shoulders with both hands and forced himself deeper inside the young eager Kentucky boy.

"Ahh--oooo" Jansen cried as the deep thrust pained then pleasured him. "More." He said.

Drake really began to pound away at Jansen's. Grabbing a fist full of hair he pulled the boy up so they were chest to back. Drakes thrusts lifting Jansen to his toes.

Jansen turned his head to Drake open mouth.

Draked grabbed a hold of his chin. "Ya, ya, you like this."

"Oh, I love it!" Jansen said. "Kiss me!".

Drake gave Jansen a hard, savage kiss. His tongue dueling with Jansen's.

Drake grabbed a hold of Jansen's rigid flesh in his hand and began to stroke vigoriously.

Jansen let out something that was between a moan and a scream.

Drake licked the boy's neck, shoulder and back, never letting up on his strokes and thrusts; another, another, another…

Jansen exploded onto sheets, floor and Drakes hand. Letting out a low breath, collapsing back into Drake's arms.

Drake pulled himself out of Jansen. Deftly removing the condom, he backed up to stroke himself, every so often beating and rubbing the thick slab of meat on Jansen until his own climax covered the ranch hands back and legs.

Drake sucked in deep breaths of satisfaction as Jansen rolled over and looked at him. Drake leaned down and kissed the tender lips of this new member of the family.

"This is so good." Jansen said.

"Mmm-hmm." Drake replied.

Jansen looked into Drake's eyes.

"What?" Drake asked.

"Nothing." Jansen responded.

Stampede!

The cool night air hung around Jansen as he sat out in the field. The early morning darkness was still, but filled with bright stars, tiny specks of light off in the distance of someplace unknown.

Jansen took another long slow drag on his cigarette. After Drake had left he found that he couldn't sleep. Thoughts ran though his mind. Thoughts unlike the first time after he and Drake had been together. Though he still felt satisfied and a sure of the pleasure of being with another man, there was something else, some that was nagging him - something far, distant and cloudy.

The echo of a boom pulled Jansen out of his thoughts. He turned toward the direction of the sound searching the horizon for a flash of lighting. None came, and he turned his attention back to the stars.

He thought of the moonlight on the muscular back of Drake as he dressed. Drake's kiss goodbye. The feel of Drakes hairy body pressed up against him.

Jansen smiled and then the smile faded.

Taking another drag of the cigarette Jansen became aware of indistinct sound of thunder off in the distance, yet it didn't subside only grew more and more clear.

Jansen turned toward the east, squinting into the night. The moon had now set and the line murky line of horizon between field and sky was hard to make out, but Jansen did make out something. An object traveling with the sound, creating the sound.

He stepped toward the sound and as he did it became all too clear what the thunderous noise was.

In the distance Jansen could see the shadowy outline of long horns charging toward him in full stampede

Scenes from the next Lone Start Tomorrows

Jansen recognized the voice on the other end of the line, a soft, friendly twang. A smile spread across his face

YankeeCowboy
Size Me Up!
The 5 w's
Bi American
Climbing into The General Lee, and out of the closet
Slide and Ride
In the flesh, or at least a glossy simulation
Cowboy Poetry
Blood, Sweat and Steers
LST - Episode 1
LST - Episode 2
LST - Episode 4
LST - Episode 5
LST - Episode 6