Lone Star Tommorows

Previously on Lone Star Tomorrows
Previously on Lone Star Tomorrows (Episode 2)
Previously on Lone Star Tomorrows (Episode 3)
Previously on Lone Star Tomorrows (Episode 4)
Jump Me To Episode 6

The Visitor

Chase rose up out of his seat and repeated. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Now, Chase, really is that anyway to greet a visitor?" Lewis replied.

Jansen looked around the table. All of the cowboys seemed stone face looking at the man called Lewis. Even Cin stood still as a statue. The only one who made any kind of movement at all was Rickett. Looking very uncomfortable as he slowly pushed around the food on his plate silently, like a fox hiding from hounds fearing that any slight movement might attract unwarrented attention, but yet unable to stay still due to his heightened nerves.

"When the visitor brings trouble behind him, yes it is."

"I bring no trouble." Lewis replied walking into the room. "I only bring my concern upon hearing of the trouble you had last night." Lewis grinned. "I just wanted to check in and see how the hand that was caught in the stampede was doing. Just doing my own neighborly duty."

"The only thing neighborly about you is your proximity to this ranch."

Lewis clucked his tongue. At a loss of what to say he turned to the men around the table. Catching Toby's eye he gave him a wry smile and a flash of his eyes. Seeing Jansen he moved closer to him. As he did, Cin moved away from him as though he was a rattlesnake, poised to strike at any time.

"I take it you’re the new fellow? I haven't seen your face before."

Jansen was unsure of how to answer. He looked to the faces of the others but they were expressionless. Looking to Chase he saw him nod, though his face still held his anger.

"Yes, sir."

"What's your name."

"Jansen Ceaders."

Lewis thought on that, rolling it over in his mind. "I'm Lewis." He stuck out his hand and Jansen took it tentatively and shook.

"A bit weak, I see. That'll improve with your working here." He moved around behind Jansen's chair and put his hands on his shoulders and gave a squeeze. "Those muscles will get real worked up."

Chase swiftly moved to Jansen and grabbed one of Lewis arms, yanking them off the boy. "Don't touch my fellas, filth."

"Mmm…I see that's for you only." Lewis said looking at Rickett.

After an uncomfortable moment Chase added. "You see the boy is alright. You've accomplished what you wanted in coming here."

"So I have." Lewis looked again at Jansen, patting him on the peck with his free arm. "Yes, he does look alright."

"Go." Chase said.

Lewis looked around the table once more. "Have a nice evening boys, ma'am." He tipped his hat to Cin. Making his way around Chase he walked toward the door and out the kitchen.

"Well, don't suddenly turn into delicate doves on his account." Cin broke in finding her voice. "Go on, keep troughin'"

Friday Night 1

Friday came around a lot sooner than Jansen thought that it would and he was glad. He spent a good part of early Friday evening trying to find something to wear without much luck. When he left Kentucky, he didn't really bring any nicer dress up clothes, and the one somewhat good shirt that he did have was still missing the buttons from that moonlit night that Drake had passionately ripped it open. The thought of having Cin try and repair it for him had crossed his mind, but she seemed to be all knowing and he would be more than a little embarrassed by the reproving, knowing look that she was sure to give him. More so if she asked him questions.

His first date. Jansen thought. His first real date. He mused over what it would be like. Would people stare? Would they know? The town seemed friendly enough, but then again, you never know.

Jansen finished buttoning up his green plaid shirt and went downstairs to the main house to wait for Dwayne. When he entered the living room Chase was there sitting reading the Dallas Morning News.

"Hello." Chase said, pulling down the paper.

"Hello." Jansen said. He looked at the clock; a little after twenty past six. He started to feeling a little bit nervous. And wiped his hands on this black jeans.

Chase smiled to himself. Jansen went to sit down; stood up; grabbed a part of the paper and stared at it blankly. Put it down after a few moments and stared at nothing; wondering to himself what to do to pass the time.

"Where you headed?"

"Dunno. Just to dinner." He looked at the clock again. Coming up on twenty 'till.

Chase nodded. "Jumbalia's is good."

Jansen nodded with him.

"So's Fort Worth's - good steak."

More nodding. Chase looked over at Jansen, then said "Come upstairs with me."

Chase got up and Jansen looked at him.

"Come on." He said moving toward the stairs.

***********************

Upstairs Chase went into his bedroom closet and pulled out a shirt. Then he moved over the dresser and pulled out a new package of tank tops, opened them and took out one.

"This is the only gay thing that I do."

He came over to Jansen and started to unbutton his shirt. "This is okay, if your going to the Boars Nest, but for a first date…" He took Jansen's shirt off and threw it onto the bed. Picking up the other he said, "This is one of my favorite shirts, my most favorite and I want you to wear it."

He held it up to Jansen. Jansen saw that it was a black western button up shirt with pear snaps and a design of dream catchers just below the shoulders and one big dream catcher on the back. "Thanks, Chase." Jansen said touched by the gesture. Impulsively, he hugged Chase. "Thank you."

Chase hugged him back taking a glance at his watch he saw it coming up on seven. "Come on. Times a waistin'"

Friday Night 2

Friday also came a lot sooner for Toby. Though the dread he was feeling from visiting Lewis the day beforehand no longer clutched at his heart. He stuffed his hand into his Levi pocket again, fiddling with the two small metal objects contained in side. He smiled to himself. "Oh, yeah. This was going to be a night that Lewis wouldn't soon forget."

The cool night air swilled over his shoulders. Toby was sure to wear only a white tank top, knowing that the buldge of his muscles and transpanencey of the shirt itself would catch Lewis off guard. Turing him on before Toby turned the tables on him.

Toby boots clopped up the porch steps of Lewis homestead, and this large manly fist rapped out the familiar knock to let Lewis know that it was him.

When the door opened Toby could tell that Lewis had hastened over from whatever he was doing to greet his visitor. He smiled as Lewis' eyes roved over him knowing that Lewis' mind would be eagerly jumping ahead in the evening's expectations from how he was dressed. Then catching himself he let his face go stone. He wanted to lure Lewis in and appearing eager himself would tip him off.

"Come on in." Lewis said; lust behind his plain greeting.

********************************

Lewis had gulped down his burboun and had already poured himself another one before Toby had even raised his shot to his lips. Toby often wondered if he drank so during these episodes to calm his nerves or give him courage. It was well know in town and as it was in many others that Lewis really had a taste for men. Thought no one expressed it, least of all Lewis himself, everyone knew.

"So," Lewis said downing the second drink and walking over to Toby. "Do I get my payment?" He ran the back of his finger lightly over Toby's shirted chest, brushing the nipple.

"I didn't bring money." Toby said flatly.

"Oh," Lewis said and tilting his head began kissing Toby's neck.

"No, money, but something else."

Lewis let out a small growl and moved his hand into Toby's crotch.

"A little to the left." Toby whispered directly into the lobe of Lewis' ear. Guiding his hand to the other lump in his pocket. "There."

Toby could feel Lewis' fingers fiddling around, in wonder. His tongue and lips ceased their action on Toby's neck. Toby could read the puzzlement on Lewis' face, even before Lewis drew back revealing it.

Toby, grinning with satisfaction, reached into his pocket and pulled out the small shinny shell casing. "Recognize this?"

Lewis stood their stunned. His eyes moving from Toby to the shell casing and back again.

"That's right. It comes from a Walthers PPK. Know who owns one of those?"

Lewis made a snatch for the casing.

"Ah, Ah, Ah." Toby said and crossing the living room. "Wouldn't do you any good anyway. There's more than just this. Do you know where I found it?"

Lewis remained silent a moment and then walked over to pour himself another shot. Downing it he glared at Toby.

"How's it feel to be on the receiving end?" Toby stated.

"Son of a bitch."

"I learned from the best."

"You know that if you turn that in that you'll implicate yourself only that much more. Is it worth it to you?"

"I haven't quite decided that yet. But I have decided that this can be of use to me. You see, Lewis, as long as I have the evidence that you were the one who started that stampede, than I know that you won't have this." Toby pointed to himself. "Don't hold it over my head and I won't hold it over yours." He crossed the living room again, getting closer to Lewis with each word his spoke. "no one has to know, Lewis. No one has to know about you, just as now no one has to know about me." He was standing toe to toe with Lewis now, feeling the heat of his body next to himself. He tilted his head. His lips teasingly away from Lewis. Looking into his eyes he said. "Can you handle that?"

Lewis made not a move, not a sound. He licked his lips. The desire and want filling up in him. He fought it down. Fought down the urge that he had felt so many times before and let loose. And after what seemed an enternity to Lewis, Toby spoke again.

"I thought so."

Toby parted from Lewis and saw him lean on the bar for support. Walking to the door he smiled to himself. He had this man. Had him right where he had been hoping to get him. Had him in the same way that Lewis had him for so many years. At the door he turned and said. "You have yourself a nice evening now, Lewis."

As Toby turned to go he was stopped the click of that all too familiar revolver

Toby froze. Slowly, he turned back to Lewis, and sure enough the man held in his hand the same Walthers PPK. Toby smiled. "You won't use that."

"I've used it before."

"In the air. On a heard of beeves." Toby shook his head. "Not the same thing as I…well, as I."

He moved once again in Lewis' direction. Slow deliberate steps. Just in case he was wrong, but also to emphasize every word of his speech. "No, Lewis. I don't think you will. I think that you have too much a need for me; a want for me. I know you and I know you well enough to know that your pistol will stay cocked for me.

Besides, there'd be no self-defense this time, Lewis. What would you say?"

"Nobody'd care if a whore just disappeared."

"Not that they'd know or ever will." Toby said getting face to face once again with Lewis. "Right." he added with a raise of his eyebrows.

Then Toby leaned forward just a tad, and slipped his tongue out of his mouth. He worked it around Lewis' chin, tasting the skin, then after minutes of teasing took his teeth and clamped them down hard around the bone. He heard Lewis cry out but felt not his arms as he normally would. Toby grinned and applied more force.

Lewis felt himself rise up in his jeans. The pain transmitting to pleasure that he always enjoyed, that sent him realling, but this time he pinned his arms to his side. "Endure, Endure." He repeated in his head. He couldn't afford to let his desire get the best of him.

After hearing another cry of pleasure come from Lewis, Toby let go. Smiling in the man's eyes, he felt triumphant; even more so as he left the living room of Lewis for what he knew would be a considerable amount of time. Maybe not forever, but at least for a while he knew that he and what he needed to remain hidden would be out of reach for Lewis Cole.

At Spokes

Dwayne and Jansen wound up neither at Jumbalia's nor Fort Worth's but at Spokes, which, according to Dwayne had equally as good steak as Fort Worth's but the atmosphere was "a little more country." in his opinion.

Jansen was a little bit nervous but excited about his first date with a man. He was glad that Chase had given him the tank top and black shirt. It made him feel just a little bit more sexxy and he could tell that Dwayne thought so, too. "You clean up real nice." He had said when he picked Jansen up.

Dwayne was right about the atmosphere of Spokes as well. The tables, stools and booths were all made out of planks of wood, but were sanded smooth and put together so that the tables had didn't have any gaps or warps in them. The booths, in one of which Jansen and Dwayne were seated, were painted red and had the type of cushions that you might find in stagecoach on their seats.

"Fort Worth's booths are actual stagecoach seats." Dwayne said as Jansen took it all in. "Also there's a lot more red velvet curtians, sconces and the like. A real bollero and ostrich skin boots 'required' kind of place. Here's much more turn your sleeves up." He added holding up his own arms to make reference to his own turned up sleeves.

Jansen smiled to himself as he saw the muscles in Dwayne's forearms give a flex. He also noticed that they were just a bit hairy as well. Not forest-like the way Drake's had been, but dark enough so that you noticed it against Dwyane's almond skin.

"Especially for their wings." He added flashing a smile.

Jansen smiled, too. Dwayne's eyes were such an intense dark brown. Jansen hadn't noticed. Maybe it was also due to the hat he was wearing.

Jansen looked up from Dwayne and his menu noticing the wagon wheel lights with hurricane lanterns coming out of them. Along the walls were pictures and posters of Kitty Wells, Dale Evens, Roy Acuff, The Possumn and others, along with older tin signs that advertised wolverine tobacco, John Deere Equipment, Jack Daniels whiskey and others that warned cowboys to "spit with the wind."; "be wary of loose women"; and "to leave their guns at the bar."

"You have real nice eyes." Dwayne said.

Jansen caught a bit off guard by the open comment said "Thanks." Adding just a bit embarrassed. "I really like yours, too."

Dwayne looked down at the table. "Nice hands, too. Good broad hard working man hands." He reached over and took one in his own.

Jansen tensed up just a bit in panic. They were out in public and here Dwayne was taking his hand as though it were nothing. He tried to glance around unoticebly to see if anyone had stopped dinner in mid chew to stare over at them. Happy as he was to have the soft smooth hand of this man in his, he didn't want a ruckus to break out; now or later.

"Well, Howdy boys!" Dixie said brining Jansen out of his momentary search for any bashers. "How are you all doing tonight?"

"Just fine Dixie. How are you?" Dwayne answered not taking his hand away from Jansen's

"I'm alright. You're coming in next Thursday, right."

"Yes'm."

"Good." Then turning to Jansen she nodded to the man behind her. "This is Tom, my husband."

A tall broad shouldered man with Alan Jackson like hair stepped from behind Dixie, extending his hand with a robust "Howdy."

Jansen had to let go of Dwayne's hand to shake with Tom. After, he set it back down on the table, not having the nerve to extended his hand back to Dwayne, but leaving it in a position where Dwayne could grasp it again if he wished. He did, though just by the fingertips this time.

"He does horse breeding out by Adkins Plains." Dixie said again. "Ever watch cutting on TNN?"

Not wanting to show his ignorance in that he didn't know what cutting was he simply answered, "No ma'am."

"Tom provides a number of the horses for those people. Also for the third place cowgirl at NFR this year and a number of the cowboys as well. He's got the best. The fellas from NHSRA are always coming to him. They know there's no other horse like a 'Bar X'."

Tom laughed heartly deep within his chest. "Aw come on Dixie." He said a little embarrassed at his wife for praising him so much to a stranger.

Putting his hand on her shoulder to move her to their table, he told the boys, "Have a nice dinner."

"Maybe I'll get to see you on Thursday?" Dixie addressed to Jansen again. "Happy hour all night." Then looking from Jansen to Dwayne added. "Along with other reasons to come out."

"Come on." Tom said, taking her by the arm, laughing again.

*****************************************

Though most of the dinner, Dwayne was chatty. He talked about his music, working at the hardware store, where he lived here in town. Jansen told him about living in Kentucky, going to college and coming to Captiol Star.

"Where'd you go to school?" Jansen asked.

"Oh, I didn't go to college." Dwyane said. "Nope. I kind of lit out from home after high school…um…things weren't much pleasant at my house for a fella who liked fellas."

"Oh." Jansen said seeing that the jovial conversation of earlier was taking a downer.

"What about you?"

Jansen looked at Dwayne for a moment before he realized what he meant. "Oh, oh, my parents don't know."

Dwayne nodded. "Mine wouldn't have either 'cept one day my pa came home from work sick and caught me and a football buddy fooling around. We were originally working on plays, but uh…" Dwayne trailed off, reflecting on that long ago day.

He took Jansen's hand one more time. Caressed it with his thumb. "I had a girlfriend at the time as well, so pa, thought--" Dwayne stopped himself.

After a moments silence Jansen added. "I sometimes wonder if I'm gay."

Dwayne looked up at him. Jansen himself was a bit shocked. He couldn't believe it himself. He had said such a thing out loud, out loud and in public. He looked at Dwyane's face and saw something in his eyes. Something he couldn't put his finger on, but it was a feeling that he knew was intense for Dwyane.

"I…I mean. I know I like guys." He lowered his voice a bit. "But…" He searched around for the words. "I mean -- I thought …I have--and I do. I needed to know, so I came here." Jasnen felt like he wasn't making any sense, but Dwyane didn't seem to mind. He kept on looking at Jansen; eyes softened now, the intense look gone. He kept on stroking Jansen's hand with his thumb. Jansen himself felt more relaxed now. A small smile crept across Dwyane's lips. "You are very cute." He said.

****************************************

Later on the ride home Jansen had time to reflect on his evening with Dwayne. Moonlight filled the fields and farms as they drove along. Jansen felt a contentedness in his chest. Occasionally, looking over to get a glance at Dwyane. He had a very nice evening with this man.

Dwyane's arm was draped over the back of the bench seat, occasionally letting his thumb or fore fingers drift across the back of Jansen's neck made the evening all the more better.

Jansen thought that all too soon they had come back to the ranch.

Coming out of the pick-up truck Dwyane extended his hand to Jansen, smiling at him under the moonlight. Jansen felt something warm and wonderful as Dwyane took his hand leading him up to the bunkhouse. As the reached the porch Dwyane spun Jansen around to face himself.

"So," Dwyane said. "Do, I get a second date?"

Jansen smiled. "Sure." He said looking up at the blue light that spread itself across the face of this handsome brown eyed man. "I had a real good time."

"Me, too." Dwyane added, leaning in a bit, and with a smile added. "That's why I asked for a second date."

Jansen was going to get to love that smile.

Both boys laughed. Then, the moment that Jansen had been waiting for all evening happened. A still came over the conversation and the laughter and he saw Dwyane glance down at his mouth, and then tilt his head and move in.

Dwayne lips were soft, moist and his kiss gentle and warm. He pulled Jansen closer to him so wrapping Jansen's arm around his back before moving his own arm around Jansen. Their bodies touching.

They parted, shifted, kissed again.

Jansen could feel the Dwyane's hand on the back of his neck, his thumb just behind his ear.

They parted again. Jansen sighed in his mind. He was going to get to love those eyes as well.

Dwyane moved his hand and stroked his face. "I should get going."

A momentary confusion came over Jansen. Going? Didn't he want to come in? Should Jansen invite him in? He didn't know what was appropriate, though he did know what he wanted to happen. "Okay." He said.

Dwyane moved in and gave him one last longing kiss, before making his was down the steps, touching Jansen's hand to the last. As he made his way back to the truck, he glanced back once, twice, then began walking backwards. "I'll call you for that next date." He said in a loud enough whisper so that it made it to Jansen's ears, but yet was soft enough not to wake those in the house.

Jansen waved a goodbye a Dwyane stepped into his truck. Then turned, a bit deflated, as he walked into the bunkhouse to go to bed; by himself.

The Barn

Saturday dawned bright and clear, the heat of the previous days subsiding to a comfortable level. J. was out in the barn, feeling a bit more like her usual self now that she had managed to forget again what the danger Jansen had been in had caused her once to remember.

She felt good working. Getting her mind on the tasks at hands was helping in getting her mind off of…well…off of things that she wanted them off of. She wondered to herself why she let herself get wrapped up, enveloped by the sadness that overcame her when she remembered. Why she couldn't manage to jump back into getting to work. Working helped so much.

In the distance, J. could hear the distant low hum of a vehicle coming up the road, slowing as it took the corner to come into the barnyard and then growing louder again.

J. glanced at her watch. 10 o'clock. It couldn't be Johnny already. Usually, he didn't make the deliveries until after lunch.

J. walked outside the barn, holding her hand up to her hat brim as her eyes squinted into the bright mid-morning light. As her eyes adjusted J. saw that the truck pulling around in the drive was Hernderson's delivery truck. J. wondered to herself just what it was that made Johnny put deliveries at the top of the list this morning.

As J. made her way to the truck to greet Johnny, her mouth stopped mid-open when she caught the reflection of the driver in the side mirror. That was NOT Johnny in that drivers seat. That was a woman, and pretty one at that. J. stared, feeling a little funny in her gullet. From what she could make out the woman had just past shoulder length sandalwood hair, a fleshed out face, small nose and strong chin. As she reached over to pick up her hat from the passenger seat, her hair swayed over her back in a way that water cascades over rocks on a mountain stream, each strand following the other until they had joined again.

The door opened and as the woman stepped from the truck and came closer to the barn. J. could feel her ears growing hot and her palms starting to sweat inside her gloves. The reflection, J. could see, was just the teaser.

Scenes from the next Lone Start Tomorrows

Chase pulled back his fist and gave Lewis a kangaroo punch to the 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 3
LST - Episode 4
LST - Episode 6