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don’t know anything about farming.” Len wasn’t sure this was a good fit for him. “I’ve worked with horses, and I can ride, but doesn’t your brother raise cattle?

    “Yes, so…?”
    “I don’t know the first thing about cows.” She laughed after she sipped her coffee. “You don’t really need to.” She put down her cup and looked seriously at Len. “Ever since Ruby and my dad died, he’s had a difficult time of it, what with the farm and trying to raise a baby on his own. He needs some help, and you need a job.” When she said it like that, it seemed so 35
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reasonable.
“What could I do to help him?”
    She shook her head and looked exasperated. “If you’re not interested, fine, but I thought you might need a job.” Len smiled and tried to diffuse the tension that had suddenly crept in. “Maybe you’re right. It wouldn’t hurt for me to talk to him.”
    “Excellent!” Her smile was radiant, and Len realized he’d been coerced into doing exactly what she’d wanted. Hell, if he didn’t know better, he’d think they were dating. “I’ll call Cliff tonight and tell him you’ll be by to see him.” They finished their coffee, and Len asked for the check.
    After paying, they left the restaurant, and he walked Janelle to her car. “Thank you. I’ll stop by and see Cliff tomorrow. Who knows, maybe I can help him.” He held the car door for her as she got in the car, closing it behind her with a thunk. She started the car and waved as she pulled away. Walking across the small lot, he got in his own car and headed home.
    Pulling into the yard, he parked next to his mother’s car and went inside. As he expected, she was sitting in the living room watching television. “How was dinner?”
    “Good.” He sat on the sofa. “Janelle told me that her brother is looking for some help on the farm and asked me to go over tomorrow and talk to him.” She turned her head, looking skeptical, but said nothing. “It’s a job, and I could sure use the money, at least until something else comes along.”
    “Well, it certainly can’t hurt to talk to him.” Len wasn’t so sure that was true. He hadn’t seen Cliff since 36
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    Ruby died. She had invited him to dinner a number of times, and each time, Cliff had been polite but distant. If he were honest with himself, he wasn’t so sure Cliff would want him to work at the farm, and he wasn’t so sure he wanted to work there. Every time he saw Cliff, the first thing that sprang to mind was that night, that second behind the barn when he’d felt Cliff’s lips next to his. He knew he shouldn’t, but he just couldn’t help it. Cliff Laughton had been the star of his feverish imagination even before that kiss, and to be so close to him on a daily basis—
    “Len!”
He heard his name and jerked himself back to the present.
“Sorry, Mom. What were you saying?”
“I was asking you if Janelle told you what time you should be there?”
“No. She didn’t mention a specific time, but I’ll go over in the morning.” He had to keep his mind from wandering all the time.
    Cliff had married Ruby. Whatever had happened in high school was a long time ago. Besides, Cliff had probably just gotten swept up in the moment and had regretted what he’d done as soon as it was over.

    “I’m going to clean up and go to bed.” He lifted himself from the old sofa and headed to his small room.
    Len grabbed some sweatpants and a T-shirt and went across the small hall to the bathroom. Stripping off his clothes, he started the shower and climbed beneath the spray. The hot water felt good and washed away much of the day’s tension, and there seemed to be plenty of it. As he started to relax, he felt parts of him begin to stiffen. It had been a while since… well, since he’d allowed himself any sort of release, and his body was definitely ready. Slowly, he ran his hands down his stomach, sliding them along his length. He wanted to moan, but