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starting to get hard just from watching Ethan play with his dog.
    Jamie blinked and mentally shook himself. He’d had a crush on Ethan for as long as he could remember. Then, when he was older and most of the guys in his class had been drooling over the varsity cheerleaders, he’d been jerking off to fantasies of Ethan. Still, in all that time, he’d never dreamed that Ethan was gay. Now that he knew, it was not helping his infatuation. If anything, it made it much worse.
    A chuckle interrupted his thoughts. He glanced over as Hayden moved up beside him. “That dog of yours is something else. You got yourself a good pup there. I heard what she did for you last night. Wish you would’ve yelled out or something. Any man that would try to hurt a dog for protecting her master ought to get his ass and more kicked. Listen, you have any more trouble like you did last night, you give a shout.” He paused, then shrugged. “I don’t rightly understand how you don’t like women ... what’s not to like? But I don’t think that oughta be reason to hate someone, either. A man shouldn’t be dragged outta bed for nonsense like that. Life is too damned short.”
    Before Jamie could form a thank you, Hayden winked and rode on ahead into the barn. Well, hell! How do you like that ? The man hadn’t said two words to him all morning, so he’d just assumed Hayden had a problem with him, but now it looked he and the remaining men on the Tin Star were gonna get on just fine. Sure was nice to know, and it took a little of the sting out of his and John’s conversation earlier. Getting his mind off of Ethan’s legs for a few minutes also had helped his boner go away. What a bonus!
    Jamie took Spot into the barn, unsaddled him, brushed him down, and fed him. Then he went in search of his own nourishment.
    Ethan and Fred were still playing ball, while the other men sat at the picnic table where Bill had sandwich fixings laid out.
    The foreman looked at him and grinned. “Sorry about the fare, kid. We don’t have a housekeeper like y’all do up at your daddy’s spread. We pretty much fend for ourselves around here.”
    “That’s all right. Nothing wrong with sandwiches.” Jamie grabbed a paper plate and started putting his meal together.
    “Good! ’Cause we eat a lot of them. You cook?” Ethan asked hopefully as he sat down at the table.
    Jamie looked into deep brown eyes and his belly knotted up. “A little.”
    Ethan nodded and took the ball Fred brought to him. “Great. If you’re real nice to me, I’ll let you cook us supper tonight.”
    Jamie blinked. Bill and Hayden laughed.
    Ed protested, amusement clear in his voice. “No way! If he can cook, you’ll have to share him. In fact, we’re all coming up to the house to eat! ’S only fair!”
    Ethan chuckled. “Oh, no! You guys get your own cook! He’s living in my house, so I oughta get something out of it” He grinned at Jamie, whose gut clenched in reaction.
    He smiled back at Ethan, then shook his head and went back to preparing his sandwich. He’d give Ethan a whole hell of a lot more than cooking as payment for living in the big house ... eagerly, in fact.
    “So, do you clean, too?”
    “Hell, no! Ethan, I’m gay ... not a damn housewife!”
    Everybody laughed.
    * * * * *
    Ethan was doing the dishes after a wonderful meal of enchiladas, rice, and beans. He’d only been kidding earlier when he’d told Jamie to cook supper, but Jamie had taken him at his word. As soon as they’d all gone in for the evening, Jamie had set to work in the kitchen. Ethan had told the younger man he didn’t really have to cook, but Jamie had insisted.
    Man, could he cook! When Jamie had pulled out the homemade salsa, Ethan had decided then and there that he’d do just about anything to keep the kid cooking for him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten such a fine meal. Maybe he’d add it to the list of Jamie’s duties and pay him a little extra for it. It was