“Do you think we should pull the men we put there?” Landon asked.
“Probably. I’ve been checking into the price of long-range walkie talkies for them to use. Bishop has some cheap ones, which would be okay for short-range communication, but I’d be happier if I had a direct line access to him. Since there’s no cell service at that location, we might want to purchase a few sets.”
“You seem particularly worried about the cute professor,” Montrell commented as we pulled out onto the highway. “I also like how your voice softens when you say his name. Is there something brewing?”
I rolled my eyes. Both men were now intent on me.
“We’re sort of dating,” I coughed out about a quarter mile down the road. I’d not told them flat out that I was gay and waited for someone to act shocked. Neither man blinked an eye.
“Is that like sort of pregnant?” Landon asked. Montrell snickered softly.
“No, it’s like we’re sort of seeing each other.” Christ I hated talking about my love life to people. Why was everyone so damn nosy? “It’s a limited engagement run. Now, back to the walkie talkies. They’d be an asset on the ranch for the hands, during fall round-ups and in the winter when we have to send out men to open the watering holes. We also need to check on the Lone Vale cabin and—”
“Whoa, just slow down,” Landon said. “What do you mean limited engagement run? Are you two a movie?”
I glanced to the right. Both men were eyeballing me.
“He’s going back to the university in a few months.” There. That should put an end to—
“So?” they both said in unison.
I stared straight ahead, wishing like hell the drive was shorter. “So he has to go back to the university and I have to stay on the ranch.”
“Have you ever heard of a thing called a car?” Landon enquired. “Or a plane. Where’s the university?”
“We have horses too,” Montrell kindly pointed out. I threw them both a dark look. Montrell pulled his lips over his teeth, but his brown eyes were sparkling.
“UWW is in Alpine. So, about the walkie talkies. They’re a little expensive but—”
“Where’s Alpine?” they asked in tandem.
“Do you two practice that or what?” They smiled and nodded. “It’s close to the Wyoming and Idaho border. Around five hours in the summer.”
“Five hours isn’t bad,” Landon said. I saw Montrell bobbing his head from the corner of my eye. “You leave on Friday afternoon and arrive around ten that night. Do the whole weekend then come home Sunday night.”
“That would be fine if I worked a nine-to-five job but there’s no timecard to punch or long weekends when you ranch. There’s no such thing as a holiday for a real rancher!” I snapped then instantly bit down on the inside of my cheek. I glanced to the side. Both men were stiff now, Landon more so than Montrell. “I do apologize. That sounded…terrible. I know you’re a real rancher as your name is on the deed. I meant no disrespect I just—”
“When was the last time you took a vacation?” Landon asked, which startled me. I was expecting him to lash out at my disrespectful tone. He would have been within his rights.
“I…a vacation?” My fingers tightened on the wheel.
“Yeah, they’re those things that people enjoy where you leave work behind and relax. When was your last vacation, Nate?” Landon asked yet again. Why couldn’t we just stick to the damn walkie talkies? “Nate?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Okay, so you clearly have accrued a ton of vacation time since early I don’t remember. I insist that you start taking the umpteen weeks of paid leave starting this fall,” Landon stated as his hubby bobbed his head in agreement.
“But the ranch…” I stammered.
“Will be fine,” Landon was quick to say. “Kyle will cover for you. And I’m here now. I might not know an insulator from an incubator, but I do know that a man needs to take time for himself now and again. And there’s no better time to kick back than when you have a new boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend. We’re just…” I bumbled mentally for the correct term. “We’re just enjoying each other’s company.”
“Well, you can take time off to enjoy your ‘not a boyfriend’s’ company in the fall. No, don’t argue. I’m the boss of this here rodeo.”
“Yes, sir, you are,” I muttered, my sight glued to the long and winding road ahead of us.
“Right, good. So, now that that’s settled, tell me about those walkie talkies you’re so interested in,” Landon said.