Chapter 3

Day 2

"Pop?" Gus asked into the phone. He had been waiting for his father's call.

"Morning, Sonny Boy. Everything all right?"

"With us, fine, the shower is another story. Danny's having a queenie moment."

Brian snickered. "I spoke to your mom last night; she told me. I already put a call into the plumbing service. John and I are heading into the Pitts now. We'll see you after school when the plumber arrives."

"How do you know when the plumber will get here? Mom usually has to take a day off from work to wait for him

"Gus," Brian smirked as he spoke to his son, "who am I?"

Gus rolled his eyes. "You're my Pop."

"And..."

Gus hesitated for a few seconds then got it. "Oh, Brian Kinney."

"Which means..."

"When Brian Kinney calls, men answer, and with the exact time they intend to show up," Gus said with a chuckle and more than a little pride in his voice.

"Precisely," Brian said, not really that full of himself. "John and I will see you after school. Behave yourself and take care of your sister."

"I will, Pop. Love you."

"Love you too, Sonny Boy. Later." Brian cut the connection as he and John turned onto the highway heading for the Pitts.

 

*****

 

"Brian, I have some clients to see, I'll be back around three to get you and we'll go over to Lindsay's together," John said as he dropped his brother off at Kinnetik then took the Navigator to drive to his first appointment. Brian waved his brother off then stepped inside his kingdom.

"Morning, Boss," Ted greeted Brian cheerfully, taking Brian's briefcase and overcoat.

"Good morning, Brian," Cynthia chimed in as she placed a mugful of Brian's favorite brew in his hand. Brian took a couple of sips then with a smile on his face he greeted his loyal employees.

"Good morning, people! What have you got cooking for today?" Brian asked loudly as he walked into the conference room with his mug, followed by his Kinnetik family all ready to supply him with answers. "God, I love this." Brian threw Ted and Cynthia a blinding smile as they followed.

 

*****

 

"Morning," Melanie purred into Lindsay's neck. It was well after ten in the morning when the girls finally woke up on the second day of their vacation.

"Morning," Lindsay responded, kissing her lover's lips. "How did you sleep?"

"Like a baby, this bed is heaven."

"Yes, it is but if we don't get up soon we'll miss breakfast."

"I think I'm still full from all those chocolates. If I get fat on our vacation, I'm blaming Brian," Mel groused. Lindsay giggled. Melanie's figure hadn't changed much over the years and Lindsay didn't expect it to change on their honeymoon either.

Reaching over to the bedside table, Lindsay pulled out the tourist map that noted all the eateries in the town. "I'm sure when we finally get out of this bed, we'll find some place to eat. Justin made several recommendations."

Melanie laughed as she shook her head. "He still can pack it away. Where does he put it all? Did you see him during Christmas? You'd think he was eating for two!"

"He was, he was eating for himself and Brian," Lindsay quipped and the girls had a good laugh. After a while they grew silent.

"Lindz, why does it always come back to Brian and Justin? We were in love way before Brian met Justin. Why did it all change after he met that boy?"

"Mel, Justin's hardly a boy anymore. He's in his thirties."

"Yes, but he still looks like he's barely twenty. Probably the reason Brian lusts after him. I never realized he had a thing for boys."

"Melanie!" Lindsay began to admonish her partner, "Brian does not and never has had a thing for boys. He hates people like that. He loves Justin and not because he looks young. Justin completes him; he's the other half of his soul. Brian is truly in love with Justin."

Melanie appeared to contemplate Lindsay's words. "I always thought you were the other half of my soul. I guess somewhere along the road I forgot that."

"We both forgot. Melanie, I love you, you know that."

"But are you still in love with me?" Lindsay searched Melanie's eyes, knowing that Melanie would only want to hear the truth. Not some sugar coated version of it.

"Sometimes, I'm not so sure," Lindsay whispered with downcast eyes.

"Then I guess I'll have to woo you all over again," Melanie whispered back.

"You think you can?"

"I have to try because you are the other half of my soul. My life would be worthless without you in it," Melanie declared. Lindsay snuggled into Mel's embrace, neither confirming nor denying, but trying with all her heart to fall back in love with Melanie.

 

*****

 

"Bri, you ready to go? I want to be there when the plumber arrives," John asked his brother as he strode into Brian's office.

"I'm done for the day. I have to come back tomorrow for another conference with Joe and Scott but that's scheduled for eleven."

"That'll work. I can come with you just in case this problem with the faucet is just the tip of the iceberg."

"You're shitting me, right? You really think it's more than the shower faucet?"

"Brian, how old is that house and when was the last time the girls ever mentioned renovations or repair work?'

"I don't know. The house was pretty old when they bought it and I don't ever remember them doing much to it. Maybe you should take a good look at it."

John nodded as the brothers Kinney left Kinnetik.

 

*****

 

"Brian! John! Good of you to come over," Danny said cheerfully. He was somewhat relieved when he opened the door to see the tall strikingly handsome brothers standing at the front door. "I feel so much better with you two here. The plumber just arrived about ten minutes ago and I've sent him up to take a look at the shower. Gus is with him." Danny took their coats then followed the brothers up the stairs.

The plumber was bending over the edge of the tub, his tool belt around his waist, his trusty wrench in hand. Gus was standing out of the way by the door, admiring the view. The plumber, a sandy haired blond in his mid-twenties was trim, fit with a slender waist, and they suspected, washboard abs. As his ass was doing a jig in the air the tool belt tugged the waistband of his jeans down revealing the upper cleft of his ass crack.

Gus sighed loudly as he leaned against the door jamb.

"Where's this plumber?" Brian grumbled as he, followed by John and Danny, crammed themselves into the doorway.

"Damn, this whole pipe is crumbling away. I'm surprised it hasn't burst in the walls," the plumber remarked then turned to face his audience. Said audience was thoroughly engrossed in one hot gay plumber guy's ass. The plumber looked over his shoulder toward the object of their admiration and flashed a pretty smile. He stood up to greet the populace.

"Hi, I'm Ronny," the plumber said as he wiped his hands on a rag before extending it toward Brian.

"Hi, Ronny," the admirers all said in unison. Brian shook the plumber's hand, quickly releasing it as a picture of an angry Sunshine flashed before his eyes.

"Brian Kinney," Brian said tersely.

"I know who you are; we all know you who are. And I am very happy to be of service," the plumber stated, as he stepped up into Brian's personal space. John cleared his throat.

"John Anderson," John said with a low rumble as he extended his hand.

"Mr. Anderson! I know of your reputation too."

"Excuse me?" John answered in shock. He was unaware of any reputation.

"Your construction company. You contract out with my company. It's an honor to meet you," Ronny said with enthusiasm. "I'd really like to work with you one day."

Before John could reply, Danny cleared his throat.

"Danny Devore..."

"You're Divina! I went to the fundraiser for the clinic, I can't believe you retired. I love your act!"

"Well, I, um..." Before Danny could go any further Gus stepped in front of the tongue tied men.

"Gus Kinney, Brian Kinney's son, if you get my meaning," Gus said as he shook Ronny's hand, stretching to his full height which was almost as tall as his father, giving him a much older appearance. He waggled his eyebrows in a most Brian Kinney sort of way. Ronny flashed another perfect smile at Gus.

Before things could get of hand, Brian guided Gus out of the bathroom. "You and Danny go put on some coffee; we'll see what Ronny has to offer. I mean what he thinks about our pipes....THE pipes. Now, out!"

Gus laughed as he and Danny beat a hasty exit.

Brian stepped back into the bathroom only to be greeted with the site of Ronny's ass, with exposed crack, and John's ass, minus crack, high in the air. Both men were talking pipes, completely engaged in construction conversation. Feeling totally useless, Brian decided to get coffee and check on JR.

 

*****

 

"Morning, ladies," Seamus said as Melanie and Lindsay finally came down the stairs of the B & B. It was late morning.

"Oh, good morning, Mr. Griffin," Lindsay responded. Melanie merely nodded. "I guess we missed breakfast. We overslept. That bed is so comfortable."

"Thank you," Seamus smiled. "Please call me Seamus. And there's no such thing as oversleeping on vacation. If you sleep then you needed it."

Melanie nodded. "I can vouch for that. I feel like a million dollars this morning."

"Just what I like to hear my guests say."

"Can you recommend a good place for … brunch, I guess we should call it?" Lindsay asked.

"How about the Piece of Plenty?" Seamus responded.

"But I thought you said breakfast was between seven and ten. It's after eleven."

"That it is, but you're my only guests. It's slow this time of year. I'd be happy to make you an omelet, and I already have a fresh pot of coffee brewing."

"That sounds great," Melanie had to admit. "If you're sure…"

"I'm sure," Seamus told them. "Come into the dining room."

Melanie and Lindsay sat down at one of the small tables. Seamus hustled into the kitchen and reappeared with the coffeepot. He poured them each a cup, and then disappeared only to return with two fruit cups.

"Fruit cup?" Melanie asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I know it's old fashioned, but everyone seems to enjoy them, and I use mostly fresh fruit."

"Delicious," Lindsay said taking a spoonful.

"I'll get those omelets started," Seamus said before returning to the kitchen.

"He's very nice. I can see why Brian liked it here," Lindsay said. "Seamus is very accommodating."

"But fruit cup?" Melanie asked. She took a bite and immediately changed her tune. "This is delicious. Maybe it takes a fruit to make a good fruit cup." She chuckled at her own joke. "I'm used to what they serve as fruit cup at the diner."

"Pssh," Lindsay scoffed. "That comes out of a can."

"I see the difference."

"This coffee's great too."

"Maybe we better get up in time for breakfast every day, if it's like this," Melanie mused. She was really enjoying the fruit cup with its fresh melon and blueberries and a few raspberries.

They had just finished their fruit cup when Seamus appeared with two omelets and a stack of toast. "Enjoy, ladies," he said as he set the food down in front of them."

"This looks wonderful," Lindsay said.

"Not bad at all," Melanie concurred.

"Seamus, would you mind joining us for a few minutes? I'd like to ask you some questions. That is, if you don't mind us eating in front of you," Lindsay asked.

"In this business I'm used to it," Seamus laughed. "Let me get a coffee and I'd love to join you. I like to get to know my guests."

"Why did you ask him to join us?" Melanie asked with a frown. "This is supposed to be our time alone together."

"I know, but I thought he could suggest what to do and where to go. It could be very helpful and save us some time."

"We have almost two weeks."

"But they'll go by very quickly if today is any indication."

"True," Melanie agreed. It was already after noon and they hadn't done anything.

Seamus came out of the kitchen carrying a coffee mug. He pulled a chair over and sat beside their table. They spent the next hour talking about St. Augustine and the things that were a must to see. Brian and Justin had already told them about most of them, but it was nice to have Seamus confirm their plans. He also agreed with Justin's list of restaurants that he had recommended. Seamus added a couple of his own favorites as well. By the end of their chat Lindsay and Melanie had a much better idea of where things were and what they wanted to do. Seamus cleared their dishes away as the two women went back up to their room to freshen up before heading out for the afternoon. They had decided they would drive around a bit and then walk through the old section of the town to get a feel for the place. A leisurely holiday might be just what they needed.

As they climbed the stairs, Melanie said, "Seamus is a lot nicer and more helpful than I thought he was going to be when we first arrived."

"He was nothing but pleasant and helpful when we first got here," Lindsay contradicted.

"But the first words out of his mouth were Brian Kinney. You know how I feel about that."

"Only too well," Lindsay sighed. She had hoped Melanie would be able to put her hatred of Brian behind her. That apparently wasn't going to happen.

"However," Melanie continued, "I have to admit that this place is lovely and Seamus is very accommodating."

"Even if he was recommended by Brian?'

"One could say, in spite of being recommended by Brian Kinney."

Lindsay shook her head. "You're incorrigible."

"I suppose I am, but I'm also admitting that this time Brian was right. This is going to be a lovely holiday."

"Only if we make it a lovely holiday," Lindsay cautioned.

"That's exactly what I intend to do. And I'm going to start by not saying another bad word about Brian Kinney the whole time we're here."

Lindsay's mouth dropped open and she stopped in her tracks. With a warm smile and a kiss on the cheek, Melanie passed Lindsay on the stairs and continued up to their room.



 

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