Little Cabin on the Lane

Chapter 4

Brian stretched his long frame on the more than adequate bed in the guest room in Ken and Simon’s house. He was still reviewing contracts; his gold rimmed reading glasses were gently perched on his nose. He already knew the contracts word for word but it didn’t hurt to go over them again. You could never be overly prepared for contract negotiations; the years in this dog-eat-dog business had long confirmed that for Brian. Even though Vangard had long ceased being a rival for Kinnetik, it didn’t stop Brian, Cynthia and Ted from working any less hard at being the best in advertising.

When Brian strolled into N’rgy, he immediately rolled up his sleeves and got to work. It was well after nine at night before Brian stumbled up the stairs and into Ken and Simon’s apartment. After a brief greeting they showed the tired adman to his room. There would be plenty of time for catching up later.

Brian sighed as he set the contract down on the bed and removed his glasses. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Brian closed his eyes hoping to ward off his headache. He must have dozed off because the buzzing noise by his side startled him awake.

“Yeah,” Brian answered with a tired rasp.

“Did I wake you?” Justin asked softly.

“Not really,” Brian fibbed.

“Liar.”

“Maybe,” Brian yawned. “I must really be getting old.”

“Or you were at the office by 7:30 this morning then worked up until your car picked you up to take you to the airport. Then you probably read contracts while waiting to board and on the plane, and then kept right on working the minute you walked into N’rgy until you finally called it quits. I’m thinking you just collapsed into bed. Am I right?”

“Wrong!” Brian boasted smugly. “I collapsed an hour ago,” Brian mumbled.

Justin chuckled. “I’m sorry I woke you, we can talk tomorrow.”

“We can talk now or have phone sex," Brian murmured as he gave his dick a tug, it responded appropriately. Brian smirked.

“Some things never change,” Justin said with a smile in his voice.

“Lucky for you. How was your day hunting down cabins?”

“Not as productive as I thought it would be. We saw a few but...”

“Not as romantic as cottages?”

“Yeah, and more elaborate than I thought they would be. I was expecting something rustic, primitive, not something elegant. I guess I’m a little disappointed.”

“So let me cheer you up," Brian purred.

“How?" Justin asked already knowing the answer. Brian whispered all the lovely things Brian wanted to do to Justin’s body if they were in bed together. Justin’s body responded appropriately.

“So are you up for it or not?” Brian asked louder.

“I’m up, I’m up,” Justin assured his mate as he settled back onto the master bed. “Brian?”

“Hmm?” Brian murmured, waiting for Justin to whisper sweet nothings or their equivalent.

“When you get back, I’d like to spend some time with you at Kinnetik.”

“Excuse me?” Brian asked and not the first time today.

“I’d like to learn more about Kinnetik and maybe work on a few campaigns with you.”

“And you’re discussing this with me now?” Brian asked incredulously. His hand was full of cock.

“Brian,” Justin said with a warning tone.

“Okay, okay, so you want to be my intern again?” Brian asked with fond memories of the once young beautiful blond intern he had so many years ago. “You know you’d have to work very long and hard into the night. Are you certain you’re up for the task?”

“Oh, I am very up for it,” Justin said with confidence and with his own purr in his voice. “I’m serious, Brian. I’m not giving up my art, I just want to do something more…”

“Practical,” Brian supplied.

“Yeah.”

“We can discuss your internship later when I get home, Taylor.”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather begin the interview now, Mr. Kinney?”

“Hmm, I could review your resume. Do you have experience, Taylor?”

“I have a lot of experience,” Justin purred confidently.

“I’ve been told I’m hard to please.”

“I’m sure you’ll find my work very pleasing,” Justin whispered and then quietly explained to Mr. Kinney just how experienced his new intern was and how dedicated he was to getting the job done. Justin expounded on how clever he was with his hands and how talented he was with various other parts of his body.

Thirty minutes later both Brian and Justin were trying to catch enough breath so they could say goodnight.

“Goodnight, Sunshine,” Brian murmured.

“Night, Brian. I love you, you know.”

“I know.”

 

*****
 

John was standing at the snack truck sipping coffee and going over the cabin plans with his crew when a car slowly made its way up the lane and parked in front of the B&B. A man got out of the car and looked around. When he spotted John, the man waved then began walking toward the truck.

“Father Tom!” John greeted the man fondly.

“It’s Tom, at least while I’m on the lane,” Tom said with a tired sigh.

“Brian mentioned that you’re taking some time off. I’m sorry for all the noise.” John waved a free hand at the large backhoe digging a trench for the foundation stones for the new cabin.

“I’ve lived in the city for most of my life; noise is a part of it. Brian said you were building a cabin for Michael.” Tom gave John a poignant look.

“Yes, well, when my brother gets a bug up his ass…”

“Nothing stops him,” Tom finished off the statement.

John nodded in agreement. John bought a cup of coffee and a bagel for Tom before getting back to work. “Tom, I’m sorry I don’t have time to talk now and I’m afraid there’s nothing in the kitchen.” John pointed toward the big cottage. “But come to dinner tonight. We can talk then.”

“Thank you, I’d be delighted. And don’t worry about me; I brought provisions for a few days. I do suppose there is a grocery store around here, somewhere,” Tom said with a smile.

“You passed the general store before you got to the turn off for the lane. They’ll have what you need.”

“Then I’m good for a while. See you later,” Tom said.

“Later,” John acknowledged as he got back to work.

Tom watched the goings on for a few minutes while he finished off his coffee and bagel then walked back to his car.

“Is that Father Tom?” Gordon asked when John reached the edge of the construction zone.

“Yes.”

“What’s he doing here?”

“I’m not sure. Brian seems to think he’s having a crisis of faith.”

“And Brian would know this how?” Gordon knew some of Brian’s notorious past.

“Brian knows a lot of things one wouldn’t think he knew but he does. Whatever the reason, Brian invited Tom to the lane.”

“Let’s just hope our next building on the lane isn’t a chapel,” Gordon mused then patted his long time friend on the back as they got back to work.

 

*****
 

“Hello?” Bobby called out as he entered the B&B.

“In here!” Tom called out from the smaller first floor suite. “Bobby, I didn’t expect to see you until later tonight. John invited me to dinner.” The men shook hands.

“I’m on vacation, just being lazy for a couple of weeks. I was visiting with my sister when I saw you pull up. Brian said you might be visiting us.”

“I hope it’s okay,” Tom said as he unpacked the last of his belongings to put away.

“Of course it is; you’re more than welcome to spend as much time here as you like. We missed you over Labor Day.”

“I had other commitments.”

“You could have taken one of the larger rooms,” Bobby mentioned as he looked around the quaintly furnished room.

“This is fine. I’m not used to big rooms.”

“Suit yourself. Have you eaten?”

“John treated me to a bagel,” Tom said with a grin.

“Typical. Come on over to my place, I’ll whip you up some eggs or something,” Bobby suggested. Not having any other plans, Tom agreed.

“This is amazing!” Tom exclaimed as they passed the greenhouse. He could see many flowering bushes and trees through the glass walls.

“You’ve seen it before.”

“But not it full bloom. May I?” Tom asked. Bobby nodded and they made a detour inside. “Exquisite,” Tom said as he inhaled the fragrant perfumes of the roses and other tropical flowers. “And he did this all by himself?”

“You mean Brian and the plants? Mostly. He had a vision, and typical Brian, he knew just who to call to get it done. And he worked closely with John on the design of the building. I think John likes it when Brian has an idea and allows John to run with it. They’re so similar and yet so different. But they enjoy working on projects together,” Bobby said with a warm smile. “Come through here.” Bobby led Tom through the maze of potted shrubs and trees until they reached the pond.

“Amazing!”

“I think so too. The Kinney boys strike again.” Bobby stood quietly by as Tom appeared to be lost in thought while he stared at the pond and the water sluicing down the rock-faced wall that fed it. Water ferns clung to the outcroppings like they’d been there for years. And the koi were contently swimming, reflecting back the sunlight that came through the glass ceiling.

“The pond continues outside,” Bobby stated, breaking through Tom’s reverie. Tom nodded then followed Bobby out the middle doors and through the arbor to get to the back of the building.

“Beautiful,” Tom whispered. Bobby swore there were tears in Tom’s eyes.

“Tom, what is it?” Bobby said gently as he approached closer. This man had been a good friend to the family for years and was instrumental in the reconciliation between Brian and Joan. Bobby feared the worst.

“I’m fine; really I am. It’s just lately I question the choices that I’ve made. My path, if you will. I will never stop loving God nor stop preaching his word but…”

“You want something more,” Bobby supplied. Then it struck Bobby. “Not something, someone; someone to share your life with.”

Tom took a deep shuddering breath as all his walls came crumbling down.

 

*****
 

“So, is he coming for dinner?” John asked as he set the table in the sun porch in preparation for dinner.

“I think so. He wasn’t sure he was ready to face people, but I tried to talk him into it,” Bobby replied.

“I’ll set a place for him.”

“Good. I just hope he comes. He needs support,” Bobby said, his voice somber.

“Brian must have told him to come here for a reason, so we’ll let things play out as they are wont to. We’ll be there to help when we’re needed.”

“I knew there was a reason why I love you,” Bobby said standing on his toes to give John a warm kiss.

“To quote my notorious brother, ‘Backatcha!’”

“Uncle Bobby,” Bree said, “here’s the salad. You sure made a lot.”

Patrick was carrying the big bowl. “Yeah, Poppa, you don’t usually fill this big bowl, and Uncle Brian isn’t even here.”

“We’re hoping to have a guest,” Bobby informed the children.

“Who?” they both asked.

“Yeah, who?” Justin added as he came in from his side of the house.

“Hi, Daddy,” Bree said running over to give him a kiss.

“Did you get the supplies you needed?” Bobby asked.

“Yeah, it’s great having that art store in Bridgeton. Then I don’t have to go all the way into Pittsburgh for supplies.”

“There are some people in Pittsburgh that would take that as an insult,” John said with a mischievous smile.

Justin made a face. “So who’s the guest?” he repeated.

“I guess that would be me,” Father Tom said as he came in the sun porch door.

“Father Tom!” Justin exclaimed. “When Brian said he had sent someone to stay at the B&B, you’re the last person I would have thought of.”

Tom’s brow crinkled with a frown. He wasn’t sure if he should spill his news to all of them immediately or not. It had been hard enough to tell Bobby. “I … I needed some peace and quiet, and some time alone.”

“Or not alone,” Bobby whispered to John.

John gave his husband a curious look. “Come on in … Tom,” he said, deliberately leaving off the Father part of the name. “We’re just about ready for dinner.”

“Hi, Father Tom,” Bree said as she ran over to the man to give him a hug.

“You give wonderful hugs,” Tom said as he bent over to reciprocate with the little girl.

“I know,” Bree said with a big smile. “Will you sit beside me for dinner?”

“I’d love to,” Tom replied. They made their way over to the table and Bree made sure that she sat beside Father Tom.

“Are you settled in?” John asked as he doled out the salad from the big bowl.

“Getting there,” Tom said.

“I wonder why Brian didn’t tell me that it was you who was coming,” Justin speculated before he took a big bite of the Caesar salad.

“I went to see Brian just before he left town. I told him some things that I’m not quite ready to share with everybody. I hope that’s all right,” Tom said in measured tones.

Justin frowned. “I didn’t mean to pry into something that’s none of my business.”

“You’re not butting in,” Tom assured him. “I just need some time.”

“Take as much time as you need,” Justin stated. He was curious, but he wasn’t about to press Father Tom. This sounded serious.

“I’ll get the chicken,” Bobby said getting up from the table.

“I’ll help you, Poppa,” Patrick volunteered.

“Father Tom, will you walk with me down to the stream after dinner?” Bree asked while they waited for the main course of their dinner.

“I’d love to, Bree.”

“Good, it’s nice and peaceful down there. I think you’ll like it.”

“I’ve been there before, Bree. I don’t suppose that you remember me baptizing you there?”

“I don’t really remember,” Bree said, “but I know the stream is a special place.”

“It is special, and you were very little.”

“I sort of remember,” Bree said while her forehead creased with the effort to remember more of the details. “Gamma Joan was there.”

“Yes, she made a real effort to be part of your life, Bree, starting that day,” Father Tom said quietly.

Bree’s eyes filled up for a moment as she thought about her beloved Gamma who was no longer with her. She still missed her a lot. Bree fought back the tears and tried to put on a happier face for their guest. She carefully studied the man sitting next to her. He seemed awfully sad, just like she did when she thought about her Gamma Joan. She hoped the stream would make him feel better while he was there. It always made her feel better, even without her Gamma Joan to talk to.

“I miss Gamma Joan a lot,” Bree said aloud. “I wish she was still here.”

“I think we all do,” Father Tom said gently. “She loved you very much.”

Bree nodded. They loved each other so much. It was hard without her Gamma being there to share all the things that happened in Bree’s life.

“Here’s the chicken,” Bobby announced as he carried a roast chicken to the table. Patrick brought a bowl of vegetables that had been roasted in the oven.

“This looks wonderful,” Tom said as they all helped themselves to the food and dug into the delicious meal.

 

*****
 

After dinner Bree took Father Tom’s hand and they walked toward the path to the stream. Beau trailed along with them.

“Beau always makes sure I have an adult with me when I go to the stream,” Bree informed her guest.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, if I try to go by myself, he knocks me down.”

“He does?” Tom asked with a valiant attempt not to laugh.

“I usually get mad at him, until I realize that he’s only trying to protect me.”

“How old are you again?” Tom asked.

“I’m nine, why?”

“You seem much older.”

“A lot of people tell me that,” Bree replied.

“I’m not surprised.”

Bree frowned. “But I don’t get why I seem older. Ashley’s nine and she’s just like me.”

“I think I’ve met Ashley. She’s a lovely little girl.”

“Just like me,” Bree said.

“Not exactly,” Father Tom answered.

“Why not?’

“You have a way of getting to the heart of a matter that many adults aren’t able to do.”

Bree thought about that. “I’m not sure what you mean exactly, but I hope that’s a good thing.”

“It’s a very good thing, just like how you knew I needed to come to the stream,” Tom said as they emerged from the path and saw the stream trickling over the rocks ahead of them.

“I just know that if I feel sad I come here,” Bree stated.

“That’s what I mean. You know instinctively what will help somebody, and furthermore you act to make it happen.”

“Oh.” Bree was silent as Tom took in the peaceful clearing in front of them.

“It is wonderful here.”

“Would you like to be by yourself?” Bree asked somehow knowing that it would be Father Tom’s preference.

“Yes, I think I would.”

“I could leave Beau to keep you company.”

“That would be nice.”

“I hope you figure it all out, Father Tom,” Bree said.

“See, you know that I have some big decisions to think about and make.”

“But I don’t know what they are,” Bree told him.

“That doesn’t matter. I’ll figure them out … eventually.”

“I hope so,” Bree said as she gave him a hug.

He hugged her back once again and whispered, “Thank you.”

Bree knelt down beside Beau and told him to stay with Father Tom. She promised she would go right back to the house. Father Tom walked over to the big rock and sat down on the edge of it. He was soon joined by Beau who sat next to the man and enjoyed the fingers that combed through his thick coat.

Bree watched them for a minute and then turned for home. Her work there was done for now.
 

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