Thanks for teh comments guys. I hope that you are still enjoying my little story.
As for the cross over between stories !!!... lol. You have to stay tuned to see.
Here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy.
"Not what I thought escape meant"
Chapter 8
Max woke the next morning and realized he was in bed alone. Remembering that the whole crew was showing up today he grabbed Carl's robe from the bedroom door and headed to the kitchen. The coffee pot was still on and there was a note on the table. Pouring a cup of coffee so his eyes would finish opening Max sat at the table and picked up the note."Morning Sexy. Started to wake you but I just watched my prince sleep. Sorry that I wont be back for breakfast or lunch. Relax and enjoy your day. Go explore. Love You ... Gator..with a smiley face under it. "This is all a little too much too fast." Max thought as he smiled at the note. "I am fifty three years old. I have never had anyone that truely loved me. How can I search for over thirty years and not find love. Then when I give up the idea and decide to escape and just live out my days in the shadows of life the man of my dreams walks out of the shadows and takes my heart with him." Max thought. "Stop over analyzing Max. You always do that. You analyze to the point that you scare yourself and draw back into your shell. It a new life. You left the old one so leave the old habits behind. You left your life hurt badly. If you get hurt again at least this will be a short life and you can move on to another new one." Max thought as he still smiled at the note.
"Hey boss you with us ? Boss!!" came a voice into the cab of the tractor over a two way radio. "Yeah sorry guys. Whats up ?" Carl said. Once he had given them the instructions on what he wanted done next he sat back in the seat and placed a foot on the dash of the tractor. The larger tractors had enclosed cabs so they had AM/FM stereos. Carl barely heard the music as he lay his head back and looked at the roof of the cab. "Is he the real thing ? Can I finally let go and enjoy being in love and being loved ? Carl thought. Carl pulled his head back down and watched the other four tractors run the fields. The fields were big and the tractors tranformed the land just like synchronised swimmers. "I love this life. I wonder if he will be happy with it ? A gay man that loves to get dirty and work on the ranch. Will he be like Brent ?" Carl thought. "Hell Carl. Max is nothing like Brent. It is an insult to Max to even compare them. Something that night in the diner I just could not shake. " Carl thought. Checking once again on the tractors Carl lay his head back again. "I have to let go of the past. When I saw him at the counter from the booth for some reason my heart just jumped. At first I thought it may have been that some strangers bring no good. The more I watched all I could feel was this was an honest, sincere man. Hell my dick even stirred just from the feeling coming from him before I saw his face. It hurts me to think that every other man wanted him to change. No he is not a muscle daddy but his body is great. At least for me he is perfect. He loves you, you idiot and you love him. Let the past go." Carl thought. The stereo seemed to get louder. Jason Aldean's song Big Green Tractor began to play. Carl smiled as he heard the words as Jason sang. "as long as I am with you" was the phrase that made his heart just melt. "Lord I know that a country music song is korny but thank you. Max would be just as happy riding on my big green tractor. Take the past hurt from me and while your at it take the current fear. You sent him to me here in Rex Wyoming. Please keep him here with me." Carl thought Smiling as he fired his big green tractor back up he headed out to catch up with the other workers.
Max had cleaned the house and taken his shower and dressed. Opening his computer he checked his emails and answered the ones that needed answering. He was surprised that the Realtor had answered him so soon. He then realized there was two hours difference so that explained it. He then checked a couple of sites and got a mental price of how much he needed for his plan. He then replied to the Realtor and outlined what he wanted and would accept. Looking at the clock he closed the computer , grabbed his keys and headed for the door.
Pulling up to Flo's, the parking lot was fairly empty. "I guess Mary was right about the breakfast crowd." Max thought. Grabbing his laptop briefcase Max headed into the diner. As he entered he saw both Flo and Mary at the counter. "Well hello big fella'. We figured Carl wouldn't let you out of bed to come up here." Flo laughed. "I woke up alone this morning thank you very much Flo." Max laughed. "Spring planting and all the crew is there." Mary whispered. "That has to be the only reason. Just wait until the season hits. Bet them two hibernate for the winter like bears." Flo laughed. "We have started making a few plans. I hope you don't mind. " Mary said. "I welcome the help." Max said. "Here hon let me find you a pillow to set on. You seem to be walking fine though." Flo chuckled. "No pillow needed Flo. You just don't give up do you ?" Max laughed. "Well if you don't need one I hope Carl took one for the tractor seat." Flo and Mary laughed. "I don't know about that one. If the seat is good on his tractor then he wouldn't need one either." Max said. "You just wont give up the juicy details will you ? " Mary said. "No juicy details to give up at this point Mary." Max said. "Uh huh." Mary laughed. "Mary here tells me you cook a mean meatloaf. You need to show me how you make it. I can add that to the menu." Flo laughed. "The man can damn sure cook." Mary said.
Moving to a large table the three sat down and began to plan the surprise party for Carl. "I don't know if its possible but I would like to keep it a surprise. Would it be possible to rent the use of your kitchen so I can get some of it done Flo ?" Max asked. "Hell honey you don't have to rent it since its for Carl. You are welcome to it. We will just have to work around each other. " Flo said. Mary had some suggestions which all sounded great. "You just doing cake and ice cream ?" Flo asked. " I want to feed everybody. I am just not sure what to feed them. Do you have any idea how many may come ?" Max asked. "Honey you would have to feed probably two hundred or more." Flo said. "Thats no problem. I wish I had not sold all my equipment but it would be in Georgia so that would not help. " Max said. "Equipment ?" Flo asked. "I use to own a bakery and catering business. If I had my smoker back we would be set. It would hold three full hogs." Max said. "That type food is a major undertaking for that many. Well probably not for you though.:" Mary said. Max sat back and thought. As he looked around Flo's he saw the chalk board menu that had a special for Saturday night. "What do you think of a fish fry ?" Max asked. "That would be great. Everyone loves fried fish and you don't have to have too many fixin's with it. " Mary said. "Guess I need to sneak away and buy enough fish friers to handle this." Max said. "No need. Every body in town has either a fish fryer or a turkey fryer. Let me handle that. How many would you need ?" Mary asked. "Proabably five if they are big. Three for fish. One for fries and one for hushpuppies." Max said. "Easy enough. Put my name beside fryers." Mary said. "Flo. Is the fish you get for Saturday night fresh ? Max asked. "Yeah they deliver it iced down Saturday morning before I open." Flo said. "Oh I hate to do that. Thats your Saturday night special. I will figure something else out." Max said. "Honey I might as well close my doors. Only customers I will have might be a passer through. Everyone will be at your house." Flo said. "I hate that it will hurt your sales." Max said. "Oh don't worry about that honey. Old Flo can afford a night or two of low sales. Hell when the snow hits it will be a ghost town in here." Flo said. "Well let me pay you for the use of your kitchen then." Max said. "No need honey." Flo said. "You didn't ask. I offered. A lot of difference." Max said. "You were right Flo." Mary said. "About what ? " Max asked. "You are perfect for my little brother. I promise to be the best sister in law you have ever had." Mary said. "You already have been. The two I already have aren't worth a damn towards me." Max laughed.
About two hours later most of the plans had been made. Phone calls to Flo's fish market and her suppliers had everything oredered that could be gotten from them. "Oh shit Flo. Will you take an out of state check or had you rather have a credit card ? I guess I could find an ATM." Max said. "Check is fine honey. I know where you live." Flo said. Mary was also going to take care of coolers and fryers. Max had oredered the fish, fries, oil, produce and plates, cups and napkins. "I need to find something for tea and lemonade. "Hell honey some of these folks can bring something. Let me handle that. I will get some to bring tea and some to bring lemonade." Flo said. "Please tell everyone no gifts. I don't want Carl to run me off before the party is over. He would be furious." Max said. "You know my brother." Mary said. "Speaking of which. I would love for Joe to come if he wont cause a scene. " Max said. "You want him there ? " Mary asked. "He is Carl's brother. Blood is thicker than water. I just don't want him to ruin Carl's day." Max said. "Done." Mary said. The early lunch crowd began to arrive so Flo left the table to handle her customers. "Thank you." Mary said. "For what ?" Max asked. "For leaving your old life. For stopping at Flo's diner. For making my brother the happiest I have ever seen him. I am sure all the rabbit sex helps." Mary said. "I will be honest. There has been no sex yet." Max said. Max told a quick story of his conversation with Carl and they both agreed that their closets needed to be cleaned so when they did it was just them. There were no ghosts in their bed. Mary had a tear in her eye. "God did bless Rexton Ranch when he brought you there.:" Mary said. "No Mary. God blessed me when he made me so tired I couldn't drive past it." Max said. "Well here are the papers you wanted. Not sure why you needed them though. " Mary said.
Max sat and looked over the papers for a few minutes. There were a couple of pages that he kept going back too. "Who was his lawyer ?" Max asked. "Some old koot here in town that about the only thing he does is write wills." Mary said. Max looked further and kept going back to two certain pages. "That sneaky little bastard." Max said. "What ?" Mary asked. "Do you mind if I keep these for a few days ?" Max asked. "You can keep them. Are you a lawyer or something ?" Mary asked. "A long way from it. But I have had to deal with these type papers and realestate papers for twenty five years. My lawyers taught me to look for certain things. These are all originals aren't they ?" Max asked. "Yeah . Everytime the deputy delivered more papers Carl would bring them to me unopened. He picked the lawyer and I carried them to him but would only give him copies." She said. "Please keep this between us. I may not be able to do anything but it looks like I may be able to give that little bastard a taste of his own medicine. " Max said. Mary leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I already knew you were the perfect one. Now I know it." Mary said. "Well I haven't accomplished anything yet." Max said. "Wheather you do or not you have the passion to help my brother. I can see it in your face. Thats all I ask." Mary said.
Max was relieved that he had accomplished as much as he had. He toured the town and found a couple of the chain dollar stores. He also went back to the small grocery store and looked for items he would need. Talking to the store manager he paid in advance for some extra items he would need being insured that they would be there on Wednesday. Happy with how much he had accomplished Max headed back to begin supper. Potato flake pork chops were on the menu. A couple of vegetables and corn bread would complete the meal. "That was some quick work today but it made me feel good to feel alive again." Max thought. Opening his computer he began to research some of the things he saw on the papers. Pulling out his cell phone he called one of his judge friends back in Georgia. Luckily his judge friend was in. He quickly gave him a scenareo of what happened and the papers he had read. The judge asked him to give him a couple of days to see how he could help and would call me back. The food was ready and in the oven staynig warm. Max put all the papers away but was still looking on his computer when the back door opened. "Hey babe. How was your day ?" Carl said as he sat at the kitchen table and let out a long deep breath. "Carl. I wish you would let me help. You are exhausted. I know how to operate a seed drill." Max said. "I am counting on that hon." Carl laughed. "Well dinner is ready. You go jump in the shower while I get the food out. " Max said. "Can I at least get a kiss first. I have been wanting one all day." Carl said in a pittyful voice. Max walked over and lightly kissed Carl on the lips. "Now go get a shower big boy." Max said slapping Carl on the butt as he stood and headed for the bathroom.
Dinner was another hit. Carl had gotten a little bit of a second wind. "That was an almost perfect meal." Carl said. "Almost ?" Max laughed. "Well I showed up at the table dressed properly. You didn't." Carl said. Max had realized that he was still dressed and that Carl was naked. Max stood and removed his shirt and then his shorts. As he went to set back down Carl slid his chair back and patted his leg. Max went over and sat on Carl's lap. Carl wrapped his arms aorund Max and held him tight. "I missed you today." Carl said. "I missed you too." Max said. "I wish I could have gone with you and given you the royal tour of our little town. I know its small." Carl whispered. "I like small towns though." Max said. Carl took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "You smell so damn good." Carl said. "I know you are tired now." Max laughed. "Never too tired for you baby." Carl said. "You go stretch out on the couch while I take care of these few dishes." Max said trying to stand. "No not yet. I am too comfortable." Carl said. "Baby we need to figure out something so that you are not working this hard every day." Max said. "Its only this week. I generally take about a month or so to do this but I wanted it done so I could spend time with you." Carl said. "Listen to me. You are no good to me sick. I will be here. You don't have to finish everything so quick." Max said. "I know that babe. Some of the guys were needing money so I took the opportunity of getting all of this done this week and then you will have to run me off to get some peace and quiet." Carl said. "Well you are forgiven this week and this week only. If you don't start letting me help I will have to go find another farmer to work for." Max said. "Oh no you don't. I promise you can help. Later though." Carl whispered. "Now to the couch. I will be there in a few minutes." Max said. When he got to the couch Carl had his feet on the coffee table and was sound asleep. Max sat beside him and without waking Carl reached around him and pulled him to his chest. Max let Carl sleep for about an hour before he woke him up. "Alright you sexy stud. Time to tuck you in bed." Max said pulling Carl up and heading him to the bed.
The rest of the week was almost a replay. Max did venture out to the field a couple of times. Carl was thrilled to get a bonus kiss during the day. Max had been going to Flo's and preparing what he could in advance. "Damn boy. My walk in cooler aint had this much food in it in years." Flo said. Flo watched in wonder as Max took the different pans she had and would fill them with cake batter and bake them. A few choclate layers and a few butter layers. Trays of snack sandwiches were prepared. Wet paper towels were placed over them and wrapped tight in clear wrap. "Those still gonna be good Saturday ?" Flo asked. "Will taste like they were just made. Unwrap them. Take the paper towel off and let them air dry for thirty minutes." Max said. "Well I want to see what the hell you are going to do with all that cake." Flo said. Mary had come by and reported on her progress. Everything was miraculously falling into place. "Now I just need to get Carl away from the house for part of the day." Max said. "Already handled. They are carrying his grain to auction Saturday morning. Daryl went by and asked him if he could ride with him." Max said. "Thank you. I had forgotten that little detail. "They will leave about nine or so and be back around five." Mary said. "I need to fnd someone that can cut me a large piece of plywood. I need it for the cake." Max said. "They can do it over at the hardware store." Flo said. "Some of the folks around here have offered to bring some lights. Some have christmas lights and some have them japanese lanterns. I told them to bring them. I hope thats not too tacky." Mary said. "I think it would be great." Max said. "My lord. Could you just see the look on Brent's face if it wasn't crystal light fixtures hanging in the back yard." Flo laughed. "Hell Flo he wouldn't have known. He always planned a private trip for himself for Carl's birthday." Mary laughed. "Not me. As long as Carl is happy I don't care if its tacky as hell." Max said. "And you aint slicked that pole for him yet ? Beats all I ever seen." Flo laughed. "Some of the ladies wanted to know about cakes." Mary asked. "Hell Mary. He got enough cake back there to feed the whole state of Wyoming." Flo said. "Guess you have that handled then." Mary laughed. "Oh. Almost forgot. That cute UPS man delivered this for you today. Almost sent him out to the house but I figured it may be a surprise. " Flo said. "Thank goodness. I ordered Carl a cell phone and had it added to my plan. This is part of his birthday present. " Max said. "Part ?" Mary said and looked at Flo and winked.
That night Max thought he was going to have to help Carl into the house. "Baby I wish you would stop this. " Max said. "One more day. Oh I forgot. I have to go to the grain auction Saturday for a while. I was gonna ask you to go but Daryl hit me up and wanted to ride with me. I hope you don't mind. I promise I will make it up to you." Carl said. "You go do what you have to and I will be here with bells on when you get back." Max said. "Bells ? Damn I was hoping you would be dressed just like you are now." Carl tried to laugh. A quick shower and then a quick dinner and Max was directing Carl down the hall to the bed. "Let me go let Bo out and I will be right back." Max said. Expecting Carl to be sound asleep Max tip toed into the bedroom and slowly slid into the bed. Before he could stop moving Carl pulled him to his chest for a deep sensual kiss. Roaming his hands all over Max's body he stopped at Max's now leaking cock and collected some precum on his finger. Putting his finger to his lips and lightly taking his tongue and licking of the liquid. "I needed some desert baby. I hope you don't mind." Carl whispered. "Anytime you want it baby." Max whispered. Within minutes both men were sound asleep. The next morning Max preteneded to be asleep when Carl got up before sunrise. Carl leaned over and kissed Max on the cheek. "Sleep my sexy prince. I love you." he whispered. Max had fight to keep from having a tear escape. Once he heard the tractors pull away from the barn Max got up and showered quickly, dressed and was out the door. It was Friday. One more day until the party. Now he was getting nervous.
Arriving at Flo's just after she opened Carl pulled the cake layers out of the cooler. The tiers or layers were as large as Flo's biggest bread pans. Mixing the frosting Flo and her cook both almost burned eggs and toast trying to watch Max. Max had found dowel rods to hold the tiers in place. All the tiers were stacked and Max made another frosting and did what is called crumb coating. He sat on a stool at the end of the kitchen for about twenty minutes and just stared at the cake. "Honey. A little more frosting and that mountain will be finished." Flo said. "I wish Flo." Max laughed. Max took a large Chef's knife and began carving. The cake was beginning to take shape. He had two extra tiers that he had kept to cut for extra pieces he needed. Those he had frozen. About an hour later the mixer fired up and Max began more frosting. Pastry bags with tips, large spatula, and hot water ready Max began to bring the cake to life. Customers were getting upset because Flo and the cook stood and stared. Only leaving when they had to they took there place once again just to watch. Another hour later Flo sat back against the counter. "Well I will be fucked." She said. About that time Mary came through with her arms full. "Come here girl. You have got to see this shit." Flo said. Max had just written "Rexlan Ranch" on the side. Mary dropped he packages when she saw the cake. In front of them on a five foot long and three foot wide piece of covered ply wood was an exact replica of Carl's John Deere tractor with a seed drill behind it. "Where the hell did that come from ?" Mary asked. "Max made it. Made it all from scratch." Flo said. Max lay his pastry bag down and sat back on the stool. Still stairing at the cake Mary ran over to him and warpped her arms around him. "How the hell you learn to do that ?" Mary asked. "Practice. I told you I use to own a bakery. I did most of the cake decorating." Max said. "Well its perfect." Mary said. "Well I see a couple of flaws. I may try to correct them." Max said. "No you don't. Its perfect just the way it is." Mary said. There was an older man standing in the kitchen door. "Hell from here it looks like you bought one them big toys. Is all that cake ?" he asked. "Even the tires and the smoke stack." Flo said.
Max was exhausted himself by the time he got home. As he began dinner which was just be spaghetti and meat sauce with a salad he heard a truck drive up. Turning the burner down low he went to the door. "Oh fuck." he thought seeing Joe get out of the truck and head for the door. Opening the door and stepping out on the porch. "Hey Joe." Max said. "Carl around ?" he asked. "He is still out in the field. Care for a glass of tea ?" Max asked. "I'm fine. I just needed to talk to Carl. I heard you are having him a big shin dig here tomorrow. " Joe said. "Yes and I hope you will come." Max said. "We'll see." Joe said. "Is there something I can do for you ?" Max asked. "Not unless you can sign his checks." Joe said. "Well I will never be able to do that. I don't want to. Are you in trouble ?" Max asked. "I just need to talk to Carl." Joe said. "Well its Friday and he wont be in until after dark so if I can help speak up." Max said. "You aint got no job. You got an old beat up SUV. How can you help ?" Joe said spitting his tobacco juice. "Don't let looks decieve you." Max said. "Well she done went and spent the light bill and grocery money. I wont have any until after the grain auction. I wanted to see if Carl would help me over." Joe said. "How much do you need ?" Max asked. "More than you got." Joe said. "You may be surprised. That was not the answer to my question." Max said. "I need four hundred to get me through." Joe said. "Wait right here." Max said. "I will give you this on two conditions. Well maybe more. You do not tell Carl for one. The other is that you come to his party and not cause a scene. Do not let your wife know you have this money. Its not for her to spend. And lastly you go from here to the hardware store and spend at least thirty dollars or so on a birthday present for your brother." Max said. Max handed Joe some cash. "There is seven hundred there. Don't blow it." Max said. "Thats too much to pay back." Joe said. "I never mentioned paying back. But if you don't show up or you cause a scene I will get it back with interest." Max said. "You aint like him are you ?" Joe said. "The only thing he and I have in common is that we walk on the same earth." Max said. "I will be here." Joe said. "I look forward to it." Max said as Joe turned and headed back to his truck. "Shit. Carl will be furious." Max thought.
Dinner was just coming out of the oven as Carl walked in the back door. "Hey Babe." Carl said as he plopped in the chair at the table. "Hey baby. Did you get finished ?" Max asked. "Got about a half a days work left but it will have to wait until next week. I can do it though. I wont need the guys back though." Carl said. "Well I don't want you half killing yourself ever again to try to get ahead like you did." Max said. "It will be worth it tomorrow. DAMN tomorrow. I don't want to go to that auction." Carl said. "What exactly is it ? " Max asked. "That is when I sell the last of my grain and buy grain for seed. I wish the hell I didn't have to go." Carl said and lay his head on the table. "You just set there and relax. I will be back shortly." Max said. "I need to shower." Carl said with his head still on the table. A few minutes later Max came back to the table and took Carl by the arm and pulled him up. You bath awaits mister." Max said. Carl leaned down and kissed Carl. "Only if you dress like I do in the tub." he laughed. Max stripped Carl and then himself. Carl moaned as he settled into the warm water. "I wish you were in here with me." Carl said rubbing his hand on Max's chest. "Not quite enough room there buddy." Max laughed. Max washed Carl while he let his muscles relax. "What do you want to do for your birthday tomorrow ?" Max asked. "I want to spend the day with you in my arms. But I guess I have to do the grain thing first." Carl said. "What do you want for supper ?" Max asked. "You !! I don't care. Just something simple and easy to clean up after. Better yet we can go to Flo's ." Carl said. Carl was too tired to enjoy the body wash that Max was giving him but that did not stop Max from enjoying. "What time is Daryl picking you up in the morning ?" Max asked. "Around nine I guess. I will get the calves fed before he gets here." Carl said. "No you wont. I will have all morning to feed them. You are sleeping until at least eight." Max said. "Ah bossy aren't we." Carl laughed. "Well somebody has to." Max laughed.
Dinner was quick and easy. Hot chicken salad and left over potato salad. Bo was let out early and they both headed to bed. Carl pulled Max in the bed on top of him. Within minutes both men were sound asleep. Max had his arms wrapped around Carl and Carl had one hand on one cheek and the other hand in the crack of Max's ass with his finger resting on the prize. As he fell asleep Carl whispered. "Now this is comfort. This is home." Max finally felt like he was really home. For the man underneath him and holding him tight to be that tired but still have that thought. As Max fell asleep he knew that the time was coming. The past was melting away.
