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 Yeah, but 
112 Stormy Glenn
 No buts, angel.
 He s right, Matty.
Matty glanced up to see Brody standing by the front doors. He felt
his face flush when he realized the minister had overheard him.
 Cade Creek is a special place, Matty, Brody said.  The people
here are special.
Matty gave the minister a shaky smile.  Yeah, I m beginning to
see that.
Brody grinned.  I wouldn t want to live anywhere else.
Matty nodded. He still felt like everything was a little unreal. Not
only had his engagement to another man been announced, but
everyone seemed happy for them. It was so vastly different then what
would have happened back home, that Matty was in a state of shock.
Not only would such an announcement not be allowed, but if
someone tried, they would have been run out of town. Matty wasn t
even sure that they would make it out of town without something
horrible happening to them. His father was likely to order a lynching.
 Hungry, angel?
Matty glanced up at Quaid and shook his head.  Not really. My
stomach is kind of queasy right now.
Quaid frowned.  Do we need to go home?
Matty glanced out over all of the cloth covered tables being set up,
the tables filled with food, and the crowd gathering at the back of the
church. He shook his head and smiled at the bigger man.
 No, I guess I need to meet these people sooner or later. I m just
not quite ready to eat yet.
 If you re sure& 
 I am.
 Okay, I m going to go help Ma unload the truck. She brought
several baskets of tomatoes with her. Why don t you track us down
something to drink? We can eat when you re feeling better.
Cowboy Way 113
Matty nodded then tilted his face up as Quaid leaned down to kiss
him. He didn t realize what he had done until Quaid was walking
away a moment later. He had asked for, and received, a kiss in public.
Matty glanced around quickly for signs of upset, but all he saw
was people laughing and talking. Those close by that had seen him
kiss Quaid were just smiling. Matty smiled back, his face flushing,
and looked around for someplace to be.
He spotted Billy sitting by a tree and hurried in his direction. Billy
was safe. Billy was a Blaecleah. As he sat down next to Billy, he
noticed the man seemed a little uneasy. Matty reached over and patted
Billy s hand.
 Are you okay?
 Me? Billy glanced up from the pile of grass he was pulling at.
 I m fine.
 Where s Rourke?
Billy glanced to his left then pointed.  He s over there talking
with Da and Brody.
 Planning your wedding?
Billy s face flushed, and he quickly glanced down at the grass
again, twirling a piece between his fingers.  Maybe.
 It s kind of nerve-racking, isn t it?
 What? Billy looked up.
 Marrying a Blaecleah.
 Oh, I ve always wanted to be a Blaecleah. Billy suddenly
smiled. Matty was surprised by how much it lit up Billy s face.  Well,
I ve always wanted Rourke. Becoming a Blaecleah is just a bonus.
 You love him a lot, don t you?
 With every breath I take.
Matty leaned back on his hands as he wondered about his own
relationship with Quaid. He knew he liked the man a lot. He just
didn t know if he loved Quaid.  How do you know?
 Know what?
 That you love Rourke?
114 Stormy Glenn
Billy smiled again. His eyes took on a dreamy look as he glanced
over at Rourke. Matty was surprised when Rourke s head snapped
around as if the man had felt Billy looking at him. He envied the
connection he could see between the two men. He wanted that for him
and Quaid.
 I just know. I ve always known. Rourke is special. He loves me
no matter what I ve done in my past, no matter how many mistakes I
make. He makes me want to be a better man.
Matty grinned.  I can see that. Quaid makes me believe my
dreams might actual come true.
Billy chuckled.  They do do that, don t they?
 Seems to be the Blaecleah way.
 I just wish everyone was that way.
 Yeah, I know what you mean. Matty frowned and rubbed the
small cut on his forehead that was still healing. He started to feel
depressed again and didn t want to feel that way.  Let s go find
something to drink.
 Oh, no, I don t mingle.
 Why not?
 I did a lot of bad things before Rourke saved me. Billy glanced [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]