Winter Hearts by Fyn Alexander Page A

made Luke cover himself all the time. He’d been shy and unable to accept that they were together, a couple, rather than just having sex. “We have to move to the claims today. The snow’s gone. The weather is perfect.” It had been cool but bright and sunny all week, and the ground was thawing. The train had finally gotten through just a week ago, and there had been another since then, so the stores were full of things to buy.
    Sam’s shoulders slumped. The thing he had been so excited for last fall when it had all been theory was now about to happen, and instead of looking forward to it, he no longer wanted to farm his own land. He wanted to live with Luke like they’d been living in the little house all winter. The first day of spring had passed weeks ago, but the storms had continued, and no one from town had moved back to their land yet. Now, the first week in May, there was no more putting it off. Everyone who had come into town for the winter was moving back to their claims.
    Luke sat up. He leaned over, kissing Sam tenderly on the lips. That was another thing he did often now, though he was still a little shy about it. “You have to prove up your claim.”
    “I know. I have to build a house, farm the land for five years, and make improvements in order to keep it.”
    “You’ll need to build a barn for Pip, and you’ll have to buy a cow and an ox or a couple of sturdy horses to plow the land. Can you afford it? I can loan you some money if you want.”
    Sam smiled. “I’ve got enough money to get started. Now get up and in your bath.”
    “Hey.” Luke chuckled. “I’m older than you. Don’t be so bossy.”
    The muslin curtains offered privacy as well as light in the room just as Sam had said they would. Sam poured hot water into the cool water already in the large, round tin tub they used for bathing. Luke dipped his big toe in to test the heat and then stepped in. The tub was too small in which to bathe anyone other than a child, so the men would step into the knee-deep water and then squat in order to wash themselves. While he squatted, washing his privates, Sam poured water over Luke’s back and head. With his hands, he washed Luke’s back.
    “Get your hands off my ass, boy.” Luke laughed when Sam’s hands drifted down that way.
    Sam slid his hand between Luke’s thighs, cupping his balls. He kissed Luke’s soapy back and then got up to pour a jug of water over him. Luke stood, rinsing the soap off his legs and privates. He stepped out of the tub and shook himself off like a dog. Sam laughed, handing him a towel. Luke had only one small cotton hand towel to his name. It was a good thing Sam had brought a stack of white linen towels with him. Luke dried himself quickly and took his trousers off the nail. They no longer needed underwear.
    “Will you let me fuck you?” Sam asked very quietly to Luke’s back.
    Clearly surprised, Luke turned to face him. For a moment he appeared angry, making Sam fear he had offended him. Luke had fucked him numerous times over the winter but never offered himself. He had sucked Sam’s cock, but that was all.
    The frown passed quickly. “No.” He turned his back again and got dressed.
    Sam put his shirt on and served their breakfast. They ate in an awkward silence. “Sorry, Luke,” he mumbled. “I meant no offense.”
    When Luke didn’t want to talk about a subject, he simply ignored it. Sam had learned that by now. “As soon as we’re done breakfast, we’ll load up the wagons and drive out to the claims. You can leave all your stuff in my barn, then come back to town. You’ll need to buy lumber, tar paper, and nails to build a shanty. I’ve got a couple of hammers, so don’t spend money on anything you don’t need right now. The lumberyard’ll have everything you want. You’ll have to buy seed wheat too and seeds to start your vegetable garden. The prairie grass is growing now, so you won’t need feed for the animals. You can put them out to