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The sky was overcast in the morning, and the weather report predicted showers but clearing by evening. We lingered over coffee before tidying up the cabin and going on a run. Even though the sky looked like rain, we got all the way around the lake before the first drops fell. We had lunch, took a short nap, then took a very long and very sexy shower that left us drained ‑ for the moment ‑ and very satisfied.

I called Junior Kuusisto. Junior started babbling on about Morgan and Nash as soon as I got him on the phone. Both the Johnson brothers had made outstanding first impressions with Junior and his wife. Morgan had solidified his place in the Kuusisto family with the second visit. To hear Junior tell it, his wife, who had been accepting but not really pleased when Jack had told them about being gay, was absolutely in love with Morgan Johnson. She thought Jack had shown remarkable taste in becoming involved with such a fine, nice young man. Junior was also enthusiastic about Jack's choice, and told me both Morgan and his brother were two of the best workers he'd ever hired. Even Jake Senior was impressed. "They do more work in a morning than most of my summer men do in one day. I'm saving money hand over fist, 'cause I won't have to hire as many seasonal workers as normal," were his words.

Wyatt beamed with pride when I told him about the conversation.

As we moved into the later afternoon, the last rain shower fell and the skies began to clear. That was good, because Wyatt had a big piece of beef marinating in the refrigerator to make a London broil. It wouldn't be nearly as good, if we had to cook it inside.

I went into the kitchen and started cutting up broccoli, onions, carrots, and beans to make a vegetable salad to go along with the London broil. When the salad was mixed and stored in the fridge, I washed and dried the utensils, knives, and my hands; then very deliberately ran the edge of one of the knives across the pad of my ring finger, opening a clean half inch cut. I washed the cut, and used paper towels to dry my hands and soak up the blood from the cut. When the bleeding stopped, I put a band aid around the finger.

Wyatt spotted the band aid right away. "Cut yourself again?"

"Yeah, this wasn't as bad as the other day. It's no big deal; I probably don't even need the bandage." Not for long, at least.

The guys showed up. They'd cleaned up from work over at Wyatt's place before driving both Jack's and Nash's trucks over. Jack explained his parents were insisting that he spend a night at home for a change.

Not long after the guys arrived, Uncle Nathaniel's big black Cadillac pulled into the driveway.

I introduced everyone to Nathaniel and Jeremy. My uncle remarked on how much Jack had grown since he'd seen him last. Jack blushed, and got a shoulder nudge from Morgan.

Everyone pitched in to help unload the Cadillac. As he'd insisted over the phone, Nathaniel's things went into the second bedroom and Jeremy's into the office/bedroom. As my uncle had delicately put it over the phone, "You and Wyatt are going to need the larger play space in the master bedroom and your own bathroom."

When everything was stowed away, Nathaniel produced a bottle of Clan McLachlan and proceeded to pour a drink for everyone. It was Jack's first taste of scotch. I don't think he was impressed. He took a couple sips, then left his glass alone. Later, I noticed Morgan quietly put down his empty glass and start sipping from Jack's glass.

Wyatt started the charcoal in the grill and brought out some snacks from the house. Nathaniel regaled everyone with stories of his younger days.

Wyatt had just put the London broil on the grill, when his, Nash's, and Morgan's attention turned to the driveway. The rest of us followed their gaze, but we couldn't see or hear anything.

Then Wyatt spoke in a calm but commanding tone, "Jack and Jeremy, take Nathaniel and Mitch into the house and stay there. Someone's coming down the driveway. Do it now!"

As we started to move, a Ford Crown Victoria came into view and pulled up behind Uncle Nathaniel's Cadillac. As I entered the house, I saw Wyatt, Nash, and Morgan advancing on the big sedan from three separate angles.

The driver's door opened and Agent Portillo stepped out with his hands held carefully out to his sides.

"Relax, folks. I'm glad to see you're on the alert, but this is a false alarm."

I came out of the house, "Wyatt, Rick, what's going on here?"

Portillo answered, "Don't get onto Wyatt about this. I asked him to be careful. He was just doing what I asked."

"Protecting me?"

"Right."

"Sorry, if I seem less than pleased about this. That explains Wyatt's reactions, but why are you here?"

"The Detroit Regional Office called. They've picked up intel that the drug gang wants either you or the person we have in custody eliminated. Detroit thinks this is a very credible threat on your life, and I'm here to provide protection."

I was more than a little miffed. "I've told you repeatedly, I'm not going to disappear into some FBI safe house until this whole thing comes up for trial. That could take years. So, what makes you think I'd come with you now?"

"I told them that's what you'd say. And in that case, my orders are to stay with you, at least for the next several days. Our suspect is on the verge of turning state's evidence. I'm here until that happens. My sleeping bag and clothes are in the car."

"Of all the brazen . . ."

My irate response was interrupted by Nathaniel moving forward and saying, "How do you do, I'm Nathaniel Wolf, Mitch's uncle. We weren't expecting you, but I'm sure there's more than enough food for dinner. Won't you join us?"

Rick moved forward and shook Nathaniel's hand, "Special Agent Rick Portillo, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I apologize for barging in like this."

"Nonsense, it's no trouble at all. We were enjoying a little drink before dinner. Would you care to join us? If you're on duty, I think Jeremy could find some soft drinks in the house." He looked at Wyatt, then at me, "I do think we can all deal with this without losing our tempers."

Uncle Nathaniel introduced Rick to the others. I could see the tension lower each time Rick shook hands with one of the guys. Wyatt shrugged his shoulders and turned his attention back to the meat which was sending appetizing odors up from the grill. Jeremy went into the house to fill Rick's request for a diet coke. I was still pissed.

My pique didn't last very long. Wyatt caught my gaze. I raised an eyebrow and pointed at him. He smiled innocently. He wasn't innocent, but looking at his handsome face, my anger fell away.

We actually had a pleasant evening. The London broil and vegetable salad were outstanding. After nightfall, we all moved into the cottage. Jeremy and Rick did the dishes as the rest of us talked. When the two dishwashers joined us again, I asked Rick, "How did you know where I lived? I don't think I ever gave you directions or an address."

"I checked on-line with the Delta County Registrar of Deeds, and looked for properties belonging to anyone with the surname of Wolf. This was the only one - and Google maps led me right here. Us G-men are supposed to be resourceful. Unfortunately, the drug gang may be just as resourceful."

"I take your point. I didn't think about the property deeds being public records."

Jack left to spend the night with his folks, and Nash and Morgan left shortly afterward. The rest of us talked until much later in the evening. The tensions between Rick and me disappeared. Nathaniel continued to keep us laughing with his anecdotes and stories, and the tension that had been evident in Rick's shoulders seemed to ease.

Wyatt and I had the master bedroom. Nathaniel had the second bedroom. Jeremy was on the sleeper sofa in the office, and Rick spread his sleeping bag out on the couch in the living room. We all turned in for the night.

Later, after Wyatt and I had made love and I was halfway into sleepy land, I remembered the deliberate cut in my finger. I carefully moved Wyatt's arm from around my chest and got out of bed. Wyatt continued to sleep. I went into the bathroom, closed the door, turned on the light, and peeled the band aid off my finger. The cut was completely healed! I needed to talk to Wyatt about this whole rapid healing business the next day. What if whatever caused this in me was contagious? Jack had already displayed an extremely rapid healing of his sprained ankle. Had I somehow infected him?

Returning to our bed, I heard low voices coming from the living room. Wyatt was still sleeping soundly, so I was curious about the voices. I pulled on a pair of shorts and went out into the living room.

Rick and Jeremy were sitting on the couch. Rick was shirtless, but his lower body was still covered by the sleeping bag. I'd suspected from the fit of his shirts that Rick had a nice chest. I was right. Two dark nipples contrasted with the golden-olive complexion of his smooth, rounded pecs. I caught a brief glimpse of his belly as he turned toward me. It was not quite what one would call ripped, but it was firm and flat. I didn't see any trace of hair except for some dark strands in his armpits.

Jeremy was sitting on the couch facing Rick. I'd seen all of Jeremy before, but the beauty of his hunky body struck me again. He had on a pair of skimpy bikini briefs; the prominent bulge in his thin underwear was impossible to ignore, and was undoubtedly enhanced by his position on the couch with one leg pulled up almost underneath him. I figured Rick was hiding an erection under the sleeping bag. Hellfire, I was still recovering from pumping out a huge load while Wyatt was pumping his thick cock into me, and the sight of Jeremy's obvious dick bulge caused a few twinges in my nether regions. Rick had to be hard as a rock.

Jeremy spoke softly, "Sorry, if we woke you. Rick was still awake when I came out to get a drink of water. We just started talking."

"You're okay. Wyatt's sound asleep. I was just curious about who was out here. Go ahead and talk, it won't bother me."

I retreated back into the bedroom. Their whispers didn't bother me. I was asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Wyatt was gone when I woke up. I emptied my bladder, pulled on shorts, and padded out into the living room. Rick and Wyatt were standing by the snoring coffee maker talking. Wyatt was dressed only in a pair of shorts. Rick had on jeans and a white tee shirt. He was barefoot.

The coffee pot stopped snoring. We each poured a cup of coffee and walked out to the lake and sat, talking and sipping the coffee while enjoying the early morning sun. The day promised to be a warm one.

Rick mentioned that he and Jeremy had seen a wolf sitting at the edge of the woods during the night.

Eventually, Nathaniel and Jeremy joined us at the lakeshore. After another round of coffee, Jeremy went back inside and cooked a breakfast of eggs, sausage, and absolutely fantastic, flakey, hot biscuits.

We took turns in the bathrooms to shower and shave. Nathaniel said he'd like to drive around the area, since he hadn't been up to the cottage since Gustavo's death. He and Jeremy loaded into the big Cadillac and set off on their travels. Rick and I accompanied Wyatt over to his house. My lover worked in his studio for a couple of hours while Rick and I dragged two of Wyatt's kayaks down to the lake and paddled around while he worked. When we saw Wyatt standing on the shore, we headed back in.

Once the kayaks were stored back away from the water, Wyatt asked Rick if he ran. Rick nodded his head.

"Care to join us on a run, then? There's a circuit around the lake. It's mostly wooded and would be easy to find cover, if needed."

"That would be okay; but I don't want Mitch exposed."

"He won't be. Some of the woods are so thick that an army could be hidden in there, but there are game trails just inside the trees that would be good escape routes, if needed."

"Better all the time."

We went back over to my cottage to change into our running clothes, and set out to get some exercise.

Rick had no trouble keeping pace with us. He was obviously a runner. His shoes were well-worn, and his shorts and running shirt had obviously been through several washes. If it hadn't been for the fanny pack that carried his mean-looking service pistol, the three of us would have looked like any other set of joggers out enjoying the weather.

We made one loop around the lake and, by mutual agreement, continued on for a second loop.

As we approached the driveway to the cottage on our second loop, Uncle Nathaniel's big black sedan came from the opposite direction and pulled into the drive. We met them at the cottage just as Jeremy was helping my uncle out of the car.

As Rick, Wyatt, and I did our cool down stretches, I noticed Jeremy watching Rick. I stretched out toward the side, so I could look at Rick. Ah hah! He looked at Jeremy a couple times as he stretched. I almost chuckled out loud. They were trying to be subtle about their mutual attraction, but they weren't fooling anyone. I looked over at my uncle who was also watching the interplay. He looked over at me, smiled, and winked. The old guy knew the score!

After stretching, we all sat in the chairs by the lake shore and chatted. Not long afterward, the three young guys, sweaty and more than a little grimy from their work, pulled into the drive in their trucks. I think it was Nash that suggested we should all use the lake to cool down and clean up. We all agreed.

Nash was the first to strip off his clothes and run down the dock to do a cannonball into the water. One by one, all of us, except Uncle Nathaniel, followed Nash's lead. We played and splashed for several minutes before climbing back up on the dock; and using the two bars of soap that Nathaniel retrieved from the cottage, we lathered up. Actually, there was a good bit of mutual lathering going on: Wyatt and I; Jack and Morgan; and Jeremy and Rick with, to my surprise, Nash joining in. All the dicks on the dock were semi swollen by the time we got back into the lake to rinse off the soap.

When we finished, we used the towels Nathaniel had brought out and dried off. My uncle sat in one of the chairs sipping a scotch and watching the show. When everyone was dried off, they started gathering their discarded clothes and heading back toward the cottage to put on clean, dry togs. Nathaniel caught my eye and patted the chair next to him.

I wrapped my towel around my waist and sat down. "Did you like the show?"

He smiled, "It was quite nice. In many ways, it was better than a porn film."

"Has anyone told you that you're a dirty old man?"

"I take that as a compliment. Your Wyatt and his brothers appear to be particularly well-endowed."

"I'm not complaining."

"To change the subject, when did you get a foreskin?"

"You noticed."

He smiled again, "It was hard to miss. Now, tell me."

So I did. I unloaded and told him about the rapid healing of my hand, the disappearance of any scars I'd ever had, and my experiment with the deliberate cut. I also told him about Jack Kuusisto's remarkably quick recovery from his sprained ankle. I told him about my fears that I had some unknown disease.

"Have you talked with Wyatt about all of this?"

"Yes, but he doesn't seem too concerned. He says I'll get it figured out, and he's not worried that there's anything wrong with me."

"Tell me a little about Wyatt. You two look like a good match. I'd like to know about my new nephew."

He already knew how Wyatt and I had met, so I told him a short version of Wyatt's family history. He seemed especially interested that Wyatt's family was from the Ukraine, and their original family name was Vulvkulak.

I'd just finished with Wyatt's family story when a now fully clothed Jack came out to tell us dinner was ready. That ended our conversation.

Jeremy pulled off a great dinner! Pork roast with gravy, potatoes, roasted zucchini and yellow squash, and salad. Delicious. The table was crowded with eight of us at a table meant for six. There was a lot of laughter, fellowship, and a strong sense of a growing bond of friendship around the table.

After dinner, Rick and Nash washed the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen; Nathaniel excused himself saying he had some work to do on the computer and retreated into his bedroom, and the rest of us stayed in the living room talking and bantering with one another.

We all exchanged knowing smiles when Jack and Morgan announced they were calling it a night, and headed back over to Wyatt's place. Nash gave them a reasonable lead before leaving. Wyatt and I were the next ones to retreat into our bedroom, leaving Rick and Jeremy sitting next to one another on the couch as they talked.

When Wyatt and I were in bed, but before he could distract me with other pursuits, I sat up against the headboard and said, "We need to have a talk about this incredibly rapid healing syndrome that I have. I'm really afraid it might be some strange form of cancer. I'm concerned that if it's not a cancer, it might be transmissible, and I don't want to infect you. You don't seem to be worried about it, but I am."

He sighed and stretched his sexy body out beside me. "I told you there's an explanation. I just hope you're ready to hear it."