---

Buzz lay back on the old cottonwood's horizontal trunk and gazed lazily up though the yellowing leaves at the pale blue sky, enjoying the early November warmth. He ran his hand down his chest and stomach, letting it come to rest in the th icker, longer hair at the base of his belly. He watched Neal floating on his back in the pond, his arms and legs outstretched, moving just enough to keep his body from sinking, looking contented.

He closed his eyes, happy to not have to think about work or any other problems, happy to just enjoy the moment. He heard Neal splashing in the water and opened his eyes to watch his lover striding though the shallow water toward him. He couldn't help but smile at the beauty and grace of his slender, muscular body. Neal walked up to Buzz and grinned as he shook himself, slinging a spray of water over him; Buzz quickly sat up and grabbed him before he could flee, pulling his wet back against his furry chest. With his arms pinned to his sides, Buzz nuzzled Neal's neck, then rubbed his cheek against the hair that ran down his neck and back. He had convinced Neal into changing his hair style. Now it was long enough in the back that it covered the hair on his neck, which he was letting grow and merge with the hair that ran down the center of his back. Playing with that line of fine black hair excited Buzz.

Neal twisted around, pulled his arms free and wrapped them around Buzz's neck. He closed his eyes and felt for Buzz's lips with his own. He whispered against Buzz's lips, "Take me, Buzz, I need to feel you inside me. Fill me with your love."

Buzz rolled off the tree trunk onto the blanket they'd earlier spread, pulling Neal down with him. Buzz hadn't intended to end up on his back with Neal on top of him, but made no effort to change things as Neal began to rub up and down his hard shaft. He soon had Neal lubricated enough to enter him. Neal guided him to his hole and pushed down, forcing Buzz into his hot wetness.

Buzz attempted to take over, but Neal ordered him to place his hands above his head and not move them. Buzz grinned at his young lover's aggressiveness and did as he was told. Then Neal road Buzz to a resounding climax before covering his chest and belly with his own batch of cream.

A while later, they lay side by side, shoulders touching, recovering from the exertion.

"Well, my little satyr jumped me again," Buzz said, with an exaggerated sigh. "And I loved every moment of it."

"You know I did, too. Wanna do it again?" Neal grinned lasciviously.

"You young whippersnapper, I'm not as young as you." Buzz pulled him on top of his chest. Neal humped suggestively, rubbing his hardness on Buzz's hairy pelvis. Buzz kissed the side of his neck. "Give me a minute to refuel."

Neal raised his head grinning at him. "Are you getting old on me?"

"Hell, I'm almost old enough to be your daddy."

Neal sat up and said with a serious frown, "You don't want me to call you Daddy, do you?"

Buzz studied Neal's stern frown, wondering what had brought it on. "No. I'm not into that kind of game playing," he responded.

Neal lay back down, lost in thought for a few minutes, running his fingers over Buss's shoulder. "Damn good thing, because I don't think of you that way," he muttered.

Buzz rolled so they were lying side by side. Figuring a little levity might ease the moment; he grinned and said, "That's nice. I wouldn't want you to feel like I was robbing the cradle."

"You're not that old," Neal protested.

"Stop and think about it. You are only four years older than Billy. Actually, I am old enough to be your daddy."

"So?" Neal rose back up on an elbow frowning.

"So… I love you," he said, as he pushed Neal onto his back and moved to lie on top of him. With an arm on each side of Neal's head supporting his weight, he lowered himself and kissed him. "And you love me, and that's all that matters."

Neal loved the weight of Buzz's body. He wrapped his arms around him and pulled him down. When they broke the kiss, Neal looked him in the eyes. "Damn, I do love you," he said with ferocity.

Buzz chuckled as he rolled off Neal onto his back and gazed up through the tree. He reached over and grasped Neal's hand.

"Have you thought about telling your mother about us?"

"Are you kidding me? I think about it constantly."

"And?"

"I know I have to tell her, but I think I'll wait until after graduation."

"Why don't you invite her up to share Thanksgiving with us? Poor woman's all by herself."

Neal sat up and spun around to face Buzz. "Can we do that, Buzz? Oh, that would be so cool. It's lonely having Thanksgiving without my brothers there, too. Besides, I would really like to be with you."

Buzz turned on his side, supporting his head "Neal? Were you seriously considering going to Ventura for Thanksgiving?" He almost added, "without me," but stopped short of it.

The incredulity in Buzz's voice caught Neal unaware. He had to stop and think about what had just been said, and when he did, he realized that he had been subconsciously planning on going to his mother's for the holiday as he always had without giving any consideration to what Buzz was planning. "I'm sorry, Buzz, I…I... I was on automatic. I've always gone back… to Mom's for Thanksgiving. I... I hadn't really thought it through. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"

Buzz rolled over, pushed Neal onto his back and rose over him. "Of course… this is all new to you, so there's nothing to forgive. I hope it's beginning to register with you that this is your home. You can do whatever you like. You don't have to ask me."

"I know, but I--I guess my mind still hasn't totally accepted that I'm married. I'm still the college kid needing parental approval and consent."

"Well, big news, Babe. You're an adult. You don't have to have my consent, and definitely not your mother's. You can do what you want."

"I'd at least like to discuss things with you before doing them."

"I appreciate that, Neal, but it's not always necessary. If you want to do something, just tell me and then do it. You don't have to ask permission."

"Buzz, since Mom thinks I'm just your employee, and doesn't know about us, would you do the inviting? I think it would be more appropriate, don't you?"

"Sure, I'll do it. We don't want to blow your cover before you're ready." He got a devilish look in his eyes and added, "I do like blowing this though," he said, as he slid down Neal's torso and enveloped him.

* * *

Thanksgiving Day slipped in under a gray, low coastal overcast. Dawn was barely brightening the eastern sky as Maria slid the big roasting pan into the oven. The turkey looked obscenely naked smeared with softened butter and sprinkled with salt and pepper. The inside was stuffed with aromatic vegetables and herbs. As the bird cooked, the flavors would permeate the flesh, adding to its flavor. Buzz's mother had taught her that little trick when she was first training her years ago.

Maria closed the oven and inspected the kitchen as she did a mental inventory of the afternoon's dinner. The aroma of sage sausage mixed with onions, carrots, and celery that she had so carefully minced, then sautéed to a rich caramel brown filled the kitchen as she mixed in the crumbled homemade golden corn bread to make the stuffing. Soon two pans of dressing covered with foil were waiting their turn in the oven.

The potatoes were peeled, ready to be boiled for mashed potatoes. The yams, coated with a mix of maple syrup and light sorghum syrup, were ready to bake. It had taken her years to learn to like the rutabaga and parsnip purée that Buzz's dad had always insisted be part of the Thanksgiving meal. She grinned to herself, remembering Flo lovingly calling her husband a "Damned Yankee" every year at this time when she fixed the dish. Now it was a custom, and everyone enjoyed the unexpected sweet flavor.

The carrots were cubed and ready to mix into the peas and pearl onions. The turkey giblets were simmering to make gravy when mixed with the browned drippings in the roasting pan. The 'made from scratch' cloverleaf buns were ready for baking.

She wiped her hands, poured herself a cup of coffee and stepped through the kitchen door onto the patio to take a breather before starting breakfast. She caught a glimpse of Neal's naked backside and smiled as he slipped out of the pool and disappeared through the opaque glass door of the master bathroom.

It truly delighted her to see her Buzzy back to being his old happy self since taking Neal as his mate. And Nilo was such an angel. She loved how he had helped the young ones and how they'd come to love and accept him, even little Billy did - most of the time.

She'd never seen any man naked, except her deceased husband, but found nothing extra ordinary about the line of hair down Neal's back. "Such a guapo young man," she said to herself as she sat down and rested her elbows on the table, sighing with relief that Betsy was bringing a fruit salad, and Neal's mother was bringing four kinds of pies. This was going to be a wonderful day with Neal, his mother, the sheriff, and Betsy joining the family.

Maria loved her adopted family. She thought back to the days when she was young and hoping to have a family of her own. She had married a handsome young ranch hand and had immediately gotten pregnant. The child had been born early; it was deformed and didn't live two days. The doctor told her she could have no more children. She and her Tomas were heartbroken. And then two years later, he was killed when a horse he was taming threw him, then fell on him. That was right after Buzzy was born. She had dedicated her life and love to him, the child she'd always wanted, and his parents, then later to Buzzy's wife Claire and their children - and now Neal. She loved them all as her own. And she knew they all loved her. She was happy this Thanksgiving Day.

* * *

"It would be kind of nice if the day would stay like this," Neal said as he leaned against the bedroom door jam, gazing out over the pool at the chilly morning. "But I guess it will burn off by ten."

Behind him, Buzz tied his shoes, already dressed. "Let's hope it burns off. Maria is planning on dinner being served on the patio. Jean said she would be up here about nine. Are you ready for her?"

"Mom? Oh yeah. I'm ready. My study looks like I live in there. I told you I invited Betsy, didn't I?"

"At least five times." Buzz chuckled as he walked up behind Neal and wrapped his arms around him. "There's no reason for you to be so nervous. It's going to go okay."

Neal turned around and laid his forehead against his chest. "I know that. I'm just antsy about it all. But I'll be okay." He enjoyed the quiet moment with Buzz smoothing the line of hair down his back. Totally content; he understood why cats purr when petted.

"Well, I'd better get the young ones up, so they'll have time to straighten their rooms before our guests arrive."

Neal sighed, "Yeah, I'd better get dressed, too."

Around nine, Neal went out and sat on the low stone wall that separated the lawn from the parking area to watch for his mother's arrival. It wasn't long before he saw the big '68 Buick La Sabre come around the hill and into the valley. When the car came to a stop, Neal opened her door; his mother got out and wrapped him in a hug.

Jean was a large woman, big breasted, and well fleshed - an earth mother. Her light brown graying hair was pulled back into a bun at the base of her neck. Buzz watched from the doorway as Neal greeted her. He wondered if it was his father that he took after; he didn't resemble his mother at all.

"It's good to see you, Baby," she said, smothering her son between her breasts.

"You, too, Mom." He managed to turned his face to the side, so he could breathe, and hugged her again. "Mom, please don't call me baby in front of the others. It's embarrassing."

"I'm sorry, Neal. I'll try to remember." Even though UCSP was only a little more than a hundred miles up the coast from Ventura, it had been hard on Jean to let Neal, her youngest, go off to college so soon after her other three sons joined the armed forces to go fight in Viet Nam.

She released him and turned to the car. "I only brought one clothes bag and an overnight case. They're on the back seat. Open the trunk and get the pies out, would you, Baby? Oops... Neal."

He flushed a dark red. Buzz was standing right behind her and winked at him grinning. Neal ducked his head into the trunk.

"Jean. Welcome. I'm Buzz Ogden."

She turned around - smiling as she intently studied this man that had taken her son into his home. "It's so nice to meet you, Buzz. I want to thank you for being so good to my son."

"Your son is a very fine young man. He's done an outstanding job working with my young ones. Come on in the house and make yourself at home." He took her bag in one hand, her elbow in the other, and guided her into the house.

When they stepped into the living room, she stopped and studied it. "This was a central courtyard at one time, wasn't it? It certainly made a big room. Spanish Colonial?" Running her hand over the hand carved wood of a chair back, she asked, "This is all genuine, isn't it?"

"My ancestors furnished most of it. My parents acquired the rest. It's nice to meet someone that knows what they're looking at."

"I have always loved this period and its rich history. You'll have to tell me your family's story sometime."

When Buzz introduced Jean to Maria, she wiped her wet hands on her apron and took Jean's hand in both of hers. "Oh, Senora, it is so nice to meet the mother of our Nilo. We all love him very much. He is such a good young man and so good for all of us."

Jean smiled with pride at Maria's effusiveness. "Thank you, Maria. It makes me so happy to hear that."

"Come, let me show you to your room." Maria took the bag from Buzz and whisked her out of the room, leading her into one of the original bedrooms that opened into the Grand Sala.

Neal took his mother's pies out of the carrier and set them on the kitchen table. "See I told you it would be okay. Relax, Baby," Buzz said, watching him.

Neal blushed and stuck his tongue out at him. Buzz wrapped his arms around him and kissed his neck, then let him go.

Maria and Jean came bustling back into the kitchen.

"Neal you have a wonderful mother. And she is very proud of you," Maria said.

Neal grinned. Buzz took Jean's arm. "Come, let me show you the rest of the house. And I'll tell you some of the history of it. And when we find my young ones, I'll introduce them to you."

As they left the kitchen, Neal collapsed into a chair. Maria smiled at him.

"Your mother, I like her. She is a good woman. I think she will make Buzzy a very good mother-in-law."

"Maria!" He leaped to his feet, looking around to see if his mother was near. Neal had not discussed his relationship with Maria, but he'd figured she knew from the way she'd carried on the morning that Buzz and he had finally reconciled. Plus she was the one that changed and made up the beds, but still, it embarrassed him to openly hear her say that.

"Are you not going to tell her?"

"No, I'm not going to tell her. I'm going to wait until after graduation. Then I'll tell her."

"She may see it for herself. She is a very sharp woman, your mother. But I think it will be okay with her. Don't you worry, Nilo."

Neal plunked back down on a chair and just stared at Maria, who bustled around the kitchen, not paying any attention to the effect of her words.

"Hello. Am I early? I wanted to get here early to help with dinner." Betsy stuck her head through the kitchen door. "Hi, Maria. This is my famous cranberry Jell-O salad. Neal asked for it special. And this is a fruit salad." She handed the bowls to Maria. She didn't see Neal, who stood and sneaked up behind her. He grabbed her around the waist and spun her around in a circle. Betsy screamed with delight.

"Neal, put her down. You two act your age," Maria scolded, grinning at their antics.

They both laughed. Betsy twisted in his arms and hugged him. "Is that your mother's car? I want to say 'hi'. I haven't seen her since I went down to Ventura with you last year."

"Yeah. Buzz is giving her a tour of the house."

"Am I supposed to still be your girl friend?" She whispered.

"Well, sure. I haven't told Mom yet."

She took his arm, leading him toward the living room. "Let's find them and do some wool pulling." She giggled.

They found Buzz and Jean in the den, and stopped in the door, listening to Buzz's spiel on his Spanish settler ancestors.

Buzz turned and saw them. "Ah, here's Betsy." He held out his arms to her. She rushed across the room into his hug.

"Hi, Sweetycakes," she said, kissing him on the cheek. He grinned at her endearment as he turned her toward Jean. "You two have met, I believe."

Jean took Betsy's hands in hers. "How are you, my dear?"

"Mrs. Martin, it's so nice to see you again."

"It's Jean. Please."

"Jean," Betsy said, kissing her on the cheek. "It's been a while." Neal walked over and stood beside Betsy and smiled at his mother.

"Yes, it has," she said, taking Neal's chin and turning his head back and forth as she examined his face. "The doctor did a good job. I can hardly see the scars." She let go of Neal's chin and turned back to Betsy. "So are you two getting serious yet?"

Neal blushed and Betsy grinned. "Oh yes, we're very serious these days," she said.

"Have you set a date yet?"

Neal blushed, but still didn't respond, not wanting to right out lie to his mother. Betsy laughed. "I think you're jumping the gun, Jean. Neal hasn't proposed yet."

"And what are you waiting for, young man?" his mother asked.

"I've got to finish school before I can even consider marriage, Mom."

"That's a responsible attitude. I suppose I should expect that of you." She glanced at Buzz. He seemed to be rather uncomfortable with the conversation. Neal was still red faced.

"The subject of marriage always seems to make men uncomfortable. Let's talk of something else," Jean said.

Betsy laughed. The two men's relief was almost palpable.

"Did you have a pleasant drive up?" Betsy asked. Jean almost missed the question she was so busy trying to figure out what was causing the two men to look so tense.

"Yes... ah…yes, I had a wonderful trip. I love driving up 101 through Santa Barbara. The coast is so picturesque." She took Betsy's arm and started out of the room. She glanced back, noticing that Buzz and Neal had closed ranks and were communicating something with their eyes. She felt an undercurrent. Something was going on here.

When Jean and Betsy had disappeared out the door, Neal looked at Buzz shamefaced. "I'm sorry, Buzz. I just lied to my mother about us. I am married to you."

Buzz hugged him. "I understand, Babe. I still think that you'd feel better if you went ahead and told her."

Neal sighed as he clung to him, "I know you're right. It's just so hard."

"I'm here for you, Neal, no matter what. You know that."

"I know that, Buzz."

Neal, Betsy, and the three young ones put on their swimsuits and enjoyed the midday in the pool. Neal still wore his high-necked black T-shirt. Buzz was the only one that he let see his back. He was still very sensitive to the stigma. He explained it away as being sensitive to the sun. Buzz had changed into a pair of trunks, but sat with Jean in the shade and watched them playing while discussing inconsequentials.

Jean had her chair positioned where she could watch the pool and Buzz with just a slight turn of the head. Neal was up on the diving board, bouncing and teasing Betsy before diving in. Jean studied Buzz as he watched. The expression on his face told her all she had suspected was true. She lay back, feigning sleep while she watched Neal through nearly closed eyes. Yes, the way he would glance at Buzz and smile, gave him away, too. She smiled to herself. She liked this Buzz Ogden. He was a good man. He loved his children, and more important to her - he loved her son.

For many years, she'd known that Neal was different from her other boys… quieter, more studious, and obviously not interested in girls. When he and Betsy became friends, she'd let her hopes flare up. But now - watching them - she could see they were only good friends.

After getting a good dunking from the twins, Betsy pulled herself out of the pool, grabbed a towel, and collapsed next to Jean, vigorously toweling her short hair. The twins had climbed out right behind her and were now ganging up on their dad. They coaxed him into the water, where he immediately ducked under and pulled them down with him. They surfaced, both grabbing him around his neck, trying to pull him back under. He struggled a bit, then relented and let them dunk him. Meanwhile, Neal was giving Billy tips on how to do a double gainer, ignoring the melee in the middle of the pool.

"I love this family," Betsy exclaimed.

"Yes. They do make a lovely family, don't they?"

Betsy looked at her sharply.

Jean smiled at her. "Betsy, my dear, you know my son will never propose to you, don't you?"

Betsy blushed, closed her eyes and mentally grimaced, then smiled at Jean. "We haven't fooled you for a minute, have we?"

"No," Jean sighed. "There's not much this old nurse misses."

"I apologize for trying. It was for Neal, though. I'd do anything for him, you know. He's my dearest friend."

"I'm only sorry that you won't be my daughter in law." She smiled at Betsy again. Betsy sadly smiled, feeling a slight regret herself.

* * *

George showed up half an hour before dinner driving his official car, and as always, wearing his badge and holstered gun, which he took off and hung on the back of a chair. When Buzz introduced him to Jean, she was more than impressed that the County Sheriff was Buzz's best friend. She wondered if he was aware of what was going on between her son and his supposed employer.

She found her answer as she watched him hug Buzz, then pull Neal into a hug when he offered his hand. Jean laughed to herself as she watched Maria blush when George gave her a kiss on the cheek. She was impressed with how George solemnly shook hands with Billy and Tim, knowing it would embarrass them to be hugged; but didn't hesitate to hug and kiss Dori, and flirted outrageously with her, dancing light-footed around the room with her.

"Uncle George, really! I'm fifteen. You're supposed to treat me like a young lady," Dori protested through her giggling.

George kissed her again on her cheek and said, "You'll always be my little dancing doll." Dori giggled again, obviously loving his attention.

Then when Betsy came out and gave him a hug, she knew for certain that the sheriff was part of this family, and she felt a comfort in the knowledge.

Later, Jean began to understand the dynamics of the relationship when Maria told Jean how George and Buzz had been best friends since they were little boys, and how George had spent so much time out on the ranch that he nearly lived with them.

When dinner was ready, everyone gathered around the table. Buzz told each one of them where to sit. Jean thought it most significant that he seated Neal on his left with Betsy and George next to him, and Billy on his right with the twins next to him. She truly felt honored when Buzz seated her at the end of the table.

Maria brought in the turkey on a huge platter. She set it before Buzz, and stood back wiping her hands on her apron. "I think everything is here." She untied her apron and sat down next to Tim at Jean's end of the table. They all held hands and Buzz asked Neal to say a blessing.

Neal looked around the table at the bowed heads of his loved ones, then bowed his own. "Heavenly Father, we don't often seek your blessings, but on this special occasion of giving thanks, we come before you with our hearts full. We are truly thankful for what we have. At this time, I would like to ask that you protect my brothers and return them safe and sound. Thank you for this wonderful family and friends, and for the bounty of this wonderful meal. We ask you to bless us all. Amen."

Jean said her own silent prayer for her sons serving in Viet Nam this Thanksgiving day. She was thankful her youngest hadn't been allowed to go; she knew that if he could, he too would have willingly gone.

Jean watched Buzz and her son throughout dinner. She didn't miss how their hands would accidentally touch; and the secretive little smiles when they did. She thought it was almost coquettish the way they acted toward each other while thinking they were fooling her. Not by a long shot; she had been a nurse for too many years for something like this to get by her unnoticed. She also noticed how Betsy would occasionally look up the table at Buzz and get a knowing little smile. She wondered again if the sheriff really was aware of it all, or was he just accepting her son as if he'd been adopted as part of the family. He didn't seem to pay any attention to it, if he did.

Actually, George was very aware of the little interactions between Buzz and Neal, he just didn't show it as he conversed and consumed his dinner. He covertly watched Jean, wondering if she was going to accept their relationship. She gave no indications one way or the other. He wondered if she was aware that she'd lose her son if she disapproved.

The wreckage of dinner was cleared away; pie was served with coffee and many compliments. Everybody was bloated to excess. The four adults stretched out on chaises enjoying the late afternoon sun. Maria was still bustling around the kitchen, and the young ones had gone off to town to visit friends.

Jean asked Neal to show her around the barn yard. They approached the corral, lying their crossed arms on the top rail and one foot on the bottom. Jean was impressed that the big roan stallion trotted up to the fence to greet Neal, who affectionately rubbed his face against the horse's big cheek as he scratched his ears. They admired the other horses and the milk cows, laughed at the antics of the bantam rooster's strutting, and wrinkled their noses at the smell of the pigs.

Jean turned to her son. "Tell me about you and Buzz."

"What do you mean?"

"Neal, I'm your mother. I can see the love you two express with your eyes when you look at each other. You are planning on telling me, are you not?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"After graduation."

"Hmmm. Tell me now."

Neal studied his mother's face for a moment, trying to read what her reaction was going to be. He could see only love and caring in her expression.

"I love him very much, Mom."

"I can see that. And I can see that he feels the same about you. I'm very happy for you, Son. When did you discover you're a homosexual? And why didn't you tell me about it?"

"Until three months ago, I didn't know. And if Betsy hadn't beaten me over the head with it, I would probably still be wondering."

"She is a wonderful young lady. I had hoped at one point that you two would marry."

Neal turned a deep shade of red. "I love Betsy. I would probably have asked her to marry me if Buzz hadn't appeared. I don't think she would have accepted. She had long suspected me."

"How did you meet Buzz?"

"Not knowing that he had laid a snare for me with Betsy's help, I interviewed for a job as tutor for his kids. I told you all about that over the phone. What I didn't tell you was my reaction and subsequent discovery of my sexual preference."

He rested his crossed arms back on the top rail of the corral, laid his chin on them, and stared out across the valley. His mother waited for him to continue. He raised his head and said, "The moment Buzz rode up on his horse, dismounted and introduced himself, I was hopelessly lost. When he touched my hand, I literally had an epiphany. My whole concept of life, up to that moment, was destroyed. I was born anew. And like a newborn child, I had to learn my life over again.

"Between Betsy insisting that I accept my sexuality and my attempt to hide it from Buzz for fear he would fire me, I was in torment. I wanted to feel his arms holding me safe against the world, and at the same time so fearful he would find out about me.

"The whole escapade came to a resounding end the night after I broke my arm. I was so miserable… physically, mentally, and emotionally. I was sure he would ridicule me for being so stupid as to run down that shale slope. But all I could see in his face was concern for me."

"You speak so poetically."

Neal blinked at her comment and continued. "I left the dinner table not knowing what to do. He came in and insisted I get into the Jacuzzi and soak some of the soreness out of my body. He had to help me undress. He was gentle. He hadn't seen my back, and when he did he was fascinated. I was sure he would make jokes about it like everyone else has done, but he didn't."

"Your back? What's wrong with your back, Son?"

Neal unbuttoned and peeled his shirt down, exposing the trail of hair that led from his neck to his tail bone. Jean caressed her hand down the length of it.

"Just like your father," she exclaimed. "Why have you never shown this to me before?"

"I was ashamed of it. I was teased so unmercifully in school that I just started hiding it from everyone."

"You're the only one of my sons that inherited it, you know. Your brothers don't have it. It's funny; only one male in each generation of your father's family has had it. Cherish it, Baby, it's from your dad, and he loved you very much." She got a dreamy look on her face as she remembered her long dead husband. "I always called him my satyr."

"That's what Buzz calls me."

"I like that man. So… finish your story."

"Well… he told me how he'd seen the photos of me in my application, and wanted me in his life since before he had even met me, and I admitted that I had been hiding my feelings for him." Neal paused and stared at the hills, reliving that moment, then pulled himself back and continued. "When I got out of the Jacuzzi, he dried me and helped me into my bed, telling me to rest well. It was then that he first called me his little satyr. I couldn't get comfortable. Even with the pain pills I still hurt. I couldn't get over him telling me he loved me. Finally, the only thing I could think to do was crawl into his arms. I went into his bedroom, and as I approached his bed, he raised the covers for me to get in, then he wrapped his arms round me. I was asleep in minutes. I had found my place in life… I was home."

They both rested against the corral fence for a few quiet moments. Jean studied her son while his gaze was off in the distance.

"You tell a beautiful story, Son." After a moment's thought, she cleared her throat. "How are you going to keep your independence? He's very wealthy, you know."

"So am I, Mom. Half of everything you see is mine... legally mine."

"I don't understand."

"Buzz has committed himself totally to me. I have done the same to him. I am even in the process of becoming an adoptive parent to his three children."

"You're hardly much older than they are. Don't they have grandparents or uncles and aunts?"

"Yes, their maternal grandparents live in Pasadena and an uncle lives in Santa Monica. They see the kids quite often. They will all be here for Christmas."

"And how do they feel about this situation?"

"It's none of their business, Mom. And I don't think Buzz has told them yet."

"I think that if I were them, I would make it my business. He has no right to give half of his children's inheritance to an outsider. That's what you are, Son, an outsider."

"You have it all wrong, Mom. Look at it like Betsy made me see it. If a man and woman get married - half of everything the man owns becomes hers, right?"

"Okay…"

"Buzz and I are as committed to each other as a married straight couple. Other than the fact we won't be having children, what's the difference? Their inheritance is so huge they'd never miss what Buzz has shared with me. They will also inherit their grandparents' wealth. Also, all of mine will go to them when I die."

"This boggles my mind. Leave me here to think about it for a while."

She turned away from him in deep thought. Neal stood there for a moment feeling helpless, then turned and walked toward the house. He saw Buzz, George, and Betsy talking, He didn't feel like a confrontation with them and having to explain, so he headed around to the front of the house. He went to the lanai, let himself into the house and went into his study, where he sat at the desk and stared out the window.

His mother had made him suddenly feel like he had been bought and paid for by Buzz. He was confused and angry that his world was suddenly rift. He had not considered what the outside world might think about his situation. He had naively accepted Buzz's and Betsy's explanations and been happy. Now his mother was putting a different spin on it. Tears of frustration trickled down his cheeks unnoticed. He wanted his mother's love and respect, but even more he wanted to be with Buzz. It didn't look like he was going to get both and maybe not either.

* * *

The way Buzz was seated; he didn't see Neal walk past them down the drive. Betsy watched him disappear around the house and turned to see that Jean was still standing out by the corral. "From the looks of things, I think Neal just told his mother about you two," she said.

Buzz sat up and looked around, seeing Jean by herself, he asked, "Where is he?"

"He just went around the front of the house."

George nodded. "Go find him, Buzz. He needs you right now."

Buzz rose from the chair and went into the house. Not finding Neal in the public rooms, he headed toward their bedroom. The door into Neal's study was ajar. He pushed the door open. Seeing Neal sitting at the desk, he walked up behind him and put his hands on his shoulders.

"Are you okay, Babe?" He asked, massaging Neal's neck with his thumbs. Neal laid his head back and looked up at him.

"Not at the moment. She knows. I explained how things are… I don't know if she'll be accepting of them... us."

"Hmmm."

"We'll just have to wait until she has thought it through."

"Why don't you come out and sit with Betsy, George, and me. There's no point in sitting here in the gloom. Come on," he said, lifting Neal up.

Jean thought about what her son had just told her. In a marriage between a man and a woman there were legal documents that bound them together. It appeared to her that if Buzz decided he was tired of Neal there was nothing to keep him from booting him out with just the clothes on his back.

She glanced back to the patio just as Buzz went into the house. There was only one recourse that she could see and that was to confront Buzz and find out just what he intended.

As they exited the room, Buzz put his arm around Neal's shoulders.

"Remember one thing, Neal. No matter what, I love you with all my heart. And every day I love you more." He pulled Neal into an embrace.

Suddenly, everything was okay again. Neal hugged him back as hard as he could. "God, Buzz, how did I ever get through a day before I met you?"

Buzz kissed him on the forehead. Looking up, he saw Jean standing at the end of the lanai. He released Neal from the hug, but kept an arm around his shoulders. Neal turned and saw his mother. He still couldn't tell how she felt about things. He hugged against Buzz for comfort.

"Betsy said to tell you that she will call you later," Jean said, as they approached. "May we sit down and talk?"

"Of course, Jean. Let's go into my office." Buzz said, leading Neal toward her.

"Just you and I, if you please, Buzz." Neal started to pull away.

Buzz held on to him securely. "Nothing gets said behind Neal's back. I have nothing to hide from him."

When they were seated; Jean in the big high backed Spanish arm chair and Buzz and Neal on the sofa, sitting with their legs touching, their hands in their own laps, Jean looked at them sternly.

"When Neal called and told me about his new job and how much he was being paid, I knew there was something fishy. But he sounded so happy I didn't think anything more about it. I've heard how Neal feels about you, Buzz. I know he's old enough to do as he wants without my consent, but he's still young and easily influenced. I need to know for my own peace of mind that you are totally serious in what you have done with my son."

"I love Neal, Jean. I am totally committed to him." He rose and went to his desk, where he pulled out a thick folder and handed it to her.

"I think that a perusal of these documents will show you just how committed I am." He turned to Neal. "Come, let your mother have some time to go through those papers. Take your time, Jean. We'll be out back by the pool."

Neal rose, took Buzz's hand and followed him out the door. Neither man said a word as they walked through the house and out onto the deck. Buzz pulled a chaise around lining it up with the one George was lying asleep on. Without a word, he motioned for Neal to take one, while he sat next to George and laid back. Instead of taking the other one, Neal straddled the foot of Buzz's chaise facing him. He was pale with worry. Buzz looked at him, sat up, and scooted toward him.

"She can't help but approve, Babe. Stop worrying." Neal leaned towards him and Buzz wrapped him in a hug. It was an awkward position. "Turn around and sit with me where I can hold you." Neal pulled back and looked at him.

"What if Mom comes out and sees us?" He asked. Buzz reached over and took his hand, pulling.

"She'll just have to accept that this is how it is. I love you. And I'm not going to let go of you. Besides, you're twenty-two. Like she said, you no longer have to have her approval."

Neal relented and sat between Buzz's thighs with his back against him.

"I am aware of that. I'd just feel better knowing she's on our side."

Buzz wrapped his arms around him, resting his chin on top of Neal's head.

* * *

Seeing the sheriff asleep and the other two men totally oblivious to the world when she finally stepped through the kitchen door, Jean stopped and watched them for a few moments, then she cleared her throat to let them know she was there. Buzz raised his head and smiled at her. Neal apparently was asleep. He didn't move.

"Come join us. It's so quiet and peaceful right now. My young ones will be back home soon. Then there will be mayhem until bed time," Buzz said. Jean moved to lie in a lounge chair and relaxed. She closed her eyes, took a couple of deep breaths, then opened them and looked at her son and his lover. Buzz raised an eyebrow in query. Neal was apparently asleep, totally relaxed in his arms.

"You make a beautiful couple," she said.

Buzz smiled.

"You are an amazing man. I am most happy to have you as my son-in-law. It's obvious that he's happy," she said, nodding at Neal. He raised an eyelid and looked at his mother and smiled. "He always was like a kitten. He can sleep anywhere, anytime, but always has one eye open." Neal grinned at his mother's comment.

"You are a wise woman, Jean, and a good mother. Thank you for caring so much."

"Hell, I'm just a crotchety ol' nurse, and the mother of four wonderful men. Actually, Buzz, I'm just thankful that Neal cares enough to ask for my approval. Even though he's my baby, he's old enough to do as he sees fit."

"Well, I haven't yet met your other three sons, but if they're anything like Neal, then you should be mighty proud. Neal's going to stand the world on its ear before he's through. Just watch." Neal pushed his head back to let Buzz know he'd heard. Buzz squeezed him in a bear hug. "And we're going to have many happy years together. That's a promise."

"You have my blessings." Jean replied with a beneficent smile.

George, who had been playing possum for the last several minutes, raised his head and said. "All three of you are damned lucky and have much to be thankful for."

Jean smiled to herself and silently agreed. She finally knew for certain that the sheriff not only knew, but fully approved of Neal and Buzz.