It's 1895 when Luke Straily returns to Gunnison, Colorado, after a twelve-year absence and reluctantly heads to the cattle ranch owned by Jack Hinch, the only man he’s ever loved. Looking to make amends for an intolerable act, Luke hires on at the ranch, but Jack makes it perfectly clear he's unable to forgive or forget just yet.<br><br>It'll take everything in Luke's power to set things right with the man he wronged and placed in jeopardy before he ran away, but he aims to earn back Jack's trust no matter the personal cost.  Complicating matters, though, is ranch foreman Tim Dutcher, who’s been enjoying a sexual relationship with the handsome rancher during the intervening years and thoroughly resents Luke's intrusion.<br><br>As Luke and Jack gradually rebuild their severed friendship and renew their former passion,  jealousy flares, leading to a volatile confrontation. Can the men settle matters without any shots being fired?

A River of Time

I cannot stand it, but I cannot stop looking. Hoping to see Jack’s expression, I’m disappointed as he turns to look the other way. What I do get is Dutcher’s expression as he makes his claim, throwing back his head as he lets go. Jack’s hands are spread on the table, the same table at which we shared that supper a month ago.


I don’t wait for Dutcher to leave this time. Once he’s gained satisfaction, I take off at a run, though the bunkhouse is not hospitable at such a time. But I must go in and get in bed, else I’ll be suspect at not being there come sunup. When I hear Dutcher come in, I grit my teeth and clench my fists. Sleep is a long time coming.


I know better than all this. I know not to lay claim to Jack because that’s what ruined it all those years back. It wasn’t the foreman that time, though. It was a gambler in Gunnison, Johnny Royle, and Jack fell hard…


Chapter 8