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 like to see a place waking up, though Sunday, with stores closed, has a peculiar quiet. Drunks lurch about, though far fewer than I saw in Tombstone, where they were a constant, and nothing stopped for Sunday. Never should have left, I decide. The present torment is worse than what I knew there.


Johnny Royle springs to mind for no reason. Dead and gone a dozen years, he still pursues me, and why not? Give him his due. I robbed him of a lifetime and would take back that shot if I could. For all I know he was an innocent party, and why in hell am I letting him get hold now? I cross the street like I can get away from him.


As I reach the other side, I see the fellow I woke up with. He’s bigger than me, thickset, and bearded. I slip between buildings to watch him pass, wondering how I found appeal in him. “Drunk” is my only answer.


Chapter 16