“I’d like to have a look at what’s there Hudson—if you’re agreeable.”
“Yeah, whatever you need to help Shaney.”
Mr. Anderson made his way to the door. “I have to make a call, but I’ll meet you there,” he said tersely and then exited the cabin. Without speaking, Todd followed him.
Shaney raised an eyebrow, confident something was happening between his probe officer and Todd. Before all of this crap had started, nothing Mr. Anderson had ever done had clued Shaney into the fact that he was gay. And then Caleb corrected him on that, of course, since Shaney sucked big time at knowing a gay man from a straight man.
Caleb mumbled about gathering some items and went off into a bedroom, followed by Maximus.
Within minutes, Todd returned, T-shirt rumpled, hair mussed, and lips definitely swollen and puffy. When he caught Shaney’s gaze, he ducked his head. Shaney swore his best friend’s cheeks colored. Todd, embarrassed? Oh, this had to be good! Shaney had plans to interrogate the little sneak, but as they left for Hudson’s house, Todd dashed to the SUV Maximus was driving. He could run, but Todd would have to face Shaney, sooner or later.
* * * *
Hudson led them into the barn then stopped them at the base of the stairs that led to the loft. At the top of the stairs, Shaney spotted a bookcase on its side, partially blocking the entrance. Hudson grabbed Maximus and told Shaney, Caleb, and Todd to wait while they checked the loft out. Mr. Anderson hadn’t arrived yet. Probably some dire probationary emergency. At least someone else was fucking up for a change, Shaney thought.
At the top of the stairs, Hudson stepped over the bookcase and immediately bellowed, “Fuck!”
That was the cue for the rest of them to follow. Shaney saw that the place was a ransacked mess. Every shelf had been emptied and the contents strewn across the floor. A blizzard of papers had settled into a snowy blanket on the floor
“I believe Silas has whatever information we would have attained here. Shit.” Caleb wrung his hands, his disappointment clear. Maximus was right there, as always, close to Caleb, a steadying force for the smaller man. Until Hudson, Shaney couldn’t have understood how just having someone you cared for nearby could be so comforting. Now he knew different.
“Damn, he tore this place apart.” Todd wandered into the loft, kicking books and papers from his path.
Shaney needed to know exactly what was inside of him. The details of his creation had come second to his issues with Hudson. Now that there was a possibility he might never have that information, his yearning for those answers grew. He needed the complete story of the life he’d been unaware he was living.
“There has to be something else,” Shaney said, rubbing at his chilled arms.
Hudson turned in a circle, surveying the disaster. “There is more. Last year, I was clearing out an older part of the basement and found a trunk with some of my grandfather’s journals. I thought it was strange that they were there because he did his research here and always wanted to keep everything close at hand. That’s why there are so many papers and books here.”
Caleb’s eyes lit up with that I-got-a-new-bike excitement. “Can I see them?”
Hudson nodded. “Sure. They’re still in the basement. Come on. I’ll show you.”
Hudson took Shaney’s hand and led him from the barn and toward the house. As they approached the back deck, thoughts of their first sexual encounter brought a smile to Shaney’s face.
When they entered the kitchen, Hudson pointed everyone toward the door to the basement. They all went down the stairs.
Hudson pulled Shaney against his warm body. “What are you smiling about?” Hudson asked, the corner of his mouth lifting.
Shaney flashed his best coy smile. “Thinking about the other night in your bedroom.”
Hudson grinned and wrapped Shaney in a tight embrace. “I haven’t stopped thinking about that either. You’re one hot, sexy man. I can’t wait to have you in my bedroom, again.”
The kiss Hudson placed on Shaney lips burned with a white-hot promise that would have quickly led to the bedroom if Todd hadn’t poked his head around the basement door. “Enough with the sex show. Let’s go.”
Breaking away, Hudson whispered, “When all of this is over, I want you here, in this house—our house. Permanently.”
He kissed the end of Shaney’s nose and then disappeared into the basement while Shaney’s insides did a happy dance. Oh, shit. Hudson had just asked him to move in! Shaney was going to get to live with Hudson—next to a pond! Good reason to end this mess from hell posthaste.
In the finished basement, everyone crowded around a small trunk that was open on the carpeted floor. There was a leather couch and matching chair against the painted, sheet-rocked walls. A few photos had been hung on the walls, but overall the room didn’t look well used. Perfect for a man cave. Ideas pinged through Shaney’s mind for future use. Excitement wended its way through Shaney.