The Mountain Man's Mate
Charlie Richards
Out of the Cage: When taking on a wild animal, prepare to be bit.
Persecution from Jason Truollo's immediate family becomes too much-his stepfather's backhand to the jaw is the final straw-and he heads toward the only family who had understood when he came out, his Uncle Raul Braga. When he gets there, he's shocked when not only does his uncle welcome him with open arms, but he finds his uncle in a committed relationship … with a man. Not only that, but many of Uncle Raul's friends are gay, too.
Finally, Jason feels like he's found a place he fits in. Even better, he meets a man who pushes all his buttons, Michel McDover, but surely the sexy rugged mountain man can't possibly be gay. Except he is, and he makes his interest in Jason plain. Deciding learning the joys of sex from an older man is perfect, Jason begins a torrid fling with Michel. A surprise encounter with some strangers in the woods makes Jason realize he may have far more to learn than he ever thought possible. For the hope of love and acceptance, is he willing to keep an open mind?
The Mountain Man's Mate
Wolves of Stone Ridge: Book Twenty
By
Charlie Richards
To all those people that actually read these dedications. We appreciate you, because sometimes coming up with these is tough.
Chapter One
Jason Truollo stepped off the Greyhound bus, quickly grabbed his bags, and moved out of everyone's way. He took his time looking slowly around the depot, watching as everyone seemed to be greeted by some loved one-complete with hugs and kisses-and disappeared out of the building.
Would I be greeted like that if I'd told Uncle Raul I was coming?
Rubbing his forehead, Jason realized he didn't really know. Sure, five years ago when he'd come out, and his mom had picked up the phone and started crying into the line about her degenerate son and his proclivities, Uncle Raul had been kind and calmed his sister. Never once had his uncle asked to speak with him. Instead, he'd received a letter-an actual hand written letter-from the man.
Uncle Raul had told him to give his mom time and he'd encouraged him to be himself, no matter what anyone said. He'd also left his phone number and address. Almost three months ago, when the threats and abuse started from his stepdad Arthur Barringer, Jason had tried that number. It hadn't worked. A letter to the address had been returned. It had taken another two months to track down his uncle's current whereabouts.
Sighing, fear and concern flooded Jason. He blinked back tears. He knew exactly how much was in his wallet, and it wasn't much. If his uncle hadn't been sincere … or if he didn't actually live around there anymore … Jason didn't know what he'd do.
Jason slung the duffle's strap over his shoulder and headed toward the taxi stand near the south exit.
He was the only one in line.
Forcing a smile to his lips, he turned to the waiting cabbie and pulled out his wallet to reveal the slip of paper with his Uncle Raul's address on it. He'd swiped the info from the last birthday card his uncle had sent his mom, Raul's sister, Brianna. The fact that he'd needed to dive into the garbage to retrieve it totally sucked, but had been worth it … he hoped.
"I need to go here," Jason said, holding out the slip of paper so the large, dark-haired guy could read his cramped script.
For just a second, Jason thought the cabbie opened his mouth as if he planned to ask a question. However, he just nodded and popped open his trunk. He grabbed Jason's bag and easily tossed the crammed, heavy bag inside his vehicle.
Jason bit his tongue to keep from asking that he keep his bag with him.
Inside that black and tan flannel bag were all Jason's worldly possessions … and most of them weren't actually clothes. At this point, Jason couldn't give a shit about jeans and t-shirts. He could get those wherever, if he found a place to settle.
Instead, he wanted the things that reminded him of better times … like the ball he'd caught at the baseball game his father had taken him to when he was ten. That had happened two weeks before his pops had split, leaving his mom to care for him and his two younger sisters.
He wished he knew what had happened to the man. His mom never talked about it … making him wonder if she'd heard anything about what had happened to him.
"That'd be typical," he whispered. His mom had never been the most maternal woman, but it had shocked even him when she'd just stood by and watched his stepfather issue his ultimatum. Jason had come out five years before, so it wasn't like he was going to change now just because Arthur said he didn't want a fag son. Be straight or he'd disown him certainly wasn't something Jason had cared about.
Asshole.
And now, all Jason's hopes were pinned on an uncle he hadn't seen or heard from in several years. Self-consciously, he slipped his hand into his pocket, checking for the faded, old letter from Uncle Raul as he watched pine trees zip by outside the window.
In less than twenty minutes, the taxi turned onto a narrow, tree-lined driveway. Jason leaned forward in his seat and peered through the windshield as a small, single story home appeared.
Jason didn't know what he'd expected, but not this. There were several chairs on the expansive front porch and one of those plastic, turtle sandboxes in the yard not far from the bottom step. Frowning, he racked his brain for any memory that might indicate Raul had gotten married.
There were also several vehicles in the driveway, including a sedan, a jeep, an SUV, and a Porsche. Jason's eyes nearly bugged out of his head at that. Who the hell drove a Porsche in the mountains?
"That'll be thirty-two sixty," the cabbie stated.
Jason turned to focus on the guy, surprised to see the man's assessing look as if trying to figure him out. Deciding to ignore it, he pulled out his last two twenties and handed them over, then pushed the car door open and stepped out.
The driver did the same and tried to hand him his change-which Jason waved away, getting a thank you from the cabbie-as he walked around to the trunk. "Raul expecting you?" the man finally asked while pulling out Jason's bag.
"Um, no," Jason replied, taking his luggage. Relief flooded him that, at least, his uncle still lived here.
"You need me to wait?"
"Uh … " Shit, why hadn't he thought about that? What if Raul didn't want him to stay? "Okay," he mumbled, his nerves spiking.
The cabbie actually patted his shoulder. "Head on up then, son. I'll hang here for a few," he assured.
Jason felt his brows shoot up in surprise. He couldn't remember the last time a grown man had been that … kind. Most people had no trouble pegging him as gay at first sight, and he figured it was better that way. No mistakes. No confusion. So, to have a stranger in a small town act so relaxed about him was … shocking.
Forcing a smile, Jason nodded. He sucked in a fortifying breath and headed up the walk to the porch. He set his duffle on one of the chairs, rang the bell, then shoved his hands into his pockets to keep them from trembling as he waited.
The door opened and a broad-shouldered blond peered down at him with a cool blue-eyed gaze. Except it wasn't the big, good looking man who held Jason's attention. Instead, it was the baby the man held in his burly arms that caused his mouth to open in surprise … and a fair amount of disappointment and fear. Now the sandbox made sense. If Uncle Raul had what looked like a new baby, surely he wouldn't have time to help him.
"Can I help you?"
The guy's deep voice pulled Jason away from his rising panic. He felt the heat suffuse his cheeks. Damn fair skin. "Um, yeah," he said, desperately trying to engage his brain. "I'm looking for Raul Braga?"
"Sure," the man replied. "Come on in. I'll get him for you." Stepping back, the blond with the baby beckoned him forward into the front room.
"Thanks," Jason murmured.
The man waved to the cab driver and, as he shut the door, Jason heard the vehicle's engine start. Jason hoped that if he couldn't stay there, his uncle would at least be willing to drive him back to town … and maybe loan him some money until he found a job.
"Who is it, babe?"
Jason straightened at the sound of his uncle's voice, except who was he talking to?