The Storm

Written By: D’be-D’be


The weather can be very unpredictable on a cattle drive. One minute it’s beautiful and the next minute a gust of wind comes up or a downpour of rain comes down, making everyone and everything miserable.

For a Trail Boss the weather is a constant concern. Not only for the cattle and the fear they may stampede at any second, but also the fear for his men. A fear of someone getting injured or even dying when severe weather hits. This time, Luke Morgan had an extra fear; his Brat and lover, Colt Sanders. If anything were to happen to this young man, Luke would be beside himself. But he knew he couldn’t show Colt any special treatment because the other drovers would become suspicious and resentful, which would make Colt’s life miserable and in turn Luke’s as well.

Those worries and concerns for Colt were on Luke’s mind at this particular moment. He had volunteered Colt’s services to go ahead of the drive to look for some gazing land when their regular scout, Vince Perry, was stuck back at Fort Brasson for a day or two on some Army business he got mixed up in.

When Colt left, the weather was clear and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Now as Luke looked up, he saw that the blue sky had changed to dark clouds and a brisk wind had picked up considerably in the last hour or so. The camp cook had remarked at the noon meal, that the signs were all there for a major wind storm.

For the hundredth time Luke looked over the horizon for any sign of his young drover, but like the ninety-ninth time, Colt was no where to be seen. Luke’s frustration and fear were growing by the second. He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to go after him. Luke looked around for his ramrod, Pete, and found him trying to get some of the cattle back in line. Luke rode up calling out the Pete’s name as he approached him.

“Pete, you’re going to have to take over the herd! Colt is way passed due and I’m really worried about this weather that is threatened to erupt at any second. I’m going after him.”

“Come on, Mr. Morgan, I think Colt can take of himself.”

“I agree that Colt can take care of himself in normal circumstances, but he’s never been caught out in a wind storm before. You and I both know that the dust can blow around so bad a man can’t see his hand in front of his face.”

“Yeah, I see your point. Ah, Mr. Morgan, I’ve never handled a herd in the middle of a storm either. What do you want me to do if the weather gets worse?”

“Keep all the drovers on the job and keep a tight rein on the herd. Do what you have to keep them calm. Talk or sing to them, it don’t much matter to the cows just as long as they hear a calming presence. Keep em moving for another mile or two then bed them down if you can. I’ll do my best to find Colt and get back here as quick as I can.”

“Mr. Morgan, I just thought of something. There’s an old prospector’s cabin about a mile or two from here. Maybe Colt saw the weather changing and decided to take shelter there.”

“That’s a great thought, Pete. Thanks! I’ll be sure to check that place first. Tell Flapjack where I’m going and let Vince know if he returns before I do. Take care and see you later.” With those words, the Trail Boss turned his horse and made his way over the hill to find his young Brat.

Meanwhile, Colt was trying to make it back to Luke and the herd when the storm hit. The wind was whipping up the sand, dirt and grass up so fast, Colt had to put his bandana over his face to protect his face from the onslaught of flying debris. He looked up towards the hill and could barely see it. He knew his was in trouble. He tried to control the tears that threatened to flow. “Get a hold of yourself, Colt!” he scolded himself. “This is no time to start acting like a cry baby. Take a deep breath and think. What would Luke do?”

He began taking deep, slow breaths to clear his mind. Like a miracle, he heard the deep echoes of Luke’s voice in the wind saying, “Look for shelter, Cowboy. Look for shelter!”

Colt took control of his emotions and began to look around as best he could with the wind and all swirling around him as if he was in a funnel. He began having a hard time controlling his horse, who sensing the danger and wanted to bolt. Taking one hand off the reins, Colt ran his fingers through the horse’s mane. “Ssssh, Sugar Cube. Sssh, it’s going to be alright.”

The horse sensed the calming effect of Colt’s voice and began to settle down. It turned to return to the herd and that’s when Colt saw the structure standing in the middle of a wide-opened field. It didn’t look to sturdy but at least it was still standing and it was shelter. He gave his horse the sign to gallop. Sugar Cube was off in a heartbeat, making his way towards safety. When Colt reached the building, he realized it was a prospector’s cabin with a makeshift stable suitable for the horse nearby.

Colt dismounted, but the wind was so strong at this point, he had to fight to remain on his feet and practically had to push the nervous horse into the stable. Once he got the horse settled and bedded down, Colt made his way to the cabin. He pushed his way through the door with little trouble but it took him three tries to get the door to close. It was like the wind had a hand of its own trying to shove its way into the small shack. When he finally had the door closed and latched, Colt turned to look at his surroundings. It wasn’t much; a single room made up of a wooden cupboard on one wall and a cast iron stove that looked like it hadn’t be used in years on the other wall. A dirty old table with three chairs sat in the middle the floor, a worn-out couch sat under the only window and a piece of furniture that passed as a bed stood in a dark corner. The only other living occupant of the cabin was one single mouse who ran for cover at the sight of the two-legged creature.

The storm was really picking up speed out there. The wind was so powerful, Colt wasn’t sure how long the cabin would be able to withstand the punishment that mother nature was dishing out. He looked around one more time. Sitting down on one of the wobbly chairs, he began to cry. Oh how he needed Luke right now. He closed his eyes to make a silent wish that Luke would somehow hear his cries and make his way to the cabin.

Luke Morgan was having problems of his own. He couldn’t see a damn thing in front of him and had no idea where he was. His horse kept trying to turn around and head for the armada, so Luke also had that to content with. Pete had told him the cabin wasn’t that far from the herd, so unless he had gotten himself completely turned around by accident, he shouldn’t be too far from it. He found himself making a wish on the wind that Colt made it to the cabin before this storm really began to work it’s magic.

Luke Morgan was not a man to panic easy. He had a calm, cool collective manner to him that had seen him through many a crisis and battle. But he couldn’t seem to keep down the rising panic he began to feel in his gut, when his thoughts went to his young lover who was out there in the elements, alone and lost. He began to curse out loud when he saw his horse prick up its’ ears at the sound of another horse in the distance. It had to be Colt’s horse, Luke thought to himself, who else’s could it be. He allowed the horse to lead him to the sound and through a break in the dust he saw the cabin. He began to call out Colt’s name as he galloped towards the buildings in the distance.

“Colt! Colt, are you in there? It’s Luke!”

Colt lifted his head off his folded arms that were resting on the table. He had given up hope that Luke would ever find him and his hope given way to despair before the tears had begun to flow. Suddenly he heard the sound of his protector and lover through a gust of wind. He stood up and listened. Hearing nothing, he convinced himself he was slowly going insane. Then he heard that deep, sexy voice calling out his name. He wasn’t going crazy! That was Luke’s voice he heard. Before he could make it to the door, it flew open bringing Luke along with a ton of blowing sand, into the cabin. The two men stood there staring at each other in stunned silence for a few seconds then flew into each other’s opening arms.

Looking at his Brat with a face streaked with dusty tears, Luke didn’t know whether he should laugh or cry, so he did a little of both. Colt on the other hand wasn’t confused at all. He began to cry instantly, with arms wound around Luke’s neck so tightly it was hard for the Trail Boss to straighten up. Instead of trying, he just slipped one arm under Colt’s arms and the other under his legs and carried him over to the couch. He sat down, pulling Colt onto his lap and held him close until the tears subsided.

“Oh, Luke, I was never so scared before! I thought you’d never find me!” Colt was talking, crying and kissing Luke all at the same time. The young man finally placed his head on Luke’s strong shoulder and cuddled up as close as he could.

“Hey, Cowboy, you should know a little dust storm would never prevent me from finding you.”

“You weren’t scared out there?”

Not wanting to let Colt know that he had been a little frightened, Luke shrugged his shoulders as he replied. “Nah, not really. I’ve been through these things before. But to be honest with ya, I was scared a certain young drover would do something foolish. Like try to make his way back to the herd in this storm and maybe drop off a mountain or something. Then I’d have to go and loose a few days looking for him.”

Knowing Luke was teasing him, Colt sat up to look into the dark passionate eyes of his lover. “Yea, well don’t you know I got better sense than that? Besides, who’s the one who left the safety of the herd to set out in this storm, eh?

Luke began to laugh as his Brat teased him back “Okay, okay, you caught me! I guess I was a little frightened, but not of the storm. I was frightened for you. I love you, Cowboy.”

“I love you too, Boss!” Colt laughed as he kissed Luke on the tip of his nose before getting up off his lap. “Are you hungry? I have some rations in my saddlebag. I don’t know if the stove works but I could try and cook us up something.”

“Don’t bother, Cowboy. I’m not that hungry yet.” Luke got up and stretched his legs. He stretched out his arms in order to ease his tense back and shoulder muscles, but with little success. He made his way to the bed and sat down on the edge.

With gleaming eyes, Colt walked over and sat down beside the tall man and patted him on the back. He took one look at his Top and saw stress and exhaustion written on his face, so with a quiet ease Colt started rubbing Luke’s back gently. Luke leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees; his dusty black shirt stretched over his broad back, and Colt put both hands on those muscular shoulders. Luke sighed as the young man started kneading his tense shoulder and back.

“That feels good, Cowboy.”

“Good! Why don’t you lay down on your stomach so I can really take care of those tense muscles,” Colt suggested.

Luke stretched out on the bed, folded his arms and laid his head on them. Colt continued the message, feeling the muscles beginning to relax under Luke’s dusty and dirty shirt. “Luke, that shirt is disgusting. Sit up for a second and take it off, will ya?”

“Oh sorry, Cowboy. I guess you’re right.” Luke sat up just long enough to remove the filthy shirt then lay back down.

Colt tried to control the feelings of desire that were creeping through him as he felt Luke’s soft warm skin beneath his fingers. But before he knew it, he was leaning down and kissing Luke on the cheek.

Luke, having closed his eyes as the massage began lulling him to sleep, opened them in surprise at the realization that Colt was making the first move. He began to smile and twisted around onto his back and with hands trembling with desire, pulled Colt down to him.

Colt closed his eyes as he felt the hot passionate lips of his lover on his and opened his mouth to give Luke’s tongue access. He suddenly pulled away, sat on his haunches and pulled off his own shirt. Crouched over the other man, Colt kissed him more firmly. He felt Luke’s arms enfolding him and pulling him down, bringing their chests together and Colt’s tongue took charge. He left Luke’s mouth and kissed his chin along the jaw line and down his throat. Luke was breathing heavily now and Colt could feel Luke’s hardness as he continued touching light kisses to Luke’s chest. Luke closed his eyes and let Colt take charge, for the moment at least.

Colt moved slowly, letting the need in Luke’s body build as he worked his way down his chest. His hands slowly made their way to the front of Luke’s jeans and undid the belt and button. He pulled the zipper down as slowly as he could force himself, revealing under shorts containing a deliciously large bulge. Colt tugged at the jeans and Luke raised his hips to allow Colt to pull the jeans down to his boots. Colt jumped off the bed for a quick second to remove the boots, then he pulled the jeans and socks off of his Top. As quickly as he jumped off the bed, Colt jumped back on and immediately placed himself between Luke’s legs.

Before removing the underwear, Colt looked up into Luke’s face and remarked, “I told you the next time we were together, I wanted to eat something other than food. So hang on and let me give you the same pleasure you gave me in Willow Creek.”

Luke just moaned his approval as he felt the younger man settle between his outstretched legs. Colt stroked them with both hands as he leaned forward and kissed the bulge. Unable to wait any longer, he tugged the underwear down to expose Luke’s erection. He took a deep breath before wrapping his lips around Luke’s penis to begin sucking and licking hungrily. He knew he was going to fast so he forced himself to slow down and savor every taste. As he stroked Luke with his tongue and lips, Luke reached out and placed his fingers into the blond sandy hair of his lover and let out a moan of pleasure. Colt kept gentle sucking until he could feel the pressure building in Luke’s body and his lover’s moans getting louder.

“Oh, Cowboy! Oh, Cowboy! I’m going to…..OHHHH!”

Colt reached down and opened his own jeans and stoked himself as the excitement of Luke’s orgasm gave him his own erection. After swallowing every drop of his lover’s essence and letting the taste linger on his tongue, Colt continued to stroke himself until he let out his own cry as he felt his own climax wash over him like the wind and dust had hours before. He crawled up Luke’s body and kissed him. Luke kissed him back. Both men were spent.

Luke pulled Colt down next to him and took him into his arms. “That’s the best way to ease stress I ever saw,” he whispered into his Brat’s ear as they cuddled together. Before they knew it, sleep overcame them both.

Luke was the first to wake. He turned his head towards the door to listen for the wind. Hearing none, he shook the young man who lay sleeping in his arms until he too began to wake.

“Is the storm over, Luke?”

“Ya, it seems so, Cowboy. Why don’t we get ourselves up and make it back to the drive.”

“What’s the rush? We’re finally alone and well, you know, I want you to make love to me.”

“What we shared last night will have to do for now, Cowboy. I have a drive to run.”

“But, Luke, they’re not going anywhere! Pete or Vince will hold them wherever they are until you come back!” Colt’s voice had a whining quality to it that Luke didn’t approve of.

“That’s just it, Colt. There could be cattle spread from here back to Texas for all I know. I’m the Trail Boss and it’s my responsibility to make sure the herd is alright and their needs are met.”

“What about my needs? I’m sure of need of something1” To emphasize his point, Colt reached out to place his hands between Luke’s legs. Luke gently placed his fingers around Colt’s wrists and removed the hands back onto the bed.

“Stop that right now, Colt! You have to understand that my job is very important to me and they’ll be times that the herds needs have to come before anything else.”

“Well fuck it then! Go back to your damn herd and let them suck you off the next time the urge strikes you!” The words were still ringing in the air when Colt realized he had just made a serious mistake. With one rapid move, Luke had sat up, grabbed Colt and had him lying over his lap, bare ass up in the air.

Colt gave out a loud yelp as a hard strong hand met his defenseless bare butt. “Owwww….Owwwww…… OOOWWWWW” The screams came louder and louder but Luke didn’t care. He intended to teach this young man that he would not be spoken to in such a harsh, vulgar manner.

“OHHHHH….OWWWWW…..Luke! I’m sorry! PLEASE! OWWW….I didn’t mean it! I was just mad. Please….Please…Stop!”

“Do you know why I am spanking you, Colt?”

“Yes, Sir. I broke rule number two.”

“Which is?” Luke asked as he lay two more slaps on Colt’s red buttocks

“Not to use foul language or talk to you with disrespect.”

“Very good! Okay, you can get up now,” Luke stated as he stopped the discipline. He set Colt on his feet, stood up as well and took the young man in his arms and held him close until the final tear was shed. When Colt had full control of himself and all was forgiven, they both got redressed and made their way to the stable to prepare their horses for the journey back to the herd.

On their way back, Colt shot a glance over at his Top. After clearing his throat, he stated, “Luke, I know your job is really important to you. And I know if this relationship is going to work, I have to understand that and accept it. I do want this relationship to work, so I promise I will never try to make you choose between the herd and my needs again.”

“Oh, Cowboy, you don’t know how pleased I am to hear you say that. I don’t like being put in that position. I love you and I’m proud of you for coming to that conclusion on your own.”

Beaming with pride and love, Colt just nodded to his lover. What filled their eyes when they reached the top of the hill was a sight to behold. There, lying in a perfect group, was the herd looking no worse for wear. Seeing their Boss and the young pup coming over the ridge, the drovers began to hoop and holler their greetings.

Giving each other one final passionate gaze, the two men turned their horse into a gallop. They were home!

The End