Chapter One, Pg. 2

He was feeling God-awful in the back seat of the cab. What will he do now and what will the boys think? Of course, they've known for years that the relationship between their parents was tenuous and held very few happy moments. His mind raced back to the first time he caught her having an affair. The boys weren't even in school yet and his unexpected arrival home in the late afternoon was, he hoped, a surprise for her but the surprise was his. When he pulled up out front, Ryan, the older boy was playing in the fenced front yard of the neighbor. Ryan spotted his father right away. "Daddy!" he yelled running across the lawn to the edge of the fence and jumping up on it. Aaron was happy to see him. "Hey Poo!" he said walking swiftly from the car to the fence, bending over and picking the child up and into his arms. "Where's Kevy?" he asked after Ryan's younger two-year old brother. Ryan pointed back to the house. "And Momma?" and Ryan's little arm swung around to point at the family home. "Okay," he said and should have realized then something was not right. He hugged and nuzzled the boy's neck. "Let me go get Momma and I'll be right back to get you two," he said. Ryan looked hurt and Aaron placed him back on the other side of the fence. It was hard to walk away from the boy with his little arms outstretched, his palms and fingers grabbing at the air. "Daddy! Daddy!"

The memory of Rita in the arms of another man and engulfed in the sexual act rushed into his mind. He pushed it aside and stared out of the window at the early morning sun as it rose over yellow paisley hillside. Nearly twenty years later and he was finally calling it quits leaving her the house and car. All she ever wanted was out of the marriage. The boys could take care of themselves now. There were many more affairs and encounters for him to live through over the years but he stayed in the loveless marriage because of the boys. As they passed through high school and then college he began to change his professional life.

His early passion for medicine had now dissipated after many years of grueling hours in surgery trying to repair hearts from the ravages of various diseases. It was the loss of the little girl, born with a damaged aorta and valve, that put a halt to his desire to try and save others. He moved to the City Coroner's office where he assisted with autopsies and forensic work determined not to let his medical expertise be wasted. But he wasn't happy doing it and when Rita demanded he get out and move on he didn't feel bad saying goodbye to the work.

"And now what would he do?" he asked himself again and again. "There!" he said pointing to the little Victorian framed building coming over the horizon. He could see the old wooden hanging sign of the Devonshire Bed and Breakfast Inn. "That will do," he said to the cab driver. He was hungry and needed a place to stay. He went to his brother's place first but it was locked up tight. His brother, wife and daughter had gone off on holiday.

The Inn looked comfortable. The taxi pulled down off the road and into the small parking lot to stop before the front door of the building. He climbed out of the back seat pulling his suitcase and medical bag with him and setting them down to fetch the fare from his pocket. He turned back to the cab driver and counted out several bills and handed them to him.

Aaron took a deep breath, picked up the luggage and walked through the Inn's front door. The place was quiet and he expected that because it was a little after seven in the morning. There was no one behind the check-in desk and he put the suitcases down, off to the side and looked into the bright dining room. A solitary young man was sitting in a front booth and a middle-aged woman in a bright print dress looked up. She walked toward the back of the room and said to Aaron that she would be back in a moment to help him. The man in the booth was staring at him and Aaron wondered if they knew each other. He tried to place him but came up with a blank. The young man nodded back and looked away.

Soon the woman came back and told him she had no rooms. He was disappointed and said he had hoped to stay with "his brother a few miles back but..."

The man in the booth cleared his throat and he looked in his direction. Before he could say much else the young man was up and walking toward him. “If you don’t’ mind sharing you can bunk with me in my room …” he offered. Aaron looked at the man who was probably under thirty. He was Aaron’s height, about six feet, auburn red hair and green eyes shaded by dark red lashes, slender and athletic in appearance. There was something about the young man that was comforting, perhaps even naive-like. He paused a moment and smiled. “I’ll be happy to pay the additional charge,” he offered. Nancy grinned oddly at the two men. “Then it’s settled,” said the young man extending his hand. The two men shook quickly. “Robert Ross,” said the younger man, “everyone call’s me Rob,” and Aaron, still smiling and this bit of luck, nodded. “Aaron Jaspers, Dr. Aaron Jaspers.”

Several minutes later the two men where engaging in conversation and eating a hearty breakfast. He had learned that Rob was an architect and thought he said he had his own business. He also said he would only be staying a few days. Aaron was disappointed to hear that.

Several times after that Aaron found himself tuned out of the conversation and staring at Rob’s large hands and the furriness of his forearms. He had no idea why he found the young man so interesting.

The hour moved along swiftly and when they left the dining room the woman introduced herself as “Nancy” and handed him his own room key. Inside the room Aaron saw but one full-sized bed. He assumed the room had two beds. Rob must have noticed his concern. “Only one bed though” Rob said apprehensively. “I don’t mind if you don’t” he remarked and Rob laughed. A few minutes later Rob invited Aaron to accompany him on a visit an old college roommate who didn't live far away. "I've got a rental downstairs," he explained. With little to do Aaron thought it fun and a good chance to get to know his new friend a little better. Rob was dressed in Levi’s, a T-shirt and a jacket. Aaron pointed to his clothes. "Overdressed?" and without waiting for an answer from Rob he began unbuttoning his shirt. Rob sat down on the bed. When he had stripped down to just his underwear he was glad to see the young man looking him over. He wasn't embarrassed. He raised his arms and squeezed his fists and posed like a muscle man then laughed. Rob looked his body over several times resting at his crotch. Aaron found the moment intoxicating, “Huh?” he asked for Rob’s approval. “You look great!” Rob said, adding “The blue dress shirt and the khaki’s - they look comfortable,” suggested Rob looking into the Dr.'s open suitcase.

Ten minutes later they stepped out of the small Bed and Breakfast and walked to a black BMW convertible sports car. Aaron’s eyes lit up. He found sports cars exciting. “You know how to drive a stick?” Rob asked, when seeing the face of his companion light up, and tossed him the keys. Aaron felt right at home behind the wheel. He started up the car and Rob pointed the direction. He pulled the car out of the parking lot onto the old country road, smiling as the morning wind blew across his face. He looked over at Rob and felt an excitement inside. “Maybe it was going to be a good day after all,” he thought. “Damn,” said Rob and Aaron pulled his foot off the gas. “Forget something?” he asked. “No, … no …” Rob said and Aaron pushed his foot against the gas peddle and they sped off down the road.

Chapter one

Robert "Robbie" Ross came down the stairway of the small Bed and Breakfast and checked his watch. It was dark in the lobby and he wondered if he was too early. A small green lamp lit up the clerk's desk. He paused and looked into the empty dining room where only a few night lights shined. He was too early. "Damn..." he said under his breath. As he finished the words a door behind the desk opened and Nancy, the daughter of the proprietor, stepped through holding a cup of coffee.

"Oh ...," she said and smiled broadly, "up early I see." Rob smiled back at her. "I couldn't sleep - it's such a beautiful morning. Is it possible to get breakfast or maybe some coffee?" She lowered her cup to the counter. "Yes, of course," she said.

Nancy walked into the dining room and to the front windows, opened all the shutters flooding much of the dining room with morning sunlight. Rob moved to one of the window booths and slipped into the comfortable seat. She followed and put down two paper place-mats with plates and silverware then walked to the back of the room and through the door to the kitchen. Seconds later she returned with fresh coffee in a cup with saucer and placed them down in front of Rob. She pulled two menus from under her arm and handed one to Rob and placed the other across from him.

"I could enjoy a good breakfast ..." he said opening the menu and viewing the list of breakfast dishes. Nancy stepped to the waitresses station and returned with pad and pencil. "What will you have?" she asked holding her pencil at the ready. Rob pointed to the third breakfast offering of ham and eggs. As he did so a taxi pulled into the driveway of the Inn. A man, tall, gray and handsome stepped out, paid the driver and carried a suitcase and small black bag through the Inn door and into the lobby. Nancy looked up at the new arrival and smiled. She jotted down Rob's order, ripped it off the pad, thanked him and walked back toward the kitchen doors. "I'll be right with you," she said on her way through the door to the gentleman. He nodded and smiled and looked over the dining room stopping at Rob. Both men gazed at each other for a lingering moment. The man smiled and Rob nodded then looked away because his chest did a double skip. He took in a deep breath and wondered if he was being cruised or just observed.

Nancy returned to the room and headed back to the lobby and stepped behind the counter. "I hope you're here to see someone," she said and the man looked at her quizzically. "Can I get a room, say for a week or so?" he asked and Nancy quickly shook her head. "I'm sorry, we're booked solid. This is a big month for us here in Devonshire. It's our Annual Spring Flower Fair - and we fill up quickly. Rob sat listening and sipping at the hot coffee. "That's not good. Is there anywhere ..." and Nancy shook her head. "A back room maybe?" he chimed but Nancy stood firm. "Really, we have nothing open. You could try Yeltsville about ten miles back but I'm sure they are full up too. A reservation is a must this time of year." The man looked lost. "I ... I didn't know it was going to be this hard. My brother lives a few miles up the road but he and his wife have gone off on a month's holiday and had no idea I was coming..." he explained.

Rob pushed himself out of the booth and walked toward the lobby. "If you don't mind sharing you can bunk with me in my room. I have a large corner room." Nancy looked at Rob and he wasn't sure if he should have offered. "It's alright, isn't it Nancy?" and the man looked from Rob to Nancy. "Well, I'll have to charge you for a double," she said. "I'll be happy to pay the additional charge," said the man. "Then it's settled. We'll share a room," Rob said walking to the man and extending his hand. "Rob. Robert Ross actually." "Thank you, thank you very much ... Aaron Jaspers, Dr. Aaron Jaspers," said the stranger. The two men shook hands and Rob invited him over to the table for some breakfast. Dr. Jaspers went to pick up his medical bag and suitcase and Nancy said they were fine where they were. "Please have some breakfast," she said.

As the two men settled in and waited for their breakfast to be served Rob explained his purpose for visiting at the Inn. "An old college buddy, well, a rich old college buddy, has an estate not far from here and asked me to provide a few designs for a memorial garden on the estate. I'm an architect, a landscaper and horticulturist rolled into one. I have a business down in Levington," he explained. "I'll probably only be here for two or three days but I've booked the room for a week. It's yours if you want," he added. "Thank you, I'll take you up on that, and please, call me Jasper". Rob took him to be about 35 or so even though his thick head of prematurely gray hair might make him older. His skin was taught and young looking, his blue eyes were very bright blue and his smile of straight white teeth were well cared for. Rob found him very sexy. Jasper had pulled off his overcoat and then his black suit jacket to reveal a light blue shirt that made his eyes seem even bluer. As he removed the jacket Rob mentally measured his chest and arms through the starched cotton cloth and wondered what it would be like to run his hand over his bare chest. There was something about Dr. Jaspers that was exciting.

Nancy arrived with two plates laden with food. Dr. Jasper reached up and as he did so Rob noticed for the first time a wedding band on his finger. He was disappointed. "Damn," he thought to himself. The "share my room" thing came pretty easily and he hoped the man might be gay. Then he thought about his short stay and figured he could restrain himself that long. At least he'd get to sleep next to the guy. "Watch him wear flannel pajamas and want to sleep in a chair," he thought and smiled to himself. "Just my luck."

The conversation between the two men continued. Dr. Jasper told Rob of his two sons, one was twenty-five and a constable in Shiresfield while the other, "younger boy" as Dr. Jasper referred to him, was engaged and in his second year of medical school. "Wants to follow in his father's footsteps," he said proudly. I'm here because my wife threw me out after twenty-two years of marriage. I should have called my brother first before taking the liberty to just show up but I figured he'd understand. He's on his fourth marriage. When I got to his home and couldn't get in the cab driver suggested this place.

Rob also learned that Dr. Aaron Jaspers was a heart surgeon but hadn't practiced in four years. He didn't say why but added that he had been providing his medical assistance to the Evanston Forensic Institute but left that job the week before. "I knew my wife was having an affair. She'd done it before and we always got back together but not this time. I'm through this time. At last" he gave a slight sigh. Rob really didn't know what to say. He had been through break-ups before. "If the boys were younger I'd probably bear with it but they have their own lives now and I want mine back."

After breakfast Dr. Jaspers offered to pay for the meal but Rob signed the check so it would be billed to the room. They finished their coffees and left the table as the dining room was beginning to fill with other guests. Nancy had returned to her desk clerk duties and Cherry, a middle-aged French waitress, arrived through the kitchen door and was soon taking orders.

Rob reached for Dr. Jasper's suitcase but Jasper wouldn't hear of it. They climbed the slim staircase, one behind the other, and with his new key in hand, Dr. Jaspers unlocked the door to Room 10. The room was large and airy, the windows faced the east and the morning sun now armed the area. Dr. Jaspers placed his suitcase on the rack at the end of the bed, next to Rob's suitcase with his medical bag on top of it. He dropped his coat and jacket on the bags and looked around the room. "This is nice, you really don't mind sharing?" Rob shook his head. "I'm happy to have you. The place is too big for me. He looked over at the large full sized bed. "Only one bed though." "I don't mind if you don't" said Dr. Jasper. Jasper placed his hand on the mattress and pumped it several times and smiled. "I love a soft bed, a good place to sleep," he said laughing a bit. Rob smiled back. A silence fell upon them and Jasper walked to the window to look out over the countryside view.

"Well..." Rob said, his hands stuffed in his jean pockets, "I ahh... I promised to be out at the estate by nine this morning. Why don't you go with me?" he offered. Jasper turned around and slipped his hands into his own pants pockets. At six feet tall with the sun streaming behind him he was quite handsome. "You don't want me tagging along," he began, "Yeah I do. I really don't want to go there alone. I haven't seen the guy in ten years. We roomed together at college and had a falling out. You'll be doing me a favor. You're a doctor and that might be helpful. That garden he wants me to create is for his own memorial and he wants his ashes interned there. Kind of gruesome if you ask me but the fee is well worth it. He is dying from a heart condition. Maybe if you're there you can give me an idea of how much time I may have to complete the project." Rob sat down on the bed having got all that out. Dr. Jasper stood there quietly. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Sure, I'll go. What else have I got to do?" Rob looked relieved nodded his approval. "Great!" "Am I overdressed?" Jasper asked speaking of his suit and tie attire.

Rob was wearing a pair of Levi's, a clean blue T-shirt, a light tan jacket and a pair of brown suede casual shoes. "If you're comfortable I'm comfortable," said Rob grinning. "Well I'm not. Let me change - it'll take a few minutes, that's all," and with that Dr. Jaspers moved his coat off his luggage and on to the bed. He opened his suitcase and pulled out a pair of tennis shoes, khaki pants and a white T-shirt then sat down on a chair and took off his shoes. Rob sat quietly watching. Dr. Jaspers stood up and unbuckled his belt and stepped out of the black slacks and tossed them over the back of another chair. He then pulled off the tie and unbuttoned the starched blue shirt and flipped it off over his shoulders and then off his arms. He stood there in just a pair of white briefs sporting a nice chiseled hairy chest that ran a trail of dark brown hair down to his belly button and into the shorts. He obviously worked out. His arms were muscled and he had no love handles to speak of. Rob caught a quick look at the outline of his genitals then looked away. There was a nice round package there. Dr. Jaspers smiled and pulled his arms up into a muscular pose with a big smile on his face. "Huh?" he said proud of himself. Rob looked back and took in his body again. "You look great." Rob said "The blue dress shirt with the Khaki's would look good." Dr. Jaspers slipped the Khakis on but waited to button them until he slipped the blue dress shirt back on. A few minutes later he was redressed and they walked out of the room more like old friends rather then new acquaintances.

When they got down to Rob's little black convertible sports car Dr. Jaspers whistled. "You know how to drive a stick?" Rob asked and Jasper nodded. Rob tossed the keys to him. "Good. Why don't you drive."

The two men pulled out of the Inn's parking lot and onto the old country road. As the wind flew passed them Rob thought of Jasper standing before him back in the room wearing just the pair of white briefs. It was a great memory. But the wedding ring bothered him. Jasper was a straight heterosexual man, married with two grown sons. "Damn," he said. "Forget something?" Jasper asked and eased back on the gas peddle. "No, no... just damn.." he said and they drove on.