Chapter 6: Dub's Tank

Years ago Dub had rigged a wood heater under a galvanized stock tank, for his hip.

At dusk on Wednesday the water steamed in the cold.

He was already in it when Hoyt walked me out across the yard.

"Evening, darlin'," Dub said, with his arms stretched along the rim and his mustache beaded with steam.

"I told Hoyt I'm not getting out of this tank for love or money, so you'll have to come in."

Hoyt took my hand to help me up the wooden step.

His right hand was wrapped in a clean white bandage from the knuckles to the wrist.

"What happened to your hand?" I said.

"A mare got me," Hoyt said.

"Mean one," Dub said, and looked away at the sky.

I let it go.

I peeled off Jolene's flannel in the cold air, and the cold bit my skin, and both men went completely quiet.

I stepped over the rim and sank down into water so hot that I gasped.

It came up to my collarbones.

The tank was eight feet across, with a bench around the inside.

Dub sat on one side of it, and Hoyt climbed in on the other.

Hoyt had to fold himself down.

His shoulders were as wide as the bench, and the water rose a full inch when he sat.

"Come here," Dub said, and held out his arms.

I waded across the warm slick bottom and let him pull me onto his lap, facing him.

His hands slid around my back under the water, and his mouth found mine.

He kissed me with his whole heart, and I felt his smile against my lips.

"There," he said.

"I've been thinking about that barn for four days. I about wore out a pair of boots."

I laughed and kissed him again.

Then the water moved behind me, and I felt Hoyt.

He settled onto the bench at my back, close enough that his knees came up on either side of my hips.

His chest was broad and warm against my spine.

His left hand pushed my wet hair off my neck, gently, and his mouth landed under my ear.

"Dessa," he said, in that low rope voice.

"Tell us if we're too many."

"You aren't enough," I said.

I felt him smile against my skin.

His hands came around my ribs from behind.

They were so large that they covered both my breasts completely, with the fingers wrapping around to my sides.

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