"Well, you could always run for city council."
"No, I think if I leave the Senate, I'm leaving politics for good. I've had enough of that life. It grates on you after a while, you know? I started my bid for the Senate with such high hopes that I could save the world, only to find out that most politicians are only interested in saving themselves."
"That doesn't say much about our political system."
Wilson chuckled. "No, I guess it doesn't."
"Things seem a little more simple here in Cade Creek. Oh sure, we have our malcontents, but for the most part, we take care of each other. On the surface, we're the typical small town complete with a country church, city center park, and a farmer's market."
"And under the surface?"
Lachlan grinned. "Well, the minister of that small town church looks like a biker, and he's married to my baby brother. There is a park in the middle of town. That's where we hold most of our festivals, and my ma and my brother Rourke's husband, Billy, sell the most delicious tomatoes at the farmer's market."
"Both of your brothers are married to men?"
"All of my brothers are married to men, although my brother Seamus is married to two men, so I'm not sure how that calculates in. Basically, the only women in our family are my ma and my niece, who is named after my ma."
Wilson's jaw dropped. "Your brother is married to two men?"
Lachlan chuckled. "You know, I get that question a lot."
"I'll bet." Wilson couldn't imagine it.
"Yes, my brother Seamus is married to Sheriff John Riley and Deputy Yancy Butler."
"A sheriff and a deputy and a minister?"
"And the fire chief, several business owners, a few doctors and nurses, bar owners, restaurant owners, feed store, motorcycle shop, the local DEA officer…the list goes on. Basically, if you have an issue with gays, Cade Creek is not the place to settle down."
Wilson raised his hand before Lachlan could get defensive. "I'd be a hypocrite if I did."
Lachlan's eyebrows rose. "I thought you were married to a woman."
"I was, and now I'm divorced, and thank god, too, or I would have committed adultery when I spent the night before last with the sexy guy I met at that bar outside of town."
Lachlan stared for a moment before chuckling. "Well, that's a surprise."
"I've known I was gay since I was fifteen years old. I married because that's what you did twenty years ago if you wanted to get into politics. At least, that's what my father said. I didn't find out until recently what an absolute bastard he was. Unfortunately, it's too late to tell him that to his face. He died six months ago."
"Is that when you found out about your son?"
Wilson nodded. "I don't know why my father left a video message. He was already dead. He could have left me clueless, and I never would have known the difference. I'm just really glad he did." Wilson smiled as he thought of his son's sweet face. "Now I get to know the son I never knew about."
"That's got to be a mind fuck, man."
"Oh, it is, believe me. I just wish I'd known sooner. Will has gone through so much, and he didn't have to. Makes me wish my father was here so I could punch him in the face."
"Don't let my brother hear you say that. Sheriff Riley is a stickler for the law."
Wilson crossed his arms over his chest. "That's not necessarily a bad thing."
Lachlan snorted. "It is when he's your brother-in-law."
Wilson chuckled before taking a sip of his coffee. It was cold. "Hey, I'm going to make another cup of coffee. You want one?"
"No, I have to get back to the ranch. Da expects each of us to put in a full day's work."
"Okay, well, please tell your folks thank you for me. I'll try not to abuse their generosity."
