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Jed

By: Dillinger



Jed was a droob.  It's true, he told me so himself.  I know its hard to believe, I mean Jed, of all people, a droob!  

I've known Jed for seven years and I never once suspected it.  We'd meet for lunch every now and then, or go out to a jazz club or a bar, and I never knew.  He never told me, until yesterday that is.  

We were at this great little Italian place, I had the individual pizza and Jed was having the linguini with clam sauce.  It was a good meal.  We talked, we schmoozed, we gossiped.  A typical lunch, and then it happened...  We were about halfway through the meal when he looked me straight in the eye and said: "I'm a droob, you know."  

(Well, what could I say... No, I didn't know... I mean after seven years he tells me this?  THIS!  A fucking droob.)  So I said: "Really Jed, a droob?  You?  That's nice."  

A droob.  Jed.  Go figure.

Jed Finally Drops Anchor



CHAPTER 1

Angrily clenching her fingers to a neck-size shape, Jessica Smart was on the brink of strangling her uncouth brother from the city who was staying with her and Mike for three weeks, and this was only day four. He'd already told her she had lovely tits -- tits mind you, not breasts or in a good mood she'd accept boobs -- not that he should be referring to them, and he'd cuffed her ass twice.

Jessica's friend Susie had just left, snapping that it was amazing gentlemanly Mike had a tosser for a brother. Eyes firing she'd said, "He asked me straight out do I fuck on the first date. I ask you!"

Biting back on the temptation to ask did she, Jessica hugged Susie and said she was sorry to have landed Susie with an unsuccessful introduction for a date. "You're my fourth failure. I give up -- he can go and try one of the heifers on the McCain's Ranch. 

Jessica and Susie clasped each other and fell about laughing, only to have Jed enter the room and ask, "Are you two having a lesbian thing?" Susie stormed off and clipped the gatepost in her pickup but then about half the women drivers who visited did that. Jessica had scrapped with Mike over making the gateway wider. He said it was wide enough to drive a bulldozer through and when Jessica said icily her girlfriends and mother didn't drive bulldozers; a row had erupted about Mike making snide remark about women drivers.

Jessica came in behind Jed -- his name was actually Colin but only his mom called him that -- and took up the strangling mode. He was reading a comic taken from the box of stuff she kept for visiting children. That was about his level; the fact he had a PhD in computer science was the family's best-kept secret. It would be too difficult for the family to explain how an apparent moron could distinguish himself.

"A coffee would be great Jess."

Such a moron. Where was the please and why was he using that foul name Jess and why wasn't he waiting hand and foot on his hostess?

Making coffee, feeling like one herself, Jessica winced and remained closed-lipped when he said, "That Susie would be a great fuck wouldn't she -- what's she like when you two get down dirty?"

Jessica looked at the carving knife but thought no, she'd be no use to Mike being in prison for ten or more years thought if she was lucky enough to land an understanding woman judge she might be out in eighteen months. Actually the audacious Jed was growing on her. She thought she could give him access and he might follow her around and do all her housework on the promise of being allowed to bend her over the kitchen chopping block again for a routing or whatever he called it half an hour before Mike was due home. She marveled that she could harbor such idiotic thoughts at times. This was the guy four of her girlfriends had independently dubbed 'foul', 'an asshole', 'insane' and 'Jed the Ripper' and none had spent more than a few minutes talking with him about a possible date.

Handing Jed his hot coffee instead of pouring it into his lap, Jessica took hers outside and stood on the porch. He followed her out and draping an arm down over her waist to grab flesh at the panty line the asshole said, "You're a great kid Jess."

She sighed and admired her martyrdom. 

They looked at the new rip in the right hand gatepost.

Jessica said quietly, "That gateway needs to be widened."

"Why, a guy could drive an 18-wheeler through that gap?"

Jessica counted five and promised she'd not row with him. "Not all drivers are men."

To her astonishment Jed laughed and said that was a very delicate way of making the point. "It's one of the most intelligent comments I've heard from you."

She saw red. "When driving instructions were given, men were sitting on their fat asses drinking beer while the females were bent over the oven or cleaning floors."

"Brilliant, you're on the button babe," he said, giving her ass a rousing squeeze.

Because of the craziness of that conversation Jessica suffered a brain misfire. She said recklessly, "You widen that gateway and I'll bend over the chopping block for you."

"And then what?" Jed asked suspiciously.

Jessica gasped, aware she'd blown a cog.

The house and 4-acre paddock behind it was on the edge of town. They watched a black wreck of patched-up pick-up park in the driveway of the decrepit cottage opposite. A young woman got out of the misfiring vehicle, leaving it running, and waved, closing the driver's door. Jessica waved back and shouted welcome home and said that was Douglas McCain's baby daughter Kitty bringing home her six-day-old baby. Jessica touched Jed's arm and whispered, "Illegitimate, she'd been thrown off the ranch. I must go to her."

At that moment there was a violent explosion and the hood of the vehicle went flying into the air and landed on the side of the cottage, setting grass alight. Kitty screamed and ran towards the vehicle with the cab now covered with flaming petrol and was driven back. "My baby, my baby."

"Ohmigod, the baby," cried Jessica, only then aware Jed had jumped the veranda rail and was sprinting across the street. She dashed inside to phone emergency services and then rushed outside to find Kitty holding the baby and holding out her skirt she'd ripped out for Jed to used to douse flames: his trousers were on fire on both thighs. Kitty was screaming at him to put out the flames and Jed, howling in pain collapsed as Jessica reached him and began rolling him on the ground yelling at him incomprehensibly. She was vaguely aware the side of the cottage was alight.

Jessica left in the ambulance with Jed. The doctor attending Kitty and her baby yelled to her they appeared okay.

Mike, a vet, brought the still-shocked Jessica home from the hospital after rushing to see his brother. He had just poured whiskies when three lots of neighbors came in to advise a demolition order had been placed on the cottage but before that the McCain's had arrived to take Kitty and the baby home and Mrs McCain took one look at the baby and said, "It's a McCain" and clasped it to her chest and said well done Kitty.

The women round Jessica whispered it was bullshit to determine family characteristics in a baby that young.

"She was protecting the wee darling from that brute husband of hers. We all know what Douglas McCain is like," Jessica said. "I'm much better, let's party. Mike picked up his phone and called for takeouts to be delivered. This is a day I shall always remember. Fancy my rotten sod of a brother having the courage to do that."

"The burns are relatively superficial and won't require skin grafts, according to Doc Morris and I would agree. It was lucky Jed was wearing heavy cotton jeans and not artificial fiber material that would have seared to his skin." 

"Oh really," said Jessica. "Jed was incredibly brave. 

"Perhaps, but who thinks rationally when reacting to a sudden emergency like that," said Tony Browne.

"But it's rate for any guy to react unless it to reach out for a beer or watch an ass walk by," laughed his wife.

Half an hour later a TV news crew arrived and interviewed the Smarts and friends who'd been witnesses.

"My brother was so brave, absolutely fearless -- I thought he was going to be burnt alive," Jessica said, clasping an arm to her rather attractive chest and the cameraman moved in for a head and shoulders shot. "Our hero doesn't handle women well because he's shy and rather over-reacts. But oh man, did he dig in and reach in to snatch Kitty's wee baby from what to us appeared certain death. Kitty is rather cute and without a husband. I figure something will happen between those two." 

Two hours later as soon as the dramatic rescue was featured on TV news, Jessica began taking calls, including from all four friends who'd rejected Jed as a jerk. They were all willing to reconsider. Then came a really big call -- "Shhhh," she said to her fellow revelers. It's Douglas McCain, Mike's biggest client."

"Hello Mr McCain. I'm sorry, you can't speak to Mike, he's staying at his brother's side until he's declared out of danger. Although the burns are confined to his thighs there was smoke inhalation and the possibility of seared lungs and possible blood infection."

Everyone in the room looked at Mike who pulled a finger over his throat and then made an obscene gesture at his wife.

"Yes Mr McCain, a true hero. Oh, you saw the report on TV? My beauty? Well my mother was and still is beautiful. Oh how lovely of you to say that. You are a gentleman of good taste. What -- are you sure? Jed will regard that as a great honor. And good evening to you Mr McCain." 

Everyone laughed when Jessica put down the phone. "I became a bit inventive about Jed's condition. Douglas McCain thinks I'm beautiful and have a wonderful stature."

"He means great boobs," Mike said sourly.

Jessica used her fingers at him improperly. "He also said Kitty wants Jed to choose the name for her baby and the family were in complete agreement with that."

Even Mike looked at Jessica in surprise. "Are you sure you were talking to Douglas McCain?"

"Yes, and I heard Kitty call to him to tell me about inviting us all to the ranch but he didn't pass the message on."

"Well that figures," Mike said. "I'm just a vet and you're not a Judge or a Senator."

"But Mike is a hero -- we'll be invited. Here's the press arriving. I'll dramatize my account more and when Douglas McCain reads about that in the morning he'll have second thoughts about spurning us. Call the hospital Mike for an update on darling Jed's condition. Then get drinks for the press." 

Next morning Jessica visited Jed and was all over him, kissing down both sides of his face and then gave him a long kiss on the lips. "Oh my hero," she said, adding, "Put your hand down my dress and play with my boobies."

"Jess, I can't do that -- your are my brother's wife."

"Oh sorry. I completely forgot whose woman I am."

"Look Jess, may I suggest you calm down. All this crap in this morning's newspaper about women calling in offering to help me out of my shyness. I'm not shy."

"It's a coded message Jed and only women knows what it means. It's telling them you've been too shy to touch a woman and the closest you've come to sex is via masturbation."

The mouth of the 30-year-old with more sexual conquests than he liked to talk about opened in disbelief. "This article says that?"

"In code that women will understand, yes."

"Oh Jess," Jed said, pulling his blanket over his head.

They were startled by the noise of two nurses wheeling in a trolley and said they were required to give Jed a bed bath.

"Oh girls, there's a nursing shortage on morning shift. I'm our hero's wife so let me attend to him."

"You are my vet's wife and are afflicted with the hero worship syndrome," said the older nurse. "Shame on you Mrs Smart. You could easily give Mr Smart a cross infection by playing with his penis."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I seem to have been overcome by a rash moment."

"A bucket of cold water thrown over you would cure that kind of rash, Mrs Smart. The hospital would be a safer place if you were to leave right now."

"Are you throwing me out?"

"I could call security to do that."

Jessica smiled sweetly and kissed Jed passionately and left. As she was leaving the room she heard that same bossy nurse say, "What's this we read about that you've never had sex Mr Smart? It seems an unlikely tale but we are prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt and attend to your needs. I can fix you up with anything from fat ass to skinny ass, boobs like pimples through to amazingly bodacious, pussy shaped like..."

Smiling, Jessica walked on happy to know Jed would now be very well looked after in hospital. He'd be released home under her care in a couple of days and she'd arrange a roster of her friends to apply fellatio until Jed was cleared to resume active sex. To keep pressure off his thighs it was likely Missionary would be the last position to be sanctioned. Most women would do anything for a genuine hero.

Jed yawned and felt depleted. He'd never realized that night nurses were first and foremost nymphomaniacs and most of them, even the married ones, were pestering him for dates after his discharge from hospital. Females visiting other patients were calling into his room and saying, "Wink, wink. Is there anything I can do for you Mr Smart?" An hour ago he'd awoken from a nap to fine a quite beautiful older woman looking at him. She smiled and thanked him for saving her grandchild. "I'm afraid I can't deliver sexual service myself but I am prepared to ship in as many women of as many nationalities as you can safely handle."

"Do you operate brothels?" Jed asked, still not quite on the planet.

"God you're funny," she laughed. "No, I'm Irma McCain, Kitty's mom."

"Oh yes, oh yes. Sorry, I was foggy in the head when you began speaking to me. I don't get any sleep at nights."

"Oh, the pain -- oh you poor man, and the injections and changing your bed because of the sweat?"

"Yeah, and the wall-to-wall ejaculations."

"I beg your pardon young man!"

Red-eyed, body running low on fluids, Jed took Irma's hand without realizing she held it as if holding a rat.

"Irma, please get me out of here, preferable to a monastery."

"Are you hallucinating?" 

"No, don't be such a fool. Shut you mouth and listen."

The woman whose wrath was of household fame over six counties was so shocked her mouth wouldn't work, so she listened. She heard about the night shift and the terror Jed had received over two nights. From 11 pm to 6 am, on the hour for thirty-minutes, a nurse would lower her pussy over his face while another would suck or jerk him off.

"Are you sure this is happening? Do you have collaborating evidence?"

"No. I am a bed-ridden patience. Confessions are unlikely. I know, look at my penis -- but I really need to get it up and this will be difficult."

Irma knew what got her husband going when he began lagging. She'd soaked her fingers in her pussy and fed them into the hero's mouth. She did this, knowing it was completely out of character because of the debt she and her husband owed this man -- he'd saved the life of their infant grandson, heir-apparent to their 244,200-acre ranch; their other eight grandchildren were all girls. Being traditional ranchers, the McCain's handed down property through the McCain male line.

Wearily Jed made the announcement: "It's worked Irma, switch the inspection lamp above the bed on and take a look."

"God, what a big one," but then Irma saw the red-rubbed wand with patches of outer skin worn off through over-use. Her hard dark eyes soften and she said, "Oh you poor darling. Here give me a kiss and let me pat your back. Give me less than an hour and I'll have you out of here. I'm having you taken to my home. Your brother can visit every day and dress your burns."

"My brother is a vet."

"Your brother attends to our livestock including our top stallion valued at more than four million dollars. Two years ago he also saved four of our five in-foal mares caught in a stable fire before being hauled out, working on them day and night. Alternatively you could stay here and continue to enjoy sexual abuse."

"When can I leave? Look, the staff really have been good to me and even the chicks performing the sex under orders put their heart into it. Just pull me out of here by demanding my release -- you look to be a bully than can achieve that result. And no recriminations, right?"

"I'm sorry, criminal charges will be laid. Against those nurses who abused you sexually."

"Do that and I'll tell your husband I have, in effect, sucked your pussy."

"Oh God, like all men you are a rat."

"Yeah, but we do know how to fill pussy."

Irma laughed and ruffed his hair before marching off to make a request to medical administration.

* * *

Jessica was devastated to learn from her husband that Jed was now out at McCain Ranch recuperating.

"That's not fair," she yelped.

"What's not fair about Bro living in luxury out there?"

Jessica was upset because she had the sex administration roster in place and she'd gloated because she kept her name off the list but was first call to substitute for anyone being unable to come, er, arrive and there were bound to be sick children and other household and family emergencies to force benefactors from their voluntary work and thus allow Jessica to make a real pig of herself.

Noting Jessica's distressed look, Mike said he was to go to the ranch each morning and evening for several days to change Jed's dressings. "You can accompany me darling."

"I don't know about that. That foul Douglas McCain will want to fuck me."

"You're not going to the ranch and that's final," Mike roared.

Jessica gnashed her teeth and wondered if her beloved brother would ever get into her pussy.

CHAPTER 2

The ambulance drew up to the guest wing of the ranch house virtually unnoticed. Douglas McCain was in the sous chef's bedroom playing poker, Kitty was redecorating the nursery, kitchen hands and domestic hands were having a pre-lunch nap and ranch hands were attending a union meeting.

Irma, a dirty blonde standing 6ft 3in with powerful-looking shoulders due to rampant cellulite development, cut an imposing figure as she led the puny ambulance men with Jed strapped to a gurney into the top VIP room called the Blue Room for obvious reasons. She lifted one end of the gurney upstairs while the two medics struggled with the other end. She signed the statutory patient release form and the form terminating the hospital's responsibility and insurance cover.

As the ambulance crew left Irma's personal maid, a haughty woman with bad teeth entered with an evil-smelling mixture that Irma had called from the hospital and asked it to prepare. It was made from dried reeds and dried corncobs, bonded together with clotted cream. The two women worked for ten minutes putting the poultice around the hapless Jed's battered penis.

An hour later, satisfied the poultice had firmed enough to remain in place, Irma removed her hand and was at the dresser doing her hair when she witnessed perhaps the most profound greeting between two men to possible have occurred in the 187-year-old homestead, not that any of the original log-framed mud structure remained. 

Jed had no doubt the guy entering the room was Douglas McCain, grandfather of the yet unnamed boy. Lanky, he had to stoop to negotiate the almost seven foot high doorway but he was wearing his black Stetson under which flowered shoulder-length white hair held dramatically in a pony tail. Jed counted fifteen paces as Douglas strode to the bed and during that time Douglas hitched up his jeans five times.

"Braces are made for guys like you who virtually have no protruding hips," Jed said nonchalantly.

Douglas stopped as if he'd been shot, clutching the McCain family crest on his belt buckle and gruffed, "Fuck me, that is the perfect solution."

Jed had no intention to accept the invitation, especially with a woman being present and instead said, "Thanks in anticipation for this hospitality Mr McCain but I suppose I deserve it."

"Yes, you certainly do. Irma called to tell me what the problem was and how your recovery was being impeded by all the sex. I'll be joining you and Irma in here for chow son and in the meantime you could write down the names of five nurses who were best at fellatio; I'm likely to find such a list handy when I go to town I sometimes finish my paperwork rather early and a good mouth pump could finish off my day very satisfactorily."

"Certainly Mr McCain, right away Mr McCain."

"Listen son, you saved my only grandson and that makes you as good as family although you look pretty useless to have on a ranch but that also goes for the rest of the family including my sons. Call me Douglas. I'm off to wash up for chow."




Jed Finally Drops Anchor



As Douglas ducked under the door and disappeared, Jed said, "You must excuse me for asking Irma but what does he mean by chow?"

"I'll tell you if you tell me what fellatio means."

Panic attacked Jed but he was up to it. "Later Irma, I need to pee."

Irma clutched her ample chest. "Of God, the poultice will be set as hard as rock now and we forgot to leave a hole in it. Oh what can we do? We can't saw off the tip as the blade might cut through flesh."

"You could bite off the tip."

"Oh yes, the materials used are edible, to a point."

Irma climbed on to the bed, her tits swinging slightly under her loose shirt, making it very uncomfortable for Jed with his wand trying to react manfully although encased in solid plaster. Irma began nibbling and was soon into her work.

"Oh hello mother, into unaccustomed housework I see? Good day to you sweet man, I understand you are my hero. I'm Kitty and am now a little upset you didn't invite me in to give you release but I guess mom has years of experience on me."

Jed looked at the sweet-faced, olive-skinned young woman and his heart went rubbery and the palpitations became apparent, but near-innocent Kitty misinterpreted that to be the build-up to ejaculation and rushed off to fetch a towel. Spitting out bits of plaster Irma complained, "This is just like dealing with Jed after he's scoffed too much corn."

She made a breakthrough, Jed peed into an empty shower gel container and Kitty was told about the need to pee and the reason for the plaster cast. She asked what was fellatio just as Douglas re-entered the room with a bib tucked into the neck of his shirt and announced it was chow time.

* * *

After lunch when Irma and Douglas went off to rest, Kitty brought in her baby to meet Jed.

"Isn't he a beautiful baby?"

"As babies go he looks okay. He's rather red and wrinkled."

"Jed," Kitty sighed. "Have you any idea how wide the birth canal is and the trauma a baby suffers when being born?"

Sucking in breath Jed said nervously he didn't know what she was talking about and could they switch on to something else.

Kitty looked at him as if she'd caught him out lying and said, "Mom showed me a background report on you she commissioned to determine if she would permit you to be left alone with me. She fell over when she read you have a doctorate in computer science and thick dad asked what was that."

"So."

Bristling a little Kitty asked did he wish to be also labeled thick? 

Jed whined she should give him a break. Computer science was irrelevant to any discussion about baby knowledge and the physical structure of the birthing system of women.

Kitty looked at him sternly. "Can you honestly deny knowledge of the internal plumbing of mothers and what baby faces in his descent?"

"I don't deny a rudimentary knowledge. It's a bit like caving -- one doesn't go in without boning up on what lies ahead and being aware how to facilitate an emergency exit."

Kitty laughed and called him a teasing fool, although she was learning he could be genuinely funny.

Flushing a little, Jed lowered his head and asked shyly, "When can you resume sex?"

"Ah," Kitty grinned. "I wondered how soon would you ask the question. Another month should see me up and running but we could have a slash sooner if you become desperate."

"No, a month will be okay."

"I doubt it. However my sisters will be calling."

"What's the use of that?"

"Such a tease, such a tease," Kitty sang, walking out with the baby who'd fallen asleep scowling, as if disgusted by the conversation. She returned ninety minutes later with the howling infant.

"Baby wants a drink. I thought you should see this."

"I'll hold him while you fetch the cup."

Kitty eyed Jed and finally said, "God, you weren't joking were you?"

Jed turned white. "Kitty, you're not going to allow me to see him drink from the tit are you? Babies must be protected from the likes of me considering what I do to women."

Kitty laughed and groped to free a bloated tit, leaving Jed wondering how the kid would get a real feed out of that and then remembered there were two of them.

She looked up and asked shyly, "What name have you chosen for him? Dad told Jessica I wanted to give you that honor."

"Alphonso."

Kitty's bottom lip trembled so Jed said hastily, "What name had you been thinking of?"

"Nick."

"Oh. Tell you what, your mom told me you guys would have dinner around my bed tonight. Suggest to her to bring up the subject of name. The kid can't go running around without a name."

"Good idea," Kitty said and added softly, "Jed, I don't think you understand it will be more than two years before baby is running around."

Yawning Jed grinned and said, "Got you there." He fell asleep watching the beautiful scene of mother and suckling infant. 

Douglas came in alone with a bottle of red wine and two glasses and pouring then made the toast, "Welcome to the family. Mike called after reporting on your latest condition to the hospital and was told you could move around on a wheelchair but with both legs raised for three days and then you go to the hospital for a check and then ought to be past the point where skin stretch is a problem. So you'll come back here walking buddy.

"Come back here?"

"Yes, I have been reading a report on you Irma paid big bucks for. It gives all information except the size of your dick."

They laughed and Jed said, "You're okay Douglas. The rumor I heard was you were an arrogant bully up himself who scared most people shitless."

Douglas's eyes narrowed. "If you're lying about that I'll swat you."

"It's gospel."

Douglas grunted that every so often, like once a decade, he found it necessary to make an exception with someone. "This time it's you because you saved my grandson."

"Just a please word of thanks and a glass of wine would be sufficient Douglas. There really is not need to turn it all on for me like this, and that's the truth."

"You're all right, you know that Jed?"

Jed grinned and said, "If you're lying about that I'll swat you." Douglas laughed and thumped his thigh with his gnarled hand and winced in pain.

"After reading the report on you and noting how you're bumming you life away, rejecting responsibilities, I've decided to look at retiring Irma, demote my farm manager and appoint a director of operations, a position that could very well suit a guy with your overall business qualifications. Besides the ranch I have majority ownership in five small service businesses and the co-owners are probably robbing me blind. I want the incoming guy to centralize management here under a computerized system and he'll be given the support staff required. I've spoken to Irma and my attorney and we agree on a starting salary of 300 G's a year linked to productivity bonuses. Do I have your interest?"

"Have you gone fucking loco Jed? The job is likely to overwhelm me unless I pull my finger out."

"You're the boy," hooted Jed. "I was hoping you wouldn't bow and scrape and say something like, 'This is an immense honor, Mr McCain and I promise to perform to the best of my ability and you can have confidence in me.' You know, speaking like those fucking pansies in the city."

"Steady on Jed, I'm a one of those pansies. I've lived all me life in the city. I suppose it will come as a shock that I'm scared of moo-cows."

Jed scowled and thumped his empty glass on the bedside table. "Son, you listen to me and you listen good. If I hear you call cattle moo-cows again I'll have to shoot you. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir," Jed said, trying not to crap the bed. He recovered and said, "Jed, while I appreciate your confidence in me I wish to state your should drop me from contention because I'm really not interested. At thirty I have made my mark in the business world, haven't much liked what I found, and have decided to coast along and be happy."

"Nonsense my boy, nonsense. Don't listen to yourself. You are a front-runner so be happy about that."

"I really must state..."

"Listen to me boy, my mind is on something else now."

Jed scowled, resenting being treated like a child and Douglas the bully was becoming unacceptably arrogant. Perhaps he should have said no, no way Douglas. But then again Douglas probably wasn't used to people saying no and shot people who were like that. 

Douglas asked Jed to call Mike and invite Mike and his wife to dinner next night. His other three daughters and husbands would also be invited as Douglas wish to make the announcement about the proposed change to his business empire.

Jed spoke to Mike and said Mike was sorry but Jessica wouldn't attend because she was sure Douglas was out to fuck her. Jed grinned and put his hand over the phone and told Douglas the bad news.

"Damn," Douglas said, "Tell him to hold. How can we solve this impasse? She's right you know, my intention is to fuck her."

"Issue her with a safe conduct pass, promising you won't lay a finger on her tomorrow night or for the remainder of this year for that matter."

"You swine, you're working up to fuck her yourself."

"Stop making such wild assumptions Douglas," Jed said, making the sign of cutting his throat. "Possibly Mike can hear you making that totally improper and uncalled for statement."

"Right, tell him I guarantee that for the remainder of this year Jessica has nothing to fear from me; I promise I won't touch her. Also tell Mike for his ears only he shouldn't had married such a scrumptious dame if he hadn't wanted anyone to fuck her."

Mike had heard some of that background conversation and when Jed resumed talking on the phone snarled he didn't feel like coming after hearing Douglas, the swine, talking like that.

"I want you and Jessica here Mike, I'm missing you guys."

After a brief pause Mike said, "Oh, all right. Tell your patron to serve top wine."

Douglas heard that comment and said to Jed after he'd terminated the call, "What a peasant, I always serve top wine. I have nothing but top wine on this ranch, even for my employees and that is why I attract top personnel. Now keep my business plans secret; Kitty is not to be told ahead of her sisters. The older girls will hate this but know there's nothing they can do about it. If my advisers select you for the position my elder daughters will interpret this as you being elevated to being my son."

"Stupid dames, why don't they get a life?"

Becoming ware Jed wasn't joking Douglas said dryly it wasn't always the women who were stupid but apparently that was too subtle for Jed who simply looked blank and shrugged.

During pre-dinner drinks Irma instructed Jed to drink plenty of wine to fortify his spirit.

"Huh?"

"As soon as we finish dinner I'll use one blow of a hammer to shatter your poultice plaster. Providing I'm reasonably sober you should come through the emotional ordeal with no permanent injury."

"C-couldn't you just chew it off?"

"Jed, please. My husband is listening."

"Ooops, my apologies."

Irma looked shifty-eyed and very contrite. She swallowed hugely and said, "Jed, I'm dreadfully sorry and apologize. An hour ago I was talking to one of my friends about putting your penis in a poultice..."

"You what!"

"I was involved in one of the things women do far better than men do. I was talking..."

Douglas growled, "She means gossiping and in this instance even worse, talking about your dick to someone you don't even know."

"For which I apologize hugely," Irma said. "I just happened to mention your dick, er, penis and Loris laughed and said a poultice was completely the wrong. Poultices were used to draw things out and we laughed when she said the only thing for a woman to draw out of a man's penis was semen."

Jed groaned, "Wrong treatment and you two laughed."

"For which I'm terribly sorry. May I now give you the good news?"

"Ah, there's some good news?"

"Yes. Loris's husband arrived briefly not ten minutes ago and handed me the right treatment, aloe vera cream. Loris said the immobilization would have helped the skin restoration process so an application this evening and another after midnight and you should wake up with a perfectly healthy and blemish-free penis, showing no sign of trauma."

"You promise?"

"Loris consulted with a group of our friends and they all agreed within 24-hours you ought to be able to use it all night without a problem."

Jed and Douglas rolled their eyes and Irma looked a little repentant just as Kitty walked in and asked factiously, "Who's died?"

"No one," Jed quipped. "We were just talking about some dick that appears to have a lucky break."

Kitty joined in the laughter, wondering why the others were laughed so intently. 

After dinner was cleared away, Irma returned to the Blue Room with a big piece of firewood and placed the plaster-encased dick over it.

"God I'm nervous," she said.

"Like your first fuck if you can remember back that far?"

"Oh Jed," she groaned, turning ashen. He took the hammer from her shaking hands and Irma said, "I'll fetch the chef."

"No, he's probably gay," Jed said and calmly smashed the plaster asunder with a single well-directed blow.

Still ashen, Irma quickly applied the aloe vera cream and ran and vomited out the window.

"Come here," Jed said and wiped her face. "I didn't think my dick was in such a bad state that it made you vomit?"

"It's a lovely dick and I would gladly make use of it except Douglas would kill me if I did that. He can be awfully possessive."

"Like all ranchers?"

"But you don't know anything about ranchers and ranching."

"That's true but I have watched Western movies." 

Jed only just stirred, covered in nothing but moonlight when Irma arrived at his bedside just after 1:00 am. She whispered but he didn't answer so she decided not to wake him. Already Irma noticed an improvement in flesh quality but remained worried that despite her gentle stroking his cock became only half erect. She applied the cream and worked her hand skillfully and gradually his penis became almost fully erect so she moved her hand down and fiddled with his hairy balls. Suddenly she had a rod of steel in her hands.

"Good boy," Irma murmured as she soothed out her incriminating fingerprints on the coating of aloe vera. As she left the moonlit room quietly Jed's teeth flashed into a crafty, appreciative smile. He returned to sleep dreaming about sticking it up Jessica and the final image he had was his angry brother Mike pounding Jed's erection flat with a hammer and Douglas, with an evil grin, waited to spike it with a stake with a yellow ribbon attached. 

CHAPTER 3

During cocktails Jed was greeted and kissed by Kitty's three sisters who had good, powerful figures like their mother but were otherwise forgettable; their husbands appeared to be good guys. 

When Jessica arrived wrapped tight in silky red and nothing beyond the top of the tit-line, the dicks of all the guy's present, including the supposedly gay executive chef, must have come close to flopping out, Jed thought. She looked sensational and when she kissed Jed, now mobile on his wheelchair, she slipped a hand down inside his dressing gown to feel his dick -- that was a first for Jessica -- and she laughed when looking at her sticky fingers.

She whispered, waggling her extended eyelashes, "That's thick jizz."

"That's aloe vera."

"Oh good, that ought to provide me with a healthy bite."

Jed blushed and Irma rushed to him and fussed, thinking he was running a temperature.

Kitty then entered the room after having settled The Baby. Her dark hair cascaded in curls, her face was beautifully made up and although a tad short with a plumpish body, her tits hung well and Jed's cock rose under his hands to acknowledge her. He licked his lips. Kitty caught that look and smiled at him, looking very pleased.

As soon as everyone was seated and his or her choice of wine poured, Irma said, "Now for something interesting. The time has come for the family to formally welcome Kitty back into the fold after disgracing the family by becoming pregnant to someone at a party, unable which of her several suitors he was. Then I will ask Jed to name the baby."

After the toast to welcome home Kitty, everyone clapped and looked expectantly at Jed the hero, but that title was disappearing fast because hero worship comes with an expiry date.

Jed began a little pompously, "I have read the family history and note one male name has appeared in each generation..."

"Oh God, not Douglas," Irma groaned, slugging back the remainder of her wine. Her husband pretended not to have heard.

That encouraged Jed so he said grandly, "I name out little battler who's already survived temporary family excommunication and survived a fire, Nicolas Douglas McCain."

"Oh Jed, darling, my first choice of name was Nick," Kitty cried, startling her family as she raced around the table to kiss him. Her mother was particularly interested in that unexpected display and the warmth with which Jed hugged her youngest.

"Golly, the baby without a name saved in the nick of time," Jed joked and everyone laughed, relaxed and began drinking and chatting as they waited for the slow table service.

After the meal Jeff announced the changes in company administration and indicated it was possible Jed could be the successful applicant to be appointed director of operations.

Daughter Kathleen said, "That's great dad but Jed being a city boy won't have a clue about ranching."

Oldest daughter Robin cried and said her Daniel, being a qualified accountant, would be a better choice and should be invited to apply.

University economics lecturer Anna-Lee said a little drunkenly, "What does it matter? Ranching is plunging to become a subsidized industry as economically grazing is no longer profitable and feedlot farming has its limitations."

"Comments anyone else?" Douglas invited. The only person to respond was Jessica. 

"This is a far-reaching, ambitious restructuring you are carrying out Mr McCain. May it succeed beyond expectations and thank you for giving my loveable brother this opportunity to be in the running. But I would like you to explain what has motivated you to pluck Jed from being a currently out-of-work vagrant to make him a prospect to be administrative head of your multi-million business operations?" 

Douglas smiled and said he would be glad to enlighten everyone. "Jed is not what he seems, a guy in a wheelchair with a lackadaisical attitude and an irreverent approach to women. As well as doctorate in computer science he has masters in business administration. Six months after completing university and hired as chief executive of an electronics mail order company he was head-hunted and appointed vice-president of Mace Outdoor Furniture Company at Mitchell Downs. You've probably not heard of that company but may have had it its chairs. It has ninety branches. Sales were flagging and impatient banks were closing in on the company. Three years later company sales were booming, Jed was named businessman of the year twice running in Mitchell Downs and when the company paid him a $2.5 million performance bonus at the end of his three-year contract Jed retired and came to our town to visit his brother Mike and sexy sister Jessica."

Everyone looked at Jed in admiration but none appeared more impressed than Jessica. Love shone from her eyes, noted only by Kitty and her mother. Jessica said, eyes moist, "Please return home with Mike and me tonight Jed."

Jed looked at Douglas who shrugged and said why not, and eyeing Jessica with her cheeks now afire, his right hand dropped under the table and he added, "I promise to visit you every day."

Kitty left the room and Irma emitted a huge sob and hit the bottle. Even so Irma was hospitable when saying goodnight to Jessica and handed her the aloe vera cream and issued instructions. Irma said two more application were advisable, as Kitty appeared capable of wearing skin off the dick of a man even in superb condition. 




Jed Finally Drops Anchor



They arrived home after running off the road three times because Mike was unfit to drive as the quality of the wine had exceeded his expectations, so he drank lots of it. After Mike had checked Jed's burn sites and replaced the special 'breathable' protective dressings and announced the healing was coming along splendidly, Jessica arrived with the aloe vera and sent Mike off to bed. She fondled Jed into an erection, sucked it dry and after applying the dressing went off to bed. Jed sighed and fell into a drunken sleep, pleased Jessica hadn't fucked him because...Why pleased? Well he didn't know.

Next morning Douglas arrived after Mike had left for work, greeted Jed briefly and went out and fucked Jessica over the butcher's block in the kitchen while Jed went back to sleep.

Jessica saw Irma arriving late afternoon so began rehearsing her denials but Irma kissed her and thanked her handing across a big bunch of flowers and a check for $3000 'to buy a new dress.'

"W-what have I done to deserve this?" Jessica asked, her mind fixed on her act of adultery that morning.

"You have managed to take dear Jed from the clutches of my egomaniac husband." Irma said. "He is scheming to exploit Jed's business ability to generate profits and to raise his bank borrowing profile. He then plans to buy back all the other farmland in the valley once owned by his grandfather."

"What's so wrong with that?"

"At his age he should be retiring and taking me to places like Paris and New York and Rio. We are not filthy rich but at least at our ages we can run up debt to act as if we were. May I see Jed?"

"Yes of course -- he'd through there."

Rather than listen behind the door to Irma's conversation with Jed, Jessica poured vodka over ice and decided to ask Douglas to rack up debt and take her to Paris and New York and Rio when he could have his way with her, totally.

Irma inspected Jed's cock and said recklessly it looked better than new, although never having seen a new one on an adult male. She sat and they chatted amicably and he said he'd enjoyed the family gathering. He thanked Irma for the hospitality and for being so kind to him and said his only regret was Douglas attempting to push him into hard work again.

"I have no desire to ever again work hard. Some people are meant to be lazy and I'm one of them."

"Well you are right to shy off of teaming up with Douglas. He'll work you to a standstill. I'd like to tell you something but I need to trust you to keep your mouth shut."

"I promise."

"For the past three years I have been having it off with our executive chef. He loves me and is kind to me, unlike Douglas. His parents have left him their home in Hawaii and he wants to take me to live there and retire. I want to catch Douglas fucking Jessica and I'll them demand he divorce me, with a good settlement."

"Wow, but fair enough. In all probability Douglas and Jessica will be at it here each morning just after 8:00. I would ask you don't implicate Jessica publicly because in her way she's been hospitable to me."

"But not kind."

"No."

"I'm pleased about that because it tells me Douglas has unhappy times ahead of him. He, too, only cares about himself. Now, the reason why I'm here?"

"So it wasn't to inspect my dick."

"Funny man," Irma smiled. "This morning I had Douglas purchase a house in town here for Kitty and we take possession as early as Saturday. I would like you to move in with Kitty and Nick."

"So you know?"

"Yes, last night when she ran to you and I saw the way you looked at her."

"Well, you found out the same time we found out." 

"I like it. She won't feel ready for full sex for perhaps another month as it takes time for things inside to settle after delivering a baby."

"I understand."

"I have spoken to the sisters and all three are willing to fill in. You are free to nominate all three, just two or them or even one."

"I nominate you."

Irma snapped he should not be so disgusting and then caught the teasing grin. "God you are impossible. I rather like it. So what will it be?"

"Yes, I will take care of Kitty and in the meantime will find someone not in the family to satisfy my need."

"Why not Jessica, everyone else is at her."

Jed held his tongue and thought God women would be so catty. It was possible Jessica had been faithful to Mike until the current lapse when she'd over-romanticized with Jed, wanting him to plunge into her, and had yielded to Douglas perhaps thinking it would be advantageous for her husband's career. 

When Irma left he gave Jessica the bad news and resisted her offer to allow her to console her imminent loss by spending the afternoon in bed with him. He fought against modifying his thinking about her not being a slut. He called Kitty and congratulated her becoming a homeowner and she gushed on and on about his chivalry and unbelievable generosity in agreeing to act as guardian for her and Nick in their new home. As the plaudits flowed Jed felt out of the conversation, as if Kitty was talking to the wrong guy. No other woman had ever heaped him with praise like Kitty was; she must have milk fever and was hallucinating. 

Jed shifted in with Rick and Kitty early Saturday afternoon and both seemed pleased to see him, Kitty showing her enthusiasm through hugs and slightly wet kisses while Rick stared in his direction and for the first time not did not go blue in the face and bawl. Jed chose to sleep with Kitty and had to promise not to try to fuck her or rather some word she used he gathered was an alternative to the F-word. He'd always used the F-word and would have used the C-word with equal ease except when he was small his mom had finally eliminated usage through impounding his tricycle for 48-hours every time he called their cat or her a cunt. 

Spending some of the afternoon wondering if Kitty meant they could have limited sex Jed got his answer that night. Five minutes after Kitty was in bed she was up again to attend to the restless Nick. She was back fifteen minutes later and was just pulling the blankets over when Nick began crying again and off she went. Jed awoke sometime later to find the bed was rocking with Kitty sucking his dick. From that moment he felt completely at home and after Kitty lay back sucking her lips and pushing his head down between her legs she got what she wanted when Jed was left wiping his very wet face. It appeared they were on a wavelength that they would ride into a happy future together, but a big shock loomed.

Nick woke them just before 2:00. Jed jumped out and fetched Nick for Kitty and then wandered off to the kitchen to make coffee. Kitty wasn't drinking coffee. He leaned on the back of the easy chair looking at the ceiling and thinking about himself and where he was. Jed found his thoughts rather unpalable, too negative for his likening. He was happy to have excitement but that now appeared to be on the decline into domestic bliss. What that what he wanted? He didn't know. So what do he think of his progress through life to date? Not much although earlier years at university and the first eighteen months into his company restructuring role had been great, really rewarding actually. Perhaps he should have married Bess and worked for her father in her computer servicing company that had been the plan. On yeah?

Well asshole, what do you really want? What would you do if you found yourself on square one? Jed set his mind free and was surprised at the result and yet not surprised really, and he understood what that meant. He'd concluded he'd like to team up with a woman who'd push him into an exciting life, an older woman.

Yes, an older woman. Jed had discovered this when he became associated with Irma -- the woman had physical power and mental power but she lacked intellectual power; he'd want all three, although he'd never quite worked that through until now. Did such women exist? Yes, but he had no idea about going out and finding one, not that it mattered because now he'd committed to Kitty but perhaps one day they'd part.

" And give me the chance to start my life again," he mused aloud.

"Oh yeah?" 

But incredible chances do happen, incredibly rarely.

A couple of mornings later when Kitty and Jed were having breakfast Jed answered a knock on the door.

CHAPTER 3

Kitty turned white as Jed returned to the kitchen with a younger guy in tow.

"Hello Jerry," she said.

"Hello Kitty."

Kitty turned to Jed and said apologetically, "Jerry is Nick's father."

"So I claimed. I thought it was lucky night for a number of guys."

Kitty looked down at the table. "I concocted that story to protect Jerry who was engaged to his childhood sweetheart...."

"I've told Rebecca and asked that we approach you to adopt your baby but she refused, so I broke off the engagement."

"Why?"

"Because I have to try to salvage a life for you."

Jed said, "Excuse me while I puke." 

Kitty ignored that and Jerry hung his head. "What do you want Jerry?"

"I want to take you home with me. Mum and dad are agreeable."

"Ohmigod. Look, go Jerry and I'll call you in an hour or so. I need to talk to Jed."

Half an hour later Jed's offer to walk out of Kitty's life had been accepted and he'd accepted Kitty's offer to ask her mother's elder sister if he could stay with her for a while.

Kitty returned from the phone and said Aunt Helen would be delighted to have Jed stay on the condition he made his bed in the morning.

"Is that the only condition?"

"Yes."

"Well, go chase a headless chook."

Kitty ignored the queer response. "I feel a complete cow doing this. We were going to be so happy together and you would have been a great dad to Nick."

"Dad you said, but not father."

Kitty looked at the floor and said softly, "Nick can only have one father."

"Exactly what I thought," Jed said with conviction. "Make it work Kitty. Please call a cab while I pack and then call lucky Jerry."

Aunt Rebecca came to the gate to meet Jed. "Kitty had phoned me again; she's so upset and has asked me to be ever so kind to you. What do you wish to call me? Mrs Stiles -- I'm widowed -- or Rebecca?"

"Could I call you Aunt Rebecca?"

"Oh you darling boy," she said to the 30-year-old. "How absolutely charming of you. I am having some influential people for dinner tonight and it's your choice to eat out or join us Dr Smart."

Late afternoon when helping Aunt Rebecca set the table she said her niece might not arrive for dinner because of the crisis at work.

"What sort of crisis?"

"She's publisher of the Typhoon Daily. There's a spanner in the works and they might miss publishing overnight, the first time since publication ceased as a result of the exodus of volunteers to help in the war effort in 1916."

"Exactly what is a spanner in the works?"

"I really don't understand; it's something to do with the newspapers electronic production system."

"Is it a virus?"

"I don't think so."

"Did she refer to a computer crash?"

"No."

"Did she mention the words software corruption?"

"Yes, she did actually. She said..."

Jed was all action, virtually twitching. "Grab your car keys and take me to your niece."

"But you'll know nothing about their system."

"That's unlikely but it doesn't matter. I'm a highly trained software engineer, a rare breed who works on logic plus intuition boosted by the occasional ingenious irrational approach that sometimes works. I would still be doing it but got bored. But it's your niece and her people who face embarrassment if they fail to publish so you and I are the cavalry."

As they hurried to the car Aunt Rebecca said: "This is very exciting. She might date you if you succeed but don't get your hopes up because she's forty, almost over the hill."

"Whatever," Jed said, his mind working to narrow problem areas in the software, knowing the IT department would have already tried reinstalling suspected sections of software and used diagnostic software. As they neared the plant he said, "If it's this bad why didn't they call in experts from the suppliers."

"They are located in the south where airports are closed because of bad weather. Engineers are rushing east to the nearest operating airport."

The hassled niece Samantha said, "Two minutes Aunt Rebecca, two minutes is all I can spare."

Her aunt said firmly, "Well if the problem is not being fixed what is the urgency?"

"Because I have to run around looking like I'm leading the charge to fucking fix something," Samantha yelled.

"That bad language is uncalled for Sammy."

"Oh AR (Aunt Rebecca)," the stressed niece said, hugging her. "I'm sorry."

"Well," snorted her aunt, "Meet Dr Smart."

"A doctor who can give me Valium?" Samantha asked hopefully.

"Computer science."

Sammy's dull eyes lit and she brushed her blonde hair back. "Newspaper systems?"

"Some knowledge."

"Full production line systems?"

"I've worked on them."

Samantha almost whispered, "Software diagnostics."

"Yes, and pathology -- they were my former specialization."

"Oh Holy Jesus. Come with me."

Aunt Rebecca smiled and told Samantha, "Fetch him home in time for dinner."

Half an hour later Samantha with her management team watched the presses work up to a full-powered test run. And when the pressroom engineers began running the down to end the test the bystanders went to the staff cafeteria for coffee.

"It was fortunate for use you were familiar with our German-supplied presses," said the IT superintendent pouring whisky into Jed's coffee." Everyone hung on to Jed's reply.

"I guess every experience counts towards the whole but after I went through what you guys had done and checked and double checked I was confident if I looked at the big picture systematically I would find areas worth examining and then up it popped."

"The conveyer feed controller to wrapping," a senior engineer mused. "Command instructions were being run and re-run on continuous cycle instead of sequential cycle due to a slight controller malfunction, so slight it didn't report itself but signaled errors without logging them so when we analyzed the logs we couldn't detect where the problem was and why the whole system was shutting down." 

"We don't need that crash team from the suppliers coming but they'll have to dissect the problem with the controller," said the supervisor.

"They'll send it to Germany and you guys can claim compensation for this entire stuff-up and if you are the first to report the fault if it's found to be potential endemic you'll get a fat reward," said Jed. "But that will be peanuts compared with them replacing all 7485-A-OOO6 controllers free of charge on all its presses."

A few minutes later Samantha took Jed by the arm and said, "Come on, I'm taking you to dinner."

She and Jed left to a barrage of whistles.

Outside the door Samantha stopped and gave Jed a long sexy kiss.

"Wow. Do you thank all your workmen like that?"

She grinned and said while he was examining print-outs she suddenly recognized who he was, the hero who'd saved Kitty McCain's baby."

"Kitty and I are related as I was a McCain from that family before my tragic marriage."

"Tragic?" Jed asked as they entered the elevator to the basement, suspecting it was an expected response.

"Gus was an older man and less than two years after our marriage he died in a plane crash and being his only surviving relative I inherited his publishing company -- well, he was the controlling shareholder. The board took command at my request and I worked up from sales manager to director of sales and then general manager and then publisher and vice-president. I become president in six months' time."

"I am sorry about your husband."

"So was I but that's water under the bridge. I was editor-in-chief at the time and that's how I met him. Our opposition newspaper described me as the sexiest editor in the country so Gus came down from his tower to have a look at me. His wife had not long run off with his chief attorney."

"How romantic -- er -- sorry for saying that."

Samantha smiled and said she liked a guy who could recognize a good story.

He took the risk. "I suppose you have a guy looking after you?"

Looking at him coolly, Samantha said, "I have several boyfriends on call. Are you about to suggest I add you to the list?"

Jed guessed he was halfway there if he impressed. "Don't think I'm greasing up to you insincerely when I say I figured you were an intelligent woman."

Samantha took him by the arm and led him from the elevator to her car. She asked didn't he think she was told old for him?

"What are you, thirty-nine?"

She sniffed.

"Dance, gamble, socialize, drink and like music?"

She sniffed.

"Are you sexually active, very sexually active?"

She breathed in audibly.

"I take that as a yes," he said taking the keys from her and hitting the security button and the lights of a white Mercedes lit up and the locks popped. "In that case please add me to the list."

Jed steered Samantha to the passenger side of her car and when seated, closed her door. When Jed was seated he decided to take the biggest risk of all: he leaned over and placed a hand high on her thigh. Samantha looked down at his hand and Jed kept looking at her. When he saw her lips open slightly he moved in slowly and kissed her and found himself being held tightly. When they broke she said, "I'll give you my answer after dinner tonight." Jed took that to mean he'd have to measure up socially.

After the last dinner guests including Samantha had gone, Aunt Rebecca yawned and said will you please help to clean up?"

Jed stifled a yawn and said, "Yes, of course."

"My guests all seemed to take to you well and keeping my eye on Sammy I suspect she'd decided to be a little naughty with you."

"That would be lovely. My impression is the women from the McCain family line I've met appear that way inclined."

Aunt Rebecca laughed and said Samantha was emotionally unstable and perhaps her association with Jed, however deep it became if he received the 'come on', it could be good for her. "Sammy tends to associate with males a little older than herself. It's time she was introduced to younger blood. McCain women enjoy lively sex."

Samantha called him right on midnight. "May I invite you to accompany me to my board of director's annual dinner on Saturday week?"

"Yes, I would be delighted but ask that I receive a tour of your entire establishment before that so I can take an intelligent interest in business conversation."

"There's not much business discussed because spouses find that boring."

"It doesn't matter."

"Very well. Mrs Gapp my PA will arrange that and be in touch with you and will arrange for you to be measured and fitted for a tuxedo at my expenses. AR said you arrived with only one travel bag."

"Thank you. May I have a casual date with you before then to help lose my shyness."

"I was thinking exactly the same thing for the very same reason. I'll be in touch."

The next Wednesday Jed toured the establishment with a gruff but very knowledgeable guy who was the company's chief information officer. The tour took almost three hours and Jed arranged to tour the huge commercial printing plant the next day with its assistant manager. On Sunday he met Samantha in a park as arranged by the super-efficient Mrs Gapp who'd earlier accompanied Jed to be measured for his tuxedo and returned for the first fitting on Friday where she'd be absolutely in command.

Samantha was sitting on a seat waiting when Jed arrived early.

"I was early to have the joy of seeing you arrive," he grinned.

Samantha said she was sorry and that she often was a disappointment to men. "Why did I arrive early?"

"To check that I arrived on time."

She smiled and said nothing.




Jed Finally Drops Anchor



Samantha was wearing a short white skirt and a tight blue top while Jed was wearing fawn slacks and a black polo. He stared as she stood and she asked what.

"You have a beautiful figure."

"For an older woman?"

"You have a beautiful figure."

She laughed and kissed him and said they should walk and if he talked to her like that he was bound to be rewarded, eventually. They ended outside a Thai Restaurant and she asked was he game to try Thai food, that she'd had it a few times and enjoyed it.

"I know something about Thai food. Tell me what are your favorite meats and vegetables or would you prefer fish?"

"No, meat today but a light meal. At my age I have to diet and exercise a lot."

"I too have that need."

The delightful waitress spoke excellent English and although Jed spoke to her in English he ordered their meal using the Thai names and without consulting the menu.

He asked Samantha, "Water, beer or wine and the wine must by spicy."

"Gewürztraminer then."

"Great choice," Jed smiled and ordered it.

Several dishes were brought to their table and Samantha's eyes revealed her delight. Jed told her to each as much or as little as she wished and identified the dishes for her and he received a side dish of rice.

"I didn't order you rice."

"How very thoughtful."

Near the end of the meal and noticing a piece of chicken on Samantha's plate Jed asked if he could taste it. "Pass it to me on your fork." 

"But I've touched the chicken and had my fork in my mouth."

"Considering parts of me you are likely to mouth, I don't see that as a problem."

Samantha colored and looked around wildly but no one at nearby tables appeared interested in Jed's sexual comments.

"Christ Jed, I'm forty years old, not one of your giggling bunnies."

"Relax Sammy, we are having a great time aren't we."

"Well yes, adorable actually."

"Quote me the rules that say we must act our ages and always talk with proprietary when out socializing informally."

"I know of no such rules apart from commonsense and social etiquette. What we do in the bedroom is our business. Oh God, what am I saying."

Jed pretended he hadn't heard any of that. Instead he leaned over and whispered, "Let's pretend you're come down five years in age and I've come up five years in age and therefore age is no longer an issue between us."

"I feel very comfortable about that," Samantha laughed easily, thanks to the alcohol.

"Great, that's great Sammy. Keep relaxed. Now talk to me about something I could be really interested in. Talk to me about your pussy."

Samantha gasped and grabbed the wine bottle. She sloshed some into her glass and gulped it down.

Hands remaining remarkably steady, she put her glass down and began. "I rather like me vulva and groom it with love..."

Jed hunched closer so she didn't have to talk loud and smiled softly in encouragement.

* * *

They entered Samantha's luxurious apartment and she kicked off her shoes, sending them flying halfway across the room.

She looked at Jed defiantly. "Never, never have I offered myself on a first date."

"Oh, I'm so very proud of you Sammy. I wouldn't want it any other way. Give me a quick tour of the apartment, coffee and then I'll be off."

"W-what?"

"You heard. You'll decide when we'll fuck. I know you'd not want it any other way."

They talked for almost another three hours when Jed kissed her and pressed against her until she was moaning and groaning. He then said goodbye and left, flagging down a cab.

Samantha called him minutes later. "Come back, I need sexual release."

"Sorry, you'll have to arrange that yourself. It's our first date remember? Bye."

Late afternoon next day Kitty and Nick arrived and while Aunt Rebecca fussed with the baby and walked Nick around the house, Kitty told Jed she missed him but it was working out with Jerry and his parents and his younger sister. "I feel very much at home."

"That's good."

"Mom still wants me to marry you but dad won't hear of it."

"Well, I guess this is working out for the best," Jed said, making no mention he'd missed her and that he was established a relationship with cousin Samantha.

Aunt Rebecca returned to the room, apparently thinking she'd given the couple time to get things off their chests. "Samantha called me very early this morning to say she's being blown over by your ex."

"Oh Jed, that's wonderful," Kitty cried, running around the table and hugging him. "I was so worried about you. Sammy and you will fit ever so perfectly as a couple."

Aunt Rebecca laughed and said, "I'm inclined to agree with that. Now talk to me, tell me about baby Nick's weight gains."

Nick went to the restaurant by cab and waited in the bar for Samantha. She arrived late and he was asked to kiss her on the neck because she'd spent a fortune on being made-up.

"And it shows, you look like a princess."

"Jed, please, you're making me nervous. Please don't make suggestive remarks to me tonight in front of other people."

"Is behind their backs okay."

"Jed!"

"Sorry."

They walked into the cocktail party and everyone turned and smiled at the handsome couple, looking at Samantha in particular.

"Hello everyone," Samantha said. "This is a pal, Jed."

"Good evening everyone," Jed said, giving a little wave and most people turned away.

"Dr Jed Smart, who single-handedly got our presses up and running the other day, averting a non-publication disaster."

All the directors peeled off and crowded Jed, offering their congratulations, while their partners grouped and looking at Samantha spoke behind their hands. 

While orders for choice of desert were being taken, the president said Jed must tour the company's operations.

"I've done that Gerald, extensively."

"Oh, and your impression?"

Jed glanced at Samantha seated opposite him and then at Gerald and said he was an outsider and therefore his opinion was irrelevant. Several people including spouses said they were interested in what he had to say.

"I was aware you were shown through the company but was not aware you received the VIP tour," Samantha said.

"I'm a guest, it is not my place to embarrass or offend anyone," Jed pleaded.

"Samantha, I trust you have not put Jed up to fire us a bullet."

"I'm innocent Gerald. All he told me he enjoyed the tour and that was it. He didn't appear interested so I didn't press him. Shoot Jed but take care not to shoot yourself in the foot."

"Or us in the back," Gerald laugh.

"I'd seen the newspaper pressroom on the afternoon of the emergency and was already impressed. It is modern and well maintained and that followed through the entire newspaper -- modern, well-planned but I did find the newsroom rather cramped."

"So we have been told, often, Gerald said.

"I've helped install or upgrade computerized systems in some twenty major newspapers in three countries. Your establishment in my opinion would rank in the top ten of them. That's just my impression."

Gerald smiled and said thank you. "And our com-print operation?"

"May I ask is it profitable?"

"It's fallen to become marginal after decades of being our cash cow. We are worried. We've made management changes, bringing in new blood. Margins have been slashed due to increased competition."

"What is the plea from your new managers?"

"I rather not say," Gerald said, running a finger inside his collar.

Jed pressed on. "My guess they have come cap in hand pleading for capital reinvestment, heaps of it."

Gerald said softly, "That's the truth."

"And they were told you were looking at it, it was a priority, just as they and their predecessors have been told year after year?"

"We spent $2.79 million on re-equipment in com-print in the past financial year."

"What, instead of $15 million? You are operating equipment in com-print that is obsolete. I bet you have to make your own parts for it in your machine shop."

"We do," Gerald said. "We do. What can be done?"

"You need to call in consultants to do a cost-benefit study and then bite the bullet when they make their recommendations."

"Well, you have told us anything we didn't know," Gerald said scowling and Samantha looked at Jed very indifferently. "If it was your intention to ruffle us Jed, you have failed. Sorry everyone to take up so much time with business. Let's talk about something else. Lauren, how is that stunning flower garden of yours."

Jed began to feel more and more isolated. Apparently he'd committed a blunder and didn't know what it was unless he'd touched a raw nerve by suggesting to the directors they spend more money. Samantha was now ignoring him completely, not even catching his eye to glare at him. It appeared he did not exist.

When the group went into another room for coffee Jed peeled off, went outside and waved down a cab to take him home, knowing another chapter to a very disjoined and basic unsatisfactory post-university life was over.

Aunt Rebecca knocked and came into Jed's bedroom next morning to find him packing.

"Samantha called and thought you might be leaving today after humiliating the directors in front of their partners last night. You painted the directors as a bunch of skinflints."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize to me, go to Samantha and grovel."

Jed said politely that he did not believe that was necessary so Aunt Rebecca said all men were the same and he should finish his packing, and left and left the house as well. At that Jed realized he'd learned something new about McCain women: they appeared to be poor losers and stuck together irrationally. There was no sign of Aunt Rebecca when his cab arrived so he scribbled a note thanking her for her hospitality and said buy some flowers, leaving her fifty dollars. There must be more to life than going around in disappointing circles, Jed thought as he closed the gate on the white picket fence carefully. And then it hit him: he'd been bumbling along in life within a plan and without a purpose. In the cab he sighed and decided to change nothing, just move on and take the next opportunity.

On the way to the bus station Jed called Mike to say goodbye and was surprised to find he was home.

"My damn computerized phone-interrogation-answer system went on the blink over the weekend and I have no calls lined up although have follow-up checks later this morning. Fucking modern technology."

"Want me to come over an take a look? Unless power to the system was cut I ought to be able to digitally retrieve the stored information and play it back through my laptop for you."

"That will be great. Come around now as Jessica and I are about to have breakfast."

Jessica leaned lazily against Jed as she kissed him in the hallway, sexuality seeping out of her, giving Jed and instant hard-on. Sadly he knew he would soon be saying goodbye to a rare woman who had the potential to reach his soul. A voice deep inside Jed cried, "If only you'd found her before you brother did. He sighed that Sniffed deeply to take in the so-called sugar and spice natural fragrances that surround some women 24/7.

Mike hugged Jed and the powerful fists of the vet dented the ribs on the younger brother's back. Affection poured through the recipient, as he knew Mike found it difficult to unleash affection and that probably was the problem his wife had with him and was thinking about flitting off around the world with that insolent ball-breaking Douglas McCain and perhaps she'd already decided to do just that. So when Mike said spend the day with him as he didn't have much on Jed said okay, and when Jessica added stay for dinner and stay the night, in fact stay, Jed shuffled and said 'Oh heck' and wiped something from his eye.

After breakfast Jed did something to the phone recorder that probably the manufacturer was unaware that could be done outside of a fully fitted out electronics laboratory and transferred all the messages to his computer and played them back for Mike.

"None are really urgent," Mike said. "I'll spend half an hour on the phone telling the callers what to do until I arrive tomorrow morning, and then after you accompany my on my round we'll pick up a couple of broads, have some beers and late lunch and then fuck the afternoon away."

"Oh bliss," Jessica said wistfully, "You lucky guys."

The guys glanced at each other a little uneasily; she appeared to be serious.

Jessica got ready to go out on a gardens tour with some girlfriends and broke up the yarning between the brothers to call in Jed to help decide what she should wear.

Jed whispered, "She means you Bro" but Mike said no, Jessica knows I'm useless as an adviser on what she should wear. She really knows what she should wear but simply requires confirmation. Go -- you'll see a great ass and great tits."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I see them daily. Go, don't be pathetic. I'll make more coffee. I'm really enjoying your company."

Jed crabbed sideways into the room ready to run if Jessica was in the nude displaying the great ass and tits Mike had mentioned and Jed knew from brain imprinted images -- clothes of course -- than she possessed. His inner man thought he should be unzipping. At that Jed's crab walking stumbled and Jessica rushed to save him from falling but he was already recovered but nonetheless she made a fuss at mothering him. The ass and tits were covered, the tits substantially so because there was a lot to keep under control. The lacy things she would call panties were lacey boy shorts with barely any depth and would have been considered by some mothers as indecent on a slim 12-year-old. On Jessica, as far as Jed was competent to judge, they were sensational, mouthwatering, and his mouth watered.

Okay the tum was rather rounded but who would quibble, she was maturing into a woman a cut above her age group. 

Jessica looked at his crotch and grinned. "Tide's in," she murmured and for that Jed loved her to bits. 

He chose blue with white dots but she'd obviously favored the cream dress with the red tie that was already on the bed.

Jessica waited for Jed to leave but his feet remained anchored.

"If you stay watching me dress it could lead to adultery," she whispered. He bolted, her peels of laughter reaching even Mike who grinned and said, "She's said ever since you first arrived in town you make her feel alive. Have you fucked her?"

"No. That's a no-no."

"That was said passively so I believe you. Had you been guilty you would have protested your denial vigorously."

"Sorry to have disappointed."

Mike roared with laughter. "Have you thought about it?"

"Yes."

"Good man, you wouldn't be human if you hadn't. She's some bit of flesh and has personality to boot. Pity she likes prattling on all the time, otherwise she'd be perfect."

"Jessica is perfect."

"Good man, I thought's you would think that. Mom always prattled on to you and I would clear out. That's why you gained an overload of knowledge but being such a fucking know-all girls would have nothing to do with you, which is why you don't handle women well, being too blunt and calling them stupid even when they are. Astonishingly, Jessica has been an exception ever since she found you possess hero qualities."

"That's bullshit."

"Mate, don't be surprised if she offers you the ultimate at the chopping block."

"The kitchen meat chopping block you mean."

"Yeah mate. When Jessica is really steaming for it and I'm not showing interest she leans on the chopping block, panting, and raises the back of her dress and spreads the lips of her cunt. I move in and do remember much after that as I hang on for dear life and barely have to move -- just keep it hard. She does the rest, going berserk."

"Jesus."

"Don't let our mom catch you saying that. I must give some thought about you, me and Jessica.""

Jed waited but there was no elaboration. Instead Mike switched the conversation. "Listen mate you can stay with us as long as you wish but next week sometime Jessica's older sister is coming to stay so we'll need your bed for her. Her husband's run off with one of her friends and it's believed they had left the country. No kids fortunately but apparently she's a mess emotionally. She's been staying with her mom and Jessica has been over to see them a couple of times."

"Ladies first, I'll head off."

"No Jed, stay. Jessica is friendly with old Mrs Abel less than fifty yards down this street. She'll arrange a bed for you there. Please stay as Jessica says your wit and teasing, providing it remains light and keeps away from relationships might be what Deborah needs."

"Well, I want to hear from Jessica first and she'll need to be convincing as I have no wish to screw up her sister more than she is now."

Mike grinned and said that was the spirit but Jed should not get his hopes up about making out with Debs -- she was the plain one of the family.

Mid morning, with Jessica's amazing French presume no longer in the air around them, Mike and Jed left in the 1-tonner van with veterinary tools, supplies and surgical clothing neatly stored. Jed drove.

The first call was at McCain Ranch and to Jed's relief was told the McCain's were staying at Lake Resort, although he would have liked to have seen Irma. The mare from which Mike had removed a steel fragment in the nostril on Friday was well and the hard-ass looking stables foreman -- obviously Douglas's kind of man -- looked pleased with the report.

As they walked on Jed whispered why the fuss over a minor nose job.

"She is insured for $150,000 and is carrying a Red filly that if birthed okay could sell for more than $300,000 as a yearling."

"Christ."

"Don't let mom hear you say that," they chorused.

"What's a Red filly?"

"Want to see him?" barked the foreman and Jed nodded.

They entered the really grand stables on the left through 12ft high double doors and in the loose box straight ahead was the tallest horse Jed had ever seen that rolled his eyes and snorted. 

"Stay back here," Mike said but the foreman grinned and said, "Go pat him Jed, he's a pussy."

"Just a quiet touch and get you hand away," Mike warned, voice tight. "He'd capable of ripping your arm off."

Jed felt the feeling he knew was a gift, an ability to virtually read outcomes. It worked when dealing with electronics and occasionally in dealing with difficult people. He hadn't been aware it worked also with animals as he now felt it switched on. He knew the giant red horse was having a good day. So he walked right up and scratched Red between the eyes after reading the name hand-carved into the lower stable door, Redwing Richmond Fidel-Lebrijano.

"Fuck, I bet you prefer being called Red."

Red dropped his head on to Jed's shoulders. Jed turned to grin at the guys and saw his brother appeared frozen in motion and Lenny was crossing himself. He pulled away and said to Red, "I best be going; it appears those guys don't appreciate I appear to have an affinity with horses."

On another ranch they were inspecting some penned two-year steers. Jed was very careful not to call them moo-cows. 

Mike said, "Bad infestation of worms -- I need to get some samples of fresh dung." He and the foreman jumped over the railing and as they returned to the fence Mike said very quietly to Jed, "Turn very slowly and face the critter and then don't move."

Jed turned and saw a wild-eye cow advancing on him. He summoned his special powers but the tank was empty. He sweated as Mike said, "If she charges step aside at the very last second and she'll knock herself dopey on the railings."

Although he was basically scared of moo-cows, having being charged and tossed when he was young, Jed knew he really wasn't a coward. So he advanced slowly on the animal whose calf had died. She stood her ground until he was within two-feet when she suddenly wheeled and trotted off.




Jed Finally Drops Anchor



"I'm impressed," Mike said and didn't reply when the foreman spat out his gum and said, "He only needs to be tossed once and he'll never pull that stunt again."

Jed said quietly but triumphantly, "I've buried a ghost."

Mike grinned and the foreman simply said, "Huh?" and scratched his beer belly.

At another ranch they found ranch hands watched by the foreman about to bury a mare. The boss was standing by, leaning against the dusty front of his pickup and greeted the arrivals with a friendly wave.

"You spend hours with her Mike, giving her your best shot," said Grayson. "She died early last. The surrogate mare has taken to the filly well, now thinking she birthed twins. We erred putting the old darling out to mate one time too many."

"I should have saved her, the bleeding was so damn difficult to stop."

"That's crap Mike and you know it. You almost pulled off a near-miracle."

"Whatever you say Gray. May I pay my respects?"

"Sure, boys come over here and meet a real city slicker while Mike does the honors. He won't want earth dumped on Bella. Pull out the beers Joe."

The men watched Mike jumped down into the freshly dug hole and remove his hat.

"God, that's just like one of the old-time movies we watched when Mike and I were kids," Jed said. The wiry boss sniffed and grabbed the visitor across the shoulder, almost dislocating the far shoulder with his grip and sniffed again and said, "You're all right Jed. You should stay around here and work as Mike's field assistant. The guy he has as a temp couldn't lift free running chaff."

The guys around them sucking beer laughed and then returned to watch quietly.

Mike started the digger, filled the bucket and then gently tipped the bucket so the soil fell no harder than heavy hail. He did that four times and then left the digger for one of the boys to finish the job. He took a beer and said to Grayson gruffly, "Come on, I must look at Bella's last foal. No way is that little darling going to sicken and die."

Grayson whispered to Jed as Mike examined the foal with a while blaze, "It's his way of releasing grief and transferring his respect to the new generation. Gave her a name, a good name Jed as for sure we are keeping her."

"Jessie."

"Great name and we haven't had a Jessie on this spread since I was a kid."

Mike and Jed arrived home at 3:00. Mike was a little morose until Jessica came through the door and the entire room seemed to burst into light. Jed's mouth opened in astonishment.

"Oh hi guys, we babes got on the wine a bit so dinner may be a bit of a mess."

Mike had jumped up and said, "We lost her."

Jed had expected Jessica to say who, but she said, "Oh God, I'm sorry."

"Don't let our mom hear you say God like that," Mike said, and Jessica regenerated the light atmosphere by laughing heartedly.

"You knew he was talking about Bella?"

Jessica smiled and nodded and Mike said, "Jessica was at my side over Bella for five hours the previous night before she convinced me Bella was doomed. I knew she was of course, but needed the second opinion."

Jed said solemnly, just liked Jessica needed a second opinion about what to wear.

"Or was that me luring you into me lair to see me almost naked?"

"See, sex just oozes from her," Mike said, ignoring his brother's embarrassment. "I've been thinking we should both share your Jessica."

"Ooooh."

"No way Bro and don't talk like that to me in front of Jessica again."

"Okay, I get the message but what's the use of leaving if you don't know where you're going and with a plan. Stay here until you sort yourself out."

"I'd welcome the extra sex," Jessica said without embarrassment.

"I...I...," Jed said, unable to finish.

Mike smiled crookedly, eyeing Jessica. "He pleased Gray by naming Bella's last foal Jessie."

"Jessie? Oh God. How incredibly charming of you Jed and instinctively knowing owners like shorter names or short-form of names for their livestock." She ran over and gave him a sexy wine-tasting kiss. I think you were born to assist Mike and work as a team. As boys Mike always was the leader I guess."

Jed broke away and scuffed a foot and looked up and saw Mike watching him thoughtfully.

Jessica wandered off to change but fell asleep so the men yarned away the rest of the afternoon and then prepared and cooked dinner.

"Go wake her up," Mike said, serving.

"What if she's naked?"

"Go wake her up."

Jed found Jessica in her bra and shorts. He kissed her awake, she pulled him down for a big kiss and then said she was coming and giggled. 

Jessica found dinner very much to her liking and said pointedly they worked well as a team. The guys nodded and smiled.

"Are you going to ask him and shall I?"

Mike put down his fork said he would.

"Jed, Jessica and I want you to stay on and I'd like you to become my prime field assistant and that involves some heavy work, especially with horses."

"Okay."

Mike looked at his brother a little hurt. "Is that all you're going to say?"

"Oh, sorry. Thanks."

CHAPTER 4

By the time Deborah arrived Jed he was working well with Mike and already knew most of the medical instruments by name instead of Mike having to point -- and that was just after only a few days. One of the side issues was the rancher's daughters -- and sometimes moms as well -- coming out to look him over, being told the vet's new assistant was his hunky brother. None of the women he'd seen were stunning and he was smart enough to know neither was he the handsome hunk of their expectations.

On the third morning Mike went off to attend update lectures. Mike had not even left the house and Jed was helping Jessica, dressed in a top and shorts, do the dishes when she appeared to have accelerated the number of 'accidental' bumps against him. Jed found pleasure in making her miss with quite a few of her butt contacts but gave her no encouragement. She suddenly said, "Oh crap. Can you finish up? I've just remembered it's my day to take telephone orders at the Vets' Cooperative Supplies. I must dash. Mike and Jessica left together.

Jet cut his nails, put waterproof dressing on his new ranch boots and then wondered what to do. Go to the library and pick up a dame, er book? The phone went.

"This is the home of Mike Smart, vet."

"Yes, but Mike is away."

"May I speak to Mrs Smart here."

"They are both out all day. I'm unable to deal with a veterinary call except to say you can call the cooperative."

"No, I've arrived a few days early. I'm Jessica's sister Mrs Fields."

"Deborah, right?"

"Why yes?"

"Bus station or railway station? I'll come to get you in the one-tonner. How will I recognize you -- blonde, smiley and big tits...er, sorry, well developed like Jessica?"

"Far from it. Brown hair, severe manner and a modest bust."

"I apologize about mentioning bust."

Deborah said that was all right. "Jessica told me Mike's brother was in the area and was cute and cheeky and somewhat of an embarrassment at times. I guess you are the brother Jed?"

"Yes. I'm really sorry. Will be with you shortly to charm you over coffee."

"I'll be in the waiting room at the bus station, dressed in black."

So were most of the women dressed in black sitting alone. Jed stood in the doorway scratching his head when he scanned them and found none to be flat chested, with a face like a horse, brown hair and looking like Mrs Grim. Finally she gave herself away. Jed saw a woman laughing into her hand and when she removed the hand he saw Jessica's smile. He slapped his hand over his thigh in apparent disgust and went back out the door.

"Mr Smart, Mr Smart. Please wait." The woman hurried through the door trailing a suitcase on wheels. He turned abruptly and stopped and she almost ran into him, so he caught her by both arms, steadied her and kissed her open mouth.

"Good God, is that how people welcome strangers in this town?"

"You have a wonderful, highly liberated and highly energized sister Mrs Fields and I believe Jessica would have expected me to greet you warmly on her behalf."

"Warm, I'd call that hot. Please let go of me Mr Smart."

"Oh, pardon me. I appear to have over-extended my welcome."

"I have no objection to the welcome. I have been running and simply wish to straighten my dress and check my hair."

"Will you tell Jessica I made a real hash of my welcome?"

"I find it unlike you are afraid of my sister Mr Smart."

"Deborah, call me Jed. Your hair looks fine and you don't like at all grim and I wouldn't call that a flat chest."

"Mr Smart..."

"It's Jed and you said you were advised Mike's brother was something of an embarrassment. You're not so old that you cannot enjoy the occasional tease, are you?"

"I suppose not."

"And that all you have suffered are some hard knocks and know, in your heart, it's not the end of the world."

Deborah's chin jutted forward and her eyes widened. Then she sighed, relaxed and asked where was the coffee he'd spoken about.

"No, let's finish what I've just started. I'd like you to say to me that you are here with your difficult recent past almost buried in the hope Jessica and my brother and I can help steer you back on course with your spirit restored."

"Why should I do that?"

"Come on Deborah, pretend you are a kid and are excited and keen to begin this new game. What have you to lose?"

"Nothing, I grant you. Very well, I'll play along. I am aware I am merely wounded and am not dying and would like you guys help get me back on my feet and to refire my spirit."

Jed said that was great. "Now hug me and kiss me, on the cheek will do."

Deborah looked at him apprehensively.

"Come on, I'm supposed to be the good guy trying to help you."

Deborah hugged Jed and kissed his cheek without effort, as she was very tall. Then as she began to pull away she suddenly hugged Jed really hard and burst into tears. He pressed her heard into his shoulder and remained still and silent. A minute later Deborah pulled away and accepted Jed's handkerchief.

She sniffed, "That was good, unbelievably good. You won't realize that it's been like a funeral and I have been surrounded only by women."

"Oh I figured that out. Please, give me your suitcase while you hurry over to that white pickup and charm that cop out of writing out a ticket.

Deborah was off and was successful.

They talked over coffee, exchanging personal information and then drifting on to general conversation and then decided to stay and have lunch.

Walking back to the vehicle Deborah asked had Mike and Deborah added another bedroom onto the house.

"No, I'm supposed to be going to sleep at old Mrs Abel's home as she sometimes takes in paying guests. It's just down the street and I'll have meals with you guys."

"It seems such a shame to push you out. Are there two beds in the bedroom?"

"No, but there is a fold-out under the double bed. Are you thinking of sharing the room?"

"Only because it would avoid dislocation."

"It could mean me seeing you in your underwear."

"Have you not seen a woman naked?"

Jed colored and Deborah laughed and said that round had gone to her. "Can you think of any more impediments?"

"No providing I get to choose the fold-out."

"No, you stay in your bed."

"No, and unless I get the fold-out I'm off to Mrs Abel's house."

"Very well. In all probability Jessica will begin scheming to get us to sleep together."

"Really?"

"Yes and you know that because that's Jessica, upfront and full on. You didn't ask what I thought of that idea?"

"I thought it was inappropriate to ask under the circumstances."

"I like that comment. It shows you have sensitivity."

Jed knew few if any more opportunities would built up like this one, so asked, "Would it be okay while you're here that we dated, platonically of course""

After a hesitation Deborah replied, "How very kind of you. I don't see why not."

To soften any possible after-shock, Jed said smoothly, "We could go out with Jessica and Mike as a foursome."

"Exactly. I had no idea my re-emergence into the social scene would come so suddenly. I do believe you'll be a real tonic for me."

* * *

Jessica arrived home and after the initial shriek of surprise and noisy welcome clinch with her sister was left speechless when Deborah said airily, "Jed met me and we had coffee and then lunch and talked for hours. We've decided to share the room."

Jed had called out hi from the kitchen where he was preparing dinner so Jessica pulled Deborah to her knowing this was the first time Debs had met Jed. Her sister had married before Jessica had met Mike and at the time of her wedding Deborah and her husband were not long into a tour of South Africa and reluctantly had not come home for it so Jed had not met them.

Jessica said, "You cannot sleep in the same room with him. That man is uncouth and treats women irreverently and the fact he's lured you into sleeping in the same room illustrates just what a brazen seducer he is."

Deborah sniffed and said who else but Jessica was talking seduction. "God since your late teens you've always had sex on the brain. This is simply an arrangement of convenience as I had no wish to tip him out of his bedroom and I had trouble convincing him to share. If you must know it was I who suggested sharing the room."

For the second time Jessica was lost for words, being a rare experience for her. Then she swallowed and said, "He was supposed to being going down to sleep with Mrs Abel but I had not arranged it as I was waiting to learn your arrival date."

"I presume you meant sleeping at Mrs Abel's house. Well, if he misbehaves he can be sent to Mrs Abel's house. Now, let me look at you. You look wonderful. In the prime to become pregnant, I would say."

Jessica blushed and looked at her sister fondly and told her not to be so silly.

That night Deborah went to bed first, having shown no sign of marital bust-up syndrome since her arrival.

Jessica hissed, "If you dare lay a finger on her or stare at her when she's dressing or undressing you'll have to answer to me."

Mike grinned and Jed scowled and stood. "It's only 9:30. I'm going to knock up Mrs Abel and ask for a bed."

"Sit down and behave yourself," Jessica whispered hoarsely. "You are doing no such think. Deborah would be devastated, thinking a man has rejected her again."

"What's wrong with you?" Jed charged. "Are you jealous?"

Jessica bit her lip and Jed relaxed when he caught Mike's huge grin.

Mike waited until the smile was back on Jessica's face and said, "Have you a supply of condoms on hand?"

Jessica rose abruptly, sending her chair flying, and stomped off to her bedroom.

Jed walked from the bathroom across the hall into the bedroom and received no greeting. He undressed in the dark and pulled on the Playboy silk shorts Jessica had given him from Mike's collection still in their wrappings. Normally he didn't don sleepwear as well.

The bed groaned when he lowered himself into it. He attempted to turn and it squeaked in protest. Jed groaned.

"That doesn't sound at all comfortable. You better slip in here with me."

"No, Jessica would murder me if I did that."

"You'll answer to me if you don't get in beside me."

Jed said he was wearing shorts and Deborah said she expected nothing less.

At dawn Jed awoke with his usual erection. He found himself facing Deborah and she had an arm hanging over his shoulder. He wriggled out and the sheet came off her shoulder. A tit had come free of her gown and it wasn't at all small. Jed jumped out of the bed as if he'd been shot and Deborah appeared to sleep on.

Jessica, Mike and Jed were at the breakfast table, as usual with Jessica doing most of the talking, when Deborah arrived with a bright greeting. As Deborah settled Jessica asked did she sleep well?

"The best sleep in weeks. It must have been having a man in my bed again. Jed sounded so uncomfortable in the pullout."

"I see," Jessica said.

Mike had stopped spooning cereal but his head stayed down.

"Calm down, I suggested it and had to be very firm to get him beside me. Initially he said you'd murder him if he came across."

"Damn right he was about that."

"Well it worked out fine and is permanent. He didn't interfere with me if you were thinking that."

"Damn right I was thinking that."

"For God sake Jessica, we're all adults around here. Relax."

"Don't let mom hear you say that word," Mike and Red mumbled. Jessica burst into laughter and inside the room was sunny again.

Jessica came out to the truck where Jed was alone checking supplies. Mike was in the bathroom and Deborah was washing stockings.

"Jed, I must talk to you very confidentially."

"Leave it Jessica -- it's Deborah's business."

"I'm under stress and it's not that. Jed, I found out on Friday I'm pregnant."

"Whoopee. You know damn well I can't be the father so I guess that leaves Mike and Douglas."

Shocked, Jessica said, "How the hell do you know about Douglas?"

"Irma mentioned it to me, saying you were keen to go to Rio and elsewhere."

"Oh fuck, how embarrassing."

"Give him back to Irma and she'll be happy and may smile at you again in time."

"Oh Jed, what can I do?"

"Which of the possible fathers do you want it to be?"

"Mike of course."

"Well, have nothing more to do with your old man and tell Mike he's a father."

Jessica looked bewildered. "It can't be that simple."

"Stripped of emotion and ethics, it really is. It never ceases to amaze me why women want to make such a big deal out of everything."

"Cut the lecturer. Are you sure it's that simple."

"Of course, do you think Douglas in his social position is going to claim he fathered a child to the wife of his vet who's almost young enough to be his granddaughter?"

Jessica stood with her mouth open.

"Call Mike later this morning and say you've been to the doctor and give him the news and tonight we do out to celebrate."

"Jed you are amazing."

"Yeah right. I've decided I'd like to seduce your sister. What do you think of that?"

"It's fine, I'll work to make it happen."

"No Jessica, leave it alone and let Deborah decided if it's going to happen."

Jed found Deborah in the laundry hanging up the third pair of stockings.

"All hold-ups I see." 

"Yes, is that okay?"

"Very okay. Give me a kiss. We're off. I'll see you late afternoon."

Their lips touched and Jed checked her out before turning and leaving. Her boobs were large enough for him to get his head between them. He whistled his way to the truck. He called it a pickup while Mike called it a truck. Today Uncle Jed was happy to allow Mike win at everything. The only downside to this was Jessica. Motherhood would force her to tone down and that was a pity. She was so adorable as a high-octane young woman with a sluttish touch to her persona and a smile for everyone. But Jessica became serious? Get out of here!

Mike wanted to go for a couple of beers to celebrate but Jed, who was driving, took Mike home as soon as they finished work and said Jessica would expect him with her rather than with Jed in a bar. Jessica ran straight to Mike, ignoring Jed. Jed was pleased she was super-focused and he called out at the bedroom door and was told to enter.

"You're dressed up. Are we going on a date?"

"The pregnancy news -- we're going out as a foursome."

"Yes, of course, great," Jed said enthusiastically. "They'll be sometime, what would you like to do."

"Tell me what you'd like to do?"

Deborah didn't smile when she said that and if anything looked nervous but to Jed her tone suggested any reply would be accepted. He thought why not, Mike and Jessica would be doing it any minute now but he must not rush her.

"I'd like to see to the top of your stockings -- I mean the ones you are wearing."