Marshall and Lee rose early the next morning, pausing just long enough to enjoy a quick cup of coffee before heading to the Alamo church. Few tourists were about yet. They left an offering in the basket by the door, lit two candles, then selected an empty pew and knelt, each man becoming lost in his own thoughts.
Marshall refused to think about the period of his captivity with his mother unless it was absolutely necessary, which it generally wasn't. He preferred to remember his reunion with Lee instead. Lee and Roy spent several days on the road, once they had Marshall with them, moving from motel to motel. Once they were sure they weren't being followed, they headed to Burnham, Texas, and the home Lee had made for Marshall.
At first, Marshall slept in a room of his own. But every night, bad dreams ravaged his sleep. He woke up screaming for Lee, and then he ended up being taken into Lee's bed for the rest of the night. Finally, he just slept there, with Lee. Like when he was a kid. He felt more secure with Lee's arms around him. Less afraid his mother was coming to get him.
Roy gave up being a private investigator. Over the five years he'd spent working for Lee, searching for Marshall, they'd become close friends, and Roy stuck with them, even after Marshall's rescue. Burnham was too small a town to support a private eye, but they had a need for a sheriff, and Roy filled that need. It took little persuasion to convince the mayor he could handle the job.
Every time they went to the Alamo, Marshall gave thanks for Roy being able to find him, and for their removing him from an abusive situation. And most of all he gave thanks for Lee in his life.
Lee slipped his hand over Marshall's. It was warm and comforting. Marshall opened his eyes to find Lee's gaze upon him. His heart warmed at the sight.
I love you
, Marshall mouthed, and Lee repeated the sentiment back to him.
They rose, hand in hand, and left the church to the wide-eyed wonder of the newly arrived tourists, then walked the short distance to the garage, to retrieve their car. After that, they did some shopping. First for computer parts they needed for their business, which they had shipped to the house, then for clothes for each of them. Afterward, they ate lunch at a small Mexican cantina. Marshall loved the smell of fresh cilantro that permeated the air, and the earthy scent of cumin and roasted peppers.
Marshall ordered the hottest item on the menu.
"Sure you can handle that?" Lee drawled, eyebrows skeptically raised.
"Of course, I can!" Marshall assured him. "Why do you think I can't? Been eating hot peppers for years, as you damn well know."
