Middle-aged teacher David Grover is traveling home from a conference, but fatigue and bad weather force him to stop at a motel for the night. Unfortunately, the Marine ahead of him at the counter snags the last available room. But despair soon turns to elation when the studly Master Sergeant Bud Williams offers to share. Sharing a room also means sharing a bed, and their one night together turns into much more. Only later does David discover Bud is keeping secrets from him. Once these secrets come to light, their regular weekend trysts end, and David finds it hard to move on. Then David learns Bud volunteered for a tour in Iraq, only to be returned stateside after suffering extensive injuries caused by a roadside bomb. Forgiveness and healing doesn't come easily, but just as things start looking up, Bud's past threatens to pull them apart again. Both men face painful decisions if they hope to find a life together. It's a rough road to happiness -- as much as the rest of the world struggles to keep them apart, all Bud and David can do is battle to get back together since neither is complete without the other.

Rough Road to Happiness

David’s exuberance was only slightly dimmed. Bud, his Bud, was going to make love to him. He really would be his Bud afterward. Though it dawned on David that the bump to the head might give Bud the chance, when they were in bed together, to say, “Not tonight, dear, I’ve got a headache.” In view of Bud’s last remark, David thought it wise not to share his latest revelation.


“Come on, my brave soldier,” David said, “let’s get you inside.” 


“Sorry, brave Marine,” David corrected.


Although David was concerned at Bud’s injury, he knew it would give him a great opportunity to give something back to the relationship, be the strong, supportive one for a change. Just don’t over-do it, he told himself, leading his brave Marine into the house.


Lying in bed, his sleeping if sweaty man next to him, David sighed, knowing he had well and truly been made love to. Completely, expertly and mind-blowingly, made love to.


Chapter 14