Can two broken men build one life? Ten years. That’s what Makai lost for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s been exonerated, but the abuse he suffered in prison isn’t so easy to leave behind. He heads to the one place he remembers being happy: Acker, Wisconsin, where he spent summers with his grandpa. Unfortunately, not everyone wants Makai there. Ten days. That’s how long Emil, now twenty-one, was held prisoner as a teenager. The mental and physical injuries he suffered at the hands of a drug trafficking ring still haunt him. Nightmares, anxiety, and PTSD challenge the connection forming between Makai and Emil, though together, they might find a way to move beyond their pain and into a future -- and a relationship -- that both had thought impossible. Now they just have to convince Emil’s father, the town sheriff. It won’t be easy with danger closer than they know ...

Doc Donovan whistled quietly. “That’s one pregnant kitty.”


Makai laughed and blocked her way with his hand. “Yep. Does she look familiar?”


“No, never seen her before. She’s really tame, though, which would suggest she hasn’t been alone for long.” He reached a hand for the cat, letting her sniff him, and she headbutted his fingers gently. “Yeah, friendly feline…. Where did you say you found her?”


“Oh, I bought the old Berg cottage, if you know where that is? On Maple Hill Road?”


Doc thought for a while, then frowned. “You know, the road that connects to Maple Hill goes through to the camping site eventually. Might be she’s been left by campers.”


“Yeah, Mr. Miller said the same thing.”


Doc started to check the cat through, and she let him do pretty much anything, even when he pressed on her stomach gently on different spots.


“Is it many or just a few big ones?” Makai asked, scratching under her chin to keep her purring and happy.


Chapter 15