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 ...

“My husband used to run a health clinic for people, so when we moved here, we put together a clinic for both animals and humans, just separated by a wall.” He glanced quickly at the wall that must’ve been the dividing one. “He passed away three years ago very suddenly. I haven’t had the heart to change the sign.”


Makai nodded, feeling bad for asking now. “Sorry for your loss,” he said in a serious tone.


He felt like he should’ve outed himself somehow, just out of solidarity, but he couldn’t find a neat way to fit it into the conversation, and then the moment was over anyway.


“Thank you. So, here’s your total for this visit,” the doc said and took a paper out of the printer.


Makai paid, took a business card with the information for the clinic on it, and his cat, and promised to call as soon as there was news.


“And I swear my sister will help you find a home for the kittens. She’s a good woman, loves cats, just….”


Chapter 16