When unlikely attraction blossoms between a twentysomething genderqueer tattoo artist and an older, small-town veterinarian, both are forced to face their pasts for a chance at a loving future. Four years ago Padraig Donovan lost his husband, the only man he’d ever been with. Now his life consists of the work he loves, a big empty house, and the possibility of a lonely future. Kaos’s experiments with makeup landed him in the hospital at the hands of his disapproving ex. With nowhere else to turn, he flees to Acker, Wisconsin ... and runs into a sexy widower and the kindest man he’s ever met. Padraig and Kaos know there’s something worth exploring between them, and as they raise a puppy and deal with the ups and downs of their respective jobs, they fit into each other’s lives in ways they never expected. Being with Kaos -- who is so different than the guys he’s always been attracted to -- opens up an exciting new world for Padraig. But can he convince Kaos to trust another man with his body ... let alone his heart?

Four

“No, sir. I don’t… I’ve smoked weed a few times, but it never agreed with me. I get sad where others get mellow and giggly. Anything stronger than that… it’s just not for me.” Kaos looked the sheriff in the eye when he said that, hoping his sincerity was evident in his gaze.


“That’s good to know. I assume you’re going to live as a lawful citizen while here in Acker?”


“I haven’t gotten as much as a parking ticket since I got out. It’s not… it was all out of desperation, Sheriff.”


Chapter 12