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

Silence reigned for a few seconds, and then delighted laughter followed it. “Oh my God, Padraig, have you gone and fallen for a nonbinary person?” The laughing continued then, and Padraig sighed, waiting for it to abate.


“First of all, I’ve not fallen for anyone, Fran. And yes, I think he might be… that.”


“Well, the first step of facing your issue is fucking learning to use modern words, Paddy. Like nonbinary.” There was a snap in Fran’s tone, his heated spirit coming through loud and clear, and somehow it made Padraig smile.


“Yeah, I think you’re right with that. It’s… there’s a nonbinary child in town now. If you remember little Joie?”


“So it’s not actually new or anything. I just… I’ve never been attracted to anyone but….”


“But burly, manly men. Straight-acting bromosexuals?”


Chapter 16