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

“How many do you have without homes?”


“Three. Well, two, but we have an agreement that the person who wants the third will take the one that’s left when he gets back to town. He’s traveling for a bit.”


Two wasn’t so bad. Being able to pick one of three, even better. Shit.


“Let me talk to my housemate. It wouldn’t be fair to spring a puppy on him, so we’ll see. But I’ll give you a call if we decide to take one, okay?”


“Works for me, Doc. And you’ve been so great, so you’ll get one for free. No, don’t object. If you want one, we’ll at least know that it’ll never lack veterinary care and will be raised right, so that’s more than enough for me.”


Padraig smiled, defeated, and raised his hands. “Okay, but Athena will give you a 10 percent discount on the vaccinations just to get even.” When Mia tried to protest, Padraig turned to go into his office. “La-la-la, I can’t hear you!”


Chapter 31