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

“What kind are they?” Kaos asked, his eyes alight with interest as he turned to sit sideways.


“They’re… what’s it called? Pitskies? Pit bull–husky mixes. Really gorgeous puppies, accidental as they were. The parents are great dogs, and the pups will be too.”


“You like the idea of adopting one of them, I can tell,” Kaos said, sounding oddly fond.


“I haven’t gotten a dog before because I didn’t want to leave one alone, and I can’t take one with me if I’m stuck at the clinic all day, no matter how well trained they are. It’s just not safe. Now, on farm runs and stuff, they could stay in the car. But….” Padraig shrugged and frowned. He still wasn’t sure if it was a good idea, but something about having even more life in the house seemed like a good idea.


Chapter 34