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

“There’s some of the food they’ve been eating, a new collar we didn’t have time to put on her yet, and a couple of toys in there,” Jai explained.


Kaos got up and held his hand to Padraig, who had sat down and seemed to be stuck under the puppies now.


“Thanks,” Padraig murmured as he let Kaos pull him to his feet while holding on to Little Red with the other hand.


“No problem.” Kaos turned and took the pack from Mia. “This is great. We got some stuff from Woodruff, but someone filled me in about the food being changed gradually and so on….” He grinned teasingly, and Mia giggled.


“At least you have someone to explain stuff to you. We were stupid enough not to keep an eye on the dogs while we were grilling in my backyard, and ta-dah!” Jai gestured dramatically at the puppies.


“Well, you know now and can tell anyone you know who hasn’t spayed or neutered their dogs,” Padraig said evenly, looking ever so attractive with the puppy in his arms and his expression all kind and soft.


Chapter 35