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

A little impatient whine and bark from next to them made them finally separate, chuckling as they wiped their eyes.


“I can see there are some changes,” Francis murmured, and Padraig found himself blushing.


“Yes, it is. He’s head over heels for you, and that blush alone tells a story, Paddy. I love you like a brother, and while you might be able to lie to yourself, you can’t lie to me.”


Kaos walked into the kitchen then, having given them time to greet each other. “Everything okay?”


“Yeah, I think we got some of it out of our systems,” Francis told him, then gestured at the items on the table. “I thought pasta?”


“Great, sounds fine to me. Do you want help?”


“No, you go do your thing, and if I need help, I’ll let you know.”


Kaos smiled. “I’ll be upstairs. I have to check on my emails.” Kaos left, with Hestia following him until Padraig called her back.


“She’s lovely,” Francis said. “So is he, by the way. Such a unique soul, that one.”


Chapter 41