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

“Nothing huge, right?” Kaos looked from Francis to Padraig and back. “I don’t have to go to Emil’s parents’ place—I can talk to the guys some other time. I’d like to have a quiet Thanksgiving here if you two are up to it.”


Padraig nodded. “I agree. I’ll be on call, which is a good reason not to go to Mary’s this year. Of course the puppy is an excuse too. A quiet evening, barring any emergencies, sounds lovely to me.” He looked at Kaos with an expression that made him blush for some reason.


“Do we want a turkey?” Francis asked, leaning to the counter. “We could start making our own traditions. Maybe not change everything, but you guys are the closest thing I have to family and….” He looked at his feet, clearly uncomfortable.


Padraig went to him and held him close. “Hey, it’s okay. You are family—always have been, even though I forgot for a while. We’ll come up with something our own, right? Maybe start doing that every year from now on?”


Chapter 51