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

“Is there a way for me to contact him, even though I’m not his next of kin? I think his sister or Francis would be?”


For some reason Forrest seemed to blush lightly, then cleared his throat. “I think it would be his sister, yes. His phone is pretty much toast, and it’s in evidence now anyway. Just in case whoever broke in touched the phone.”


“So you didn’t catch them?” Kaos felt colder again.


Hestia trotted into the room and instantly came to him, getting on the couch and pressing against his side.


“No, but we have the whole department and people from Mercer looking. They fucked up, so they won’t stick around.”


“Okay. Will you let me know if you find out anything? I have a dog here, but….” Kaos felt unsafe, somehow.


“Sure. Is there anyone you can call, maybe? Get some company until Doc gets home?”


“Yeah, I’ll call Makai and Emil, and I’ll let Francis know. He might want to get here faster if Padraig’s injury is worse than we think now.”


Chapter 68