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

“Kaos, dear, it’s Mary. They called me from the hospital, as I’m his next of kin. I got here as fast as I could.”


“Oh, uh, that’s great, Mary.” Kaos must’ve seemed wide-eyed, because Emil and Makai looked at him with obvious amusement.


“Yes, well, I thought I’d let you know I’ve my knitting and my book, and I let the sheriff go home to the missus. I’ll call you if there’s any news, but so far they say there’s a small bleed in his brain that should be fine. It’s not as scary as it sounds.” Her no-nonsense voice was a female version of her brother’s, and somehow that made Kaos relax.


“Your boy is asking if you’re conscious,” Mary’s muffled voice said.


Padraig obviously said something, and then his voice came through. “Kaos?”


“Oh God, Padraig,” Kaos breathed out the words, tears starting anew.


Padraig’s voice was scratchy when he rushed to reassure him. “It’s going to be all right, sweetheart, I promise. Is Hestia okay? I can’t quite remember.”


Chapter 69