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

Once their clothes were all soaked, they went back inside and made lunch together.


“Thanks for coming, guys,” Kaos said, when they were loading the dishwasher and cleaning up the kitchen.


“Anytime. I know you’d do same for either of us.” Makai gave him a hug.


“Yeah, we’re all family, right?” Emil asked, and a hint of vulnerability was visible in his gaze.


“Yeah, we are,” he replied, and got a beaming smile in response, as well as an armful of Emil.


Once the hugging was done, Kaos promised to at least message them when Padraig was safely back home, then waved as Makai and Emil drove off.


For the rest of the day, he didn’t hear from Padraig, but to his surprise, Kaos didn’t feel worried. He knew that he’d get any news and that Padraig would call if there were delays.


Chapter 70