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

Padraig kept the couple in his peripheral vision. They edged out of their booth and turned toward the back door. The sheriff unholstered his weapon quietly and walked closer to them. Leah’s eyes widened, and she moved back into the kitchen for cover. The back door opened, and Deputy Jason Goldstein stood in the doorway with his weapon drawn.


In short order, the couple turned around and froze in their tracks.


“Somewhere to be?” Sheriff Newman asked, and Deputy Forrest stepped inside through the front as well.


The rest went like shown in every cop show ever, including the way the young man’s eyes widened as he looked at Padraig when they were led to the front of the diner on the way to the station to answer some questions.


“See someone you know?” Sheriff Newman asked.


The guy vigorously shook his head. “No. Nobody.”


“Funny, that. I think there’s someone right outside who recognized you from last Saturday evening.”


Chapter 73