City planner Remy McIntosh is looking forward to spending the holidays with his lover, architect Lane Anders. For the past six months, he’s been planning the perfect getaway -- two weeks in a forest cabin at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. Remy also has a special gift he can't wait to give Lane on Christmas Day: a wedding ring. But Remy's ex-wife changes her Christmas plans at the last minute, and asks him to take care of their eight-year-old son, Braeden. Remy loves spending time with his son, but balks at the idea of taking a child along on vacation. The main problem is that Braden has never met Lane, and doesn't know his father is gay. Lane is ready to take his relationship with Remy to the next level, and has a secret Christmas gift of his own. Having a young boy along will put a crimp in their plans, to be sure, but Lane wants to be a part of every aspect of Remy's life, and that includes Braden. How will Braden deal with meeting the "other man" in his father's life? What happens when Remy’s romantic holiday for two must also include his son?

Just the Three of Us

Remy carried in two bags of presents, and Lane grabbed the others. They dropped the presents and wrapping paper off in the bedroom with the bunk beds, and Remy locked it with one of the keys the guy at the office had given him. That left their bags and pillows, and Braden, himself.


Lane took the easier task. With duffle bags in each hand and more tucked up under each arm, he carried them into the cabin while Remy tried to extract Braden from the middle seat without waking the boy. When Lane came back out for the pillows, he heard Braden’s sleepy retort, “But I don’t wanna.” He had a sneaky feeling he’d be hearing that a lot over the next few days.


He retrieved their pillows and closed the hatch, then came up behind Remy, who held Braden awkwardly in both arms. “I’ll get his things,” Lane said.


Remy gave him a look of pure gratitude. “Thanks. Meet you inside.”


Chapter 24