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

But that was childish. When Remy leaned over from behind his chair to place a plate of steaming eggs and crispy bacon in front of him, Lane pressed his head back against Remy’s chest and blew his lover a quick kiss. “I should have you make me breakfast every day,” he joked.


“Are you kidding? We’re taking turns,” Remy told him. “You’re up tomorrow. I’m expecting French toast and sausage.”


“You buy it, I’ll fry it.” Lane waited until Remy set down the other two plates—one at the spot beside Lane, the other in front of Braden—before he looked at Remy’s son and asked, “Do you like French toast?”


Braden glared at his plate and didn’t answer.


Pulling out the chair next to Lane, Remy sat down and scooted forward. He must have nudged Braden with his foot under the table, because the boy’s chair wiggled a bit. “Hello?” he asked, frowning. “Earth to Brae. Lane asked you a question.”


Chapter 29