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 thought the simple truth would be best. “Yes, he did. And I kissed him back.”


Braden’s confusion didn’t disappear. “But…but why?”


“Because I love him.” Remy half-turned in his seat to face his son, who looked at him as if he had suddenly grown a second head or something. “I love him, Braden. We’ve been together for two years now. He’s my boyfriend.”


Slowly, Braden shook his head. “But you aren’t…I mean, you can’t be gay. You’re my dad.”


“You were married to Mom once,” Braden pointed out. “Gay men don’t marry girls.”


Delicately, Remy explained, “Some guys like guys, and some guys like girls. Some girls like girls, too. And then, some of us…well, we like both.”


“Guys andgirls?” Braden asked, incredulous.


Chapter 35