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

By the time Lane pulled on his coat and headed out onto the porch, the doors to the Jeep were both open. Remy stood behind the driver’s side door, and Braden must have been standing behind the other, because Lane couldn’t see him inside the car, but he was so short, Lane couldn’t see him through the door’s window, either. Then he saw a skinny pair of jean-clad legs appear beneath the passenger side door as Braden climbed out of the car.


Catching sight of Lane, Remy waved and called out, “Hey, babe! Or, wait—honey, we’re home!”


Lane hopped down the porch steps and started towards them. “Hey, guys. Just in time for lunch.”


Braden’s head peered around the side of the car door. When he saw Lane, he shrieked, “Don’t look!”


Lane’s step faltered. He glanced at Remy for an explanation. “What?”


“Dad, he’ll see what I got him!” Braden cried. There was real fear in his voice, as if the last thing he wanted in the entire world was for Lane to see what the car door was hiding.


Chapter 38