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

So next he tackled the tree. The box of decorations Kate had given them contained yards of garland and lights, a star for the top, and not the first ornament to hang on the tree. Lane dug out his cell phone and texted Remy. Need ornaments. Buy lots. It’s a big tree.


Remy’s reply came in as Lane was untangling the lights. No ornaments in the box? WTF?


Lane took a quick photo of the box’s contents with his phone and sent it to his lover with the message, Lights and garland and a star. That’s it. We could paint pinecones. In that case, buy paint.


Within seconds, Remy texted back, Ornaments it is. I don’t do paint.


Chapter 37