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

Next he unplugged the Christmas tree. Checked the front door to make sure it was locked—a habit that came from living in the city, since he hadn’t seen or heard anyone else outside their cabin all day. Then he returned to the kitchen to check the lock on the sliding glass door. There were vertical blinds for that door, as well, which had been opened and nestled in one corner. But the darkness outside was so complete, Lane didn’t like to think of anything out there looking in so he shut the blinds to block the view.


One last look around, double-checking the fire and all the lights, and he headed for the bathroom. There he washed his hands and face, brushed his teeth, and emptied his bladder of the last of the wine. With any luck, Braden’s story was over with by now and Remy would be ready to return to the bed they shared for a little loving.


Chapter 46