Schoolteacher Julian Reynolds is disillusioned with the seedier side of gay life in New York City with its self-absorption, vanity, and preoccupation with sex. When his long-time relationship with his high school sweetheart ends, he returns to his hometown and vows to live a simple life free of the extremes of the gay lifestyle and romantic entanglements. With that end in mind, he rents the carriage house next door to a large Tudor-style home.<br><br>Tate Butler, a former student of Julian’s, lives in the big house with his mother. Tate is bitter and withdrawn after losing a leg while serving in the Marine Corps during the war in Afghanistan. Fearing rejection from his mother and blaming himself for his father’s death, Tate stays firmly in the closet and punishes himself by refusing to learn how to walk again.<br><br>Can Tate and Julian help heal each other’s pasts and forge a real and lasting future together? Or will the driveway that separates their houses prove too wide a gulf to cross?

The Marine Next Door

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” Mrs. Butler said, placing a hand on Julian’s shoulder.


Smiling to reassure her, Julian said, “Like I told you before, it’s not a problem.”


“I’ve made a pot of soup, sandwiches, and a salad for your dinner. There should be more than enough food for the weekend. And let’s see…oh yes, I’ve made up the bed in the room across the hall from Tate’s. Mmm? I hope I’ve covered it all.”


“Please don’t worry. I’m sure everything will be fine.”


She hugged him and got into the cab. Julian waved and watched as the cab drove out of the curved driveway. When it was out of sight, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked up at the big Tudor house. In the back of his mind still lurked the nagging suspicion that his motives for offering to stay with Tate were not completely altruistic. He reminded himself once again why he’d left New York, picked up his bag, and went into the house.


Chapter 17