Clifford Ames is almost forty years old, and his ever-patient dog, Bambi Turgelson, is his only friend. Why? Because his egotistical boss and former closeted lover, Lambert Morton takes fiendish pleasure in working him to death, twenty-four-seven. Clifford knows he should leave the company and his unrequited love behind, but he keeps punishing himself by staying and taking the abuse, thinking things will be different, one day.<br><br>A wedding invitation from a far-flung cousin gives him the impetus to make a change, even if it's just for a three-day weekend. Enter Jetson Briscoe, son of the owner of the picturesque resort where the wedding is being held. His own personal Paul Bunyan come to life, Jetson gives Clifford a glimpse of the kind of life he could have, without the stress and crippling headaches and possible ulcer he deals with day-to-day. Will it be enough to make him change?

All a Steer Can Do Is Try

“You haven’t been to sleep at all, have you?” I heard a voice say, and I turned to see Jet frowning in the doorway.


“It’ll be fine. I’ve done this before, but at least it’ll be the last time. That’s what keeps me going.” My nose twitched, and I belatedly realized he had a plate of waffles and another cup of coffee on a tray in his hands. I vowed to give up caffeine after this. “You’re an angel.”


He gave me a pained smile. “I wish I could do more. No wonder you have headaches all the time. Here,” he said, placing the tray in my hands so he could clear a spot for me to eat. “Okay, sit there and have your food, and then you’re going to lie down for a while until it’s time for your conference call.”


He firmly shook his head. “I’ll wake you up in time, never fear.” He ran a hand over my already disheveled hair. “I’ll take care of you, Cliff. I’m not an asshole like your soon-to-be former boss. You have my word.” And I believed him.


Chapter 9