Because of a deathbed promise to his father, Elijah Peck reluctantly left his friends and successful career in Bridgeport to return to Willowby, Connecticut, the small town of his upbringing, in order to run the antique shop that had been in his family for generations. Now, in just the span of two years, Eli has morphed into a social recluse, isolated in what he believes is a stuffy, suffocating nowheresville. With no thriving gay community at his disposal, and with his entire existence wrapped around the store he never really wanted, Eli's devoted little time to his personal needs. As a result, instead of acting like a man in his mid-thirties, living out his own dreams, maybe even finding love with the right guy, he often feels like just another item in his shop -- a dusty, moldy antique that has seen better days.<br><br>But all that starts to change when a stranger moves to Willowby.<br><br>One night outside his shop, Eli has a chance encounter with Neville "Gray" Grayson, a wickedly handsome musician who's purposely left the bustle of New York City in favor of quiet country living. Eli is instantly drawn to Gray, and the flirtatious jazzman stirs dormant feelings inside Eli, reinvigorating his hopes for a brighter future. Not only does Gray make Eli feel attractive for the first time in years, but also makes him appreciate small-town life in a way he never has before. And Eli can't help but wonder if Gray's presence also offers the promise of finding much-needed companionship, sexual fulfillment, and perhaps even love ...

When the Jazzman Sings

Suddenly, my sexy companion removed his right hand from his pocket and extended it toward me. “Oh, how rude. The name’s Gray.”


“Well, in actuality, my name is Neville Grayson, but just about everyone calls me Gray.”


I stopped at the corner before Minnie & Maude’s, a convenience store run by spinster sisters. Even at this relatively early hour, it proved anything but convenient with the “CLOSED” sign on the door. I took the stranger’s hand in mine, noting his firm grip and also the shiver of excitement that raced up my arm. “I’m Elijah Peck, but Eli is just fine.”


“Nice to make your acquaintance, Eli. You have no idea hownice.” He withdrew his hand from mine, all too soon, to my frustration. “Say…Peck, as in Peck’s Antiques & Collectibles back there?” Once again, with his sunglasses still lowered on his nose, he glanced at my T-shirt. “Or pec, as in pectorals?”


Chapter 3