Five years ago, British transplant, Jude, left San Francisco after the tragic murder of his lover, Martin. Heartbroken, he settled in Sutter's Bay and opened a small flower shop, hoping that surrounding himself with bright colors and pretty things -- living things -- would somehow lessen the anguish he felt over his loss.<br><br>Jude never expects to find a love like he shared with Martin ever again. Certainly a love like theirs won't come along twice in a lifetime. But then Jude meets sexy Rex Warner, the new veterinarian in Sutter's Bay, and he can't help but wonder if his luck has changed.<br><br>Will Rex be able to stop Jude from dwelling on the painful past and look toward a promising future instead?

Twice in a Lifetime

Grimacing, Jude tore open the legal-sized envelope. He pulled out a folded slip of paper and read:


I was going through some old photos of Martin’s and found this. I asked Mr. Sullivan for your address.


No one else wanted it so I am sending it to you.


Jude guessed it was from Martin’s sister, Pia. He slid out a photograph of him and Martin. It had been taken at Pier 39 in San Francisco by a passerby Martin had asked to act as shutterbug for them.


Staring at it, his heart constricted. They both had huge grins on their faces. Martin’s arm curved around Jude’s waist and his own arm wrapped around Martin’s shoulder. For a moment, the happiness he felt that day flowed through him, making him nearly euphoric with the memory. It had been one of the best days he’d ever spent in his life. They were in love and happy to admit it to each other.


Chapter 7