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

Rex touched his arm, causing them both to stop near the wall of a building at the end of the line of festival booths. “It still makes you sad to talk about him, doesn’t it?”


“Yeah.” Jude swallowed the lump in his throat. “I’ve had people tell me it’s been five years, I should be over it now. Or words to that effect. I’m not ever going to get overit. I just have to live my life now. I know Martin wouldn’t want it any other way.”


“I didn’t know him, but I am sure you’re right.” Rex’s fingers, long and callused, stroked across his jaw and then his cheek.


Somehow Jude found the space around him shrinking until Rex was just a few inches from him and he leaned against the wall. All the noise from the crowd seemed to mesh together until the voices were nothing but a low buzz in his ears and all but Rex blurred, bringing the man into sharper focus.


Chapter 11