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

“It’s not too expensive, is it? Because we can go somewhere else.” Jude looked genuinely worried. Still a little tense, Rex thought.


“No, this will be great. Just what we both need.” He scanned the menu and wondered how to broach the subject he had on his mind. With Jude, it could go easy or difficult. In this instance, he was pretty sure the latter would be the case. But…he was going to have to try. “Have whatever you want.”


The waitress came and took their drink orders, both iced tea, and they remained silent while they chose their meals. When the waitress returned with their drinks, they ordered.


“How are you feeling?” Rex ventured. He had decided if Jude said he felt melancholy or out of sorts or something similar he would wait. He hoped their recent car sex made him feel good.


Jude smiled. “Pretty good. Hungry.”


“Me, too.” He glanced out to sea. It shouldn’t be so hard to bring up. It wasn’t something terrible. To him, anyway. “Wow, it’s November already.”


Chapter 25