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 laughed. “It’s no big deal. I’ll just run in.”


Tears filled Jude’s eyes and he shook his head frantically. “Please don’t.”


Gently disengaging Jude’s painful grip on his wrist, he turned his hand and threaded his fingers with Jude’s. “It’s all right.”


“No, it’s notall right, Rex. It’s never going to be all right.” His eyes were on the verge of panic and he’d lost a lot of color, his breathing was shallow. Rex feared he was on the brink of hyperventilating.


He got back in the car and held Jude as close as he could given the steering wheel. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t even think about it. Of course, we’ll just use a card at the pump when we get gas. And if we want water or anything else, we’ll find a grocery store.”


Jude buried his tear-streaked face in Rex’s shoulder and nodded.


“I’m sorry,” he said again. He kissed the top of Jude’s head.


Chapter 29