Shakespeare-loving teacher Elliot Dunn has been unhappy living in the big city for a long time. He yearns for fresh air, visible stars, and stillness, but his relationship with divorce lawyer Mick Hudson keeps him from moving away. When a dramatic event occurs in Elliot’s class, he’s shaken to his core and suddenly can’t stay anymore. He leaves his partner of two years behind and returns to the tiny town in the mountains where he grew up. Living in a rented cabin in the woods, with only an owl for company, Elliot slowly regains his peace of mind. But being away from Mick is agonizing, and when a ghost from Elliot's past pays him a visit, everything comes to a head. Elliot is faced with a hard decision. Should he stay on the stress-free mountainside alone, or return to the hustle of the city and try to make a life with Mick?

Find His Way Home

“It was Valentine’s Day, Elliot. I missed you so much and wanted to be with you. I was stuck there with her!”


Elliot stiffened as Mick spoke. Valentine’s Day?


“And the worst part is that you left me, and I don’t even know if you want to be with me anymore.” The desperation in Mick’s voice was tangible.


Mick continued like he hadn’t heard him. “I meet people every day who can’t make their marriages work. They fight over everything and claim irreconcilable differences, and I can’t take it!” Mick worked himself up. His voice grew louder, punctuated with sobs. “I could handle it when I had you to support me. But now I can’t. I just can’t.”


Tears welled up in Elliot’s eyes and spilled over, running hot down his cheeks, getting tangled up in his beard.


“Please, Elliot,” Mick pleaded. “Please say we’re not over. Our differences can’t be irreconcilable. Say they’re not irreconcilable.” He yelled the last words, breathing hard in shuddering breaths.


Chapter 14