J.D. Walker

Bill Cascade knows what it’s like to have nothing, so it’s easy for him to recognize another human being on the brink. When Bill visits his favorite bar one night, he comes across Thorn Blackstone, a twenty-something hottie who has everyone eating out of his hand. A fight breaks out and Bill comes to the rescue. Thorn, however, doesn’t want Bill’s help and pushes him away, at first.<br><br>When Thorn finally shows up on Bill’s doorstep, he’s dirty, hostile, and starving. Bill ignores all of that and gives Thorn a chance to start over. Trouble is, Bill wants Thorn for his own, but thinks he isn’t good enough for someone with such a bright future ahead of him. Naturally, Thorn thinks that’s hogwash.<br><br>What’s a guy to do when the love of his life won’t take no for an answer? Hold on and never let go.

He's So Heavy

As luck would have it, he ended up finding an opening at the grocery store. They were short a worker since that person had skipped town, and needed someone to stock the shelves overnight. Thorn was a night owl anyway, so it was the perfect fit. He would be on ninety days’ probation, and if they liked him, he would stay.


The minute we left the grocery store and walked around a corner, Thorn jumped into my arms, wrapped his legs around my waist, and hugged me like a python. I staggered a little, but managed to keep my balance as I hugged him back, laughing the whole time.


“Oh, God, this is so…I don’t know how to thank you,” he said, a smile on his face that was so bright, it outshined the sun. I’d never seen him smile like this and wanted him to do it more often. Gone was the angry, scared, and hostile man I’d known. Instead, he seemed full of hope and light, for a change. Apparently, a little kindness went a long way. I was happy for him.


Chapter 9