DeVore lost the love of his life ten years ago, left his seven-figure career with a huge financial firm, and became a recluse. He now indulges a hobby of photography which has become his new vocation. At one of the few social functions he attends, he meets an amazing young man. Can he find new life and new love? The game of hearts is always risky, but what if a part of your first love now lives in another body?<br><br>Tim was a preemie and always frail. Later, an organ transplant was the only thing that could save him. Now grown, he still struggles to break restrictive family ties and find a purpose. It’s a thrill to meet the charismatic DeVore, an idol whose powerful photographs move many. But is this attraction his own, or coming from the stranger’s heart now beating in his chest?

A Game of Hearts

But DeVore stirred and reached. “No, Stevie, don’t go. You can wait a little longer. I’ll drive you so you won’t be late.”


Something in Tim snapped. “Stop it! I’m fucking not Steven! If you can’t tell the difference, I have no business being here.” He jumped off the bed, whirled and bolted, taking only the time to grab his jeans and the shoes he’d cast aside the previous night as they made their way toward the bed and each other’s arms. He dressed on his way through the house, snatched the keys to his rented Jeep from the rack by the back door along with a Levi’s jacket, and ran out.


The clouds had still not faded to white when he roared off down the steep drive. He had no goal in mind, just the savage spur of a need to get away, as far and as fast as he could. When he reached the winding two-lane highway a mile-and-a-half from the house, he turned west.


DeVore came fully awake to the echo of his sleep-spoken words and the fading thuds of Tim’s running feet.


Chapter 15