Bill Hawkins owns a bed-and-breakfast in the small mountain town of Middleton. He loves his life, his family, and his friends. The only thing missing is someone to call his own. A man he can love who will love him in return.<br><br>Erik King takes off when he catches his boyfriend in bed with another man. He's looking for somewhere away from that city. Perhaps a small town where life is less hectic and the people are friendly. What he is not looking for is a new man in his life.<br><br>When a winter snowstorm lands Erik at Bill's B&B, he finds the younger man too interesting, and goes on the run, again. The question becomes, will he realize he can't run from his feelings and return in time to celebrate Thanksgiving—and admit to Bill that he cares for him -- giving them both a reason to be thankful?

Bill and Erik

“Erik, baby, please…I love you. I swear I do.”


Despite everything he’d been thinking, for a second, Erik almost relented. He sounded so sincere. Just like he did in that night, when I told him what a bastard he was, he reminded himself. The only person he loves is him. Everyone else in his life is there to prove how special he is. I did a damned good job of it, too, until the end. What a fool I was.


“I don’t love you,” Erik replied, and hung up.


He stared off into space, his thoughts in a whirl. I don’tlove him anymore. All the feelings I had for him are gone for good, thank God. Now I have to decide if I have what it takes to chance finding someone new to love. No, not someone. Bill. If he doesn’t hate me for running away before I…we could figure out if there wassomething worth pursuing between us. There’s only one way to find out.


Chapter 19