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

“Okay, so you’ve got at least two job options,” Bill replied. “Not that I’m holding out much hope for you here in town, but you could check out the Corner Bar, and Frank’s gas station. There’s also the ski resort. They have some bars.”


“What resort doesn’t?” Erik said. “It would be a hell of a commute, though.”


“Yeah, especially at this time of year. One positive, the county does clear the highway as fast as possible after a storm.”


“I’ll start looking here, in the morning. Maybe I’ll get lucky.”


They finished supper, and then Erik did the dishes, which had become a habit when he ate at Bill’s place. When he finished, they put on their winter gear and took War for his evening walk. They stayed in the street, since it was plowed and some of the sidewalks still needed to be shoveled.


“Now there’s something I could do,” Erik said at one point. “Go from door to door, offering to take care of the walks for a reasonable price. It would be one way to pick up some spare change.”


Chapter 24