Three times burned, Br’er Harris swears off efforts to find love. He still has needs, though, which he satisfies by becoming a paid escort. Widower Ray Cunningham wants to explore the feelings of attraction to men he’s had most of his life but has kept hidden for fear of rejection from his ultra-conservative family. Ray doesn’t want a relationship with a man; he just wants to satisfy his urges with no-strings hook-ups. And the easiest way to achieve this is to hire an escort. Ray’s first encounter is with Br’er, and they’re instantly and powerfully drawn to each other. The attraction is so powerful and disturbing, each privately vows to never see the other again. However, their feelings will not be denied. Br’er accepts a second meeting, which leads to a third, then a fourth. Despite his previous history with relationships, Br’er knows Ray is the one for him. Unfortunately, Ray’s fear of being outed to his family keeps him from being able to offer more than clandestine meetings in out of town hotel rooms. Br’er says it’s enough, but Ray knows he deserves better. Ray is faced with a decision. Can he let Br’er go to find the love he deserves, or will he be able to throw open the closet door and live openly with the man he’s hardwired to love?

Hardwired for Love

For Br’er, the two weeks between Ray’s phone call and the day he was to pick Br’er up seemed more like two years. They’d chatted on the phone briefly a couple of times, but Br’er hadn’t been able to find out any more about the mysterious weekend or why Ray had decided to come out to Mazie.


When the big day arrived, Br’er paced the floor anxiously as the hour of Ray’s arrival approached.


“You’re gonna wear out your Nikes—or the rug—one or the other. Sit down. You’re tiring Mickey out,” Mazie said with a laugh.


The little dog had been following Br’er back and forth across the room for the last half-hour.


Br’er nervously sat on the edge of the couch, looking like a tiger about to pounce. He tapped the floor with his left foot and folded and unfolded his hands.


Ten minutes past the time Ray was supposed to arrive, Br’er had just asked, “What if he doesn’t show up?” when the doorbell rang.


Mickey ran to the door and began barking furiously.


Chapter 20