Wren is a hardworking archaeologist on his first vacation in years. While he’s tempted to look for ancient artifacts, this is Maui and he needs to focus on taking it easy. So it’s off to the beach to relax. There Wren dives into trouble, literally. Luckily, the backward roll and breathing techniques he learned studying Ninjutsu saves his life, because the shore break called Satan’s Washing Machine grinds him up and spits him out, temporarily blinded and badly battered. A karate dojo owner named Steven takes him to a doctor, a pharmacy, and then back to the beach, only to find Wren’s car and all his belongings have been stolen. So Steven invites him home instead. Will their mutual love of martial arts lead to other a deeper relationship? Or will their shared desire for humbleness and respect for others keep them from falling in love?

Beyond Black Belt

“Don’t choke on that cookie,” I said smiling, and I took his hand. “I don’t want to marry a dead man. Oh, God, I mean, yes, I’ll marry you, I mean. Will you? Would you? You would?” Now it was my turn to stuff half a cookie in my mouth in confusion.


“Isn’t one of us supposed to be on one knee?” Steven asked.


“I don’t know. I’ve never proposed to anyone before. Is there a precedent? I never did get my copy of the How to Be Gay handbook. Did you get one?”


Steven said, “All I got was the no son of mine lecture and the don’t let the door hit you on the ass on your way out speech.”


“Me, too. Another thing we have in common. I think we were made for each other.”


“I’ll need to test drive you again to be sure…”


“Skip the rest of the abandoned church tour and go home?”


“Can’t test drive at the beach. I didn’t bring any—protection.”


Chapter 15