Neil Logan, recently graduated equine veterinarian, always felt he’d know when he found the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Unfortunately, though Neil cares deeply for him, his college roommate Jordan is not that man. Neil takes a summer position far from home, foolishly thinking time and distance will cool Jordan’s feelings for him, and they can both move on.<br><br>Neil’s job is on an island attractive to tourists. There, horses are the sole mode of transportation, and Rolf Gundersen is the head farrier. Neil is immediately attracted to the handsome, mature man, and starts to believe Rolf might be the one for him. Frustratingly, despite Neil’s best efforts, Rolf seems determined to avoid him.<br><br>When Neil discovers the reason for Rolf’s aloofness, he’s able to forge a relationship with the farrier. Can Rolf and Neil find happiness in their newfound love, or will Jordan continue to be a factor in Neil’s life, possibly undermining Neil’s efforts to win Rolf over?

Once Upon an Island

Neil sighed. “You’re right but—to be honest, I’m about as afraid of him as he seemed to be of me.”


What Neil didn’t reveal to Kip was the source of his fear—why being near the man engendered these strange feelings.


Over the next few days, opportunities to confront Rolf were far and few between. Rolf continued his practice of interacting with Neil as little as possible. When they did work together it was in the presence of so many others that a conversation about sensitive topics was unwise. There were a number of occasions when Neil was alone with Rolf, but at those times it was Neil who lost his nerve and remained silent.


Finally, one day just at sunset, another chance to speak privately with Rolf presented itself. Neil came into the stable to check on a horse he’d treated earlier in the day for an abscessed hoof. When he reached the horse’s stall the tour driver responsible for the horse’s care was there.


Chapter 18