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

“I am talking too much,” Rolf said.


“No, no,” Neil reassured him. “I love hearing about you. Besides, I could listen to your accent all day. So tell me, how did you come to be here on the island?” Neil hoped to coax Rolf beyond his usual stopping point.


Rolf didn’t respond to Neil’s question. Instead he laughed and, with a poor imitation of Neil’s Texas drawl, teased, “Accent? What accent, y’all?”


They both laughed this time. Neil was pleased that Rolf was comfortable enough to make a joke at his expense. However, he was disappointed that Rolf seemed to continue to avoid explaining how he came to be the head farrier for Island Tours.


The restaurant wasn’t crowded as it was still early in the season. After finishing dinner, they felt free to sit and talk over coffee for the next hour. Admittedly, Neil did most of the talking, but Rolf did join in, and Neil picked up more about the man.


Chapter 25