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

“You feel the differences in our ages do not matter. That may be. But I am even older than I was then, but you are the same age as Hans was. Now the difference between us is even greater than it was with Hans. So, I think it would be better if we didn’t—”


Emboldened by Rolf’s coming to see him, hoping it meant whatever Rolf was feeling for him could be reached, Neil interrupted him.”


How would it be better?” he asked, while at the same time walking toward Rolf. “Better for you to live a life alone, not taking a chance on happiness? Better for me to have found someone who may become very special to me, only to have him deny what we might mean to each other?” Neil now stood directly in front of him. He placed both hands on Rolf’s broad shoulders. “Please, Rolf, don’t push me away. All I ask is that you give us a chance to find out what might be.”


Chapter 31