Eighteen years ago, Cole’s bigot father kicked him out of their Texas ranch for being gay, threatening to shoot him if he ever came back. Fortunately, Cole made his way north to the gay-friendly Seyda Ranch in Wyoming, where he eventually met Daniel. For the past six years, the two have been in a happy relationship with barely any contact with Cole’s family.<br><br>That is, until Cole’s father dies.<br><br>Though Cole won’t shed a single tear over his father’s passing, his siblings and their families invite him to the funeral so they can all be together for the first time in nearly two decades. With encouragement and support from Daniel, Cole accepts. The pair travel to the funeral together, but will Cole be able to face his past and move beyond the pain he left behind?

Cole in Distress

As Cole and Daniel readied themselves for bed, Jamison and Stella barely spoke to them. Stella asked if they needed any towels and Jamison briefly apologized for any embarrassment they might have suffered during dinner, and Cole’s answer to both of them was the same; “Don’t worry about it.”


There was one thing Cole wanted to say, and he got his chance when he came out from brushing his teeth to find Emmett waiting for his turn in the bathroom.


“Don’t tell your cousins, but as of today, you’re my favorite nephew.”


Cole carried the glee from Emmett’s smile into his dreamless sleep.5


Chapter 11