One morning before work, Alan Travers accidentally bumps into Detective Jim Garrison at a cafe where both men stop for coffee. The handsome younger man interests Alan, but he misses his chance to get to know the detective better and wonders if he'll get another.<br><br>With the help of his nephew Bryce, Alan concocts a plan to try and get Jim's attention "accidentally on purpose." It works, but as things heat up between them, Alan worries what Jim will think if he finds out their getting together was no accident.<br><br>Then Bryce goes missing, and Alan's going to have to come clean. But is he the only one not being truthful?

Accidentally On Purpose

Let’s give this another go, shall we?


“So,” Alan says, blowing on his tea so he can take a sip. “How’s tricks tonight?”


That earns him a laugh. Jim winces as he samples his coffee, then sets it down to let it cool. “Oh, you know. This isn’t exactly New York City. When I’m not on a case, I’m out at the mall enforcing curfew.” He gives Alan a pointed look.


Alan sips at his tea. “Brooks is a good boy. Really he is. A lot of it is he misses his mother.”


Jim arches his eyebrows. “Where is she?”


With a dismissive wave, Alan says, “Afghanistan. Deployed. She’s in the Army.”


Jim’s gaze drops to Alan’s hands. “I didn’t know you were married.”


“What? No, I’m not.” Alan frowns at him. “Why would you think I was?”


For a moment, Alan isn’t sure what Jim’s talking about. Then it hits him and he laughs. “You mean Brooks? No, mate, he’s my nephew. He stays with me while my sister’s overseas.”


Is it just him, or does Jim’s smile widen a little at the news?


Chapter 4