Fourteen years ago, on the banks of Craving’s Creek, Ryde swore to his best friend Alistair he’d never be alone in the world. Though Alistair was destined for the priesthood, there was something beyond holy about the first kiss they shared. But a fun camping trip went horribly wrong when Alistair was involved in a horrific incident. Now, at age thirty-one, Ryde’s life is a mess of alcohol and the painful imprint of his last look into Alistair’s desperate eyes. Since the evil they encountered on that shore, his first love has been lost to him ... until he learns a friend’s wedding is to be officiated by a priest named Father Alistair Genet. Amid the rush of emotions, one thought crystallizes: Ryde’s love for Alistair has never died. It’s stronger than ever. But can it win over the repressed memories slowly tearing Alistair’s mind apart?

Craving's Creek

“What are you gonna make with that?”


I wave him off. “Why don’t you go clean up and let me handle dinner?” I rummage through the cabinets, hoping to find the other ingredients I need. I look over at him. “Your hair is full of resin.”


He runs his hand through his blond hair and hesitates. “Father Masson will be home and—”


“I’ll make enough for him.” I know this is a lot for Alistair to deal with, but we can do this. We can have dinner together with no major incident. It’s just dinner. People do it every day. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to join us,” I add. “And it’s the holidays, right?”


“I suppose that could be all right,” he says, standing. “I’ll…I’ll go take a shower.”


I remember the curve of his smooth butt. The fine blond down below his navel. I pour myself a glass of water. I need to keep myself in check. “Okay,” I say, turning my back to him.


Chapter 52