Julian Junk was often teased about his last name and his father's occupation as a garbageman. Mackensie Keller grew up privileged and spoiled. As teens, Junk and Mickey make plans for their future, but when Mickey is sent off to boarding school, he tells Junk their parents are probably right -- they just don't belong together.<br><br>Back in town ten years later, Mickey is all grown up. He and Junk reconnect as adults, but so much was said, and so much has changed. Though he asks for forgiveness, which Junk grants, though old romantic feelings are quickly rekindled, Mickey is reluctant to bring a new man into his young daughter's life after his last relationship's failure. He's also harboring a secret, one that threatens to spoil upcoming Thanksgiving plans.<br><br>Once Junk discovers the source of Mickey's dilemma, he devises a crafty plan to make everything right. Will it work out? Will Mickey accept his help, and can the two of them make a go of it with so much stacked against them?

One Man's Junk

“He won’t hurt you,” Mackensie promised.


Mickey smiled. “Not if you were steering.”


“Is that why we’ve never ridden together?”


“We have fifteen hundred more houses to stop at, Julian. You can’t jabber at all of them.”


“Sorry.” I rolled my eyes for Mickey—Mackensie—whatever. Knowing the number Pops had chosen wasn’t random hyperbole, “Sorry,” I said it twice.


“No. I get it,” Mickey said. “I was just going to ask a favor. The jack-o-lanterns…?”


There were four of them, four that were carved, plus another ten or more gourds and pumpkins of various sizes scattered among and around them. Pops and I had one pumpkin on our porch. Rich people were into excess, apparently.


“Next week,” Mickey started, “I, uh, told Violet she could throw them into the back of the truck herself…to say goodbye. I know I should have—”


“No problem. I’ll remember,” I told him.


Chapter 4