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

“Here.” I ignored Mickey’s worry, too, and handed him a gift wrapped box. I’d noticed him eyeing the rather large package during the song, since I’d first picked him up fifteen minutes earlier, in fact. “Merry Christmas.”


“Once Santa makes it to Macy’s, it’s the start of the Christmas season. Besides, I…I might not see you on Christmas.”


“There’s no school on Christmas, dorko.”


“I won’t see you there after Christmas.”


When I touched Mickey’s hand again, he lowered his head. “Yeah. I almost forgot about that.”


There was no point in thinking about January right then. “Here. Take it.” I poked him with the corner of the box, getting back a grunt, but then a smile, as I knew he was ticklish there at his ribcage. “I can’t wait. Open it.”


Mickey tore into the dancing reindeer wrapping paper, like he couldn’t wait, either. “A clock.”


Chapter 7