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

“Okay. So much for sensual seduction.”


“No. It was hot. You’re hot and I…How about another candy cane?” When Mickey reached into my pocket, my coveralls fell to the ground. “Junk.” The way he said it that time, I felt it in mine.


Without words, Mickey rushed me. Good thing there was a tree behind us, otherwise, I’d have fallen to the ground. As it was, I stumbled over all the cotton duck fabric at my ankles.


“Had I known seeing me in my underwear would bring that about…”


“It’s not your underwear, Junk.” Mickey touched my face. “It’s you…everything about you, your eyes, your mouth.” He kissed me there. “Your sense of humor, your compassion, your voice, your smell, your…This has been a long time coming.”


“This…this something,” Mickey said.


“What kind of something?” I asked him.


“The kind of something that feels like…like what I always wanted, too.”


Chapter 23