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

“I know. You’re a pussy cat at heart. I knew you’d see some good in Mickey, eventually.”


“I’d never want anything to happen that would upset Violet.”


I decided silence was better, though being me, I couldn’t hold out long. “Mickey’s parents are going to be there.”


“They’re not, um, thrilled about me and him…getting back together.”


Pops huffed. “Seems to me all parents should want is for their kid to be happy.”


Pops looked over and straightened my hat. “Hat looks better on you.”


At the first rest stop, a Dunkin Donuts as good a place as any, we checked on the horses, gave them some water, scarfed down some apples, and worked the kinks out of our leg muscles, even though Pops and I, Mickey, now, too, were all used to being in our vehicles way longer than ninety minutes at a stretch.


“I wanna ride in the truck!” Violet announced as we prepared to get back on the road.


Chapter 35