This winter finds Kemp Trumble in a pickle along Lake Erie as he attempts to seek out some quiet time to finish writing his next best-selling thriller. Not only does he think the lumberjack next door is loud and annoying, but he also believes the stud alluring, a heavy distraction, and sexy.<br><br>Kemp purposely tries to keep his distance from Jack Manwood, knowing they rub each other the wrong way. To no avail, Kemp seems to constantly run into Jack. No matter how much Kemp steers clear of the hot neighbor, Jack is always around, here and there, everywhere.<br><br>Unpredictably, these two different men, one from the back woods and one from the city, find common ground: drinks at Timbers, manly hugs, and the annual Lumberjack Competition, which they both attend. But are Kemp and Jack's similarities strong enough to escalate their friendly relationship into boyfriendhood? Or will they remain separated by miles of lumber and broken hearts?

Lumberjack

Jack and I were not meant to be friends, or neighbors. Maybe enemies. I thought it best that I stayed on my aunt’s property and he stayed on his property, distanced from each other. Lumberjacks were far too testy, bullying, and irritable, I had learned. They didn’t like when lines were crossed. No surprise.


Could two adult men from different backgrounds be polite neighbors to each other? Perhaps. Could such an arrangement be discovered between the pairing, lumberjack versus City Guy, as he called me? I doubted that occurring. To be honest, I decided to stay away from the man next door, keeping clear of him and minding my own business. Better to leave an angry blond be than to poke him, right? Right. Or so I believed.


Chapter 6