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

Chess asked Jack, “What do you do for a living?”


“I’m a divisional manager of environmental safety at Lewis-Clark Contractors.”


“Which means what? That’s too many words. Explain yourself,” Chess inquired.


“I make sure that Lewis-Clark use environmentally-safe and -friendly construction supplies to recycle and build with. Lewis-Clark works with Houses for Humanity. We build homes for the homeless, vets, and families in need after environmental tragedies like flooding, blizzards, and tornadoes.”


“So you pound things together?” Chess sneered, glowing. Then he laughed at his own sexual innuendo.


“Jack!” I barked. “It’s time for you to leave!”


Chess didn’t help and inquired, “You’re a Lorax and cut down all the trees?”


Jack shook his head. “The company I work for excavates already fallen trees. Usually from tornadoes in this area. Then we build with the product.”


Chapter 10