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

“Shit!” I called out, slammed on the Mercedes brake, felt the vehicle rock. The metal beast spun to the left, spun to the right, and I listened to Jack at my side yell at the top of his voice, “Cheese and rice!”


The squirrel jumped into the woods to our right, quicker than lightning. As the Mercedes slid forward and eventually came to a stop, Jack looked over at me, patted my right arm with his left hand, and said, “Prepared for anything, huh?” Then he laughed more at me than with me.


Chapter 14