Kiwi Nathaniel Dunn is in a fighting mood, but how does a man fight Wellington’s famous fog? In the last year, Nate’s lost his longtime lover to boredom and his ten-year job to the economy. Now he’s found a golden opportunity for employment where he can even use his artistic talent, but to get the job, he has to get to Christchurch today. Heavy fog means no flight, and the ticket agent is ignoring him to fawn over a beautiful but annoying, overly polite American man.<br><br>Rusty Beaumont can deal with a canceled flight, but the pushy Kiwi at the ticket counter is making it difficult for him to stay cool. The guy rubs him all the wrong ways despite his sexy working-man look, which Rusty notices even though he’s not looking for a man to replace the fiancé who died two years ago. Yet when they’re forced to share a table at the crowded airport café, Nate reveals the kind heart behind his grumpy fa?ade. An earthquake, sex in the bush, and visits from Nate’s belligerent ex turn a day of sightseeing into a slippery slope that just might land them in love.

Sunset at Pencarrow

“Yeah, my mom, Vietnamese Buddhist. Definitely has some interesting perspectives.” After a pause, he asked, “You okay?”


“Here, try this.” Rusty dug a tube of bug repellent cream out of his pocket and tossed it to Nate.


“Thanks,” Nate said, catching it easily.


“As they say, you can take the man out of the Marines, but you can’t take the Marine out of the man. I’m still in the habit of being prepared.” Rusty laughed. “That stuff should help, anyway.” After Nate applied the cream, Rusty said, “Sorry I didn’t offer it to you earlier. Insects don’t seem to like me much, so I didn’t think of it.”


They walked on along Cattle Ridge Track and soon entered the forested section. Beautiful and unique in a whole different way from the vistas earlier on, and safer terrain for letting the mind wander, so Nate did, and his thoughts went straight to Rusty Beaumont.


Chapter 22