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

In that moment, a middle-aged Asian woman crested the rise just beyond where they stood, so Rusty forced himself to be still and say nothing. As the woman drew near, Nate visibly relaxed, working his jaw and taking a deep breath. He smiled kindly at the woman and nodded as she passed.


Rusty followed Nate’s example with a smile of his own. After the woman went by, he looked back toward Nate and found the ever-more-enigmatic man regarding him with an expression that certainly wasn’t contrition, but might have been resignation.


“Thanks,” Nate said, “for saving my clumsy butt.” He started walking forward on the trail once more as if nothing had happened.


Chapter 23