When his snobbish future in-laws travel all the way from Boston to visit, wise-cracking Southerner Wiley Cantrell learns gay marriage is not without its disadvantages. He’s preoccupied by concerns over the health of his special needs son Noah, a meth baby who was not expected to live yet is now on the cusp of puberty, and the antics of Wiley's outrageous would-be mother-in-law and severely conservative father-in-law strain his relationship with Jackson Ledbetter, a pediatric nurse who poses problems of his own. As their respective families meet and greet, each just as meddlesome and inflexible as the other, North meets South and the fireworks and cultural misunderstandings are plenty.<br><br>Then a tornado blows through the small Mississippi town where Wiley's mother lives, wrecking his mother's house and leaving their lives in disarray. And Jackson's secret drug addiction comes to light, devastating Wiley and Noah. With so many stones in the road, Wiley and Jackson find their dream of becoming a real family falling apart. Though Wiley relies on humor to cope, he'll need something more to keep his happily ever after from slipping away.

Stones in the Road

Come on, I said at last. Let’s go skinny-dipping before it gets too dark. You ready?


No, I said. Nothing is really safe. But lots of people do it, and they’re fine, and we’ll be fine too.


Don’t be scared. We have to learn to not be afraid anymore. Daddy’s here and Daddy will always be here, and I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. Do you believe me?


I removed my shorts and began to wade into the water. I turned to look at him as warm Atlantic water washed about my knees and splashed up my backside.


He looked around, suddenly nervous. He took a few steps.


Come on, sweetie,I encouraged him. You’ll be fine. We’re going to be fine.


Chapter 106