Hotel owner and part-time musician Zeke Bandy is too busy for love. His plate is full running the historic Bandy Hotel and upholding his family’s tradition of offering refuge to strays and runaways. For fun two nights a week, Zeke also plays and sings traditional folk music with his rewritten gay lyrics at the Stonewall Saloon and for occasional celebrations. Then at a gay wedding, Zeke meets Victor Longbow, who just might be the man of his dreams. However, Vic isn’t looking for love either. In fact, because of his upbringing in a strict, white foster family, Vic’s not sure he believes in love. He’s in Stone Acres to open a branch office of a national brokerage firm. He also hopes to track down a vintage photo of what might be his Native American ancestor. After their paths cross, they become friends. Connected by their experiences as orphans raised by flawed fathers, Zeke and Vic wonder if their future could possibly hold love and family or if they are destined only to be lifelong friends.

Relative Best

“Don’t let him fall asleep,” I cautioned Letty. “And see if you can get his name and where he came from.”


Raynetta coughed. “I know who he is and where he’s from. He’s my nephew, Calvin.”


I looked down at her in surprise, only to be met with her belligerent stare. I rolled my eyes and nodded, which seemed to comfort her. Carefully, I rose from the bed. “Okay. Right. Keep him calm.” Then I bent to talk to the boy. “I’ll be right back with my friends Lloyd and Yarnell. Let’s see if your aunt can find you some clean pants before they get here, okay?”


At his slight nod and muttered thank-you, I walked into the hallway and called the sheriff. As a night of surprises went, this wasn’t exactly the one I had been praying for.  3


Lloyd and Yarnell arrived while I was talking to Raynetta, trying to get her to tell me in some coherent way what was going on.


Chapter 6