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

I stifled a yawn, and Vic settled back around me, shielding us from the barroom noise. It didn’t feel like he was making a move like it had before.


“Sorry about that.” I cleared my throat. What had gotten into Stone? I had to change the subject. “Can I ask you something?”


“You don’t act very Native American, considering how you look.”


His eyebrows shot up, and he grinned at me. “That was a question?”


“I don’t get it. I expected more of a…I don’t know…” I waved my hand like it would fill in the blank.


“More mumbo jumbo? More deep insight and cryptic sayings?” His grin had turned mocking.


Chapter 15