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

“There once was a time,” Max said, “when a gay couple would walk in here and people stared. Now look at them. They don’t even bat an eye.”


We glanced at the tables of men in their chambray shirts and denim pants either animatedly talking or silently nursing cups and staring off into space. No one seemed particularly interested in our little corner of the café.


“A few times I came in here, I thought I’d be leaving feet first.” Fredi bounced next to Max, bending to stare at Max’s slight smirk. “Don’t you tell me I’m wrong. I even had to defend myself a couple of times when we were courting. It was that scary.”


Max looked down at him with a twinkle in his eyes. “Oh, hush. You were always safe with me.”


Fredi gave an indignant humph and turned to me.


“Are you sheltering that boy? The one who was at Stonewall last night?” Before I could answer, he looked up at Max. “How could Guy let the boy in? He’s underage.”


“No, Stone’s legal,” Max answered, and Fredi swatted him.


Chapter 17