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 thought it was weird that Vic didn’t know the difference between a rifle and a shotgun. Maybe that was part of being a city guy? The better I got to know him, the more I understood how he was right about his heritage. In this case, being of Native American descent didn’t automatically mean he knew anything about guns.


Vic guided the table discussion, and I sat back, ate, and relaxed a little. It was like we’d crossed some bridge and were now a couple. The strangeness of the day had bled over to our odd relationship.


After dinner he and I walked to Stonewall in silence, side by side, not touching physically but rather connected through our pheromones. I could feel his concern like it was a hug enveloping me in a warm, comforting blanket. Instead of questioning, I cuddled in it until we separated as I went backstage.


Chapter 19