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

“Yeah. You and me. The Red World. Made from your pinkness and my brickness.” He opened our clasped hands so that they lay side by side.


“You can still study the Navajo people and what the tribe stands for,” I assured him.


He shrugged. “I guess. But I’d rather figure out what our Red World is and what it stands for.”


Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the waitress bouncing a little and looking frustrated.


“Let’s eat first, then we can figure out our new world,” I agreed and turned to order.  10


My mistress, in the form of a phone call from Jax, summoned me while we drove back to the hotel. Vic and I’d talked about taking the day off and driving around the foothills for a while, but I’d gotten itchy, like something was happening and I was needed. Jax’s call proved the accuracy of my premonition.


“I’m sorry to bother you, but I don’t know what to do.” Jax sounded miserable, which made me feel unhappy too.


Chapter 26