Recent graduate Dr. Fenton Miller takes December off to decide which job offer to accept. Then he meets his landlord, sous chef John Barton. Suddenly, thinking about his career becomes his last priority. A better option might be a month-long roll between the sheets with John. While John is attracted to Fen and might even agree to his plan, John has got more pressing matters to worry about. His past has arrived in tiny Stone Acres from San Francisco and is intent on sucking him back into a life he hated. Promising to help John and shelter him if necessary, Fen finds he's also being threatened by a homophobic father who doesn't find Fen as entertaining as his kids do. As they wade through their problems during the happiest time of the year, Fen and John rely more and more on each other for happiness.

Short Order

Her face turned livid. “What did I tell you about saying that?”


“Oh, uh, yeah, I am gay,” I assured her.


The little guy looked up at me, his eyelashes crusted with tears and his nose dripping.


“You’re gay like Santa’s elves,” he said. He seemed glad to hear I understood. “Mommy says gay means happy.”


His brother hit him. “Don’t. We’re already in trouble.”


I looked down at them and smiled. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m happy being gay like Santa’s elves. It’s a good way to be. Maybe you’ll be as happy as I am when you grow up too.”


The mother, whose name I didn’t know, smiled, then started laughing.


The ringleader looked at his brother. “See? He made mommy happy too.”


She and I laughed while the boys and Ricky gave us puzzled stares. Over her shoulder I saw John standing stock-still, a look of horror on his face. When our eyes met, I winked at him. He backed up a step like he didn’t know me. Or maybe he refused to get involved. I didn’t blame him


Chapter 15