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

When I asked him, his answer was quick and decisive: “No.”


“What? Why not? I want to take you out.”


“You don’t have to take me out to lunch.”


“No, I don’t. Especially if you’re going to be grumpy about it.” He hated when I agreed so easily with him.


“Nobody should have to pay for someone else to make food for me.” His frown looked adamant.


“That’s not the point. I want to take you out.”


He just shook his head. He was past grumpy and downright angry, and I had no clue why. It hit me that it might be something I’d said or done, but I couldn’t remember anything that had set him off. Then a worse thought hopped into my mind. Maybe he didn’t want to be seen with me other than at the saloon.


“Is it the hair, the piercing, or the tat?” I countered this time.


I’d caught him off guard. He looked completely nonplussed.


Chapter 25