by Lissa Kasey
Nate hurried away, his heart hurting a lot at the idea of Jamie still in pain. He practically ran to the vet’s office, not realizing until he got to the door that they were normally closed on Sundays.
He knocked anyway. The door opened and Jen smiled at him, letting him in.
“I’m sorry,” Nate said immediately. “I didn’t realize you were closed. I just wanted to check on Luna.”
Jen knelt and gave Harry a treat. Harry did a little happy goat dance that made Nate laugh. It was a sort of sideways bounce that he’d never seen another animal do. “You’re such a dork,” Nate told the goat.
“You have a great laugh,” Jen said standing back up. She looked tired. “Luna is okay. She’ll recover. It will take some time, but I think she’ll be okay. The doc will probably ask Jamie about fostering her in a few weeks.”
“What about Jordan?” Nate asked. “Do you know anything?”
Jen shook her head. “Other than he was taken to the mainland, I don’t know. Our hospital isn’t equipped for a case as bad as his.”
“I hope he gets better,” Nate said, worried about the man. “He seemed nice. Sad.” Defeated, lost, alone, and heartbroken, much like Nate had felt most of his life. “He took good care of Luna. He loved her so much.”
“There’s an area of tiny homes for veterans on the island that just got started. I think they finished the build of their first home. I know Charlie was talking about getting Jordan into the program once he recovered,” Jen said.
If he recovered, Nate thought. Jordan had been in bad shape. Likely septic. If the doctors could save his leg, Nate would have been surprised. His medical OCD had taught him a lot about medicine. But magic wasn’t one of those things.
“Charlie might know more, but I think everyone involved in the rescue is sleeping still,” Jen told him.
“Except you.”
She smiled. “I’m on clinic duty. Someone has to watch all the babies. There’s a cot in the back. I was just doing rounds and I’m going to lie down for another nap. Wanted to keep close to Luna and watch her vitals for a while. She was touch and go for a bit.”
“But she’s doing good now,” Nate affirmed.
“Better,” Jen agreed. “She’s strong. Was well loved.”
Nate nodded, happy that something seemed to be going well. The door opened behind them and Jamie stood there. He didn’t look upset or angry, for which Nate was grateful. He gave Jen a smile and offered her his hand. Very formal, Nate noticed, but let it go. Jamie was very polite and respectful to everyone. There was nothing wrong with that. Likely it had come from years of being a good cop and now a ranger.
Nate made his way back to Jamie’s side, nestling into Jamie’s shoulder as Jen gave Jamie all the facts. Not just the glaze-over she’d given Nate, but information about fractures, incisions, and healing times. Things Jamie would probably have to know to foster Luna back to health. Nate hoped they could get Jordan and Luna back together eventually. He remembered how heartbroken Jordan had seemed when they both thought Luna was dying in the tent with them.
“Ready?” Jamie asked Nate. When had Nate tuned out? He glanced up at Jamie.
“Sure. Is the little dance monster ready?” He tugged at Harry’s harness and the little goat did a happy little jig before heading for the door. “Guess so.”
Jen laughed. “Talk to you guys soon,” she said.
Jamie led Nate out the door. “I want to stop at Troy’s aunt’s house before we head home,” he said. “It’s not far.”
“Okay,” Nate agreed. “Is Troy okay?” Was Jamie okay? “Did Hank…”
“Not even worth discussing,” Jamie said, brushing off his father-in-law. “Troy hasn’t been to work. I thought I’d check in with his aunt. He lives with her. Make sure he’s okay.”
Now Nate worried about Troy. Maybe he hadn’t just blown off their date. “I hope he didn’t get hurt because of me.”
Jamie frowned down at Nate. “You are not the sole cause for all bad that happens in the world.”
“But…”
Jamie shook his head. “That is not your superpower. Try again.”
“Superpower?” Nate wondered out loud as he followed Jamie down the street a little farther into an area lined with residential homes.
“Your superpower is to worry about a million things in two point one seconds,” Jamie said.
That was true. “Kind of a sucky superpower.”
Jamie shrugged. “We all have something. I think it helps you prepare for possibilities that most of us can’t see. Which again, is not always a good thing, but can sometimes be helpful.”
“What’s yours?”
“Rescues.”
“See, you are a hero.”
Jamie stopped and pulled Nate into a fierce hug. “Can’t rescue myself though.”
“Why would you need to be rescued?” Nate asked. He realized then that Jamie was crying. Nate wrapped his arms around Jamie and squeezed him tight, not caring if the whole town watched them stand in the middle of the road.
“I’m sorry,” Nate whispered. This wasn’t about him, he knew. It was about renewed pain from a loss that would never fully heal. “I’m sorry about Dana. Sorry her dad is a jerk. Sorry you lost her.”
“I’m glad I have you,” Jamie said, wiping at his eyes. “Lived in the dark for a long time. Little things making me feel alive. The animals, time talking to you online, but it never lasted long. Then you got sick and all I had was the animals. It wasn’t enough. I was drowning.” He let out a long sigh and pulled away enough to look at Nate. “You being here has rescued me. You get that, right? I love coming home to find you there. Waking up with you in my arms, even when you pretend to be asleep, but I know you’re awake. I love showing you the island and watching it wow you. I love seeing you laugh over Harry and play with the dogs or cuddle the cats. My heart has finally unthawed.” He looked thoughtful. “I might have to take another look at my book. See if I can fix the flow.” He let out a long sigh. “If you weren’t here, I’m not sure I could handle losing Tuck.”
“He’s still here,” Nate reminded Jamie. “We’re going to love him like mad while he’s here.”
Jamie nodded, tears still sliding down his cheeks. “Meanwhile, you’re writing the next epic fantasy novel.”
Nate nodded. “More like a gay romance science fiction novel.”
“Sounds great to me. Now let’s see Troy’s aunt, then we can go home and cuddle with the babies. Maybe even Harry can come in and play. Not sure how your cats will like that, but with winter coming it’s better that they get used to him now.” Jamie took Nate’s hand and they headed back down the street.
The house was small and cute. A ranch style on a small lot. They walked up to the door and Jamie knocked. It took a little over a minute for an Asian woman to answer the door.
“Officer McKendal,” she greeted. “I guess you’re not an officer anymore. Ranger or something, right?”
“Ma’am,” Jamie nodded to her. “This is Nate. We’re both friends of Troy and haven’t heard from him in a few days.”
“We wanted to make sure he’s okay,” Nate said.
She frowned and looked away. “He’ll be alright.”
Her answer made it sound like something was wrong. “Does he need help?” Jamie asked.
“He’s getting the help he needs,” his aunt stated. “He’s on the mainland. Will probably be back in a few weeks.”
“Can we see him?” Nate asked, now really worried about Troy. Just what had happened? He’d seemed like a very bubbly, happy kind of guy. Had he been injured?
“Not right now. He needs time.”
“We understand,” Jamie said. “Thank you, ma’am. If you speak to him, please let him know we’re thinking of him.”
The woman nodded and Jamie tugged Nate away. They walked a few blocks in silence. “I’m worried,” Nate finally told Jamie.
“I know,” Jamie said.
“You aren’t?”
“Not really. She says he’s getting help. That’s important. Whatever is wrong he’s getting help.”
True.
“He should have his friends with him.”
“Maybe he’s not ready for that.” Jamie pulled Nate into a hug, kissed his hair, and let him go again. “Some people take a little prodding.”
Nate threw Jamie a chagrined smile. “I was trying to save you from drama.”
Jamie put his hand over his heart. “Oh, the horror, drama queen that you are.”
“He’s the drama queen,” Nate pointed at Harry who was flouncing up to everyone they passed for pets and jumping dances of joy.
“True. You’re in good company.”
“Jerk.”
“Yep.”
Nate smiled and took Jamie’s hand again as they headed home. “I think this evening is a good day for movies and cat cuddles.”
“And you should work on your book.”
“I do have the first half written.” Some of the events of the past few days had inspired Nate for some upcoming scenes. He could work on his book and sit with Jamie while he watched a movie. If the rest of his life followed that pattern, he was okay with that.
Epilogue
Nate had never been so nervous as when he’d hit the release button on Amazon. His completed book, honed with the help of the writing group and Jamie, made its debut on Amazon. Nate had to turn the computer off instead of watching for sales. Too much anxiety.
He ran his fingers down the top of the print cover of the samples he’d ordered. Jamie appeared and set down a plate of food, including a special cupcake from the bakery. “Congrats. You’re officially a published author.”
Nate grinned. “You are too! Your book has been doing really well.”
Jamie had taken a second look at his book, added to it, and let Nate help him sort out the rough edges. It was a nonfiction guide on healing. A real-world perspective that Nate was proud to be a part of. It was by no means a best seller, but it had done well and could now be found in every gift shop on the island.
Nate’s book, which featured a few explicit sex scenes between a human and an alien-humanoid culture, featured a racy cover of a shirtless man, and therefore was only going to be displayed in the local bookstore.
“Bastian dropped this off for you,” Jamie said, handing Nate a shoebox.
Nate took it and opened it. Inside was a spread of white wings. Angel wings. He took them out of the box. There was a transparent type of harness attached to them.
“Little small for you,” Jamie joked.
Nate opened the little card tucked in the side of the box. It read: For your goth angel. Wasn’t sure if they were supposed to be black or white, so I made a set of each. -Bastian.
Nate pulled up the tissue paper beneath the first set of wings to find the second set. “That guy is so creative.” Now Nate would have to decide which set Kael, his goth angel doll, would wear. “Kael’s wings are white in the book,” Nate said.
“Maybe they can change color?” Jamie said. “Black wings are cool.”
Nate tapped the top of his notebook with his pen, before flipping it open to a page to write. “Good idea.” He had to start crafting the sequel anyway.
“Hey, we’re celebrating, not working,” Jamie protested.
“I can do both.” Nate picked up his cupcake, planning to eat it first. Harry whined at him. Nate raised a brow at the little goat who had been snuggled up with Tuck all day. “Not for you. Mine.”
Jamie laughed. He got up and nearly tripped over AJ who had also come to see what Nate had.
“A bunch of scavengers,” Jamie said.
“Let Harry out to play with Luna,” Nate advised. “He loves bouncing around her.”
Jamie opened the backdoor, and Harry raced out into the yard. Tuck appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, drooling and looking haggard, but let out a loud “merow.”
“I hear you, little man. You need snuggles. I’m on top of it.” Jamie scooped up the old cat. Tuck’s tumors were sizable, but he was still eating and drinking okay. The steroids had given him time. They even had a few days here or there when Tuck acted like a kitten, chasing his tail or running from one end of the house to the other.
Jamie sat down beside Nate, Tuck in his arms, purring like a motorboat as Jamie petted him. Nate reached out to deliver scratches to Tuck’s ears. “Sing us the song of your people,” Nate instructed.
“He’s got us so trained,” Jamie said. “One meow and we come running.”
“Living the catster life.”
Jamie laughed. “Now who’s the dork?
Nate pointed to the screened backdoor, which had the glass coating pulled down since winter had arrived. Harry bounced around the backyard, leaping over Luna who looked thrilled to have someone with so much energy to play with. They’d have to call them in soon. While it wasn’t too horribly cold and there was no snow, Luna’s bones ached from the cold and she got stiff after spending too much time outside. “He’s the dork.”
“At least he’s in good company,” Jamie said. He made a goofy face, crossing his eyes and sticking his tongue out.
“Ah!” Nate cried, laughing hard. He leaned forward and gave Jamie a kiss. Tuck protested, so Nate gave him a kiss on the head. “Love you too, little man.”
About the Author
Lissa Kasey is more than just romance. She specializes in in-depth characters, detailed world building, and twisting plots to keep you clinging to the page. All stories have a side of romance, emotionally messed up protagonists and feature LGBTQA spectrum characters facing real world problems no matter how fictional the story.
Also by Lissa Kasey
Also, if you like Lissa Kasey’s writing, check out her other works:
Survivors Find Love:
Painting with Fire
Charlie “Wood Chuck” Fox knows his best friend and fellow wildfire firefighter Jessie Row had a major family break up in her past. Charlie has adopted her into his heart and into his huge family and when Jessie gets word her mother has passed away, Charlie fears returning home is going to tear her up.
* * *
Bastian Hart’s choice of career as a doll painter has put him at odds with his family. He’s made a sanctuary for himself on the San Juan Island of Friday Harbor, an hour away from his family. He welcomes his aunt Jessie and her friend Charlie into his house as they all prepare for the upcoming funeral. Charlie and Bastian discover a spark of smoldering fire igniting between them, but Charlie is unwilling to push and Bastian hesitant to trust.
* * *
They will have to wade through pain, hate, and fear to find their future together.
An Arresting Ride
Graham Church began career as a police officer with a case so gruesome it sent many officers into early retirement. That day he helped save the lives of children and began a long crusade of protecting the residents of Friday Harbor from the worst of humanity. But brutal car accidents and the discovery of a dog fighting ring have taken their toll on Graham. Returning to an over-crowded apartment where his room is a closet, and working sixteen-hour shifts, have left him emotionally exhausted and in need of a quiet place to call home.
* * *
Jason Wullcot is a horse breeder and a mystery to the island he lives on, but is in need of a roommate for human contact. His therapist recommends Graham Church, who also happens to have a "white knight" syndrome. When Graham discovers his new roommate was one of the children he helped save twelve-years prior, Graham’s need to protect and save kicks into high gear. Only Jason has no interest in being saved. In fact, Graham realizes that Jason may not be the one in need of saving at all, but maybe, just maybe they can fill the broken pieces of each other.
Kitsune Chronicles:
Witchblood
Inheritance Series:
Inheritance (Dominion 1)
Reclamation (Dominion 2)
Conviction (Dominion 3)
Ascendance (Dominion 4)
Hi
dden Gem Series:
Hidden Gem (Hidden Gem 1)
Cardinal Sins (Hidden Gem 2)
Candy Land (Hidden Gem 3)
Haven Investigations Series:
Model Citizen (Haven Investigations 1)
Model Bodyguard (Haven Investigations 2)
Model Investigator (Haven Investigations 3)
Model Exposure (Haven Investigations 4)
Evolution Series:
Evolution
Evolution: Genesis
Under the pen name Sam Kadence
* * *
Vocal Growth Series:
On the Right Track (Vocal Growth 1)
Unicorns and Rainbow Poop (Vocal Growth 2)
Contents
Facts about Mental Health
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21