Borrowed Heart

by Andrew Grey

  They were met by Johan’s parents. His dad tossed Johan the keys to his Mercedes and told him to take their car instead, since it would be more comfortable. “We will meet them here.”

  “I have special lunch planned,” Johan’s mom explained.

  Robin hugged her. Greta had become a second mother to him. He loved her almost as much as his own. He and Fritz shared a love of fishing, and Fritz even showed Robin some of his favorites brooks for trout.

  “Louisa is coming too.” Marta was away at Princeton but would be home in a few months.

  “Thank you.” He loved how they had made him feel welcome, and they seemed to be extending those same feelings to his parents. “We have to go.”

  Robin got into the passenger seat of the plush, comfortable car, and Johan drove them to the Autobahn, opening the car up. They sailed at speeds unheard of in the US to the outskirts of Frankfurt, where they encountered traffic at the turnoff for the airport. Robin grew more nervous as they got out of the car and walked into the terminal, where they would meet Robin’s parents once they landed and went through passport control and customs. According to the information board, the plane had landed twenty minutes earlier, so they would be coming out at any time.

  “There they are,” Johan said five minutes later, and Robin hurried over to hug his mom and then his dad.

  “You’re here!”

  “You look wonderful,” his mother said, holding his hands and taking a step back. “Whatever you’re doing here agrees with you.”

  “I I work from home most days, and Johan and I meet for lunch. He’s helping his family with the restaurant, and I’m working with Albert to set up the tours for this summer. All of them are full, and we are adding one or two more to handle the demand.”

  Oliver, it seemed, had a huge circle of friends, and they had gotten the word out. Bookings had been coming in for months.

  “I love it here, Mom.”

  “Son,” his dad said, and Robin hugged him again. “It’s so good to see you.”

  “I’m glad you could get away.” This was the first vacation his parents had taken in years.

  “Your brother has been taking over more and more, so we decided that he can handle things for a couple of weeks.” Dad leaned closer. “I think he’s happy to have us out of the way for a while.”

  “Come on. Let’s get you to the car. We need to get back. Greta has lunch planned for you, and then you can rest after the long flight.” He took his mother’s bag, and Johan took his dad’s, and they walked out to the car. On the drive back, they talked a little but mostly let his parents rest in back.

  After Johan pulled to a stop outside what was now Robin’s home, they helped get his parents’ things to their room.

  “Mom said lunch will be ready in half an hour.”

  Robin and Johan left his parents in their room and went to the living room. They sat on the sofa together, and Schnitzel took possession of Johan’s lap.

  “Do you miss home?” Johan asked quietly.

  Robin thought for a second and shook his head. “This is home. Mom and Dad live in the States, but Würzburg is home. You are home, and I don’t regret a thing. Yes, I wish I could see my mom and dad more often, but in the end, you are everything this borrowed heart of mine could ever want.”

  Johan touched his chin, meeting Robin’s gaze. “The time you got from the transplant may have been borrowed, but the heart, your heart, that’s all you.”

  More from Andrew Grey

  How can heartbreak turn into happily ever after?

  Tommy Gordon is all set for happily ever after—until heartbreak strikes when his husband-to-be leaves him at the altar. In a bid for distraction, his best friend, Grayson Phillips, suggests he takes advantage of the luxury honeymoon anyway! But the last thing Tommy wants is to go alone, so he invites Grayson and his son, Petey, along.

  Beautiful Bonaire lends itself to romance, and along with close quarters, relaxing on the water, and a matchmaking kid, Tommy and Grayson soon find themselves closer than ever… and considering more, much to Grayson’s delight. But before they can plan the best best honeymoon ever, dark clouds descend in the form of Tommy’s ex and a sting from paradise that could ruin everything.

  When Broadway actor Jonah receives word that his uncle has passed away and named him the heir to a property in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Jonah’s plan is to settle the estate as quickly as possible and return to his life in New York City. Much to Jonah’s surprise, the inheritance includes the Ashford Cemetery—and its hunky groundskeeper, recent Bosnian immigrant Luka Pavelka.

  Jonah soon discovers Luka is more than easy on the eyes. He sees into Jonah’s heart like no man ever before, and his job at the cemetery is all he has. If Jonah sells, Luka is left with nothing. Luka is there for Jonah when Jonah needs someone most, and there’s no denying the chemistry and connection between them. But Jonah has a successful career back in New York. Now he must decide if it’s still the life he wants….

  Home, love, and possibilities he never imagined are waiting for Billy Joe to claim them. But first he needs to escape the horrors of his past.

  A twisted act of cruelty and prejudice drives Billy Joe from his Mississippi home, and he makes it as far as Pennsylvania—where his car breaks down just as the year’s first snowstorm blows in. Fortunately, Carlos is there to lend a hand.

  Carlos is no stranger to hardship. His family rejected him for being gay, but with determination, he put himself through school and became a librarian. Carlos sees the same willpower in Billy, and he wants to help Billy and his son succeed in a new life that is very different from the one they left behind. With his support, they start to adjust, and before long, both men want more than encouragement from each other. They want the chance for a future together, but their families have other ideas… and Billy’s will stop at nothing to get what they want.

  A Tale from St. Giles

  The suspicious death of Dante Bartholomew’s wife changed him, especially in the eyes of the residents of St. Giles. They no longer see a successful businessman… only a monster they believe was involved. Dante’s horrific reputation eclipses the truth to the point that he sees no choice but to isolate himself and his heart.

  The plan backfires when he meets counselor Beau Clarity and the children he works with. Beau and the kids see beyond the beastly reputation to the beautiful soul inside Dante, and Dante’s cold heart begins to thaw as they slip past his defenses. The warmth and hope Beau brings to Dante’s life help him see his entire existence—his trials and sorrows—in a brighter light.

  But Dante’s secrets could rip happiness from their grasp… especially since someone isn’t above hurting those Dante has grown to love in order to bring him down.

  A Tale from St. Giles

  Family can be a blessing and a curse, but for artist Florian, it’s a nightmare he longs to escape.

  As chief designer for Bartholomew Porcelain Studio, Florian specializes in painting birds. He also watches them in the wild to distract himself from his short-tempered mother, at least temporarily. Florian’s heart is too soft to leave his stepsister, Ella, to suffer alone. Still, he can’t help dreaming about one day finding happiness and love.

  When Count Dieter von Hollenbach arrives in town to visit a friend and present an award, he isn’t looking for romance. Then again, he doesn’t expect someone as perfect as Florian to come into his life. To make sure Florian is all he seems and that their connection is genuine, Dieter keeps his title to himself.

  But he isn’t the only one with a secret.

  At a masquerade ball to celebrate the award, some of the masks fall away, but those that remain in place could destroy the love beginning to grow between them.

  Readers love Andrew Grey

  The Best Worst Honeymoon Ever

  “…in his usual deft manner, Grey leads the reader through it all and still leaves that sense of romance and hope that seem to follow in all his books. This is a great and fun summer read.” />
  —Paranormal Romance Guild

  “…if you’re looking for a read full of gentle loving, great scenery, amazing excursions and wildlife, and a perfect happy ending, then you will probably love this novel as much as I do.”

  —Rainbow Book Reviews

  Redeeming the Stepbrother

  “God, I loved this! When done well, modern fairy tales make wonderful reads. Andrew Grey certainly does this well, and Redeeming the Stepbrother was a joy.”

  —Joyfully Jay

  “I recommend this story to all those who love fairytales and literary works based on them. This series is a good one and I can’t wait to see which tale comes next.”

  —The Novel Approach

  Running to You

  “As always Andrew has outdone himself with this story. I urge you to go out and get your copy so you can get lost in Carlos and Billy Joe’s world.”

  —Love Bytes

  “Andrew Grey always manages to pull at my heartstrings in so many ways. This book is no exception….”

  —Diverse Reader

  ANDREW GREY is the author of nearly 100 works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

  Email: andrewgrey@comcast.net

  Website: www.andrewgreybooks.com

  By Andrew Grey

  Accompanied by a Waltz

  All for You

  Between Loathing and Love

  Borrowed Heart

  Buried Passions

  Chasing the Dream

  Crossing Divides

  Dominant Chord

  Dutch Treat

  Eastern Cowboy

  In Search of a Story

  New Tricks

  Noble Intentions

  North to the Future

  One Good Deed

  The Playmaker

  Running to You

  Saving Faithless Creek

  Shared Revelations

  Three Fates

  To Have, Hold, and Let Go

  Turning the Page

  Whipped Cream

  ART

  Legal Artistry • Artistic Appeal

  Artistic Pursuits • Legal Tender

  BOTTLED UP

  The Best Revenge • Bottled Up

  Uncorked • An Unexpected Vintage

  BRONCO’S BOYS

  Inside Out • Upside Down

  Backward • Round and Round

  THE BULLRIDERS

  A Wild Ride • A Daring Ride • A Courageous Ride

  BY FIRE

  Redemption by Fire • Strengthened by Fire

  Burnished by Fire • Heat Under Fire

  CARLISLE COPS

  Fire and Water • Fire and Ice • Fire and Rain

  Fire and Snow • Fire and Hail • Fire and Fog

  CARLISLE DEPUTIES

  Fire and Flint • Fire and Granite

  CHEMISTRY

  Organic Chemistry • Biochemistry • Electrochemistry

  Chemistry Anthology

  DREAMSPUN DESIRES

  #4 – The Lone Rancher

  #28 – Poppy’s Secret

  #60 – The Best Worst Honeymoon Ever

  EYES OF LOVE

  Eyes Only for Me • Eyes Only for You

  FOREVER YOURS

  Can’t Live Without You • Never Let You Go

  GOOD FIGHT

  The Good Fight • The Fight Within

  The Fight for Identity • Takoda and Horse

  HEARTS ENTWINED

  Heart Unseen • Heart Unheard

  HOLIDAY STORIES

  Copping a Sweetest Day Feel • Cruise for Christmas

  A Lion in Tails • Mariah the Christmas Moose

  A Present in Swaddling Clothes • Simple Gifts

  Snowbound in Nowhere • Stardust

  LAS VEGAS ESCORTS

  The Price • The Gift

  LOVE MEANS…

  Love Means… No Shame • Love Means… Courage

  Love Means… No Boundaries • Love Means… Freedom

  Love Means … No Fear • Love Means… Healing

  Love Means… Family • Love Means… Renewal

  Love Means… No Limits • Love Means… Patience

  Love Means… Endurance

  LOVE’S CHARTER

  Setting the Hook • Ebb and Flow

  PLANTING DREAMS

  Planting His Dream • Growing His Dream

  REKINDLED FLAME

  Rekindled Flame • Cleansing Flame

  Smoldering Flame

  SENSES

  Love Comes Silently • Love Comes in Darkness

  Love Comes Home • Love Comes Around

  Love Comes Unheard • Love Comes to Light

  SEVEN DAYS

  Seven Days • Unconditional Love

  STORIES FROM THE RANGE

  A Shared Range • A Troubled Range • An Unsettled Range

  A Foreign Range • An Isolated Range

  A Volatile Range • A Chaotic Range

  STRANDED

  Stranded • Taken

  TALES FROM KANSAS

  Dumped in Oz • Stuck in Oz • Trapped in Oz

  TALES FROM ST. GILES

  Taming the Beast • Redeeming the Stepbrother

  TASTE OF LOVE

  A Taste of Love • A Serving of Love

  A Helping of Love • A Slice of Love

  WITHOUT BORDERS

  A Heart Without Borders • A Spirit Without Borders

  WORK OUT

  Spot Me • Pump Me Up • Core Training

  Crunch Time • Positive Resistance

  Personal Training • Cardio Conditioning

  Work Me Out Anthology

  Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  Published by

  DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Borrowed Heart

  © 2019 Andrew Grey.

  Cover Art

  © 2019 Adrian Nicholas

  adrian.nicholas177@gmail.com

  Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

  All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-64080-824-9

  Mass Market Paperback ISBN: 978-1-64108-137-5

  Trade Paperba
ck ISBN: 978-1-64080-825-6

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2018943364

  Digital published March 2019

  v. 1.0

  Printed in the United States of America