The Practice
Page 16
Thomas winked. “Well, maybe I’ve got my own crush on her.”
Hadley sighed and rested his head on Thomas chest. “Just make sure the two of you leave just a little bit of room at the table for me.”
Epilogue
Thomas bustled around the kitchen managing three dishes simultaneously, tasting the food as he was cooking, and casually adjusting seasoning. While he cooked, Aunt Mae was seated at the kitchen table having an animated conversation about Thomas’ veterinary practice and the events of her day.
With her health having returned, she felt more energetic than she had in nearly five years. That gave her the opportunity to go visiting her many friends in Catlett’s Cove and join the “girls” for a shopping trip downtown.
Thomas explained that the practice was keeping him busy, but he was in discussions with a veterinary school about taking on a student for one year paid internships to help reduce his personal work load. He said, “If all goes well with the project, I might just add a permanent position. I think Catlett’s Cove could support two veterinarians.”
Aunt Mae asked, “Have you spoken with Emery Benton about that? Does he agree with you?”
Thomas said, “He thinks he could have added a second veterinarian, but he was too stubborn to share the practice. His wife Ellen thinks I’m making some outstanding, sensible changes.”
Aunt Mae asked, “Thomas, have you run across anyone looking for a good home for an older cat? I mean one in the range of eight to twelve years old.”
Thomas glanced down at the elegant, long-haired tiger cat curled up in her lap. “You want another one?” he asked.
She smiled up at him, “I’m just sort of thinking that Patches here could use some company. I wouldn’t mind a little more, too, once Hadley moves in with you in your new house.”
Thomas stirred one of the pots on the stove as he said, “Aunt Mae, when I first met you, it seemed that some days you barely had the energy to sit up and do your crossword puzzles. Now you are enthusiastic about caring for two cats? And don’t forget we’ve arranged for you to have some live-in help.”
Aunt Mae rolled her head back and laughed out loud. “This is why I’m happy to provide a home for an older cat. My energetic years won’t last forever, Thomas.”
As she spoke, the front door of the house opened, and the sound of scrabbling toenails on hardwood floors announced an arrival.
“Molly, hang on. Just relax, and let me get the door closed!” Hadley’s voice drifted through as he struggled with the dogs.
Molly appeared first and she darted around the kitchen sniffing at Aunt Mae’s ankles before investigating the hems of Thomas’ jeans. Patches tensed, but Aunt Mae held on firmly and she calmed down again.
Hadley appeared in the doorway caring a bottle of wine with Lucky trotting happily at his side. He leaned over the stove and gave Thomas a quick kiss.
“Be careful,” said Thomas. “Don’t burn yourself on anything.”
Hadley grinned. “Then maybe I should be careful around you. You’re a lot hotter than the stove.”
Thomas blushed. He said, “Don’t be rude around Aunt Mae.”
She shook her head. “Don’t worry about me. I like the romantic energy. It makes me think that perhaps I should look for a man.”
Hadley stepped away from Thomas and leaned over to give Aunt Mae a kiss on the cheek while he rubbed Patches between the ears. He asked, “Are you behaving, Aunt Mae?”
She laughed and said, “No, I’m doing my best to get myself into trouble.”
* * *
As they all settled at the dining room table for dinner, Thomas uncorked the bottle of wine contributed by Hadley and poured each of them a glass. He held a glass aloft and said, “I want to make a toast.”
Hadley smiled and said, “By all means.”
With a broad smile, Thomas said, “To having not only everything I need, but everything I want as well. It’s all right here at home in Catlett’s Cove.”
* * *
Thank you for reading The Practice! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.
If you can’t get enough of Thomas and Hadley, I have a bonus chapter from The Practice to share with you. You can download the bonus chapter free for signing up to my newsletter where you will receive free stories and notices about all of my upcoming books. Just click below.
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Also by Grant C. Holland
Pet Shop Charlie
The Flawless Mr. Faraday
Yukon Sam
Pet Shop Charlie
Reviews
“Why are stories with animals more endearing? Don't know but just so you know, this book didn't need the help of animals. This book wraps you up like a cozy blanket and warms your heart by itself.”
“If you don't continue reading the series set in this town by this author, you really won't understand the beautiful painting of small-town romance accomplished.”
“This read was as adorable as the puppy on the cover. I felt like I got a true feeling of Eagle’s Glen and what it would be like to live in such a town (which I wouldn't mind spending some time in).”
* * *
“It’s over...forever...and you will never see me again!”
Fleeing New York, the east coast, and anything that reminds him of the ashes of his marriage to Andrew, millionaire Jeremiah runs out of gas on a rural road in southern Minnesota. While contemplating his fate, he’s greeted by someone else down on his luck, an abandoned dog who greets him with a wet tongue and cold nose.
“I took over the pet shop from my dad, and ever since everyone just calls me Pet Shop Charlie.”
Charlie is headed back to town after dropping off a Siamese cat to his owners as part of his volunteer work for the emergency clinic. After pulling over to ask if Jeremiah needs help, Charlie gives them both temporary shelter.
“In the end, the city mouse and the country mouse really didn’t get along.”
The chemistry between Charlie and Jeremiah is unmistakable, but will their personal differences and a jealous ex be enough to keep them apart?
Pet Shop Charlie is a 30,000 word romance novella with a happily ever after ending.
* * *
Read Pet Shop Charlie
The Flawless Mr. Faraday
Reviews
“The characters were made for each other and the story line was spellbinding. I could not put this book down until I finished it.”
“What I liked most is the slow build up to Adam and Geoffrey coming together. It's almost old fashioned in a sense and the slow pace helped me focus on their personalities and quirks. There is just a bit of heat but not so overwhelming that it takes over the story. More romance than anything, much…sexier.”
“I love how the author shows that small town living can be just as fun and interesting as big city living. i can't wait to see what Mr. Holland gives us next.”
* * *
An intriguing stranger appears, and the fire of romance is lit in the small town of Eagle's Glen.
Adam Cline lives above "The Beguiling Bean" - Eagle's Glen's popular coffee shop. His meticulous dedication to detail has made him a "go to" copy editor; detail and structure are his strengths. His self-imposed isolation prevents distraction, but an impending sense of something amiss might soon interrupt his efforts to control his personal world.
Geoffrey Faraday is the proverbial enigma wrapped in a riddle, appearing on the same time, on the same day in Eagle's Glen, every two weeks. He has a keen interest in Eagle's Glen's history, as well as the characters who walk her streets. A chance encounter as he explores the colorful past of the Beguiling Bean's basement throws his exploration and Adam's controlled environment into uncharted waters.
Geoffrey's attraction to Adam goes far beyond mere physical appeal. Tentative steps toward one another
lead to mutual desire. But when the relationship threatens to disrupt Adam's structure, he panics, and Geoffrey reveals unexpected secrets.
Will love and the nurturing network of Eagle's Glen be enough to keep them together?
The Flawless Mr. Faraday is a 45,000 word novel set in the world of Eagle’s Glen, but readable as a standalone. It has steamy scenes and a happily ever after ending.
* * *
Read The Flawless Mr. Faraday
Yukon Sam
Reviews
“This is a great story. Friends are truly friends and this story proves a dogs love can make the worst days better. Sweet and emotional. A truly lovely story.”
“Great Character development. A dream to read.”
“Matt and Ryan are captivating characters that keep you reading.”
* * *
After weeks of searching, Charlie finally tracks down the original owners of the dog he and his partner Jeremiah called Rollins. Before saying goodbye to the dog that brought them together as a couple, they ask to hear the story of Rollins' earlier days when he was called Yukon Sam.
Matt and Ryan feel like outsiders in their little midwestern town. The gay population of Eagle's Glen is small and nearly invisible. They both have reasons for keeping their own orientations quiet. When they first encounter each other as young men hanging out in a small-town bar with small groups of friends...the recognition is instant. Not only do they set off each other's sense of the presence of another gay man, but they also bond as fellow outsiders.
A romance blossoms, and an ugly family quarrel puts Ryan on the street. With the help of Matt's supportive sister, Pam, the pair find a small house to rent, and she offers them an energetic white dog, soon named Yukon Sam, as a sign of her belief in their love.
Is this the little slice of paradise that Matt and Ryan hope to carve out for their future?
And how did Matt and Ryan lose Yukon Sam, only to find him in the care of another couple that he brought together?
Yukon Sam is a 50,000 word first time gay novel. Although it features characters from both Pet Shop Charlie and The Flawless Mr. Faraday. it can easily be read as a standalone and has no cliffhangers. There are steamy scenes and a happily ever after ending.
* * *
Read Yukon Sam
About the Author
Grant C. Holland is an author of gay romance. He lives in the upper Midwest enjoying friends, family, great food, and putting stories with happy endings into writing. This is Grant’s fourth book.
grantcholland
grantchollandbooks@gmail.com