The Beauty of the Beast E-Book

Gabbi Grey

• Herausgeber: WS
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Serie: Ever After
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Seitenzahl: 401

Beschreibung

Dean
All my life, I dreamed about making the long trip from Australia to Canada to study forestry amid the old-growth stands of the Pacific Northwest. Now here I am, living the dream. Of course, nothing's perfect. The only housing I can find is renting a room from a grumpy, reclusive guy who doesn’t seem to want me around. I should keep out of his way and focus on my studies, but there’s something about him that keeps drawing me in. I feel less homesick when I’m with him, and maybe I can make a difference for more than just the trees.
Adam
Life as I knew it ended with my horrific accident ten years ago. There's no point to my existence now, but I can't seem to stop living, so I hide my battered carcass in my mountain home. There, I can wander from room to room and no one stares, no one laughs, no one even remembers I exist. Until I make the mistake of offering a stranded Aussie a room to rent. It should've been a simple favor—two men with our own spaces, ignoring each other. Instead, he's always close by, and he won't let me wallow, and what's worse, I think I'm starting to like that. But there's no way someone like me can have a future with someone like him. Right?
The Beauty of the Beast is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, set in the wilds of British Columbia, where an Aussie forester a long way from home falls for the untouchable man he shouldn’t want. The novel has moderate angst, a feisty foreigner, and what happens when someone trusts again.

Leseprobe

The Beauty of the Beast

A CONTEMPORARY FAIRYTALE MM ROMANCE

EVER AFTER SERIES

GABBI GREY

Contents

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

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Epilogue

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Blurb

DEAN

All my life, I dreamed about making the long trip from Australia to Canada to study forestry amid the old-growth stands of the Pacific Northwest. Now here I am, living the dream. Of course, nothing's perfect. The only housing I can find is renting a room from a grumpy, reclusive guy who doesn’t seem to want me around. I should keep out of his way and focus on my studies, but there’s something about him that keeps drawing me in. I feel less homesick when I’m with him, and maybe I can make a difference for more than just the trees.

ADAM

Life as I knew it ended with my horrific accident ten years ago. There's no point to my existence now, but I can't seem to stop living, so I hide my battered carcass in my mountain home. There, I can wander from room to room and no one stares, no one laughs, no one even remembers I exist. Until I make the mistake of offering a stranded Aussie a room to rent. It should've been a simple favor—two men with our own spaces, ignoring each other. Instead, he's always close by, and he won't let me wallow, and what's worse, I think I'm starting to like that. But there's no way someone like me can have a future with someone like him. Right?

The Beauty of the Beast is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, set in the wilds of British Columbia, where an Aussie forester a long way from home falls for the untouchable man he shouldn’t want. The novel has moderate angst, a feisty foreigner, and what happens when someone trusts again.

Copyright © 2024 Gabbi Grey.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously.

References to real people, events, organizations, establishments or locations are intended to provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

NO AI/NO BOT. We do not consent to any Artificial Intelligence (AI), generative AI, large language model, machine learning, chatbot, or other automated analysis, generative process, or replication program to reproduce, mimic, remix, summarize, or otherwise replicate any part of this creative work, via any means: print, graphic, sculpture, multimedia, audio, or other medium. We support the right of humans to control their artistic works.

No generative AI was used in the creation of this book.

Edits by ELF

Cover by Leanne Clugston

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ChapterOne

DEAN

As I walked into the Fifties diner in Mission City, British Columbia, the scent of grease wafted over me.

Just like home.

Reminded me of the Red Rooster back home, in fact. Whenever I visited my mate, Sam, in Sydney, we’d go for a bite. He’d have a burger, and I’d have chicken. With chips, of course.

A slightly harried-looking blonde woman approached me. “For one?”

“Uh, yeah, that would be great, thanks.”

She cocked her head.

I’d seen that look before, whenever I opened my mouth on this side of the ocean. “Australian.”

“Ah. We don’t get many of those. Americans? Sure, because we’re so close to the border. Anyway, any of the booths on the left.” She glanced into the restaurant. “Oops.”

All the booths on the left were full. As were all the larger booths on the right.

Together, we glanced over at the stools by the breakfast counter. All full.

I cocked an eyebrow.

She winced. “Busy day. It’s the Raspberry Festival. That’s always a little crazy. If you could wait…?” She indicated a corner of the entryway.

“Nah. I can go somewhere else.”

“That’s got to be an Australian accent.” A tanned man with sparkling dark-brown eyes smiled at me. He’d come up behind me, likely having just come in the front door. “My family’s from the Philippines, so I know Aussie.”

“Great.” His accent sounded…very Canadian. Right out of the training materials I’d studied.

“You’re visiting? New in town? Did I hear Sarabeth say you need a seat?”

I blinked.

The guy just kept right ongoing. “My name’s Ravi. I’m here with my husband, Maddox, and our toddlers. If you’re adventurous, you’re welcome to join us. Sarabeth just brought our drinks, and I had to run out to the car to grab bibs because, well…” He shrugged sheepishly, holding up two gray rubber bibs.

I blinked again. “Uh, that’d be great. Maddox won’t mind?”

Ravi grinned. “My husband is a permanent fixture in Mission City. He’s good about welcoming strangers.”

I glanced at Sarabeth, who smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

Okay, then. What do I have to lose? “I’d love to join you.” My luggage and rucksack were in the rental car, which had to be returned tomorrow.

“Great.” Ravi guided me to the last booth in the diner.

As we approached, I spotted the two toddlers with tanned skin and silky black hair, seated on booster seats across from each other. Each sipped from a red cup with a lid. Milk? Juice?

Right, because that’s what’s really important.

The large man with his back to me had a shock of reddish-gold hair. He turned as Ravi slid into the booth across from him.

Ah, his beard matched his hair.

“Scooch over, kiddo.” Ravi pushed the toddler, whom I guessed to be a girl, closer to the wall. Then he patted the spot next to him. “Have a seat. Oh God, I didn’t even ask your name.”

The man, who had to be Maddox, chuckled. “Picking up strays again, my love?”

As I slid into the booth, Ravi laughed. “Wasn’t that the other way around? I was the stranded stranger.” He nudged my shoulder. “This guy⁠—”

“Uh, Dean.”

“—Dean is from Australia. So a long way from home.” Ravi gestured around the restaurant. “He would’ve had to wait for a table. Or even a stool.”

Maddox sipped his coffee. “I’m amazed there isn’t a line out the door. What with it being the Raspberry festival and all.”

“I know, right?” Ravi caught a cup before his child sent it flying. “No, Violet, we don’t throw things.” Then he turned to me. “That’s Victor—” He pointed to the child next to Maddox. “—and this hellion is Violet.”

“Hellion?” I sort of whispered the word. Did she understand?

Maddox chuckled. “Our child very much understands the word—and does everything she can to live up to that name.”

“Your genes,” Ravi contended.

I was startled. Maddox was as pale as I was, while the children favored Ravi.

“His sister was our surrogate,” Maddox quickly supplied. “So they’ve got her genes as well.” He narrowed his eyes. “Namita’s far worse than me.”

“But you could say Meg’s tamed her.” Ravi again cut me a glance. “Maddox’s friend and my sister wound up together. Creating chaos wherever they go.”

Maddox snickered. “That’s the truth.”

“Okay, what can I get everyone?” Sarabeth held a notebook with a pen at the ready.

“An order of chicken fingers and fries to share.” Maddox eyed his toddlers. “They’ve got enough milk.”

“More.” Violet banged her cup on the table.

Ravi held it as if weighing it. “There’s plenty, darling.”

She stuck her lower lip out.

He laughed.

“I’ll have the Montreal smoked-meat sandwich.” Maddox scratched his beard. “Can you make my fries poutine?”

“You bet.” Sarabeth turned her attention to Ravi.

“Even though it’s early afternoon—” Ravi eyed his husband.

Maddox snickered.

Ravi glared. “I’m going to have a waffle.”

“Of course you are.”

“Hey, you introduced them to me. I’m feeling nostalgic.”

“Strawberries?” Sarabeth held her pen aloft.

“Yep.”

“With extra whipped cream,” Maddox added.

All three adults laughed.

Okay, then.

She pivoted her attention to me. “And you, hon? Did you get a chance to see the menu?”

“No, but that’s okay. You have poutine?”

“For sure. You can have it as a side or as an entire meal.”

“That sounds...decadent.” I’d yet to try this very traditional Canadian food, but was curious.

“You’re better off having it as a side and then getting a good meal.” Ravi looked me up and down. “Any allergies or food preferences?”

“Uh…no.”

“Well, Fifties does have the best burgers in Mission City.”

Victor clapped his hands. Whether in acknowledgement of his father’s statement or just because of some weird timing that only a toddler understood, I wasn’t certain.

“I love burgers.”

“Then I recommend the classic.” He handed the menus to Sarabeth.

She nodded. “Two patties, bacon, cheese, sautéed mushrooms, mayo, and special sauce.”

“Special sauce?”

“Yeah, like so special we don’t share.”

We all laughed.

“That’s great. Thank you.”

“Oh, and something to drink?”

I glanced at Maddox’s dark brew that was clearly coffee and Ravi’s lighter colored liquid that I guessed was tea.

“Do you like milkshakes?” Maddox’s blue eyes sparkled.

“I love them.”

“And you’re hungry?” Ravi added that question.

“Haven’t eaten since I devoured a sandwich over the Pacific.”

“Well, then you have to have one.” Sarabeth grinned. Then proceeded to list off so many flavors that my head spun.

“Uh…” I tried to grasp what I’d heard. “Did you say Espresso?”

“Yep.”

“Well, I could use some pep in my step.”

“Oh well, remember you asked for it.” She headed back toward the front of the restaurant.

Maddox chuckled. “You’re going to be so full.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Honestly, I’m starving.”

“You flew in just now?”

“Well, to Vancouver International Airport. I picked up my rental car and headed here.”

“And remembered to drive on the right side of the road.” Ravi winked. “I’ve visited Australia—that left-side-of-the-road thing drove me nuts.”

I wasn’t going to be affronted, because I’d had the same reaction here, trying to adapt to the right side. Would take some getting used to.

“Is this your first visit to Canada?” Maddox nudged Victor’s milk back at him. “Keep drinking, buddy.”

Dark-brown eyes blinked.

Ravi chuckled. “Nice try, kiddo.”

I didn’t ask. “Uh, first visit overseas. Well, I’ve been to Tassie—Tasmania—and New Zealand, obviously, but not beyond that.”

Maddox whistled. “Well, this is a long way to come for your first trip.”

I wasn’t going to say that money had always been an issue. “I’m here on a work visa, actually.”

Ravi glanced at me. “You don’t say.”

“Well, he just did.” Maddox offered what I’d term a sardonic grin.

“So, you just have to share all.” Ravi nudged the cup toward Violet.

Sarabeth arrived before I could speak, saving me from a degree of panic. Share all? What does that even mean?

She placed the milkshake before me and headed back.

I unwrapped the paper straw and stuck it into the drink. Playing for time, I took a sip. “Holy crap.” The taste exploded on my tongue—rich and delicious.

“Crap. Crap. Crap.” Violet giddily parroted my words.

I nearly uttered shit in response. Heat crept up my cheeks. “I’m so sorry.” I whispered the words.

Ravi nudged my shoulder with his. “You think they haven’t heard a million times worse?” He indicated Maddox. “That dude’s their dad.”

“Hey.” Maddox narrowed his gaze.

“What did you call Sofia yesterday?”

“Uh.” Maddox reddened. “Well, she was being difficult.”

“Is Sofia your daughter?”

Ravi burst out laughing. “No, Princess Sofia is our dog. But Maddox treats her like she’s our child as well.”

“Hey, you care about her, too. Who was sneaking her bacon the other day, despite Dr. Zephyra saying Sof needs to watch her diet?”

Again, Ravi laughed. “Right, like you didn’t give her that slice of cheese⁠—”

“So, I’m a forester.” I could foresee this situation devolving, and I wanted no part in it. My fault for asking about the daughter who was, in fact, a dog. “Well, I have a degree in forestry management from the Fenner School of Environment and Science at the Australian National University in Canberra, and that was way more than you needed to know.”

Ravi sipped his tea. “No, I’d say that’s about the right amount of information. Too much would be me telling you how Maddox likes me⁠—”

Maddox cleared his throat. “Yes, well, enough of that.” He drank his coffee. “So, are you just passing through? Like, in Mission City? Because we’ve got forests, but the interesting ones are in the interior of the province.”

“I’ll be doing a couple of lectures at the University of British Columbia as well as a few out here at the University of the Fraser Valley. I’m working with a land-management group as part of a municipal project. Mission City has a working forest, and I’ll be part of that project. I want to replicate some of the husbandry practices back home.”

I chanced a glance at Ravi.

His eyes had gone a little glassy.

Maddox, though, seemed more engaged. At least, if his body language was any indication. “I used to do back-country rescues,” he offered. He pointed to his husband. “Pediatric nurse.”

“Both important jobs.” I eyed him. “Used to?” Crap, was that too nosy? I’m always stepping in it…

“Rescue gone wrong. Bum knee.” He gave me a small smile. “These days I do diaper duty and cybersecurity freelance work.”

I would’ve pegged him in his mid-forties. If these were his first kids, he’d gotten a bit of a later start. Ravi, though, was under thirty for sure.

“And dog watching.” Ravi raised an eyebrow.

“Isn’t that dog sitting?” I was curious. Perhaps they called it something different in Canada.

Ravi barked out a laugh. “Oh, if Princess Sofia didn’t belong to us, then yes, it would be dog sitting. But we are responsible for the irascible mutt…so it’s dog watching.”

Maddox glowered.

My phone vibrated. I yanked it out of my back pocket to send the call to voicemail. Oh, wait, the number was Canadian. I glanced at Maddox across the table from me.

He nodded that I should take the call.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Hargrave?”

“Yes, this is he. Or that’s me.” I barely knew what time it was, let alone, apparently, my own name.

“Oh, I’m so glad I caught you. My name is Ethel Thistle.”

Ethel…oh, my new landlady. “Nice to speak to you, Mrs. Thistle. I was just grabbing some dinner before⁠—”

“Oh, then I’m so glad I caught you.”

My stomach sank. “Yes?”

She sighed. “My daughter has been living with this asshole.”

I glanced at the table, somewhat comforted to see no one could, apparently, hear her speaking. “Okay.”

“Anyway, she finally left the horrible man. Just this morning. And I was so glad the basement suite was empty so I could give it to her⁠—”

“Would this be the basement suite you promised me?”

“Well.” She clucked her tongue. “You’re a young man with prospects. I’m sure you’ll find something. My daughter has two young children. Wouldn’t be right for them to be on the streets, now would it?”

“Could they not live with you? We have a contract. I signed a lease and sent you a deposit.”

“I’ve sent the money back.” She cleared her throat. “I guess you could sue me for breach of contract…”

But I wouldn’t.

And she knew it.

I blinked several times. Need to remove these contact lenses.

Right…like that was the problem.

“Do you…” I swallowed. “Do you know anywhere else that might⁠—”

“In this rental market? Not a chance.” She paused. “Oh dear, that sounded callous.”

That was callous, but my mother taught me that if I couldn’t say something nice, that I was to hold my tongue. “Well, thank you for letting me know.”

“Best of luck, young man.” Then she cut the line.

I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it. I’d rented this place eight months ago for my six-month stay and I’d emailed every month to ensure everything was fine. My last email had been just before I left Canberra. Which had been more than twenty-four hours ago—what with the flight to Sydney, the layover, the flight to Hong Kong, the layover, and finally the flight on to Vancouver. Still, in that short time, my plans had all gone to shit.

“Waffles for Ravi and Montreal smoked-meat sandwich for Maddox.” Sarabeth laid out the plates. From the server who’d followed behind, she snagged two smaller ones. “Chicken fingers and fries for the munchkins.”

Victor and Violet both clapped their hands in glee.

“And a burger for the Aussie.” She put the plate down before me. “With a large helping of poutine. Hey, what’s your name?”

“Uh…Dean.” I swallowed. “Dean Hargrave.”

“Well, welcome, Dean. Anyone need anything else?”

“Nope, this is perfect, Sarabeth, thank you.” Ravi offered a wide grin as Maddox occupied himself with cutting the chicken fingers and accompanying fries into little bits. He put a portion of the meal aside—I assumed to take home afterward. Truthfully, I had no idea how much toddlers ate.

Sarabeth took off, and Ravi placed a hand over mine. “We’ll find you a place to live.”

I let out a shaky breath. “That easy, eh, mate? She made it sound impossible.”

Ravi and Maddox exchanged a look.

Finally, Maddox winced. “Rental vacancies are pretty low in Cedar Valley. We’ve had an influx of new people. We’re close to the university in Abbotsford and, well, Canada’s accepted a pile of new immigrants.”

“I’m second-generation Filipino Indian.” Ravi cut a slice of waffle. “My family settled in the next province over—Alberta. In Calgary, in fact. Lovely place. Crappy provincial politics. But that suits my conservative parents. I’m happier here.”

I’d read something about British Columbian politics. A bit more left-leaning to centrist these days. The federal situation was different, but none of that mattered. “I...” I picked up my fork and poked at the melted curd cheese and gravy-covered fries that was traditional poutine. “I suppose I should find a hotel. I’ve got a bit of extra money.” Not much, though. I’d been doing okay back in Australia. And our currency was pretty close to par with Canada’s. If I’d been ten klicks south of here, in the US, I’d be screwed.

“The Grand Hotel was recently renovated.” Maddox offered that up.

Ravi added a bit of whipped cream to his waffle. “Right, Aaron something. Who’s with Noel. He was American, right?”

“Aaron’s a dual citizen now that he’s married Noel. And I popped in to see the renovations—Aaron’s done an amazing job.” He glanced at me. “That place used to be a bit of a dive…”

“I suppose…” Even just the thought of spending money overwhelmed. “Maybe an Airbnb?”

Maddox put down his sandwich and snapped his fingers. “I know.”

“Know what?” Ravi dabbed a fry in a touch of ketchup and handed it to Violet.

She smushed it in her fingers, then jammed the whole thing into her mouth.

Ravi caught my bemused notice. “A treat. We normally feed them, you know, healthy food.”

“No judgement here. I don’t know anything about kids.”

“Ah, well.” He pointed to himself. “Pediatrics.”

I nodded. “Crazy.” I loved kids. From afar. I didn’t have siblings or any close cousins.

Maddox had yanked his phone from his back pocket and was scrolling.

Does he have a magic solution? I eyed my heavenly smelling food. Although I was starving, my stomach in knots meant little appetite.

Ravi cut another piece of waffle. “Share, Mad. Poor guy’s dying of curiosity.”

Maddox glanced at his husband. “Adam.”

In response, Ravi’s fork clattered to his plate with a clang. “You’re kidding me.”

“Well…why not? When I spoke to him, he said something about financial problems.” He winced. “And I probably shouldn’t have said that. Truthfully, I’m not even sure why he told me…”

Ravi’s eyes widened. “Okay, first—you didn’t tell me you spoke to him⁠—”

“Was, like, two months ago. Not a big⁠—”

“Don’t interrupt me.”

Maddox chuckled. “Go on, love of my life.” He bit into his sandwich, likely deciding a response wouldn’t be needed.

“Second…” Ravi scratched his nose. “You’re suggesting that we ask Adam to take Dean on…as a boarder?”

Wordlessly, Maddox nodded.

“Yeah, but…” Ravi wrinkled his nose.

In distaste? In confusion? I just didn’t know him well enough to guess. “You think he might be willing?”

“He’s a recluse,” Ravi countered. “He doesn’t do people.”

Maddox swallowed. “Well, he speaks to me.” He winced again. “Okay, spoke to me. A couple of times. The last time I met him walking Chip he looked super stressed. Wouldn’t tell me any details, but he muttered, ‘Money. Isn’t that always the problem? Don’t worry, I’ll work it out.’ So he might be open to this. God knows, he has the space.”

Ravi arched an eyebrow.

“Okay, first time I met him, Chip had gone missing, and he was looking for her. Apparently, she escaped from the house when he was having a grocery delivery.”

“Chip?” I had to ask.

“Adam’s dog.” Ravi nudged his plate as if in contemplation. “And recluse is almost too generous a word. I’ve never met the guy, and he lives just down the street. I mean, people live on our street because they want to be isolated, but he takes that to a whole new level.” He eyed Maddox. “Financial trouble?”

“I didn’t ask. I helped him look for Chip, and we found her.” He met my gaze. “Adam has a Golden Retriever. Great dog. Just seven months old at the time. She just spooked. He’s…overprotective of her.”

Ravi snorted. “Like you’re not with Princess Sofia.”

Maddox glared. But, after a moment, he appeared to relent. “Before I ask him though, tell me a little about yourself.”

“Uh.” I considered. “I’m twenty-eight. I’ve been at the University of Canberra for almost ten years. First as an undergraduate student. Then as a graduate student and now as part-time faculty. I’m in Canada on a work visa. I’ve got a job with the District of Mission as well as days where I’ll be lecturing and teaching at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver as well as the university in Abbotsford. I can provide a reference from my old landlord in Canberra, as well as one from the Dean of the Forestry Management program.” I winced. “Except they’re both in bed. Asleep.”

Maddox considered me. “Do you have anything on you that confirms your position with the forestry service or the university? You understand, I don’t want to land Adam with a con man. And how long do you need the room?”

I pointed to my rental. “I have paperwork from Mission City about my position as well as papers from both universities. I had everything ready for customs. In the end, they only looked at the work visa.” I scratched my beard. “I did have an apartment set up for six months. At this point, though, I’m willing to take anything. Longer term would be better. So I don’t have to move again,” I clarified. “But anything would be amazing.”

Ravi eyed me. “What’s your budget for the rental?”

“I was supposed to pay fifteen hundred.”

Maddox arched an eyebrow. “For an apartment? That’s a great price.”

“Oh? It’s a basement. A one bedroom.” I winced. “I don’t know how Mrs. Thistle’s daughter and two kids will manage.”

“Better than nothing.”

Maddox continued to eye me. “What kind of tenant are you? Some of the Aussies I’ve known were great guys, but heavy partiers, fond of their beer, and loud. That wouldn’t go over with Adam. He’s a…quiet guy.”

“I don’t drink or party. I’m certainly not loud.” I winced. “But I look like a guy who could do all those things.”

Ravi snickered. “I knew some straightlaced students at nursing school who would totally let loose. Looks can be deceiving.”

“I have a Friday beer night. Look, I’m all about the academics. I worked damn hard to get this job. I’m not going to blow it for the sake of a party.”

Ravi cut a slice of waffle. “You seem like a nice guy…”

“I am.” With no way to prove it, of course.

“Do you like dogs?” Maddox poked at his food, watching me closely.

“I love dogs. All dogs. Never met one I didn’t adore. I couldn’t have them when I was younger. When I get a spread of my own, I very much plan to get one.”

Maddox nodded. “I’m going to step outside to make the call. I’ll be back.” Without asking me if I wanted to board with a recluse and an overprotected dog, he slid from the booth and headed out of the noisy restaurant.

“I’m not going to warn you about Adam. Just…well, you’ll see for yourself.” Ravi met my gaze with dark-brown incisive eyes.

“What’s he like?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know—never met him. But Maddox told me the guy’s tragic story. And I could tell you, but it’s not my place.”

Oh my God, you have to tell me what I’m walking into. Yet I didn’t say the words. I had to be respectful of this Adam guy, as well as whatever relationship Ravi felt he had with him.

“On the plus side, you won’t be far down the road from us.” Ravi pushed a piece of chicken closer to Victor. “We’d offer you a room, but it’s set up for the next foster kid, and we never know when that call might come. We’re on the emergency list.” He considered. “I suppose we could’ve called Stanley and Justin. They’re on our street as well.” He pursed his lips. “Except that place is pretty chaotic as well. They’ve got their son Angus and their foster daughter Opal. Stanley is Maddox’s ex.”

He grinned wickedly. “The stories on our street… Oh, and the old cabin just sold. We’re waiting to see who moves in. That thing is going to require massive renovations. The former owner was a bit of a hoarder. The kids just wanted to sell the place.” He glanced at me. “And you didn’t need to know any of that.”

No, I really didn’t. Except I was a friendly guy, and if I saw people on the street, even strangers, I’d say hello. Growing up in a suburb in Perth, I’d been tight with my neighbors and mates. “Okay…what can you tell me about Adam that doesn’t break confidentiality?” I wasn’t certain what kind of privacy Ravi felt he was violating, but I wouldn’t ask him to step out of whatever bounds he’d created.

“He’s mid-thirties. Nasty accident about ten years ago. Made national news because, uh… Right. I suppose you can search for him on the internet. The local paper tried to do an article on the ten-year anniversary. Let’s just say that didn’t go over well. People got really mad at Ulysses, the managing editor. People around here are protective of their own. I learned that when Maddox and I got together. He’d been a solitary guy, and people were wary of me just barging in.”

“But they got over it.”

He winked. “I won them over with my charm. Oh, and there’s a nursing shortage in the area, so I get extra love when I wear my pink scrubs.”

“Papa.” Victor pounded his cup on the table.

“No, I’m Daddy.” Ravi grinned.

“Want Papa.”

“Papa will be⁠—”

Even as he said the words, Maddox slid into the booth. He grinned at Victor who offered a toothy grin in return. Then he turned his attention to me. “Adam agreed. He’s got a whole section of his house that he says he can rent out. You’d get your own room and bathroom, share a kitchen. He’s getting it ready for you now. I’ve settled up the lunch bill, your burger’s on me. Sarabeth’s going to bring some containers. Or we can stay…”

I eyed my burger. The news I had a place—at least for the night—should’ve brought relief. And it did. Just not enough to bring back my appetite. “Yeah, containers would be great.” I sipped my milkshake. This, I could manage.

Twenty minutes later, after everyone else finished eating, my food was boxed up, the kids had been cleaned up, and then we headed to the parking lot.

Maddox and Ravi loaded the kids into the SUV. They stopped and gazed at each other for a moment before Ravi handed over the keys. He turned to me. “It’s a bit of a tougher terrain.” He eyed my rental. “You’re swapping that out, right? We won’t be getting snow, but the back roads can be treacherous.”

“I’m returning this tomorrow and getting a municipal truck for the summer. They said it’s all-wheel drive.”

“That’s good.” Maddox patted the SUV. “This is fine most of the time, but a good sturdy truck is even better.”

They hopped into their vehicle while I slid into mine.

The drive wasn’t too challenging. Just a lot of hills. We climbed one, then up another. All still within civilization. Then we drove past a vast pile of row houses. Finally, we headed into some wilderness.

The houses I glimpsed were farther back from the road—some even obscured by the trees. So many trees. Several different kinds, familiar from my intense prep for this trip. I focused on keeping up with Maddox. I would learn more about the trees once I started working tomorrow.

I turned onto another street, noting the name as I passed it. I’d likely need a map to find my way back to town. Hopefully, the municipal truck had GPS. I was pretty good with old-fashioned maps, though. Just had to remember that the sun was in a different position up here.

Maddox stuck his hand out the window and pointed to a letterbox as he kept driving.

What…? Ah, likely he was pointing out his house.

We took a gentle turn to the right as the road curved. I suspected the green sign meant this was a cul-de-sac although we hadn’t reached that bit yet. The road made another gentle right curve, and we headed up a gravel road.

And climbed.

And climbed.

The engine in my little rental car revved as I pushed her harder.

Maybe I should’ve left her on the street. Except we continued to climb. I was decent at judging distances, and by the time we pulled into a clearing, I’d say we’d gone several hundred meters, if not half a kilometer. Was this a road? I hadn’t seen any pull-offs or other driveways. So the guy owns all this land?

Wow.

The house was…spectacular. Like it had stepped off the pages of a French Gothic novel. It resembled a chateau with gray stone walls, a dark-gray slate roof, and even a turret. Here? In a British Columbian forest? Someone had way too much time and money on their hands.

Maddox pulled into a mini parking lot next to an SUV.

I parked next to him and got out.

We met behind the vehicles.

He met my gaze. “So Ravi told me that he said a bit about Adam’s past. Just…don’t ask questions. I’d say don’t search either, but you seem like a curious guy.”

I wasn’t certain how to take that. I could certainly be respectful, if that was what was required of me.

“Ravi and the kids aren’t getting out. The fewer people Adam sees, the better, I think.”

“Ah.” At that moment, I was tempted to drive back to Mission City and take a room in the Grand Hotel. A strange sense of foreboding overtook me.

The massive oak front door opened, and a man stepped out, his head turned, looking sideways at us.

I tried to take him in all at once, while also not staring.

He was fair, with almost an English complexion, rosy cheeks and pale skin. His medium-brown hair was shaved close at the sides, but long on top—brushed back from his forehead in an artless manner. He’d left his sideburns long, which made me tingle at the masculine contrast on his fair skin. He hadn’t shaved in a while, and I wondered how prickly that scruff would be. His nose was almost cute on his face, but those lips were full. Kissable. Pillowy puffy redness. All in all, he was handsome—but in an utterly masculine way. Then he faced us, and I realized what Maddox had been hinting at.

An angry, mottled scar, probably from a burn, twisted most of the left side of his face.

ChapterTwo

ADAM

Fucking hell, why does he have to be so cute?

And I wasn’t talking about my adorable neighbor Maddox who I’d secretly crushed on from a distance for about six years. When he’d been single, I’d almost approached him. He was a wounded recluse. I was a wounded recluse. We were both gay.

That had felt…almost possible.

Before I found the courage, though, he’d met Ravi. I didn’t know much about the sunshine-happy nurse, but he made Maddox joyful, and that had curbed most of my lust. I didn’t touch men in relationships.

You don’t touch men at all.

Whatever.

This new guy? Dean Whoever, that Maddox was landing in my lap?

Jesus.

His reddish-brown beard was a shade darker than Maddox’s red-gold. And while Maddox chose a close trim, Dean favored the bushier look. His bald head shone in the bright sunlight, and for an Australian, I felt like he should’ve been…more tanned? Both men topped six feet, and both were solid muscle and build.

Like a bear.

Maddox was more of a teddy bear.

Dean, though, I couldn’t judge.

Just…fuck my life, he was exactly my type. Maddox hadn’t said the Aussie was gay for sure, but he had told me the guy was cute and had checked out both Mad and Ravi in an interested way. Not predatory…but not neutral either. Since both men were so damn attractive, that didn’t surprise me. Mad had told me his gaydar pinged loudly, trying to reassure me that this Dean wouldn’t turn out to be a ‘phobe. That was not going to be the problem.

Again, fuck my life.

Maddox waved. “Hey, Adam.”

Be sociable. You desperately need the cash. I would never have said yes if I hadn’t been reeling from looking at my bank statement right before Maddox called. For that blinding moment, this crazy scheme had seemed logical, almost miraculous. Now, I was going to have to turn the guy down to his face. Or… not. I stepped forward, not bothering to wave. “Hello, Maddox.”

“This is Dean. Uh…you said your last name was Hargrave, right?”

Dean nodded. He held out his hand to me. “Good to meet you.”

I hesitated.

When he started to pull his hand back, I reached out to shake his.

At least it’s not your left hand. Yeah, that one I kept in my pocket.

As he gripped me, something shot through me. Like a jolt of electricity. Of awareness. Yeah, the guy was gorgeous in a very masculine way…but this was more. Way more. Despite the urge to yank my hand back, I gripped tightly and waited for him to let go.

His amber eyes met mine and his pupils widened.

Oh shit.

Well, he’d be sticking to his part of the house, I’d be sticking to mine, and we never had to meet day-to-day. We’d be totally fine as complete strangers.

Yeah, pull the other one. “I’m Adam.”

“Adam.” He extended the word just a touch. Like he was feeling it out? Like he was waiting for me to add a last name? Well, that was never going to happen. He might search me anyway, but I wasn’t going to make it easy for him.

Am I really doing this? Panic flared inside me, but the idea of rejecting Dean and sending him away sat sour in my stomach. And I did need the money. Desperately.

“Why don’t you grab your stuff and come inside?” I turned to Maddox and offered as best a smile as I could manage. As always, the right side of my mouth curled more easily. I angled my head so the left side would be out of Dean’s line of sight. “Did you, Ravi, and the kids, um, want to come in?” I didn’t have a single thing to offer, and my house certainly wasn’t childproof, but they’d come here, and it was probably damned time I did the polite thing and met my neighbors. I shoved down the bit of me that wanted to run and hide, and tried to look like I meant the invitation.

Maddox’s eyes went comically wide. Then he winced. “The kids are past their naptimes and there’ll be hell to pay if we don’t get them down shortly.” He tipped his chin at Dean. “But since Dean’s sticking around, I’d love for the four of us to get together. Maybe the two of you can come to our place one night? Or Ravi and I can find a sitter.”

Does he not want me around his kids? Afraid I’ll scare them with my face?

“Probably not.” I pivoted and went back into the house. Leaving the door open, I moved to the living room where I could gaze out from behind the curtain and not be seen. Chip whimpered from behind the den door, but I didn’t want her getting out. Later, I could introduce her to Dean. Hopefully they’d get along.

I watched as Maddox and Dean walked back to Dean’s car. Together, they unloaded a couple of suitcases and a rucksack. As they walked back to the house—two burly gingers with red hair shining in the sunlight—I forced myself back to the entryway. I eyed the suitcase Maddox carried and judged I could probably carry it. I held out a hand.

Maddox waved me off. “Nah, I got this⁠—”

“I’m perfectly capable.” My hackles rose.

“Maybe you can show us to my room?” Dean glanced between the two of us, clearly not wanting an argument.

Inwardly, I winced. “Of course.” I straightened, but my head still barely reached their shoulders. I hated feeling small. I hated that I liked feeling small. I’d worked with guys bigger than these two, and size never used to impress me, but after years of isolation I felt loomed over. “This way.” I turned and strode toward the main staircase. “There’s a back entrance and back stairwell that I prefer you use—I’ll show you that. For now, you might as well know the other points of egress. Should anything happen.”

But it won’t. That’s why you installed a sprinkler system as well as three kinds of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

One couldn’t be too cautious.

I waved to the left. “Kitchen. Laundry room behind it. Those are the only main floor rooms you’ll share.” Was that too harsh? But I desperately needed my own safe space. I couldn’t handle this stranger appearing suddenly in random places around my home, face-to-face. Fuck, no.

After we ascended the grand central staircase, I led him to the right, down a narrow corridor. That opened into an entryway to the back stairwell. I pointed down. “That’s where you’ll come in. Yours is two more floors up.” Then I pivoted and headed up the back stairs. Fortunately, my housekeeper, Ingrid, had done a thorough clean just a couple of weeks ago. Spring cleaning, she’d called it. Like the seasons mattered.

Like anything matters.

“Uh, I have a housekeeper who comes twice a week. If you need anything, you can let her know.” Once we were on the second floor, we followed another narrow passage to the last staircase. “You’ll be on the third floor.” I led them up and, once I arrived at the top of the stairs, I opened the massive oak door. I had to push firmly to get it open. Should I get someone to look at that? As Maddox and Dean followed me into the room, and I again saw nothing but a sea of muscles, I figured Dean would manage.

“Oh my God, this is the turret room.” Dean put his suitcase down, let his rucksack slip from his shoulder and dropped that as well. Then he hustled over to the window and threw the heavy velvet drapes open.

For the first time, his accent struck me. I’d known he was Aussie, of course, but the exotic variation in inflection hit me, his drawl rough and warm. Oh well, we wouldn’t be interacting, so it didn’t matter what he sounded like. Even if his voice did little things to my insides.

Focus.

“This is your private space. There’s a washroom.” I pointed. “Fresh towels and sheets. Ingrid does laundry on Mondays, so ensure everything is down in the laundry room and make certain to pick it up when she’s done. I want minimal disruption.” Because if anyone fucked with my schedule, there’d be hell to pay. I paid Ingrid a good salary to keep things as stable as possible. “I assume you’re working during the day.”

Dean turned from the window—and the stunning view across the valley—and faced me. The afternoon light, so bright in this room, shone off his bald head.

Does he shave or did he go bald early?

How old is he?

Why the fuck does that matter?

“Yeah, I go in at nine and am supposed to be off at five. I have to drive into Vancouver a few times to give lectures at the University of British Columbia, and some days I’ll go over to the university in Abbotsford.”

“That sounds busy.”

He shrugged. “I like to keep busy.”

“Well, I’m a late person. Late to rise and late to bed. So you may have the kitchen between eight and eight-thirty as well as five-thirty to six-thirty.”

“Okay…” He drawled the word. “What if I’m late?”

I blew out a breath. “I’m in the kitchen from ten to ten-fifteen in the morning, two to two-thirty for lunch as well as eight-thirty to nine in the evening. Just…don’t come around during those times. I’ll write it down for you, so you don’t forget.”

Maddox gazed back and forth between the two of us.

Likely thinking I was too obsessive. Too rigid.

You have no idea how hard this is for me.

No one ever visited the house, let alone lived here in my space. I’d thought everything was worked out, and then the email came—delay, review, two months, interest—the near-fatal words swam in my mind. I have to do this. I can make it work. It’s not forever. Not for long. Maddox said he had a good feeling about Dean, and after watching Mad help catch and comfort my lost dog, I trusted his good heart. “You’re good with twelve hundred a month and you provide your own food?”

Maddox snapped his finger and held out his hand. “Car keys? You forgot your leftovers. That should see you through until tomorrow. Unless you want to shop tonight.”

Dean dropped the keys on Maddox’s palm. “I want to pass out and sleep for twenty-four hours. Unfortunately, I have to drop off the rental in the morning and report to work by nine.”

“I’ll run and get your leftovers.”

I scratched my chin. Need a shave. “You can have some of my food for breakfast in the morning. Just this once.” We’d need to label things in the refrigerator. Fuck. The realities of this house sharing began to hit home.

“Great. That’s awesome, mate.”

Mate? Oh, right. An Aussie thing. I didn’t want to be his mate. I wanted to be his landlord. He’d said he could pay three hundred a week, and that would work for me, enough to stave off disaster. Until my cash-flow situation improved.

Maddox disappeared down the stairs.

“I suppose…” I glanced around. I was itchy to get away from Dean and into my own safe space, but I was—stupidly, unavoidably now—committed. “We should probably meet Maddox in the kitchen. You can put the container in the fridge and then, when you’re ready for dinner, you can eat.”

He glanced at his watch. “Is it really two o’clock?”

“Yes.”

“Um…” He squinted. “If it’s all right with you, I’m going to nap first, eat dinner, and then crash for about twelve hours. I’ll be up early so I can…” He gestured around the room. “Unpack my fucking bags and, you know, all that shit. Oh crap.”

I arched my right eyebrow. A talent I’d always possessed.

“Swearing,” he said, his cheeks turning an adorable pink.

“Doesn’t fucking bother me.” I wasn’t going to tell him that, in my old industry, that we’d all sworn like proverbial sailors. I still did—on a regular basis. Just, these days, the words were spoken in my head. “Oh, are you allergic to cats?”

“Nah, I love cats.”

I moved toward the staircase. “Maurice hardly ever appears. Always ensure your door is closed, though, or he might come and hang out without permission.”

“Well, I don’t mind if he does.”

“And dogs? Any allergies there? Chip’s a golden retriever.”

“I love dogs as well. I can’t wait to meet her.”

Sharply, I looked at him. “How did you know Chip is a girl?”

“Uh…Maddox mentioned she’d gone missing and, you know…” He scratched his chin. “And when he said she, it kind of struck me because I would’ve thought a Chip would be a he, but I’m very much live and let live, so I figured I’d just go along with it because I don’t have any problem with dogs or cats—I love them, in fact.” He took a breath.

Jesus, does he always talk in run-on sentences?

“Yes, well, fine. I doubt she’ll come up here, but make sure you never accidentally close her or Maurice in.” A while back, Ingrid accidentally closed Chip into a room. I’d been in a panic for almost an hour while I searched the entire house, mostly fearing she’d escaped again and dreading that I wouldn’t find her. She’d been asleep in a patch of sunlight in the second guest bedroom, not even aware of the stress I’d been under.

“Should we go downstairs to meet Maddox?” Adam frowned and rubbed his face. “I could’ve fetched those leftovers myself…”

And yet Maddox likely saw what I saw. An exhausted man who couldn’t keep his eyes open. Resisting the urge to touch his arm, which was so unlike me, I pointed to the bed. “Why don’t you sleep? I’ll stick your food in the fridge.” Yes, stay here, and let me adjust to having you in my space. “Maybe take a nap, eat, and then go down for the night? Adapting to time zones…”

“Travel a lot, do you?” The moment the words left his mouth, a look of horror crossed it. “I’m so sorry. That was…”

“Insensitive?”

“Well.” He rubbed his face vigorously, mussing his beard.

I cleared my throat. “At one time, I traveled the world. Now, I never leave my property.” I pointed to my face. “I wasn’t always so hideous. Once upon a time, people didn’t turn in disgust. Children didn’t point. I didn’t hate myself.” I swallowed the bile and pain. “Rest. I’ll see you…whenever.” With that, I spun and headed for the door.

“Adam?”

Shoving down the tingle in my chest when he said my name in just that way, I halted. But I didn’t turn.

“I don’t find you hideous. Believe me. Plus, you saved my ass from wandering around looking for a hotel I couldn’t even afford. That makes you fucking awesome. Thank you for opening your home to me. Just…thanks, mate.”

Without acknowledging him, I kept right on going. I wasn’t his mate. I wasn’t his friend. I wasn’t anything to him except a roommate. No, not even that. I was a landlord.