When Canyon's ex-lover, Robert, dies, he leaves behind a last request that Canyon take word of his passing to Simon, an old friend on the east coast. Canyon reluctantly agrees, and soon finds himself falling for Simon, despite the nagging belief he shouldn't. Canyon is plagued by guilt over his part in the accident that claimed Robert's life. But Simon knows something Canyon doesn't: Robert's death wasn't an accident, but a suicide, and Robert's intent was for the two men he left behind to come together. But Robert's plan didn't account for two things: Simon's disbelief that anyone can truly love a soon-to-be-cripple, and Canyon's staunch decision that the next man he gives himself to will give him a wedding ring first. Can Canyon and Simon set aside their own issues long enough to see what lies between them, or will they both miss out on their happily ever afters?
Fabulous review from Lena
_ Queer Magazine Online
4 Kisses _ Top2Bottom Reviews
4 Cherries _ Whipped Cream
5 Stars _ Night Owl Erotica
Grade A _ BookingIt
5 Stars _ Romance Writers Reviews
Excerpt
Dunwood Funeral home loomed up out of the surrounding trees like some sort of ominous monolith. With its gables and spires, weathered brick façade, bright blue awnings over every window--—complete with fancy scrawled monogrammed Ds--—and fake green grass carpeting covering the wide entry stairs, it was completely out of place in the miles of desert.
Canyon parked his truck and stared at the building for several long minutes before he finally shut off the engine. He'd been only seven the last time he'd attended a funeral, but his memories were still vivid. Dozens of people seated on rickety, squeaky wooden folding chairs and crammed into a tiny parlor with a broken air conditioner. And then there was the body--—painted up and put on display like a bad art exhibit.
He'd sworn then--—even at that tender age—--that he'd never, ever subject himself to such emotional torture again. Of course, that had been twenty years ago. Before Robert. Being here now was the least he could do after causing the accident that had taken Robert's life. No, not causing, he admonished himself. It had been Robert's choice to drive away angry after their fight. He'd offered to let Robert to stay, but his pig-headed nature had taken over, and Robert had sped off in a cloudy haze of dirt and flying pebbles. No one could've talked sense into Robert that night, not Canyon, not anyone. But that didn't make Canyon feel any less guilty.
He adjusted his tie, another thing he'd sworn off, and opened the door. He stepped down onto the pavement and slammed the door shut wincing at the inappropriate crack. He headed up the walkway and waited at the end of a long, serpentine line of people moving at a snail's pace toward the entry. Ten minutes crept by before he climbed the stairs and spotted the reason for the lag.
A pert nosed, fresh-faced young blonde woman stood at the door, holding a pen and a clipboard. "May I have your name, sir?"
"My name?" Canyon frowned.
"I'm sorry. Only people on the list are allowed list inside."
This stunk of Natalie's doing. Heartless bitch. His name wouldn't be on that list, and he knew it. "Canyon Roth."
She scanned the list, looked back up at him with sympathetic round eyes. "I'm sorry but your—--"
"Name's not on the list. Yeah, I know."
Sweet Romance - Contains No Explicit Sex
