Unfamiliar Waters

by Andrew Grey

  “How long are we staying?” Jules yelled to Nigel.

  “Two months,” Nigel answered. “By then it will be early spring back in New York, and I will have things I need to do.”

  Garrett was so proud of Nigel, he could bust. He had worked for months to get his parents’ things in order and untangled from his uncle’s. All of Hilliard’s dealings had come under such scrutiny, and the lawsuits were still being filed, so his assets were sold to pay restitution. Nigel had stepped into a role at his father’s company, mostly to learn the business and to help oversee his own finances. It was a big job, and Nigel had grown into it more and more each and every day.

  At the cove near the house, they dropped anchor, and Royston used the dinghy to ferry them, their supplies, and their gear onto land.

  “Thank you,” Nigel called to Captain Royston.

  “You call if you need anything.” He waved as he took the dinghy back and secured it behind the boat. The three of them waved in return and then started lugging everything up to the house.

  It hadn’t changed much, other than the jungle had tried to make its own inroads into the cleared space around it. Garrett added “cleaning up the property” to the list of things he’d do while he was here.

  Nigel pulled open the door and stepped inside. Jules and Garrett followed. Everything was pretty much as they’s left it, except for the wounded, who no longer lay on the floor, though the slight remnants of the bloodstains were proof enough of what had happened. Garrett had arranged for Maria from the village to look after the place while Nigel was gone, so it was reasonably clean.

  “Carry your things upstairs, and I’m going to get things settled in here.”

  “I’ll put away the kitchen stuff and make us lunch after I unpack,” Jules volunteered. He had developed cooking aspirations and seemed at home in the kitchen.

  “Wonderful. And don’t forget that you have lessons on Monday,” Nigel added, and Jules groaned, all melodramatic teenager as he lugged his and Nigel’s bags upstairs.

  Garrett had brought equipment to replace what he’d put out of commission, including a small satellite dish so they could have regular communication and internet service. The tutors they had hired would hold Skype lessons with Jules when they weren’t visiting.

  Funny how easy it was to get people to visit when you owned an island in paradise.

  “What about the things in Aunt Phyllis’s room?” Jules called down the stairs. Both he and Nigel kept referring to her as their aunt. Even in Garrett’s sometimes jaded mind, she deserved to be remembered that way.

  “What do you think?” Garrett called to Nigel as he rummaged in the kitchen for a bucket, cleanser, and a brush. He found both in the adjacent laundry area and filled the bucket from the sink.

  “I’d like to give whatever is good to the village. See if there is anyone there who can use it,” Nigel answered, coming up behind him. “Then maybe we can turn the room into a sitting room. It has great windows and air flow, so I’d like to make a reading room out of it.” Nigel’s love of books hadn’t diminished, and his iPad was now full of them, as was one of the boxes he’d brought.

  “It sounds wonderful. Whatever you’d like will make me happy. Maybe we could do that, and I could use it as an office while I’m here.”

  “Perfect. I can read while you work.” The glint in Nigel’s eye told him that whatever he had in mind didn’t involve much work getting done.

  “I’m unpacked and going to make lunch so I can go out to the beach.” Jules pounded down the stairs as he raced toward the kitchen. Garrett figured lunch was going to consist of whatever Jules could get his hands on quickly. Not that he blamed him. Garrett had a particular beach in mind himself.

  “Just go. Garrett and I can make our own lunch when we’re hungry,” Nigel called as he headed upstairs. Jules ran past Garrett as he took another stab at getting the dried blood off the floorboards. A little of it came out, but he knew some would become part of the wood. He made a note to replace them.

  The door banged closed, and Jules was probably halfway to the beach by the time Garrett had a chance to caution him. Not that it mattered. Jules was at home here and knew every stone, each spit of sand.

  Nigel bustled down the stairs and opened all the windows to let through the ocean breeze. Then he began cleaning up as well, brushing off cushions and wiping down the furniture. Once Garrett had gotten up what he could, he dumped the dirty water and rinsed the bucket out. When he returned, he found Nigel in the downstairs sitting room, staring at the table.

  “What is it?” Garrett asked, following Nigel’s gaze.

  “These.” He picked up a shell and rolled it carefully in his hand. “I gave this to Aunt Phyllis.” He turned it over, and a delicate shell necklace toppled out into his hand. “I made this too, from pieces of shell that I shaped from the beach, years ago. She kept it.” He seemed surprised.

  “She loved both of you. I don’t doubt that now.” From the expression on Nigel’s face, he had been, but that was being swept aside before his eyes. Garrett sat down in the chair across from Nigel. “There’s something I have to tell you. That I’ve been dreading telling you for months.”

  “I know. You tried to get me out of the room, but I heard Uncle Hilliard.” Nigel set down the shell pieces and came to him. “I heard him confess to what he did to Mom and Dad.”

  Garrett was both relieved and pissed that he hadn’t had this conversation earlier. “Does Jules know?”

  “No. There’s no need to tell him. It won’t change anything, and he isn’t coming back… ever. Why let him hurt us some more?”

  Garrett got up and put his arms around Nigel’s waist and leaned on his chest, Nigel winding his fingers in his hair.

  “I love you, Garrett, for trying to protect us, but I can handle things on my own now.”

  “I know,” Garrett said. “Sometimes I’m afraid of how capable you are. What if you don’t need me, and…?” So much of their time together had been Nigel needing him.

  “I’ll always want you, and that’s better.” Nigel leaned down and kissed him. “How about we leave this stuff here and head down to the beach… our beach… and I can show you just how much I need and want you?”

  How could Garrett say no to making love, with his love, in paradise?

  More from Andrew Grey

  The only path to happiness is freedom: the freedom to live—and love—as the heart wants. Claiming that freedom will take all the courage one young man has… but he won’t have to face it alone.

  In small, conservative Sierra Pines, California, Reverend Gabriel is the law. His son, Willy, follows his dictates… until he meets a man in Sacramento, and then reunites with him in his hometown—right under his father’s nose.

  Reggie is Sierra Pines’s newly appointed sheriff. His dedication to the job means not flaunting his sexuality, but when he sees Willy again, he can’t escape the feeling that they’re meant to be together. He’ll keep Willy’s secret until Willy is ready to let the world see who he really is. But if going up against the church and the townspeople isn’t enough, the perils of the work Reggie loves so much might mean the end of their romance before it even gets off the ground….

  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 Carlisle Deputies Novel

  Jordan Erichsohn suspects something is rotten about his boss, Judge Crawford. Unfortunately he has nowhere to turn and doubts anyone will believe his claims—least of all the handsome deputy, Pierre Ravelle, who has been assigned to protect the judge after he received threatening letters. The judge has a long reach, and if he finds out Jordan’s turned on him, he might impede Jordan adopting his son, Jeremiah.

  When Jordan can no longer stay silent, he gathers his courage and tells Pierre what he knows. To his surprise and relief, Pierre believes him, and Jordan finds an ally… and maybe more. Pierre vows to do what it takes to protect Jordan and Jeremiah and see justice done. He’s willing to fight for the man he’s growing to love and the family he’s starting to think of as his own. But Crawford is a powerful and dangerous enemy, and he’s not above ripping apart everything Jordan and Pierre are trying to build in order to save himself….

  A Carlisle Deputies Novel

  The heat is growing from the inside, but danger is building on the outside.

  Judge Andrew Phillips runs a tight ship in his courtroom. He’s tough, and when he hands down a sentence, he expects to be obeyed. So when a fugitive named Harper escapes and threatens his life, Andrew isn’t keen on twenty-four/seven protection… especially not from Deputy Clay Brown. They have a past, one that could cause problems in their careers.

  But with Clay assigned to Andrew and the two of them together every minute, there’s nowhere to hide from their attraction—or from the fact that there’s much more than chemistry blooming between them. As the threat intensifies, Clay knows he’ll do anything it takes to protect the people who are taking their places in his heart: Andrew and his young niece and nephew.

  A Carlisle Deputies Novel

  When Chris Anducci is moved off jail duty and into the sheriff’s office, he doesn’t expect his first assignment to be protecting a witness against a human trafficking ring. Knowing the new sheriff doesn’t abide screwups, Chris reluctantly agrees to work the case.

  Pavle Kasun has spent the last four years of his life at the mercy of others. When an opportunity presented itself, he took it, resulting in his rescue. Now the safe houses he’s placed in are being threatened and he needs protection if he is to have any sort of chance at a life.

  Chris opens his home to Pavle, but he doesn’t expect Pavle and his story to get under his skin… and stay there. Soon they discover they have more in common than either of them thought. Slowly Pavle comes out of his shell and Chris finds someone who touches his heart. But as the men looking for Pavle close in, they will stop at nothing to get him out of the way. But even if Chris can keep him safe, he might not be able to protect his heart if Pavle moves back home.

  Readers love Andrew Grey

  All for You

  “All for You is now hands-down my favorite Andrew Grey book… so far.”

  —Gay Book Reviews

  “…Andrew Grey always comes up with something new and enlightening.”

  —Paranormal Romance Guild

  Don’t Let Go

  “I highly recommend this book. It’s sexy, sweet, and Robert and Zeke will capture your heart. I’d have loved to be able to spend more time with them, and I think you’ll feel the same.”

  —Joyfully Jay

  “I gladly recommend this book. It was a beautiful ballad, the kind you hummed with a secret smile on your lips.”

  —OptimuMM

  Fire and Granite

  “Fire and Granite is another suspenseful and tension filled installment in the Carlisle Deputies series. The plot has plenty of danger and suspicious characters along with two sweet kids and a cute dog.”

  —The Novel Approach

  “Adventure, excitement, fascination, hot sexy times, danger and so much more is what you will find in this book. It caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end.”

  —MM Good Book Reviews

  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

  Reunited

  Running to You

  Saving Faithless Creek

  Shared Revelations

  Three Fates

  To Have, Hold, and Let Go

  Turning the Page

  Unfamiliar Waters

  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 • Fire and Agate

  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

  Heart Untouched

  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

&nbs
p; 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