Heartward

by Andrew Grey

  “Well, with the way you fought for me, I think every hero needs a hero of his own. And you’re mine. You fought for me when I needed it.” Tyler closed his eyes and leaned forward. “You know I don’t want to be anyone’s hero. Maybe that’s not true. I think I just want to be your hero.” He closed the distance between them, and Alan leaned forward, adding his own intensity to the kiss.

  “I think I like the idea of you being my hero. You make me feel safe, like I can do anything because I know you’re there.” Alan pulled Tyler to him, letting the relief from the past day wash over him. “So what do we do going forward?”

  “I think we take things one step at a time and see where they lead.” Tyler pulled away, stood, and said in a rough voice, “Right now, I think they lead to the bedroom, and after that, maybe the sky’s the limit.”

  Alan allowed himself to be tugged to his feet and led down the hall. In the bedroom, they stripped down and climbed under the covers, but neither of them slept for quite a few hours.

  ALAN LAY in bed, with Tyler asleep next to him. He had been asleep, but something woke him. He wasn’t sure what it was until a rumble sounded in the distance, followed by another and a flash that lit the curtains. He had always loved thunderstorms and actually thought about sneaking out and going to the back to watch it roll in from over the lake. But lying here with Tyler was too good to give up, so he lay on his back, listening as the thunder built.

  “Can’t sleep?” Tyler asked groggily.

  “Too much to think about,” Alan whispered just as a clap of thunder rumbled deeply enough for him to feel the vibrations.

  A soft cry emanated from outside the room, followed by the fast patter of little feet. Alan oofed as Abey jumped on the bed, climbed right over him, then wiggled down between the two of them. “Scared, Papa,” Abey said, and settled under the covers.

  Alan figured that he should be grateful Abey hadn’t treated them to one of his cries of terror, though they seemed to be coming less frequently.

  “It’s okay. It’s just thunder. Nothing to be afraid of,” Tyler soothed. “We talked about this.”

  “Still scary, Papa,” Abey squeaked, burrowing down a little deeper.

  Alan found himself chuckling at the logic of a three-year-old. Abey didn’t ask why Alan was sleeping in Tyler’s bed, not that he expected that question, but Abey also didn’t react to them being together, and within a few minutes, Abey had settled and seemed to be asleep, even as the wind rattled the windows and the rain pelted the roof.

  Alan lifted his head and looked into Tyler’s eyes, sliding his arm up over Abey’s head. Tyler entwined his fingers with his, and the two of them lay quietly as sleep returned. This was where he wanted to be. Tyler squeezed his fingers, and that small gesture told Alan that he felt the same way.

  Epilogue

  “NO, PAPA,” Abey said as Tyler held his coat.

  “You need to put on your coat if you want to go to the barn and see Peaches and the other horses. It’s too cold outside otherwise.” Abey had developed an aversion to coats, even though it was nearly November and Halloween was just around the corner. “We can stay home….”

  Abey screwed up his face like he was going to cry.

  “You know that isn’t going to help,” Alan told Abey. “You can cry, but that will only mean that you stay here and have a nap.”

  That lower lip that had threatened to slide out got sucked back in.

  “How about you wear your mouse coat, and then we can go?”

  That seemed to please Abey, and Tyler didn’t care which coat Abey wore as long as he was warm enough. Tyler got his own coat, Alan did the same, and then he loaded Abey into the car, sent a message to his parents that they were leaving, and headed north, out into the country.

  Laughton Farms was humming with activity when they arrived. Tyler parked alongside the road and carried Abey toward the main house, where tents had been set up.

  “Alan, Tyler—or should I say, Chief Banik? I’m glad you could make it.”

  “So are we. With his schedule, we weren’t sure he would be able to come.”

  Chief Coburn had resigned from the department and had a lot of other worries, including just how long he was going to spend in jail. It seemed he had broken a number of federal employment laws, embezzled funds, and was accused of slowing the department’s response to fires that affected people who didn’t meet his narrow-minded world view. Gregory had done well as interim fire chief but stepped aside in favor of Tyler when it came time to choose a permanent replacement.

  Alan bumped Tyler’s shoulder as his parents walked up the drive.

  “Grampy, Grammy,” Abey said, and squirmed to get down so he could hurry over to them.

  “Thank you for inviting us,” Tyler said.

  “Of course. Now, we have lots of food, and Geoff is manning the grill. So help yourself to the buffet. There’s pony rides over there for the kids.”

  “Pony ride!” Abey shouted, jumping up and down.

  “Peaches is in the barn in his usual stall,” Eli said, and extended his hand.

  Abey hurried over, grinning as Eli led him toward the barn to see his horse friends.

  “He’s so excited,” Tyler’s mother said as she stood next to them. “What a difference from the little boy you brought home six months ago.”

  Tyler nodded. “It shows you the power of love, care, and plenty of attention.”

  His mother patted his shoulder. “And buckets of patience.”

  Tyler figured neither he nor Alan could argue with that. It did take patience and plenty of understanding to make things work. “Are you hungry? I suggest we all get something to eat while Abey is occupied with Eli and the horses, because he’s going to want to do everything.” He smiled. His shy little boy had blossomed into a social butterfly.

  They headed toward the tables, and after about ten minutes, Eli returned Abey to them. Abey talked and talked about Peaches and the ponies and how he wanted to ride them, as he sat in Grampy’s lap.

  Tyler sniffed, and Alan turned to him. “Are you getting a cold or is it allergies?”

  Tyler shook his head. “Nope. Just thinking and being a little scared.”

  “Why?” Alan asked.

  “Because at this very moment, my son has it all,” his mother interjected. “He has you, Abey, a job he adores, and a home that he loves. I think there’s only one thing missing.” She mock glared at Tyler, who glared back. It was best to meet fire with fire under these kinds of circumstances. “And I want to know too. Tyler and Alan, don’t you think it’s about time that the two of you stop living in sin and make what’s between you official?”

  Alan laughed, doubling over at the table. “Living in sin. I never thought of it like that.” Alan took his hand. “Tyler and I will have to discuss it.”

  Like they hadn’t already, and if the truth were known, the ring was sitting at home in Tyler’s dresser drawer. He just hadn’t found the exact right moment to give it to him yet.

  “Are you hungry?” Tyler’s dad asked Abey, but he shook his head.

  Tyler nearly fell off his seat.

  “Wanna pony ride,” Abey said.

  “You have some lunch first, and then you can have a pony ride.” Tyler got up and returned with plates for him and Abey, getting his son settled while the others got plates of their own. As predicted, they had about ten minutes to eat and then Abey was ready to go, longingly looking at the pony in the small corral, already saddled.

  “Okay. Let’s go ride the pony.”

  Alan swung Abey into the air and got a peal of excited laughter and a smile that didn’t fade a watt as Eli got Abey settled on Blackberry, then walked him around the yard with Tyler next to him making sure he stayed on.

  “Faster,” Abey called, and Eli walked a little more quickly, but that was all. He brought Blackberry in a huge circle and then back to where they started.

  “How about a picture?” Eli asked.

  “Yes. With Papa and Daddy
,” Abey said as though it were normal, but Tyler saw Alan stumble and then regain his step and come to stand next to Abey, right behind Blackberry and next to him. Abey grinned, Tyler smiled, and Alan beamed in the picture that Tyler would enlarge and hang on the living room wall of their home.

  Over the years, when Tyler looked at that picture on the table in their living room, if he leaned in close, he could just make out the tear that threatened to fall from Alan’s eye. It was their first family portrait, and it would always stick in his mind as the day Abey got a daddy as well as a papa, and marked the day he’d gotten the ring out of the drawer and, in that same living room, asked Alan to make it official.

  More from Andrew Grey

  Robin, the recipient of a brand-new heart, knows he can’t give it to just anyone….

  Robin’s been through his share of upsets recently, from heart transplant surgery to a brutal breakup. But his experiences have taught him life is short, and he’s ready to seize the day and start anew. A job at Euro Pride Tours is just the kind of adventure he’s looking for. He gets to see the world and live a little, but love isn’t on his radar screen. He isn’t sure his heart can endure that again.

  Johan might’ve disappointed his family by striking out on his own, but when he meets Robin, he has no intention of letting him down. Each man is just what the other needs to feel whole again, and while Johan might not be the man Robin originally thought he was, he’s exactly what the doctor ordered to make Robin’s borrowed heart beat faster. As the tour through Germany progresses, they grow closer, but when Robin’s ex joins the tour, he could bring their blossoming love to a dramatic halt.

  Martin Graham built his business from the ground up with hard work and intuition. Due to a degenerative eye disease, he’s learned to rely on his other senses to feel out the competition. To realize his dream, he just needs to broker one last deal… and finally secure an assistant.

  Brock Littleton is desperate for money—desperate enough take the job no one else wants: assistant to demanding, fussy, intensely private Mr. Graham.

  Everything about Brock gets under Martin’s skin in ways he never expected, making him realize a successful business isn’t the only component to a happy future. But as Martin’s deal comes together, one of the prices could be the relationship with Brock that Martin is just starting to believe could be real.

  A high-stakes case of industrial espionage ties them together, but before they can pursue their attraction, they must find out who’s pulling the strings.

  Devon Donaldson doesn’t know how a folio of stolen corporate secrets found its way into his bag, and certainly can’t think of anyone who’d want to frame him. The trouble is, he has to convince Powers McPherson.

  Devon’s firm hired Powers to investigate the theft of a new banking system, and so far Devon is his only lead. While Powers’s gut tells him Devon is innocent, he has no intention of letting Devon out of his sight… for more than one reason. Working together to get Devon’s life back leads to feelings far beyond cooperation. But before they can act on them, they need to find the group of thieves intent on ruining Devon’s reputation.

  Newton DeSantis was on the ground when the towers collapsed on 9/11. Though he still carries the scars on his body and his heart, he’s determined to ease some of the world’s suffering. Now a social worker and father to two children with special needs, he’s doing his best. But when one of his cases needs a good lawyer, Newton turns to Chase for help.

  Family law attorney Chase Matthews is a rising star, and he’s in high demand. Still, Newton is very persuasive, and Chase takes his case pro bono. Everything about the other man appeals to Chase, but he’s determined to keep the relationship professional—even though, after meeting Newton’s kids, he wants to be a part of their lives.

  Chase’s job doesn’t always allow him to pick his clients, though, and a case that could make him partner will put him on the opposite side of the courtroom from Newton—along with everything he believes in and the future they could build together.

  When the pickiest eater in America is tapped to judge a cooking competition along with his chef ex-boyfriend, will it be a recipe for a second chance… or disaster?

  Luke Walker’s humor about foods he can’t stand made him an internet celebrity and his blog, The Pickiest Eater in America, a huge hit. He plans to bring that same lighthearted comedy to the show—but he won’t be the only host.

  Meyer Thibodeaux might be a famous chef, but he’s solemn, uptight, and closeted. He’s also Luke’s ex. As different as they are, the sparks between Luke and Meyer never really went out, and as they work together, each begins to see the other in a new light, and the passion between them reignites, hot as ever. But secrets, gossip, and rumors on the set could sour their reunion.

  Readers love Andrew Grey

  Heart Unbroken

  “If you have read Mr. Grey’s books before, then you don’t need a review to know you are in for a story that will touch you in so many ways.”

  —Paranormal Romance Guild

  “This was just another perfect addition to this wonderful series. It’s a great story if you need a bit of a sweet romantic escape.”

  —Gay Book Reviews

  Survive and Conquer

  “…if you don’t read this, you’re missing out on a hell of a book. The way it’s written is absolutely amazing and I’m glad I got the chance to read it.”

  —Love Bytes

  “The emotions are overflowing, the characters are very deep and complex, it was a wild journey to get to know them and their motivations.”

  —MM Good Book Reviews

  On Shaky Ground

  “On Shaky Ground is a fast-paced, sexy office romance. As usual Andrew Grey created two great characters.”

  —TTC Books and More

  “It is an ode to determination and strength winning the day.”

  —Rainbow Book Reviews

  ANDREW GREY is the author of more than one hundred 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

  Heartward

  In Search of a Story

  New Tricks

  Noble Intentions

  North to the Future

  One Good Deed

  On Shaky Ground

  The Playmaker

  Pulling Strings

  Rebound

  Reunited

  Running to You

  Saving Faithless Creek

  Shared Revelations

  Survive and Conquer

  Three Fates

  To Have, Hold, and Let Go

  Turning the Page

  Twice Baked

  Unfamiliar Waters

  Whipped Cream

  ART

  Legal Artistry • Artistic Appeal

  Artistic Pursuits • Legal Tender

  BOTTLED UPr />
  The Best Revenge • Bottled Up

  Uncorked • An Unexpected Vintage

  BRONCO’S BOYS

  Inside Out • Upside Down

  Backward • Round and Round

  Over and Back

  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 • Fire and Obsidian

  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 • Heart Unbroken