FanLit

Denise is a cool Gran and Mum. Toby has a sound support system on his paternal side, along with a good friend (sometimes you just need the one)….while it seems Toby has a decent relationship with his mother, it’s hoped Deirdre matures alongside her son; Jasper may be an impediment in that regard.

That thought crossed my mind, as well.

She most definitely would have been.

Kyan gave her the absolute adoration she craved & she wasn’t letting that go but it wouldn’t have lasted….people like that will never be totally happy.

I relate so much to what you said here. The bottom line is that Dayna was a general pain in the ass who overwhelmed her family, particularly her parents, they plain ol’ fucked up in expecting Perry to always “show his neck” to Dayna, particularly considering she didn’t deserve it most, if not all of the time….hindsight is 20/20 and Jed & Trudy at least realize and acknowledge what they did; it can’t hurt that Dayna is dead, lol. I wonder if they would’ve still left things as they were had she lived. I appreciate that @Mrsgnomie wrote about a character like Dayna, the fact is people like her do exist, black holes of attention and affection just born that way and incapable of change. When we look at people, we always hope their good traits outweigh their bad ones….sometimes it ain’t so. At least she made beautiful babies. 🤷‍♀️

“You trust me with a razor at your throat?” Jubal asked slyly, teasing the man again. “Reckon I trust you completely,” he answered, but he weren’t at all joking.” What a gift those words are. Complete trust is rare and beautiful; 🎁 once broken, it will never be whole again. What is it about horse’s teeth that can determine their age? Will (Merrick) and Morey Swain certainly were engaged in what was then one of the most prosperous professions at that time, as there would always be a need for good, quality lumber. (Still is) That job is not for the faint of heart (I myself have a huge fear of splinters, lol). Lucas’ “friendly” teasing to Morey about Jubal was revelatory….Lucas definitely has plans for our Mr. Coyle. “I reckon Reid likes you too.” Appeared he caught the man by surprise, judging by his expression. “Why… why do you think so?” “I don’t know, maybe because he crowed for me helping you stay alive? You seem close… ain’t you?” Oh the snorty laugh I gave when I read that, lol!! Gary, you trickster you, lol!! What a cliffhanger!! I do believe Jubal is going to realize he, Lucas and Reid are all fishermen or vegetarians and some are a bit more territorial over their bounty than others. 🐟🍆 Everything Lucas learns about Jubal confirms for him they can be a really fine pair, in every way….while unconfirmed, it seems Lucas and Reid used to be an intimate pair, were they a fine pair that way? Lucas seems okay with them being a pair of platonic friends but Reid is clearly finding that boundary hard to accept. Enamored people possess a sixth sense where their inamorata/inamorato is concerned….Reid’s was pinged the second he laid eyes on Jubal….seems he wants his position fully known by all concerned. What words are going to be exchanged between Lucas and Reid? Will the sheriff cause trouble to get his competition out of the way? When will Jubal feel comfortable enough to tell Lucas what happened with “the rope”? Find out next week when we check out “Bearpaw: An Old West Tale” 🐾 🍻

Thank you for the belated greeting @raven1 🙏 💝 Beefcake is one of my favorite pastries & ways to get protein, thanks❣️❣️

This young man seems devoted to the life of a submissive, particularly his Sir’s submissive….very sexy start.

No need for apologies, they add character to the story.

Fellow American here, I’m going to be looking those up as well, lol.

Wonderful premise and set up with this first chapter. So glad that Brian and Toby have such a solid relationship; Brian & Deirdre being young parents seems to have made the sorting out of their emotions a challenge, along with Brian’s nascent sexual evolution….could that be what Deirdre picked up on, besides her immaturity? Brian’s relationship with Gordon sounds intriguing….there seems to be feelings that Brian’s willing to own up to now, which means Gordon has likely had to deal with a lot of stop and go on Brian’s part….is Gordon interested in more or has he had enough? This relationship & Brian’s openness about it with Toby allowed Toby to declare his own preference, which can only give Toby security, given his home situation with Deirdre and Jasper. Your chapter servings are hearty and I love the English East-Midlands vernacular….looking forward to see where this goes.

What a very sweet story. Luke and Ben manifested more than personal shoppers and law clerks, they were brought the realization of all their dreams. The Bennetts are a typical big family and atypically all accepting of their gay brother’s orientation, to the point they were constantly trying to fix him up….it seems Luke got his open, trusting nature from his family-he trusted in love at first sight with Ben and his family trusted in him, enough to welcome Ben almost immediately with open arms; It was quite the contrast to Ben’s alienation from his parents, which wasn’t resolved in enough time for him to reconcile with his mother….I wonder if she were the one who wasn’t accepting of her son. Luke’s optimistic nature influenced Ben to reconcile with John, which led to a new partnership with his son & son-in-law, as well as new love for John with Cindi. I take it Luke and Ben will go by Fields instead of Bennett? Ben Bennett sounds a little off, unless it’ll be Fields-Bennett? Lol. Luke and Ben’s story is quite the whirlwind and a reminder that sometimes you just have to trust your gut; after all, “Wishes can turn into miracles, and miracles do happen.” 😉

Gracie makes Maeve look like Mother Teresa, lol. I think Maeve was the fussy twin….

I’m a woman but the hug’s there just the same. 😊

Post Loren rejection. Sven proved his worthiness when he reached out to Jay about the Lars sighting….he tried to shoot his shot (well multiple shots, pun intended, lol!!) with a guy he was falling for, was rejected by and still wanted to protect him, all from a distance. Sven is gold as far as I’m concerned. 🏅

Oh yeah, and another thing: “Kyan was afraid. If he showed up and Perry slammed the door in his face, it would destroy him. Dayna’s death had been devastating, but losing Perry would be worse.” Very interesting, telling statement, whether Kyan realizes it or not….🤔 Now I’m done….I think, lol 🤞

I’m officially going on record: Max and Sven. ❤️❤️ 👬 That’s all. 😬

@Mrsgnomie- as much of a hellion as Gracie is, your descriptions of her defiant behavior still charms: “The kids held hands. Ava grabbed Henry’s, Henry grabbed Noah’s, and Noah reached for Gracie’s, but she pulled it away. He scowled at her and whispered, “We have to hold hands.” “I don’t wanna hold your hand!” “Grandpa said we have to be ‘nited! Remember? Now hold my hand,” he demanded, gritting his teeth as he tried to grab her hand. Gracie tucked both hands behind her back, then marched to the other side of the line and held Ava’s hand instead.” There are many such examples like that throughout the story, lol. Seems like the only one who has her number is Max….he’s a brat whisperer on top of being a good friend, lol.

If it walks like a bitch and talks like a bitch…. Kyan dodged a bullet at a tumultuous, possibly unsatisfactory life. “He remembered hearing once that men marry women like their mothers, and women marry men like their fathers. Had Kyan done that? Had he subconsciously married someone as vicious as his mother was?” We gravitate to what we know, even if it’s unhealthy.

Wholeheartedly concur.

Gracie is a piece of work, let’s hope she uses her powers for good instead of evil, lol.

This chapter both gave me hope and broke my heart. First off- I nominate Max as friend of the year. “Rah rah, sis boom bah!!” 📣 His grace in accepting Kyan’s confession was a welcome relief, his explanation that he’s in a toxic “entanglement” of his own that he’s desperately looking to break free of better explains his frantic crush on Perry….perfect Perry was the life preserver he had a stranglehold on in that hope. Yay also to a good holiday visit with his sister, wishing her continued strides in her healing so she can be the mother her son needs. “Kids are so different. It doesn’t matter that they come from the same people and share the same genes.They come with their own unique personalities. Take yours, for example. Noah is an easygoing rule follower. He rarely makes a fuss about anything and always has a smile. Henry is Henry. A boy after my own heart. Give him a truck, and he’ll be content for days. Ava is a sweet empath, always feeling the emotions. And then there is Gracie.You can’t help but love her, even when you don’t want to. “For us, Jessica was the firstborn with a bossy, type-A personality. She ruled the house, or tried to. Perry was our fiercely loyal people-pleaser. Then there was Dayna. We called her Shaker. If Jess and Perry wanted to watch The Lion King, Dayna wanted Tom and Huck. She never went along with anything, always shaking things up, and if she didn’t get her way, good Lord, that girl could throw a tantrum. Some kids are born needing more attention. Dayna was one of those.” Jed’s subsequent explanation about Perry and Dayna’s dynamic as well as he & Trudy’s role in the status quo at the time brought tears to my eyes….it was a strong, brave, loving act to take responsibility as he did for mistakes made; no one expects parents to be perfect, they WILL make mistakes….the hope is they can be recognized, acknowledged and rectified in whatever way they can be, as Jed did in his conversation with Kyan….parents are people, too and all our feet are made of clay….it is hoped that Jed and Trudy had a similar clarifying conversation with Perry, he deserves it. “I just… needed to tell you that Perry isn’t a bad guy. He’s only doing what he was raised to do.” Jed and Kyan weren’t the only ones boo hooing after this passage was read 😭 On a lighter note-Fast food may be gut busters (or gut bubblers) but Chik-fil-A is pretty good. Jed’s conversation with Kyan was essential, emotionally essential. Whatever choice Kyan makes now will be a fully informed one, as well as one knowing he has the full support of his in laws.

Intriguing start, a love story (or friends with benefits story) with specific fetishes at play. Looking forward to the build up that includes hopefully now single Antony getting everything he wants from schoolboy crush Sammy.