Wayne Gray

Huh! I had never noticed that before!

Yep, same here. Ahhhh. There's a new "vote up, vote down" comment thingy on the left.

Holy crap! 110 mph?! Wow. I'm glad you didn't lose anything else, and that you're all right.

No problem. I’m happy you enjoyed it enough to put it on repeat. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to let me know!

Hello! I hope you’re enjoying the story ... because I’m not quite sure yet. 🙂

Thanks, James. I updated Storylover with the new ending as well. It just feels better to me, and I wanted to send the guys off right there too. I've yet to update Nifty ... though I should! The next Camp Refuge will address something we've not seen yet, and we will get to catch up with all of our campers - including Rayne and Elias. 🙂

Thanks, Parker. And I'm glad you got your garden done! That's important stuff. We have one too, so I know! I really do think Bailey and Harlan belong with one another. They may be very different (they are!), but that's what makes the world go 'round.

On Friday, my work took a stand. There was nothing ambiguous, or waffling about it. A racial inclusion group was formed, given a budget, and empowered to make real changes. Then our CEO called an organizational-wide meeting on a couple of different platforms and announced it. This was partially in response to some of our staff who "weren't sure there really was a problem." I'm proud to work there. We are rural, and there will be repercussions for us standing up. But staying silent isn't right, and would rot the core of everything we hope to do. I feel the same is true personally. Even if my nephew wasn't African American, I'd still feel this way. This isn't just about personally doing what is right. This is about demanding that our countries do what is right on a systematic scale. It's time to be the change we want to see. Well said, Mike.

*cheep cheep* I mean that in the best way too. 😄

Thanks, rick. I was never really happy with how it had ended with the chapter before, with Harlan and Bailey by the river. I think this ties things up much better for them.

Ah, awesome. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Dayaus! That last line. Hehe. Yeah. There are moments where we write something, read it, and think about the scene ... and we sorta grin at our own (very fleeting) brilliance. The reason those moments are special is because they are rare! That was one for me. The muse was kind - for just a second. lol There's more to come down the line for these characters. Thanks again for reading!

Thanks for the comment, alexlittel! Those are the stories I personally like to read. I like erotica with serious elements. I want complex characters who are flawed and who act irrationally at times. Because those characters are real. We know people like them, or we could be them. And yes. My stories have to have hot sex. If you're gonna do it, do it right. 😄

Well said. 😄

Yeah, yeah. you did tell me. 😛 Thanks, tim. I'll try to write a chapter of our story this week/weekend. How about that?

Thanks, Quixo. I am so SO not a "big dog." lol I am a guy who likes certain kinds of stories. When I didn't find them I set out to write them myself. And here we are. My mechanical ability with the language is mediocre, at best. Without Thorn, this thing would be in a pretty sorry state. What I do have is drive. I have a good imagination. I have a need to teach things through my work in a way that doesn't feel like a lesson. I used to assume that everyone could write if they really wanted to, but I know now that's not true. So ... yes, I have the spark. I can plot and then write my vision onto the page. If you've got that then so can you. You will improve as you write, but you need to allow yourself to be bad. Know that you are starting from this place, now, and that you will improve from here on. I'm not ready to run with the big dogs either. But I'm not gonna let that stop me. You shouldn't either. 🙂

Thanks, Jack. And I like that line. "... venturing to the border where love meets duty." Harlan spent years denying himself connection to others, because he could use the excuse of his work. In truth, he felt he didn't deserve it. It took reconciling with his father, and the uncontrollable affection for Bailey to finally get through to him. And I do NOT need more plots! No no no. lol. I have more story ideas in my head now than I will ever be able to write. But there will indeed be other stories. So hang on to that hat.

Thanks, Rupert. Yes, you may. Though it will be a bit. 😄

Thanks, chris. I like how "this part" keeps showing up ... reaffirming I said above that there was more to come. 😄 That's flattering, so thank you. I rather like how this part went. It was short, but I think it really showed what was important.

Thanks, Jeffrey. I think the glimpse of Corbin and Paul, though short, was still nice. A little check in. 🙂 I appreciate that you took the time to read, comment, and rate the chapters and the story. Thank you for that.

Ah, I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for reading and for the comments. I do try to expose others and myself to new things in my writing. It helps us grow. It's great you liked the process. 🙂 Thanks again.

Thanks, Butcher. Harlan felt that he had to. He didn't know how much he could really tell Bailey, though he was honestly ready to tell him whatever he wanted to know. That's a dangerous moment for a guy like Harlan! So letting Corbin doing the reveal was safest for all involved. There's more down the line for our crew. 🙂

Thanks, Geemeedee! Copy/pasted from a previous answer: Oh, he'll respectfully thank them for the opportunity and withdraw his application to look for work closer to home. Now that he has put in some work locally his name will get out there. True, not everybody will have a translator available, but some will. Now, lets get to the other questions. Bailey wasn't specifically informed that Harlan is protecting Elias, though he was told Harlan is based at the campground to ensure the safety of "Reina assets." Paul is still a firefighter. He made sure to be off-duty that evening, and Corbin knew Harlan would be most comfortable with him and Jenoah in positions where things might be overheard. I tried to drop little hints that Paul didn't typically serve - strange timing on pouring the wine was one, but I think that was too subtle. Ah well. The empty restaurant was absolutely a way to prove that the conversation (and Harlan) mattered a great deal to Corbin. Pre-accident Bailey would be an interesting story in and of itself. He was a gregarious, generous, brave, and talented person. He's a bit less gregarious now, but the rest all still apply.

Thanks! They've been connected since Harlan showed up at the campground. But yes ... this makes it pretty overt, eh? 🙂

I just answered this one, but I'll copy paste it here. Oh, he'll respectfully thank them for the opportunity and withdraw his application to look for work closer to home. Now that he has put in some work locally his name will get out there. True, not everybody will have a translator available, but some will. Thanks for commenting and following along, droughtquake. 🙂

Thanks, Dr. John NYC. Oh, he'll respectfully thank them for the opportunity and withdraw his application to look for work closer to home. Now that he has put in some work locally his name will get out there. True, not everybody will have a translator available, but some will. I'm glad you like Bailey. He's a good guy.