Description
Robbie Sexton is heading home to north Alabama for his father’s funeral. In Baltimore, he could be himself, but in Athens, Alabama, he figures he’ll be back in the proverbial closet. The only one who knows he’s even gay is his cousin Danny. Of course, that’s when life decides to throw him a curveball. Thanks to a bit of matchmaking on Danny’s part, Robbie meets Seth Ellis, one of the newest ranch hands on his uncle’s farm. Before long, he realizes maybe heading home wasn’t such a bad idea.
Over several months, Robbie’s life winds up in a bit of a whirlwind. Between becoming an uncle himself, dealing with his bigoted brother, and trying to start over in the tattoo business, he has his hands full. But there remains one constant in his life: Seth.
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EXCERPT:
“This is gonna look amazing.”
“Yeah?”
Robbie Sexton caught his client’s gaze in the mirror. “Oh, yeah. You still want it black? I think a bit of color would make it really pop.”
Ellie didn’t shrug like she normally would have. “You’re the artist, hun. If you think you can enhance it with a little color, go for it.” She shifted the slightest bit and pointed down at the mermaid covering her right calf. “I trust you.”
Grinning, Robbie resumed inking in her latest tat: another mermaid, but this one on her right shoulder blade. He heard the faint sound of the phone ringing up at the front desk, but then the buzz of the gun drowned out everything else.
A bit later, he wiped the tat, sprayed it, and moved so Ellie could turn around and look in the mirror. Her face lit up with glee.
“It’s gorgeous!”
Someone tapped the phone on Robbie’s shoulder. “For you, man.”
“Excuse me, honey,” he said to Ellie. He took the phone and wandered back to the small storage room down the short hall. “Robbie here.”
“Sweetie…”
“Mama? What’s…” He didn’t need to finish. He knew. He rested his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. “When?”
Mama sniffled. “Last night, in his sleep. He went peacefully, baby.”
He resisted the urge to step out the back door and light up the very thing that just took his father from them. “When do you need me there?”
“Can you get here in a week?”
“Yeah. We’ve got things covered here well enough.”
“Thank you, baby. I love you.”
Robbie swallowed, nodded to himself. “Love you, too, Mama.”
When he returned the phone to the front desk, the shop owner—Dale—set it on the base. Dale gave Robbie a sympathetic smile.
“Judging by your expression and her voice, I’m guessing the news isn’t good.”
“He’s gone,” Robbie said. “In his sleep.”
Dale nodded and sighed. “I’m sorry, man. Anything I can do?”
“I need a week or two off. Is that doable?”
“Of course.” Dale patted Robbie’s shoulder. “Take all the time you need. In fact, since Ellie was your last client booked today, head home if you want.”
“You sure?”
Dale smiled. “Absolutely.”
“Thanks.” Robbie went back to the booth where Ellie still stood, admiring her new mermaid. “Hey, honey.”
She looked up and gently put her arms around his neck. “I heard,” she murmured while they hugged. “I’m so sorry, Robbie.”
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