Happiness Is a Warm Bum

By J.D. Walker

Austin Murray is fifty years old, owns a bookstore, and loves to walk on the beach at sun-up. He's a beachcomber, too, always in search of something unique to add to his collection. One such winter morning, an unkempt, sad-looking stranger roars into his life on a motorbike and his heart turns over for the first time, ever.

Murphy Vickers is world-weary, hurting, and unable to connect with anyone. He travels from place to place looking for work, but never stays anywhere very long. He's trying to outrun a painful event in his past that haunts him to this day. When he stops in a seaside town, he meets Austin, who offers him a job and a bed for however long he needs them.

Murphy is surly and reticent, But Austin won’t let that stop him from breaking through his barriers, and maybe getting a biker of his very own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Jan 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781634860857

J.D. Walker

J.D. Walker likes to keep her stories short and sweet. A multi-published author, she is also a musician, artist, and lover of all things knit and crochet. For more information, visit lifebyjo.com/jdwalker.

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Happiness Is a Warm Bum

By J.D. Walker

Published by JMS Books LLC

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2016 J.D. Walker

ISBN 9781634860857

Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

NOTE: This ebook was previously published by Amber Quill Press.

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Happiness Is a Warm Bum

By J.D. Walker

Six o’clock on a Sunday morning was the best time to walk the beach. I enjoyed a leisurely stroll, no matter the weather, pretty much every day. I’d lived next to water most of my life, and preferred it that way.

I liked to gather strange-shaped rocks, broken glass, anything that was unique and interesting as I took my stroll. I’d carry tiny treasures home in my pockets.

As I watched the sky lighten bit by bit, I thought about all the things I’d done and still hoped to accomplish. I’d just turned fifty and had no children, though my employees could be considered such, I suppose. The bookstore in town was my baby, but lately, I needed something…more.

I wasn’t in the closet, but I hadn’t necessarily announced my preferences to the world when I moved here eleven years ago to open the store. I simply turned down the ladies who asked me out on dates as gently as I could, and let everyone figure things out on their own.

Lost in thought, I wandered by the Misty View Motel knowing that very soon Tory Cuthbert, the owner, would be out here doing his regular morning run. We usually passed each other on his way back home. I hadn’t done anything like running in years. My bones weren’t up to the strain anymore.

Tory was like me, an out-of-towner who’d liked it here and decided to settle. He was also gay and happily involved with one of my employees.

The sky was pink and blue by the time I reached my half-way point. I sat on a rock, the fisherman knit sweater and jeans I wore keeping most of the brisk January wind off my body.

As I scratched my bearded jaw, I heard the sound of an engine on the road behind me. I turned and saw the rider of a dirty, weather-beaten motorcycle pull off about fifty feet from where I perched and park. Curious, I watched as he swung a leg over the seat and stood. He was a tall drink of water.

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