Ripples in Cedarwood

By Megan Slayer

One never intended on being a father and the other isn't looking for a relationship, but they're about to find out that what they want and need might be the last thing they expected.

Steve Moore wasn't planning on being a dad. He envisioned a life of teaching and professional swimming. Fast forward a year and he's the guardian of his ten-year-old sister. He wants love and passion, but who wants to date a guy with a family?

Farin Baker believed love wasn't in his cards—until he takes his nephew to swimming lessons. One glance at the water-slicked hunk teaching the class has him thinking about jumping into the dating pool once again. He's ready for a fresh start and a hot guy for his bed.

Will these two men find heat between the sheets or will the guardianship situation be the biggest detriment to them finding happiness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Jun 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781786517890

Megan Slayer

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

Book preview

Pride Publishing books by Megan Slayer

Single Books

Constant

Permanent

Vaulting

Drive my Car

We Belong Together

Finding Michael

Must Love Dogs

The One I Want

You and Me Again

Cedarwood Pride

Home to Cedarwood

Anthologies

Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line

Out of Bounds: Making the Play

Aim High: Lifetime Hitch

Brothers in Arms: One Night with You

Collections

What’s his Passion?: Wild Card

Cedarwood Pride

RIPPLES IN CEDARWOOD

MEGAN SLAYER

Ripples in Cedarwood

ISBN # 978-1-78651-789-0

©Copyright Megan Slayer 2019

Cover Art by Cherith Vaughan ©Copyright June 2019

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2019 by Pride Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Pride Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

Book two in the

Cedarwood Pride series

One never intended on being a father and the other isn’t looking for a relationship, but they’re about to find out that what they want and need might be the last thing they expected.

Steve Moore wasn’t planning on being a dad. He envisioned a life of teaching and professional swimming. Fast forward a year and he’s the guardian of his ten-year-old sister. He wants love and passion, but who wants to date a guy with a family?

Farin Baker believed love wasn’t in his cards—until he takes his nephew to swimming lessons. One glance at the water-slicked hunk teaching the class has him thinking about jumping into the dating pool once again. He’s ready for a fresh start and a hot guy for his bed.

Will these two men find heat between the sheets or will the guardianship situation be the biggest detriment to them finding happiness?

Dedication

For everyone who loved the Cedarwood books—here they are again.

For Cheryl, Flash, Dawn, Heather and my Lucky Ducks—you all rock.

For my editor—without your guidance, I’d be lost. You rock too.

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Camaro: General Motors Company

Coke: The Coca-Cola Company

Cinderella: Charles Perrault

Chapter One

Hi, my name is Steve Moore, and I didn’t think I’d come here to a single father support group. I never planned on being a dad, and I’m not. Let me rephrase—I’m a parent, but I’m not a dad. I’m an untraditional parent—I take care of my baby sister. I was given guardianship over my sister when our parents were killed. Remember the single-engine airplane accident over at the county airport? That was our folks. Steve’s knees knocked together, and he fought to keep upright.

Talking in front of a classroom of twelve-year-olds was so much easier than trying to talk about himself to the support group. His heart hammered and he squeezed his hands together behind his back.

I’m a substitute teacher at the middle school, an author, a movie reviewer, and a swim instructor. Gotta have a lot of jobs to keep me busy. That said, I spend a lot of time with people, but I’m lonely and overwhelmed. My sister is a good kid. She’s smart, driven and helps out, but she misses our parents.

He needed to stop jabbering on. The others in the room probably didn’t want to hear anything else he had to say.

You’re doing fine, Steve, Colin, the leader of the group, said. He smiled and nodded. What makes you feel lonely, other than the solitary job of raising a kid?

So, they weren’t tired of him? He blew out a long breath. The other staff at the school only pay me attention when I’m subbing for them. Otherwise, I’m just a body taking up space. The metropark pool is full of kids, which is good for my sister, but it’s not a great place to meet people. The movies are good but can be solitary too. I guess, I’m looking in the wrong places. I just need to know I’m not alone, so here I am. When he finished speaking, he held his breath and waited for the collective response. Would they kick him out for not being a real father?

You’re not alone. Colin smiled again. We’re all in your shoes and know where you’re coming from. You’re in a good place.

Thanks. Steve eased onto his chair and sighed. For the next hour and a half, he listened to the other members share their stories. They discussed their achievements and steps backward, all while boosting each other up. As he listened to the other men, he tried to figure out where he knew Colin from. The man wasn’t completely unfamiliar to him.

The bookstore… That was where he’d seen Colin. The guy owned the local business and had a boyfriend who was a cop. He’d seen the pair around town together.

He rested his ankle on his opposite knee and thought about his life. He wished he were lucky like Colin. Most men weren’t interested in him. He didn’t have a whole lot of experience with relationships though he’d had a couple of boyfriends after college. The problem was, every time he wanted to bring a guy home for a fling, his sister came to mind. He wasn’t about to allow someone he barely knew into his home with his baby sister. He refused to put her in any kind of danger.

Being cautious for her meant he had no social life whatsoever. As always, he’d been the responsible kid because there hadn’t been anyone besides their grandmother. She lived in a retirement community and hadn’t wanted custody. Responsibility was great, but the loneliness sucked.

At the end of the meeting, the men shook hands. Some immediately left and others grabbed some of the literature from one of the tables. Steve hesitated. None of the guys were particularly what he was looking for. Then again, he wasn’t even sure he had a type.

Hi there. My name’s Don Oberman. The older gentleman stuck out his hand and shook Steve’s. I didn’t give my story tonight. I usually do, but there were a lot of guys here tonight, so I stayed quiet. He smiled. The salt-and-pepper flecks in his short hair caught the light. I’m the single dad of a college kid.

Very cool. Steve folded his arms. He knew better than to take such a closed-off stance, but he wasn’t sure what to do with his hands. Were you married? He froze, trying to hide the embarrassment. He’d been too forward. I’m sorry.

No need to be sorry. Don laughed. He widened his stance and crossed his arms. I hooked up with my partner Rooney twenty-five years ago. We couldn’t get married, but I was able to adopt. They wouldn’t let him and me, just me. We adopted Todd and never looked back. His smiled wavered. Well, until the AIDS got Rooney. Todd’s doing great. Second year of college.

Great for your son, but I’m sorry to hear about your partner, Steve replied. Was it recent? His passing?

He passed a couple years back, but I’m still not ready to move forward and date. He sighed. I’m not looking for a hookup. It’s too fresh after losing Rooney. I’d like someone to have coffee with and just talk with. Probably sounds silly, but I don’t care.

Steve cocked his head. How old are you? You can’t be more than mid-forties.

I’m forty-seven, but thank you. Don slapped Steve on the back. So, coffee sometime? I own the shop, so whenever you’ve got time, I can have ’er open.

He’d wanted a friend too. Hell, a father figure could be a good influence. Sure. Steve grinned. Not a date, but a social meeting. Good enough.

How about Wednesday? Or are you teaching?

He hadn’t gotten a call about coming in on any long-term assignments, but sometimes the schools waited until the wee hours of the morning to phone and the teachers waited until the last minute to decide to take leave. Crud. I’ll meet you around eleven unless I’m teaching. If I don’t show by eleven-thirty, then assume I’m teaching.

Great. I’ll see you Wednesday. Don waved, then strolled away.

Steve stood in silence and watched the older man leave. He had a date—well, no, they were meeting for coffee. Don was too old for him, but maybe Don would be good for him.

See you next week? Colin asked. This can be overwhelming, but you’re doing fine.

I am and I will be. I’m glad I came. Steve gathered up his jacket. Thanks.

Call if you need help or just want to talk. That’s what I’m here for. Colin waved before Steve left the building.

Steve slid behind the wheel of his father’s sedan and grinned. He’d gotten out of his shell all right. He’d made friends and talked about his issues. You’d be proud of me, Dad, he said to the interior of the car. Real proud.

Five minutes later, Steve pulled into the driveway of his sister’s friend’s house. He strolled up to the door, but before he could knock, his sister barreled down the porch.

See you in the car, Stevie, she said and raced past him.

Sure. He stopped at the steps. I’ll tell Violet’s mom thank you, and we’ll go. He turned back to the front door where the woman waited. Thanks for keeping Genie. I know she can be a handful sometimes.

Can we talk? Violet’s mother, Abigail, eased onto the porch. From the pinch of her eyebrows and the low tone of her voice, Steve guessed it wouldn’t be a great conversation.

Sure. He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets. Did she break something? Say something she wasn’t supposed to? I’ll get it fixed, pay for it or talk to her.

Abigail gripped her cell phone. Your mom and dad were fine people. Level-headed and sweet. They really were. She paused. But I don’t know how they managed to end up with you.

Excuse me? End up with him? What the hell was she getting at?

She gestured, waving her phone through the air. We don’t talk about being gay in this household.

Okay. That’s good to know. He still wasn’t sure where she was going with the tense conversation.

Don’t tell Genie about being gay. Don’t try to explain it to her.

Because she’s too young? Steve asked. I don’t know. She’s pretty smart for her age and she’s quick on the uptake.

Because it’s immoral. Abigail’s voice rose a notch. You’re going to screw her up if you keep on talking about gayness being okay. It’s not. Men marry women—end of story.

I don’t think it is. Now, he understood. She wanted to lecture him. Swell.

You’ll make her gay, Abigail snapped.

I will? Because I’m her brother? I doubt that. Now, he was just playing with her and wondering why in the hell he’d ever let Genie visit with the old windbag… Because of Violet, her daughter. Well, shit.

You’re teaching her to be gay, that being gay is acceptable, and that having loose morals is fine. It’s not. She deserves more. Behave, and don’t flaunt your sexuality.

Or you’ll what? You’ll get involved? Fill her head with your version of the truth? Look, Mrs. Finch, I’m glad you’ve got your thoughts on this subject. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes and seen what my sister and I have had to go through, please don’t try to push your beliefs onto us, okay?

You flaunt your sexuality on a platter, she snapped. It’s disgusting.

I’ve done that? Huh, I didn’t know. Apparently, his speech and polite