The Prodigal

By Rafe Jadison

Jonah Gentry knows his family is a lot, so, it’s been three years since he visited them back in Atlanta. As hesitant as he might be to spend another holiday with them, Jonah finds his reluctance is quickly assuaged when he meets the gorgeous man sitting next to him on the plane. After an amazing night together, Jonah realizes he isn’t sure he’s up for competing with the other man who has a place in this man’s heart, Jesus.

Paul Carrington left Alabama years ago. Twenty years later, he’s built a life for himself with a thriving business, and a nice house he’s hoping to fill with just the right guy. When he meets a man on a plane ride back from Portland, he wonders if maybe Jonah might be the one. Then Jonah leaves him standing in his bathrobe in the middle of the street chasing after his cab.

When Paul and Jonah find themselves next to each other at Jonah’s mother’s Christmas dinner, sparks fly. Can Jonah work through his family and religious issues enough to work it out with the guy with the kind eyes? Can Paul forgive the man who left him without saying goodbye? Or is it just another holiday down the tubes?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Dec 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685506384

Rafe Jadison

Rafe Jadison is the author of The Divorceary, Little Tree, Snowed In: Dane and Heath, Seduced by Shark Shifters, Seduced by Shark Shifters II: Logan’s Tail, Seduced by Shark Shifters III: Tom's Turn, Seduced by Shark Shifters IV: Mark's Midlife, Reap This, Reap This Too, Blake Blacks Out, and Peter Passenger and the Mothman. He has a great love of the water and of people, and tries to show that in his writing. You can find out more about Rafe at rafejadison.com. He looks forward to hearing from people legally old enough to read the things he writes.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Although the plane had not even taken off, as the gorgeous man next to him sat down, Jonah thought that he had finally arrived. The man smelled of an almost intoxicating cologne, and had a look that Jonah found instantly intriguing. With dark blond hair, khakis, a caramel-colored leather jacket, and a red scarf, the man looked like a model who would be photographed playing someone’s young father or sexy husband in a cable holiday movie, or perhaps the character in a soap opera that everyone loved. Jonah noticed the man’s muscular build as the nicely cologned stranger moved past him. He smiled at Jonah as he sat down.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to climb over you, I just needed to get into my seat, the man said. I hope you don’t mind I have the window.

No, I requested the aisle when I checked in, Jonah responded, seriously wondering what it was about this guy’s cologne.

I guess there’s not a whole lot of choice in first class, the man said. It’s either the aisle or the window since there’s just two of us on this side.

You fly first class a lot? Jonah asked.

Nope, this is a new one for me, the man said. I was supposed to fly out this morning, but they asked for volunteers to take a later flight. They said they’d bump us up to first class if we did. I thought it might be decent to let some other guy get home early to his family on Christmas Eve, and I could just take the next flight. So here I am.

You’re a nice man, Jonah said.

What about you? the man asked. Do you always fly first class?

My first time, too. I don’t leave Portland much, but my business has been doing well, so I thought I’d splurge, Jonah answered.

I’m glad you did, the man said.

There was a brief silence that could have been awkward, but Jonah and the man smiled at each other, and then the man spoke.

So, what sort of business do you do? he asked.

I am in graphic design and illustration, Jonah said. I work for myself. After ten years or so, it’s taken off.

I do a little design myself, the man said.

What do you do? Jonah asked. I’m Jonah, by the way.

Well, Jonah, I’m Paul, the man said. I’m in landscaping. I run my own business also. It’s doing okay, but I’m not ready to start spending money on first class.

Nice to meet you, Paul, Jonah said, extending his hand.

Paul reached for Jonah’s hand, and firmly placed his own around it. Paul’s hand felt strong, and warm. Jonah liked it, and so he accidentally held on to it for what most people would consider too long of a moment. After realizing what he was doing, Jonah quickly released Paul’s hand.

Sorry, I just… Jonah said.

Paul looked him in the eye and spoke.

You haven’t done anything wrong, my friend.

Jonah nodded, but had no idea what to say. He was glad when a flight attendant’s voice interrupted them on the overhead announcement system. Jonah and Paul looked over as she stood in the aisle near them and demonstrated how to use an air mask and other life-saving equipment. By the time she had finished, they were both looking forward, neither speaking. They stayed this way until they were offered snacks. When they had both finished their snacks, and an attendant was collecting the trash, Paul leaned over Jonah to pass his to the attendant. Jonah had been hopeful for a moment, but then Paul moved back to his normal position. This time, Jonah noticed, Paul moved his arm to their shared armrest, so that now their arms were touching.

A few minutes later, when Paul leaned over toward him, Jonah was relieved.

So, you don’t get out of Portland much? Paul asked.

Did Jonah detect a little fishing in Paul’s voice? Was he kind of hoping that Jonah might?

"Um, no. But I used to go to Atlanta