Heart and Soul, Baby

By Megan Slayer

FROM POPULAR AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE MEGAN SLAYER

An Oh, Baby! story

Two hearts, one child and the chance to make everything right.

Jamie Starkey has started to wonder about having kids. He thought he had his life sorted out—the job, the life and the house—but he doesn’t have it all. And there’s one man he never forgot. Haddie Clay. Jamie’s long had his heart set on him, except Haddie isn’t interested in him—until now.

Haddie Clay has always known Jamie was the father of his kid. Haddie’s raised his nephew, Chris, for the last ten years, but it’s time Chris knew the truth, that Haddie is Chris’ uncle and Jamie is his biological father. He’s also never forgotten the attraction to Jamie.

Now that they’ve got to work together to raise Chris, they’re going to have to figure out if they want to give in to the desire between them…and be a real family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Entwined Group Ltd
• Release date: Jul 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9781802506464

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

Rogue Royal

Heart of Egypt

Must Love Dogs

The One I Want

You and Me Again

The Real Me

My Other Half

Cedarwood Pride

Home to Cedarwood

Ripples in Cedarwood

Scoring in Cedarwood

Rainbows over Cedarwood

Rocking Cedarwood

Cedarwood Manny

Together in Cedarwood

Doc Cedarwood

Finding Forever in Cedarwood

Silver Fox in Cedarwood

Cedarwood Cowboy

Christmas in Cedarwood

Second Chances in Cedarwood

Starting Over in Cedarwood

Love Me Do

Loving Summer Rain

Complicating Roy

Winning Over Harmon

Falling for Vince

Embracing James

Sugar Daddy Seeking

His Perfect Twink

His Naughty Boy

His Kinky Exhibitionist

His Favorite Toy

His Tasty Treat

Billion Dollar Wolf

Cufflinks and Claws

Herringbone and Howls

Filigree and Fur

Grandeur and Growls

Anthologies

Out of Bounds: Crossing the Line

Out of Bounds: Making the Play

Aim High: Lifetime Hitch

Brothers in Arms: One Night with You

Rules of Summer: Summer Stock

Collections

What’s his Passion?: Wild Card

Love’s Bloom: Love Next Door

Sun, Sea and…: Sun, Sea and Summer Songs

Oh, Baby!

HEART AND SOUL, BABY

MEGAN SLAYER

Heart and Soul, Baby

ISBN # 978-1-80250-646-4

©Copyright Megan Slayer 2024

Cover Art by Kelly Martin ©Copyright July 2024

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 2024 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.

An Oh, Baby! story

Two hearts, one child and the chance to make everything right.

Jamie Starkey has started to wonder about having kids. He thought he had his life sorted out—the job, the life and the house—but he doesn’t have it all. And there’s one man he never forgot. Haddie Clay. Jamie’s long had his heart set on him, except Haddie isn’t interested in him—until now.

Haddie Clay has always known Jamie was the father of his kid. Haddie’s raised his nephew, Chris, for the last ten years, but it’s time Chris knew the truth, that Haddie is Chris’ uncle and Jamie is his biological father. He’s also never forgotten the attraction to Jamie.

Now that they’ve got to work together to raise Chris, they’re going to have to figure out if they want to give in to the desire between them…and be a real family.

Dedication

For KC

For TPZ

For the Lucky Ducks

Trademark Acknowledgements

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

Corolla: Toyota Motor Corporation

Lexus: Toyota Motor Corporation

Scouts: Boy Scouts of America

Xbox: Microsoft Gaming

Chapter One

Do you have a big hammer?

Jamie Starkey paused. Little kids didn’t tend to come into the hardware store alone and rarely asked for tools. He spied the young man. A hammer? He had a lot of tools in the store, but needed a bit more context to help. What kind and what’s it going to be used for?

I want to build a birdhouse for my dog, the boy said.

Birdhouse? For a dog? Well…

The boy’s father rounded the corner. Connor. I’m sorry.

Connor tells me he’s shopping for a hammer. For a birdhouse? Jamie asked. Yes?

Yes. The father held up his hands. We’re trying to build a doghouse, for Scouts? The dog will never use it because our dog never goes outside to do anything but potty, but Connor will earn a badge for it.

Okay. Then the birdhouse wasn’t going to be a tiny home for a dog. Good. I think I can help you.

Yay! Connor wiggled and reached for the tools. Which one?

This one would work, but when you use a hammer, you have to be careful. It can be helpful, but if you swing it without caution, it can be dangerous. Jamie winked at Connor and offered him the tool. Can you remember that? Only use this with help and with safety glasses. Don’t want to hurt yourself.

I can. Connor beamed. He held on to the hammer with both hands. That’s part of the badge—you have to be responsible with the implements.

You do. Jamie shifted his gaze between Connor and the boy’s father. He’d always thought about being a dad, but never had the chance. He was almost forty, single and gay. He doubted he could adopt a child by himself. First, he needed to find a partner. He didn’t want to raise a child alone.

I can’t wait to use this. Connor held the hammer and stood beside his father. Thanks, Dad.

These were the sweet moments Jamie wished he could experience for himself.

One day.

Connor’s father ruffled Connor’s hair, then spoke to Jamie. Thank you. We’re not mechanical people, so this helps a lot. I wasn’t sure what tools to buy. Normally, I just call someone and they fix whatever’s broken.

You’re welcome. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. That’s what we’re here for. Jamie stood and waved as the father and son walked away with the purchased goods.

Natalie ventured down the aisle to where Jamie stood. Have you ever considered becoming a foster parent? She stared at Jamie and folded her arms. Really thought about it?

What? He shook his head. No. His cousin could be so pushy.

No? You just charmed that father and son. You’d be a great dad. She walked with him to the front of the store. You should think about it. Look at how you help the young people here. They gravitate to you. I get the old men who want to make dad jokes. I’d take your kid customers any day.

You can have them. He hated cleaning up the marker display when someone decided to scribble all over it.

You should think about fostering. You’d be good at it. Natalie shrugged before picking up the ringing cordless store phone. Starkey Hardware. If it’s not broken, fix it until it is. How can I help you?

He laughed to himself. He loved the marketing line his uncle had come up with years ago. Silly, but still getting the point across to buy things to fix other things. Plus, his cousin delivered the line so well.

Yes, I think so. I remember. Hang on. I’ll… Just a moment. Natalie rushed up to him. You need to take this in the office. It’s important.

Who died? No one ever called the store with anything important unless someone was in a bad way.

Just…take it in the office. Please? She shoved the phone at him. Do it.

Fine. He accepted the phone—one of the last pieces of old tech in the store—and strode back to the office. He hadn’t even asked who was on the other end of the line. He closed the door behind him and pressed the phone to his ear. Hello?

Jamie?

He froze. He knew that voice.

Haddie.

His knees buckled as he sank onto the desk. He hadn’t spoken to his crush in nearly eleven years. Not that Haddie knew about the crush. Haddie, Harwood Clay, was the brother of Jamie’s friend, Hudson. The last night he’d spoken to Haddie, he’d fled. He’d gotten drunk, slept with Hudson, Haddie’s sister, and pushed away when Hudson had confirmed she’d only slept with him to make her boyfriend jealous.

He’d run away in shame.

Last he knew, Haddie hated him for sleeping with Hudson.

Hi. He cleared his throat and summoned his courage. You’re calling me? That sounded ridiculous. I mean, you called the store?

I called looking for you. Don’t you have a cell phone?

Ah, Haddie. He could be blunt. I do, but it’s probably in my locker. I don’t carry the personal one around during the day. What can I do for you? Haddie had called him? For him? This couldn’t be good.

It’s Hudson.

His heart squeezed. He’d known long before he’d slept with Hudson that he was gay, but he’d slept with her after she’d begged. He didn’t regret what he’d done. Just that he’d been so weak. He’d wanted to sleep with Haddie instead. But how was he supposed to tell Haddie had a crush on him when he’d been so foolish as to sleep with Hudson?

Easy. He couldn’t.

What happened to Hudson? She probably got married. He hadn’t kept up, instead breaking off all communication to give her time to sort out her life. She hadn’t needed him as a distraction.

She’s dead.

Jamie wobbled and nearly collapsed right off the desk. Dead? He had to have misheard Haddie. What?

We should talk in person.

Yeah, they should. If he could face Haddie. When?

I’m coming to Crestview this afternoon because I need to pick up some paperwork at the courthouse. Think you can tear yourself away from the store for an hour or two? Haddie asked. It’s important.

If you’re coming to Crestview, then it must be. He snorted to himself. Haddie hadn’t left Norwood except to work in Cleveland on promotional events. I’ll be there. At the courthouse? What time?

Make it two and we’ll meet at the coffee shop across the street, Haddie said. I’ll get a booth.

Sure. He’d be