Kentucky 98 Proof

When Vic walks into his life, Deputy Boone Mosely knows his badge won't help…

Victor Carter knows his grandfather only from a handful of black and white photographs, so his surprise when the man's will is read is genuine. What's he going to do with seventy acres on the side of a Kentucky mountain? More importantly, how's he going to survive living there for a year to satisfy the conditions of the will so he can sell the property? Even worse, it's not like the hills of Kentucky are teeming with gay companionship.

Boone Mosely is Kentucky born and bred with a proud family heritage he can trace back to his home state's founding. Following in his uncle's footsteps, Boone's in his second term as sheriff of Four Points. He takes the job seriously and doesn't suffer fools - or crime - in his town. But this time Boone has a whole new brand of trouble to deal with and there's only one course of action open to him, and it leads straight into Vic's arms.

* * *

"Which room are you in?"

"Last one on the end. Better for the dog."

Huh. That made sense. Boone took his foot off the gas pedal and drifted into the parking space. Vic jumped out before he had the truck in park, slipped and landed flat on his ass.

The idiot.

Boone cut the engine and climbed out of the cab at a safer speed. With one gloved hand on the front end of the truck he walked around to the passenger side and found Vic leaning against the front tire. "You okay?"

"My pride is severely bruised."

"I can just imagine." Boone reached out to give Vic a hand up. As Vic got to his feet he brushed his jeans off.

"Thanks, Boone."

"You said that. Get inside before your dog starts to bark and the manager yells at me."

Vic's gaze seemed focused on the motel office. "I got a coffee pot if you want to come in and warm up."

Holy mother of … Wouldn't that be the stupidest thing he'd done in years?

"Sure, Vic. I could do with a cup."

Who the f**k said that?

Vic looked surprised and straightened. "Ranger needs to…"

Boone recovered a bit of his equilibrium. "I'll take him around the side of the building. You get your ass inside. I want a good look at your head, and if I say we're going to the clinic and wake up Doc Martin, you're not going to argue with me."

"Yes, sir. I hear you loud and clear." Vic opened the side door of the pickup and Ranger leaped to the ground. As soon as his paws hit the pavement, he jumped and hit Vic square in the chest. Boone lunged to catch him before he fell again, but ended up in the snow with him. Could this man be more trouble?

"I'm sorry, Boone! Ranger! Leave off!"

"Sorry my ass, Carter. Sorry ain't good enough for this little misadventure."