Love in Eden Series by Sloane Kennedy

I had one reason for never going back to the small town I once called home, but I never guessed it would be the same one that made me want to stay… Brooks I grew up in the small town of Eden, Wyoming, but never really felt like I fit in. Until I met the one boy who changed all that. When we were kids, Xavier Price understood horses, but somehow, he got me too... moreI had one reason for never going back to the small town I once called home, but I never guessed it would be the same one that made me want to stay… Brooks I grew up in the small town of Eden, Wyoming, but never really felt like I fit in. Until I met the one boy who changed all that. When we were kids, Xavier Price understood horses, but somehow, he got me too. He’d made me feel like I wasn’t just the overdressed, too sensitive fifteen-year-old geek who loved math and didn’t always say the right thing. But all that changed the night he threw my trust back in my face and betrayed my family in the worst kind of way. And while I’m back in Eden to make sure my uncle’s horse ranch is operating in the black, the one thing I know I won’t have to deal with is the man who’d been on the verge of stealing my heart ten years ago. Because Xavier Price is still in prison for what he did and even if he weren’t, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to show his face in Eden ever again. Right? Xavier Wrong. That’s what returning to Eden after ten years behind bars feels like. But it wasn’t like I had a whole lot of choices. And it wasn’t like I was going to be handed any decent job offers, let alone my dream one of working with horses. But that’s exactly what happened and now that I’m foreman of Black Hills Ranch, I’m not letting this job go for anything. Not even the spoiled little rich kid I’d thought was different when he’d glommed onto me ten years ago. I have no doubt Brooks Cunningham didn’t wait long to move on to bigger and better things the second my jail cell was locked behind me, and that’s just fine by me. I’d been wrong about the sweet, emotional boy who’d had a habit of wearing his heart on his sleeve anyway. Except fate has decided to have another go at me by tossing Brooks right back into my sometimes too small world. Gone is the scrawny, stars-in-his-eyes nerd who used to do math problems just for fun. In his place is a gorgeous specimen of a man who thinks he can go toe to toe with me and once again destroy everything I’ve worked for. Not happening. less

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS STORY WAS INCLUDED IN THE H2H ANTHOLOGY WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN UNPUBLISHED. THERE IS NO NEW CONTENT SO YOU MAY WANT TO CONFIRM YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE THIS STORY AS PART OF THAT ANTHOLOGY*** If you could go back in time and make one different choice, what would that be?It was the question that started it all. It was the question that brought two strangers together in the most unlikely of ways.Especially since they weren’t strangers at all... more***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS STORY WAS INCLUDED IN THE H2H ANTHOLOGY WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN UNPUBLISHED. THERE IS NO NEW CONTENT SO YOU MAY WANT TO CONFIRM YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE THIS STORY AS PART OF THAT ANTHOLOGY*** If you could go back in time and make one different choice, what would that be?It was the question that started it all. It was the question that brought two strangers together in the most unlikely of ways.Especially since they weren’t strangers at all. As the head of a cattle empire, Hudson Warner is finally ready to settle down. Easier said than done for a man whose been living in the closet his entire life and would be risking everything he has once he steps out of it. Having already been burned before, Hudson’s taking no chances. An online dating app with no picture and limited details about who he is means no filtering through a bunch of guys only looking for sex or money or both.And the question.That one seemingly simple question that will speak volumes from any potential responders. One question and one answer and Hudson knows he’s found his other half. Endless hours of online conversation leads to the infamous first date… the date that turns everything on its head when the man turns out to be one of his very own employees.And not just any employee.Nope, fate has handed him his quiet, shy ranch hand Mouse; the one man he’s been lusting after for months but isn’t allowed to lay a finger on.Will Hudson find the courage to choose the man he’s already fallen half in love with through a computer screen or will he play it safe and risk letting Mouse become his new answer to the very question that could have given him everything? less

Jackson Everyone says what a lucky guy I am. I've got a great kid, an amicable relationship with my ex, and a job working cattle on one of the largest ranches in Eden, Wyoming. Only problem is that "everyone" has no clue that I'm living a half-life. Because the other half is a closeted gay man who's got it bad for the young ranch hand he works with day in and day out. But the very straight Travis isn't an option. And even if he were, my sexy co-worker isn't exactly committed to commitment... moreJackson Everyone says what a lucky guy I am. I've got a great kid, an amicable relationship with my ex, and a job working cattle on one of the largest ranches in Eden, Wyoming. Only problem is that "everyone" has no clue that I'm living a half-life. Because the other half is a closeted gay man who's got it bad for the young ranch hand he works with day in and day out. But the very straight Travis isn't an option. And even if he were, my sexy co-worker isn't exactly committed to commitment. So it's time for a change and since gay guys aren't exactly falling off trees in Eden, I'm going to need a little help... Travis It was supposed to be a Friday night like any other. Me and my best friend heading into town to find some female company for a few hours. And even though Jackson usually goes home alone, he's still a great wingman. Unfortunately, between my impatience to get the night started and my bad habit of snooping, I've learned two things about Jackson in the space of five minutes that have left me all kinds of confused. Jackson's gay. And he's placed a classified ad to try and hook up with some guy he can't get his mind off after a brief run-in at a hardware store in the city. Now I can't get my mind off Jackson. Don't get me wrong, I like the ladies, but why can't I stop thinking about my good-looking best friend and the faceless stranger he's ready to start something new with? Jackson doesn't need some random guy right now. Not when he has me... Oh hell. less

ZanderThe quick stopover in the small ranching town of Eden, Wyoming was supposed to be the chance to close the door on a piece of my past. Unfortunately, my temperamental car has other ideas. The thing is, with my tattoos and piercings, a guy like me doesn't exactly fit in a town like Eden.Then I meet her.Sweet, innocent, single mom Jolene who does fit in Eden.At least on the outside.But after five minutes with the spirited beauty, I know she's like me... an outsider always looking in... moreZanderThe quick stopover in the small ranching town of Eden, Wyoming was supposed to be the chance to close the door on a piece of my past. Unfortunately, my temperamental car has other ideas. The thing is, with my tattoos and piercings, a guy like me doesn't exactly fit in a town like Eden.Then I meet her.Sweet, innocent, single mom Jolene who does fit in Eden.At least on the outside.But after five minutes with the spirited beauty, I know she's like me... an outsider always looking in. Still, I need to remember to keep my hands to myself because Eden's just a dot on the map, a place I need to put in my rearview mirror sooner rather than later.Problem is, Jolene isn't the kind of woman you can just walk away from...JoleneIt was the date from hell that turned into something I never saw coming. One minute I'm fending off the unwanted advances of a guy who looks picture-perfect on paper, the next I'm pointing the barrel of my gun at the mysterious stranger who's decided I look like I need a helping hand.Zander is all kinds of wrong for me and the conservative, insular town I've called home my entire life. But something about the kindhearted tough guy makes me wonder if a little bit of wrong is exactly what I need right now... less