A Place To Belong

A Place to Belong

Coming soon to Amber Allure

Blurb:

Bradley McFarren was looking for someone to take care of Gail, his beloved aging grandmother. He doesn’t have a personal life but he doesn’t need one. As long as Gail is taken care of, it’s all he needs

Logan Perry was running from conservative Iowa. Well-versed in the nursing care of the elderly, Logan believes Mr. McFarren can find no one better for the job. As long as he is hundreds of miles from Iowa, it’s all he needs.

But that isn’t at all what either of them need. What they need, is a place to belong. 

Excerpt: 

(Unedited)

“Hello. My name is Bradley McFarren.” He had held out his perfectly manicured hand and Logan was almost afraid to touch it. But then Bradley enveloped Logan’s fingers in his own and it was almost as if he swallowed Logan in one gulp.

Logan remembered being thrilled at that thought. In fact, it had been the first time in a very long time that Logan became aroused. Going to school and then working more than full-time kept him incredibly busy and his life in a tiny conservative town had not allowed for him to do much in the way of exploring relationships of any kind.

“Hi. I’m Logan Perry,” he had breathed.

“Well, Logan Perry, please sit down.” Bradley had indicated a chair in front of a massive desk and Logan had slipped into it, perching himself on the edge, trying like everything to hide his rabid interest. “I’ve looked over your resume and I have to say, I’m intrigued. What makes a fine looking young man like you even apply for this type of a position?”

Logan had smiled like an idiot when the big beautiful man called him ‘fine looking’. But Bradley had been right in that a young man wanting to take care of his eighty-nine year old grandmother had to seem odd. Logan remembered thinking he would never even be called for an interview much less receive the job but he needed to escape his pathetic existence in Iowa. When he received the tip, through a friend, of a private nursing job all the way down in Texas, he knew he had to try for it. Room, board, a small allowance, the use of a car and hundreds of miles away from Iowa, it was the perfect opportunity for escape. Now that he was here, he was determined to at least be considered.

“I’m a well-trained RN who has enjoyed years of working in rehab centers in their transitional care and assisted living areas. I am very patient and kind and love the older generation. I trust you have checked my references. You will find I am a perfect choice for your grandmother’s companion.”

“But you’re a man. I have to admit, the only real reason I am interviewing you is because I wanted to know why a man would apply for this position. So far, all I have and all you have given me is your qualifications. Which are stellar because, in answer to your statement, of course I checked your references but none of the ones on your resume. Having money gives me the ability to take the inside track. To be frank, I was impressed by your work ethic and standards. I found nothing but glowing reports of how wonderfully you do your job. But you see, Mr. Perry, I adore my grandmother. She means the world to me and I have no intention of allowing just anyone access to her. No matter how qualified. What I want to know is your motive in wanting this job.”

“Motive, sir?”

“You’re coming all the way from Iowa. Have you no family? Friends? Why are you running, Mr. Perry?”

Logan had been shocked at first but then decided the truth in all its ugliness was best anyway. If he was going to get the job, that truth would have to be known. “I come from a very small and conservative town in Iowa. Evidently not a place for a gay man.” Logan remembered noting that the only sign of surprise was Bradley’s one eyebrow going up at the mention Logan was gay. It had given him confidence to go on with his story. “I do have family but since I came out, they no longer accept me. My dad, who’s never been a nice person anyway, disowned me. And to actually understand what that means, he came over to my apartment and beat the crap out of me. He then told me to never darken his doorstep again. Yes, he used those exact words. He no longer had a son. Apparently, he never did. I understand he even went through the house and got rid of everything that reminded him of me.”

Logan had settled back in the office chair and had clasped his hands between his knees so they wouldn’t shake. “My mom pretty much took the same route. And not because of my dad. She’s a tough woman. She disowned me all on her own. She did, however, influence my sister who won’t talk to me now either. If she does, they threatened her with the same treatment. They think I am disgusting and dirty and going to go to hell. That I am some kind of demon. My grandmother actually sent some religious fanatic to my apartment who was supposed to cure me. All he did was scare me from ever opening my door again and has as of yet to leave me alone. He’s on a mission to save me so I can’t influence other young men to become gay. And Friends? I had a few friends, but pretty much the same happened with them. They were okay with me being gay as long as I didn’t talk about it, as long as it wasn’t public knowledge. So, yeah, I guess I am running, Mr. McFarren, and maybe this isn’t the place to be either, conservative Texas, but I figured I had nothing to lose. It’s okay if you don’t hire me. I honestly didn’t expect to get the job. But just so you know, I’m not a demon. I’m a good person. I’m only looking for a place to belong.”

Logan had been thrilled because before he even made it back to his hotel room Bradley had called him to have him come back to his office. He was hired and he wanted Logan to meet his grandmother.  

This story will be a part of a PAX through Amber Allure. I don't know the publish date yet but hopefully soon! Don't run away yet!

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