From a tiny acorn grows a mighty oak, so it is with love. Undaunted by rain, snow, thunder and lighting, and even a tornado, Goose and Patrick weathered many storms from first meeting to marriage. By their side through it all, Jefferson and Calvin shared their own love story as Goose and Patrick’s guides through the present and the past and their guardian angels in Heaven and on Earth.
Contains the stories:
Ghost Writer: Goose is finally allowing himself to feel something again, something like love. He and Jefferson have both been through a lot, war and escaping their abusive exes. There are two problems, though. Jefferson belongs to someone else, and he’s a ghost. While Goose tries to save a tree planted by Jefferson’s lover over a hundred years ago, Jefferson tries to heal Goose’s heart, broken far too long.
Snowed In: Goose and Patrick: Four men, two in this realm and two in another, fight all sorts of obstacles, including war, separation, family dysfunction, racial prejudice, homophobia, and their own inner demons to fall in love and explore or recapture their sexuality. Each pair, from this century and one in the past, help the other along the way.
Nine Minutes in Heaven: Goose’s lover Patrick ends up on one side of the light, with Jefferson and Calvin. Goose’s family and his dog, Wilbur, are on this side. When Goose is seriously injured and faced with a choice between Heaven and Earth, he finds the decision impossible to make, which could result in him being stuck somewhere in between.
Ghosts of Honor: Goose and Patrick have weathered many storms, literally, a massive blizzard and figuratively, death. Will a tornado on their wedding day, a group of ghostly crashers, Goose’s distraction, and Patrick’s lingering emotional pain after the attack be too much to make it through this time?
EXCERPT FROM "Ghost Writer"
“Why do you think you’re here?” I asked.
Likely, because I don’t know where else to be.
“How come you can see me, but I can’t see you?” I looked around to make sure that was still true. “Or hear you?”
I don’t know. Ask your ... eye pad, did you call it?
“IPad, like the letter I and pad as in writing pad. Only it uses electronics and my finger instead of a pencil. I snatched it up and did what Jefferson suggested. “It’s the latest model. I stood in line four hours for it.”
They are scarce, like food at times?
“Well ... no.”
Then why else would one stand in line so long for a letter I pad?
The rollercoaster of emotion, fear, sad, wonder, smiles that didn’t feel the least bit forced, it was something else n. “Fair question. I’m not sure I have an answer. I did some checking while you were writing, though, and it says here, in order to talk with a ghost, I should use an Ouija board, get a group together, or at least one more person. Rip and my sister, maybe. Then, we’re supposed to set the mood. Supposedly, you’re easier to talk to between nine at night and six A.M.” I checked the time on my phone. It was still afternoon. “Um, I ask you questions and you might answer, it says. We seem to have that down without the Ouija board. Let me see what else I can find.”
There was a ton of information online about how to contact the spirit world. I’d already made contact. I wanted to see Jefferson, to hear him.
“One article says I will only see you if I believe you’re real.”
And you don’t?
I had the diary in my lap again, so I could see the words as they came. As I stared at those three, I still wasn’t sure. “I must, right? I see the words being written right before my eyes. I either believe or ...”
Or you’re stark raving mad. I’ve have had such thoughts, myself, Goose. Try stumbling about in some sort of limbo for a hundred and fifty years without debating your sanity. I think it can’t be done. War has strange effects on the mind, though.
“That it does, Small Jefferson. And not just war. I’ve explained how my mind got fucked up. I left one war and came home to a different battle of daily violence. Messed up. I apologize for the profanity. It just slips out. Anyway, yeah. I was wondering if any progress I’d made as far as getting my sh -- myself together -- had gone to pot, as I sit here talking to a ghost.”
I’m sorry, then, that I brought this on you.
“No, Jefferson. Don’t be, because I want this to be real so badly. We’re programmed to fear specters and this kind of thing. In TV shows, books, and movies, except for Casper, you’re usually bad guys. Here’s the thing. I ain’t afraid of no ghost, but I am afraid of ... no ghost.”
Once again, I’m not sure I understand.
“Out dated Ray Parker, Jr. reference. Probably equally outdated in either of our centuries, actually. No worries, though. What I’m trying to say is I’m not afraid of you being real anymore, of being haunted. I’m more afraid you’re not, and that this is going to suddenly stop and all I’ll be left with is more doubts about my mental state.”
If all you must do is believe, if that will make it possible to see me, or at least hear me, please, Goose, please try.
“Okay.” I relaxed, but that didn’t feel right. “I believe. I believe.” Concentrating with all my might, trying to feel my conviction in my heart and soul as well, I squeezed my eyes tight and balled my fists until they hurt. “I believe. I believe. I want to see Jefferson. I want to hear him. I want this to be real. It is real. It is.”
When I relaxed again, unclenched my fists, opened one eye, and then the other, cautious, yet hopeful, what happened completely shocked me.
