Two men—Kenyon a street cop, and Teo a social worker—come together as they try to help a seven-year-old boy abandoned by his mother.
Neal, a young boy abandoned on the streets by his mother, is found by policeman Kenyon Hagerty and instantly bonds with him. Social worker Teo Marino becomes involved when the boy is placed in the care of Human Services. Soon after, the body of Neal’s murdered mother is discovered then later Neal’s father tries to kidnap him from the kids’ home.
Kenyon is a man looking for real love, while Teo is the consummate playboy, going from one man to another as the spirit moves him. And yet these two men, truly yin and yang, are drawn together. It takes a misunderstanding to force them to face their feelings for each other.
When Neal runs away looking for Kenyon—who he believes will adopt him—the two men must make a decision regarding Neal’s life—and their own.
Publisher's Note: This book was previously released by another publisher. It has been revised and re-edited for release with Totally Bound Publishing.
General Release Date: 8th August 2014
Officer Kenyon Hagerty knelt so he was eye to eye with the boy. “What’s your name?” he asked quietly, not wanting to frighten him any more than he already was.
“Neal,” the boy whispered.
“Do you have a last name, Neal?”
Neal nodded. “But my mommy said I should never tell it to strangers.” Tears filled his eyes then. “Mommy’s gone.”
“I’m a policeman, so I think your mommy would say it’s all right to tell me.” Kenyon glanced around the trash-strewn alley, his mouth tightening. “Did she tell you to wait here?”
With a sharp shake of his head, Neal told him, “We live here, but a man came and took Mommy away. I was hiding like Mommy told me.”
“What’s your mommy’s name, Neal?”
“Umm… Sarah Rogers.”
Kenyon smiled. “So you’re Neal Rogers.”
“Uh-uh.”
Kenyon glanced up at his partner Pat McGill and saw he was already calling in the mother’s name. Then he looked back at Neal. “Your last name isn’t Rogers?”
“No.”
“Will you tell me what it is?”
Neal shook his head adamantly.
“Okay.” For the moment, Kenyon let it drop. He didn’t want to pressure the boy too much until he was calmer. “How old are you, Neal?”
“Seven.”
Kenyon knew it was unlikely the boy was in school, considering where they were and how he was dressed, but it was worth giving it a shot. “So you’re in second grade. What school do you go to?”
“I don’t go to school. Mommy said it wasn’t safe because he could find me.”
“He?”
“My daddy.”
“Ah. Is that why you and your mommy were living here?” Kenyon swept his arm out to encompass the alley. “So he wouldn’t find you?”
Neal bobbed his head in agreement. Kenyon started to ask another question then realised if he stayed kneeling much longer, his knees would suffer the consequences big time. He stood, looking down at the boy. “Are you hungry?”
There was a soft throat-clearing from behind Kenyon. He turned to see Pat shaking his head.
“We should take him to the station house.”
“What’s a few minutes here or there? Code-7 us as out to lunch.”
“You know we could get our butts in a sling if we do this,” Pat said quietly.
“I’m willing to take the chance. He’s scared and undoubtedly hungry, so doesn’t need to be hassled just yet.”
Pat hesitated, obviously torn between what they were supposed to do and his sympathy for the boy. Finally, he sighed, muttering, “But we keep it short,” before he called them in.
Kenyon returned his attention to Neal. “Do you like hamburgers?”
“With fries?” Neal asked hopefully.
“You bet.” Kenyon held out his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Neal took it.
* * * *
The first thing Kenyon did once they were at the diner was to take Neal into the men’s room to help him get cleaned up a bit. After judicious applications of warm water and soap to his face, hands and arms, Neal looked as presentable as was possible for the moment.
Pat had found a table and waved to catch Kenyon’s attention. Once they were all seated, Kenyon gave Neal one of the menus, wondering as he did if the boy could read it.
Of course he can. Just because he was living on the streets doesn’t mean he’s illiterate. It’s obvious his mother did her best to keep him dressed as well as possible, and who knows how long they’ve actually been living like that?
“How long…” Kenyon paused.
Let him eat before beginning to interrogate him again.
Born and bred Cleveland, I earned a degree in technical theater, later switched to costuming and headed to NYC. Finally seeing the futility of trying to become rich and famous in the Big Apple, I joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), ending up in Chicago for three years. Then it was on to Denver where I put down roots and worked as a costume designer until just recently.
I began writing a few years ago after joining an online fanfic group. Two friends and I then started a group for writers where they may post any story they wish no matter the genre or content. Since then, for the last three years, I've been writing for publication. Most, but not all, of my work is m/m, either mildly erotic or purely 'romantic', and more often than not it involves a mystery or covert operations.
Reviewed by MM Good Book Reviews
This book is full of charming interesting characters. The storyline is intriguing with some mystery and a bit of drama. The sexual tension between Teo and Kenyon was hot. There was a bit of hint at so...
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Reviewed by GGR Review
This relationship develops slowly, each man reluctant to take anything beyond a casual friendship. I especially liked this about Yin & Yang: it felt real, genuine in a way too many rom...
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Edward Kendrick - 3 Things for USA today
Three books on my keeper shelves:
• The Last Herald-Mage by Mercedes Lackey. This book was my first introduction to fantasy, Valdemar, and Ms. Lackey. It was also the first time I'd read anything involving gay characters. I was enthralled by Vanyel's story — how he dealt not only what he was and how he became a Herald but with his acceptance that he could love another man. It is a book (a compilation of the three Vanyel stories) that I have reread often.
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