If Only for Today by Gabbi Grey (Release Day blitz)

If Only for Today

Deerbourne Inn series

by

Gabbi Grey

 

 

Blurb:

 

Jared Langford is a happy man. The desk clerk at the Deerbourne Inn knows everyone in his cozy town in Vermont. He is accepted and loved by the community, but he's missing someone special in his life.

Devastating news has brought journalist Xander Fortier to Willow Springs for some much-needed rest. He's photographed every major conflict in the world for the last ten years, but being stateside has forced him to reassess the solitary life he's been living.

Something in Xander's gruff demeanor calls to Jared's caring nature. Soon the men are spending time together, but Jared's kisses might not be enough to keep Xander from leaving. Can the men find a happily ever after if they only have today?

 

 

Tagline: 

 

He came looking for solitude. He might leave after finding love.

 

 

Exclusive Excerpt

 

Jared sat in the corner most distant from the wary canine and held himself still. He had all the time in the world and infinite patience. This was Lady’s choice, of course, but his heart was already gone. The pain was palpable, but so was the love. This huge dog, who had to be close to a hundred pounds, was gently cradling a little black-and-white kitten. Jared didn’t know much about animals, but he guessed the little one was about eight weeks old.

The kitten poked his nose out from under Lady’s paw and sniffed the air. Upon spotting Jared, he squirmed. Lady tightened her grip.

“I won’t hurt him, I promise.” Jared kept his voice low and steady. “I’d like to meet Marshmallow.”

Upon hearing his name, the little one’s ears perked.

Did he already know his name? Man, Jared knew so little about animals. He’d been educated on how to care for an elderly curmudgeonly cat with kidney failure. A tiny kitten and a heartbroken dog? Not in his wheelhouse. But he was a quick study. If this was meant to be, he’d read all the books he could. He’d scan blog posts and websites. He’d ask questions. He was good at that.

With a burst of energy, Marshmallow squeezed under Lady’s paw and scampered over. He was unsteady on his feet, but adorable all the same. He barrelled into Jared’s lap and started crawling up his shirt. Tiny claws dug into his skin before he could blink.

“Okay, little fella, slow down.” He managed to extricate himself from the kitten’s grasp, holding him away.

“You can cuddle him, if you want. Or just ease him away and say no.”

Well, cuddling sounded much better than putting the kitten back on the floor. Jared carefully twisted the wriggling body into a secure hold and tucked him in the crook of his arm. Claws came out, but as soon as Jared rubbed the tiny belly, the loudest purr he’d ever heard erupted. Even Mephistopheles—who was easily twenty times the size of this pint—had never made that much noise.

“He’s loud.”

“That he is.” Dana laughed. “He’s also available for adoption.”

Xander snickered.

Slowly Lady rose, stretching out each limb, never breaking eye contact with Jared.

Hold steady.

She approached, each large paw touching the concrete floor with grace. Finally within reaching distance, she sniffed Jared’s knee. Then his thigh. And his chest. She nudged Marshmallow and licked the top of the head. The kitten purred louder. Still holding Jared’s gaze, Lady lay down, placing her head on Jared’s thigh.

In that moment everything became crystal clear.

 

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

 

 

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Note from ELF: I had the pleasure of reading an early version of this story and thought it was a wonderful romance! The above excerpt is one of my favorite scenes and reminded me of the love I shared with my own fur-baby, who I still miss even though she went over the Rainbow Bridge many years ago.