The Night Gardener
A spooky kinda #MMromance
Architect, Dane
Lovell takes an off-season vacation in an old New England mansion, hoping to
ease his broken heart, and spark his imagination. Impressed by the pretty
gardens, he’s surprised by the sinister atmosphere of the river than winds
through the estate. Dane settles down to his vacation and tries to immerse
himself in his drawings. One night, the sound of the back door smashing open in
the wind and rain shocks Dane from his work.
Spooky, gorgeous, and
enigmatic Zachary Yarrow has brought logs for the fire.
He’s the estate
gardener and brings with him not just passion and a love affair for Dane, but a
strange, spine-tingling mystery.
Who is Zachary, and
what will happen when Dane finds out?
Teaser:
Zachary
stood, having completed his task. “You’re here off season. I guess you know. I
always do the gardens off-season—have done for the last—well, for years. When
I’m here, I usually stay in this cottage. I guess I need to find somewhere else
this time.”
Cold, Dane
accepted the information with a nod. “I need to close the door, Mr. Yarrow.” He
returned to the back door and closed it up.
Zachary
Yarrow had followed. “You can call me Zachary.”
Dane hung
around near the back door. The gardener showed no signs of leaving and Dane
didn’t know how to be rude enough just to ask him to go.
“It’s way
too dark to garden. You’re wet through.” Dane’s gaze ranged over the sodden
sweater Zachary wore, and along the rain-darkened jeans covering Zachary’s
muscled thighs.
The guy has to be cold. “Can I offer you a cup of coffee?”
Zachary
grinned happily. “A cup of coffee, yeah, that will be great, thanks.”
Dane led the
way back into the kitchen. “Sit by one of the radiators and try to dry out a
little.” He put water to boil and heaped instant into mugs. “I can lend you a
dry sweater…”
Zachary
leaned close to the radiator. “It’s okay. I’ll drape my sweater on here. It’ll
be dry in no time.” He pulled the soggy item over his head and arranged it on
the hot metal flutes.
Dane
experienced a shock of attraction as he took in the smooth, muscled chest on
display when Zachary turned to him.
“Look, it’s
already steaming.”
Dane tore
his gaze from Zachary’s body and glanced at the sweater. The kettle boiled and
he whipped around to make the coffee, thankful for the diversion.
“Do you take
sugar or cream?”
Zachary’s
voice came from immediately behind him. “Black, thank you, no sugar.”
Dane closed
his eyes to dissipate the surprise Zachary’s silent approach gave him. He edged
around to face Zachary, who stood so close Dane’s composure flew clean away as
his whole body reacted to the proximity of this complete hunk.
Holy hell, he is completely gorgeous. Dane stepped sideways and picked up
a mug. He handed it to Zachary. “Coffee, er, sorry, its instant. I’ve given
myself a vacation from grounds and filters.” He smiled apologetically.
Zachary
studied him for a few seconds.
Dane had the
distinct feeling Zachary knew exactly what he was thinking.
Zachary took the coffee. “Thank you. It’s great
to have any sort of coffee right now.”
Copyright E.D.Parr 2017 Evernight Publishing Releasing April 2017