Title: Bad to Be Merry
Author: Andrew Grey
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Bad to Be Good (Book 4)
Genre: Gay Romance, Holiday Romance, M/M, LGBTQ
Publisher: DreamSpinner Press
Release: Nov 3, 2021
Edition/Formats: 1st Edition - Digital, Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
Former mobster Richard Marsden grew up scrounging on the streets of Detroit. This Christmas, for the first time, he has a family and the means to provide an abundant Christmas, and that’s what he intends to do.
But his husband, Daniel, grew up with everything. For Daniel, Christmas isn’t about receiving gifts, but the opportunity to help others. With his son in the hospital recovering from a tonsillectomy, Daniel knows just who he wants to help this year.
Both Daniel and Richard make plans for their family Christmas assuming the other is on board, leaving their holiday dangling on the precipice of disaster—unless they can remember that family, love, and the holidays mean compromising to give each other what they need.
Daniel calmed his nerves as he walked down the sanitizer-smelling hallway toward Coby’s room. He hated hospitals, but then, didn’t everyone? Especially when your child was having an operation.
He had waited outside the OR, pacing, while Coby had his tonsils removed yesterday. Yeah, he knew it was a routine procedure and all, but this was his child, and Daniel still worried. The doctors had asked to keep him overnight because of a slight issue during the surgery. He’d stayed in the room with Coby and had snuck out while he was asleep to get some morning coffee.
As Daniel approached, Dr. Tyler Saint—yeah, that was his real name—came out of Coby’s room. “He’s doing just fine. You can take him home as soon as the paperwork is done.”
“Thank you.” Daniel’s heart finally slowed to something toward normal. “I know I’ve been stupid, worrying and everything, but….” He breathed a sigh of relief. His husband, Richard, had held him all night, refusing to let Daniel google all the things that could go wrong so he wouldn’t just worry about them.
“Every parent worries,” Tyler said gently. “Did you think I was going to let anything happen to Coby?” There was that reassuring smile. “He’s going to need about a week to recover. Get him cold things. It’s going to help, but nothing with seeds or anything. Smooth foods so his throat can heal.”
“I looked it up and have plenty of things in the house,” Daniel said, his hands stilling. “I appreciate your help so much.” He had been working with the doctor on a fundraising website for the pediatric unit of the hospital for the past few months, and they had gotten it up and running a week or so ago. When Coby’s recurring sore throat had grown even worse than usual, he had called Tyler, who had come right down to help and gotten Coby scheduled for a tonsillectomy right away because of a stubborn infection.
“And we appreciate yours,” he said with a smile. “There are so many things we need to do, and what you did for us, without charging, will make a huge difference.” He paused for a moment. “Go on in and see Coby. The paperwork will take an hour. I’ll send in a little ice cream that he can have.” He smiled and hurried down the hall as Daniel went the other way, anxious to see his son.
“Daddy,” Coby whispered, his eyes half-lidded and a little teary. “It hurts.”
Daniel sat next to the bed and held his hand. “It will be okay. Dr. Tyler is getting you some ice cream, and then we’re going to take you home.” That was all he wanted at the moment. “Okay?”
Coby nodded, his hair messy and a little of it stuck to his forehead. Daniel continued holding his hand as Coby nodded off—probably some pain medication working its magic, which was a relief. No parent ever wanted to see their child hurting.
Daniel tucked Coby’s hand under the blanket in the chilly room and stood, stretching. He wandered out of the room, peering up and down the brightly painted hallways. It was cheery enough, especially for a hospital, but a pall of sorts still hung over the place.
He peered back into the room and then took a few steps, just looking at the painted trees and animals on the walls, a Christmas tree twinkling brightly in the corner. But when he turned, he found himself looking into a room where a girl sat up alone in bed, a few wisps of hair on her otherwise bald head. She spoke quietly, talking to her doll. But what struck Daniel was how empty the room was and how alone she seemed.
Author Information
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.
Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Author Links
Facebook Group
All the Way with Andrew Grey
Twitter @andrewgreybooks
For Other Works by Andrew Grey
No comments:
Post a Comment