#ThrowbackThursday this week is Christmas List by Shea Balik. Part of a series, this follows two men finding common ground against the backdrop of a Florida Christmas. Once you've enjoyed the excerpt, the book is available now.
From the blurb:
Winter was Gabriel Wells’ favorite time of year. Having been born in Colorado, snow was in his veins. When his life turned upside down and he ended up in Florida for the winter, Gabriel didn’t handle it well. Who was he kidding? He fucked up royally.
Timmy Shaw had always believed people deserved a second chance to make a first impression. As an occupational therapist, he didn’t always meet people when they were at their best. But after a month, he was sure Gabriel had to have ice in his veins considering how he treated others, especially the man’s own mother.
What neither man realized? There’s a thin line between love and hate. Any other time, they may not have had a chance, but it’s Christmas and miracles are happening everywhere. It may take some work, but if they can find common ground, they may have a chance at happily ever after with the help of a special Christmas List.
Excerpt:
“I’m saying your mother could hear you say you didn’t want to be here,” Timmy bit out. “That you would have rather hired a caretaker instead of taking care of your own mother. We had to cut short our session because she can’t stop crying, you idiot.”
“She’s always crying,” Gabriel told him, completely brushing off the man’s concerns. “It’s part of the repercussions of her stroke. It doesn’t mean anything.”
Since moving in two weeks ago, Gabriel had seen his mother cry because she couldn’t find something to watch on TV. Or once, when Gabriel told her they were out of cranberry juice, she started bawling like it was the end of the world.
Timmy squared his shoulders as if ready to do battle with Gabriel. “You’re an insensitive ass, you know that? Your mother had a stroke. She could have died and has had to face her own mortality. Not to mention, she is struggling to learn how to dress herself, make it to the bathroom without peeing all over herself, and stand in the shower without anyone having to see her naked. On top of that, there is a good chance she may never walk again. Of course, she’s emotional. But what doesn’t help is when her son is bitterly complaining about the burden of taking care of her.”
If Timmy had slapped him, it would have been less harsh than how he’d spoken to Gabriel. Staring at the man, Gabriel wasn’t quite sure what to say to all that. Then again, he was fairly certain there was no defense for what he’d done.
“You’re right,” Gabriel finally admitted. “I shouldn’t have said any of that where she could have heard me.”
Timothy let out a snort. “It would be better if you didn’t feel that in the first place. She’s your mother, you ass. She raised you, fed you, changed your diapers, bandaged your cuts, and kissed them better. For eighteen years, she raised you, and you can’t even give her a few months out of your precious life to help her without feeling resentment?”
Pushing back his chair, Gabriel surged to his feet, completely ready to punch the guy in the face. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.” Not that Timmy was wrong, but Gabriel wasn’t about to let anyone talk down to him. “I wasn’t the one to move away from our family home to live in this hellhole. I loved where I grew up, and if I had a choice, I would have never left it.”
“You really are nothing more than an overgrown kid. This is only for a few months to a year,” Timmy reminded him. “Not the rest of your life.”
As much as Gabriel hoped that to be true, he knew there was a good chance his mother would never be able to live alone again. “You can’t promise that. The doctors might have been hopeful, but they also warned me she might always need help.”
That didn’t deter Timmy in the least. “Cross that bridge when and if you come to it. Right now, she needs to believe she’s going to recover. The more hope she has, the better chance she will reach her full potential. You berating her for forcing you down here isn’t going to help with that.”
Timmy turned as if to leave, but then turned back. His soft brown eyes held nothing but pity in them. Gabriel just wasn’t sure if it was directed at him or his mother. “Right now, your mother believes you would have been better off if she’d died. For both your sakes, I hope that’s not how you really feel.”
Christmas List is available to read as an e-book
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