After the series ends, Blair leaves Cascade and sets up a new life in Ireland.  He and Jim have remained friends, but it’s been five years since they’ve actually seen each other. To Blair’s surprise, Jim accepts his invitation to visit during the Christmas holiday just as Blair has moved into a new home. . .

~*~*~

Once inside, Blair showed Jim to his room and, while the other man took a shower, busied himself getting a blaze going in the huge fireplace. Then, luxuriating in the growing warmth and homely scent of peat smoke, he set a light under the pan of homemade soup he’d cooked earlier. Garlic bread went in the oven as Jim emerged from the bathroom, nothing but a towel wrapped casually around his hips, as he walked unselfconsciously toward his room to get dressed.

Blair grinned. How very like old times that was. And boy, he thought, eyeing his friend’s muscular physique. Jim still had it, the dog.

~*~*~

Bev’s knowledge of all things Irish really gets a chance to shine here. I like the way these men were able to re-connect despite the hard knocks to their friendship, despite personal tragedies, despite distance and the passage of time. There are some regrets, but not the guilt-driven paralyzing ones you find in some stories. There’s hurt too, but not physical – no bullets or kidnappings here.  Just a little sadness and a few hurt feelings as they misstep a little while they learn to dance together again.

Bev has written other stories in her “Irish Saga” series, which you can find at her site. The latest one was posted just last month and answers the question, “Just how far will Jim go for love of Blair?” (the answer: pretty far!). Read ‘em all!