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made up his mind, and nothing Cullen could say would change that.
He set the frame back onto the dresser face down before picking up his pillow and
blanket. After one last look at the room, he turned off the light and retreated to the sofa.
* * * *
Cullen was surprised to find the entire city council onboard Asa s plane when he
stepped into the luxurious cabin. He handed his duffle to the flight attendant before finding
an available seat. Did I miss something? he asked Mario.
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47
Mario leaned over and spoke in a low tone. Asa wanted everyone who ll have a say in
the construction and revitalization on this trip. He grinned over at Asa, who was seated at a
table with Ryan, Nate and Rio. I hear you ll be our site manager. Congratulations.
I tried to tell Asa I m not qualified, but he insisted. Cullen still felt weird about his
new job because although he knew what the shelter would need to make it work, he only had
a few years construction experience.
It s not about being qualified. Asa doesn t trust easily when it comes to handing out
his money. He s seen your work at Second Chance and knows you ll spend his cash wisely.
Mario jabbed Cullen with his elbow. Smart move in my opinion. It ll give him the peace of
mind he needs and give you real-life experience and a good paycheck.
Cullen had spoken to Mandy at length about Asa s offer, and she d agreed to hire a
temporary replacement until the Lobster Cove project was completed. He still couldn t
believe how quickly Asa s money made things happen. It had only been two days since he
and Asa had visited the small town.
They re over there dividing addresses, Mario said.
What? Cullen looked back at the assembled group.
They ll go to all the existing residents and try to buy them out. If that doesn t work,
they ll explain, in detail, our plans for the community. Mario shrugged. If they aren t
tolerant of our lifestyle, they ll probably jump at the chance to sell.
It s kind of sad, Cullen mumbled. I mean, I m proud of what we ll be building, but I
feel bad for the folks who ve been trying to hold onto their homes and businesses despite the
town s demise.
I can understand that, but don t forget about all the people who have had to live
surrounded by assholes who hate them simply for who they love. You should see the stack of
applications we ve been going through. Some are from couples who want to raise their
children in an open environment, some nearly desperate to get away from the small-town
mentality they re living in. Mario readjusted himself in the seat. There s a real need for
another place like Cattle Valley. What Asa s doing, what we re all doing, is worth it.
Cullen had been born in a small, predominantly Southern Baptist, town, so he
understood. He felt better after talking to Mario. Hey, not to change the subject, but there s
a sixteen-year-old at the shelter that I think could really benefit from a talk with Kit.
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Mario s black eyebrows rose in question.
Zander s struggling with his desire to be the person he feels like inside. He was
punished for it in the past and made to feel guilty about it from one of the other guys at the
shelter, Cullen explained. I told him about Kit, and he seemed interested.
Does Zander identify as a he or she? Mario asked.
Cullen shook his head. I don t know. To be honest, I m not sure he knows. He likes to
wear women s clothes, and I believe he s gay, but whether or not he wants to live his life as a
woman he hasn t said.
I think you re right about having Zander talk to Kit. I ll discuss it with her when I get
back to work.
Thanks, Cullen replied.
When Mario s eyes closed, Cullen pulled out his phone and started scrolling through
his messages. He found the one he was looking for and opened it.
Sully: Hey, thanks for giving me your number. Feel like getting a beer later?
Cullen: I can get a beer and shoot some pool, but that s as far as it can go.
Sully: You re killing me. I ve watched you at O Brien s and I ve never seen you with a partner,
so what s up?
Cullen: It s complicated. Sorry. Let me know if you still want to get that beer.
Sully: I do, but maybe after you sort out your complication.
Cullen: Fair enough.
Cullen licked his lips. Maybe it was time he took the sexy motherfucker up on that
offer. He glanced at a sleeping Mario before texting Sully.
Cullen: Hey. Where ve you been?
It took several moments but Sully s reply finally came through.
Sully: Working. Why? Miss me?
Cullen: I think I m finished with that complication we spoke of if you re still thirsty.
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Sully: Parched. I ll be back in CV next week.
Cullen: Well, that sucks because I ll be in Lobster Cove, Maine for the foreseeable future.
Working on a project for Asa Montgomery. We re working on another town like CV.
Cullen wasn t sure where Sully went when he left Cattle Valley. Actually, he didn t
know much about the man at all, including his last name. Sully would come to town out of
the blue and stay for a few weeks before disappearing again.
Sully: That the deal Priest s working on?
Cullen: Priest s guarding the shelter in DC. We re going to Lobster Cove to work on a new
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