Still Another Chance ~ Book Four of Another Chance

by Zarek Dragon

In Another Chance, we watched as Jim Bolt came to terms with his losses and moved on. His dad was killed by a drunk driver and Jim lost almost everything he had. He and his mom moved to another state, so he even lost touch with his friends. Once he allowed himself to open up, made several friends, he fell in love and was reunited with his horse. Let me explain, when his mom took him with her to look at a house, Jim met Zac. It was love at first sight for both of them, but they didn't know how each other felt. Zac took Jim to the ranch where he worked and Jim would eventually start working. The ranch was getting a new stallion that day and it turned out to be Gold, Jim's horse that he had to give away.

Shortly after Jim and Heather were in their new home, Jim's friends took him to get a couple of puppies which helped him cope with the loss of his dog named Shadow. The puppies, Kunoichi and Colby fell in love with Jim from the moment they saw him. And Jim instantly loved them as well. Kunoichi, or as Jim calls her, Kuno, looked so much like Shadow that Jim felt it was his departed dog giving her blessing.

Jim also had new members join his family. Two days before Jim's first Christmas in Cody, Wyoming, Joe was brought into the family. Joe's father had kicked him out of the house for being gay. Heather took him in under foster care; Jim immediately accepted him as a brother and helped Joe feel good about himself. Over time, they've had trials and tribulations, but they stuck together and helped each other not only to survive, but to thrive.

On the first day of classes after New Year's Day, Jim took Joe with him to show him around school. When they arrived in home room, Joe met a boy, and the boy became a secret admirer of Joe. On Valentine's Day, Buster revealed himself and gave Joe a five-foot teddy bear. The two have grown very close and plan to eventually marry.

During one of the "trials" that Jim and Joe faced, Nick Archer came into their lives. With him, came a boy two years their junior. His name is Chris. Nick fell in love with Heather and spent most of his free time with her. Heather accepted Chris as though he were her own and was proud of the way Jim and Joe took to him like maple syrup to a stack of pancakes.

During Jim's junior year, a young boy wormed his way into Jim's heart. His name was Jake and he had the most loving heart one could ask for. That is, except for the woman who appeared, claiming to be his birth mother and attempted to take him away from Jim and Zac. We're getting a little bit ahead here, that happened after Jim and Zac got married. Prior to that, Heather was able to take Jake in as a foster child.

Jim and Zac grew very close and married shortly after Zac graduated from high school. When they did, they immediately adopted Jake. The nice part was, Jake looked almost like a cross between Jim and Zac. Jake had become a big part of their lives and they would have it no other way.

On Zac's eighteenth birthday, Jim and his family gained another member. The day before, Nick and Heather married, but they already considered Nick and his son, Chris as members of the family. A young boy had lost his parents to drunk drivers, so Aunt Sallie Dewill, Director of the group home, hoped Jim could help him mourn his loss in a loving manner. At first, Patrick wasn't sure about staying with them because they were gay, but he was willing to be open minded. It didn't take long for him to feel accepted and he eventually discovered that he loved another boy, himself.

This story is a continuation of Another Chance with more tales and adventures involving Jim and his family. Their friends, like Dusty and Cheyenne, Matt and Gina, and Jackson, Ryan and Colt, will once again be a part of their lives. At the end of Another Chance, Jackson had just driven off, selling the majority of the ranch to Jim and Zac. Joe and Buster, along with Chris, had contributed a share of the purchase and Jackson retained a small portion. We start this story with Jim, Zac and the boys moving to the ranch.

I hope you enjoy the story and that it draws you in, wanting more. If you have any suggestions or concerns, don’t hesitate to email me.  Thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed and may or may not be implemented. Concerns will be considered and addressed as much as possible.

Also, I have created a mailing list.  If you would like to be added to it to be informed of new submission, please contact me at Zarek Dragon...  Please let me know that you read it on The Story Lovers' Website.

If you would like to help make this ranch a reality, you may donate at the Another Chance GoFundMe Account.