Risk and Reward by B.A. Stretke

Max Donovan is a no-nonsense businessman. He owns a company with his two brothers that buys distressed businesses and sells them at a profit. He comes to the small town of St. Martin, Michigan after purchasing the local bank. This bank has been locally owned and operated for decades, so the locals are distrustful of any outsider coming in and changing how they do business.

Max is largely dismissive of the town’s attitudes and concerns and finds himself eager to finish the job and get back to Chicago. This attitude changes when he literally runs into a young man named Jeremy Ward and his world is turned on its head – he suddenly finds himself with an attachment in the last place he expected to find one. Max can feel that the attraction is mutual, but something always seems to get in the way. Whether it be unruly locals, business, or Jeremy’s own insecurities.

Can Max convince Jeremy that his intentions are honest? Can he talk Jeremy out onto the limb with him?

Jeremy Ward is small town guy and he can’t quite believe or accept the possibility that someone like Max Donovan could seriously be interested in him. At first, he dismisses Max’s advances and then he distrusts his motives believing that he is simply entertaining himself. Jeremy wants to believe Max’s words, but the little voice in his head keeps tripping him up and encouraging him to expect the worst. Will he come to accept Max’s desire for him or will he miss out on his best chance of happily ever after?