Thinking with his head and not his heart is an occupational hazard for Professor Leland Hansen. He does fine as a researcher dealing with statistics and experimental designs and guiding doctoral students through the dissertation process. But affairs of the heart are another matter. Leland teaches at a small, religious college in New England, and the anxiety of losing his position over his lifestyle eventually causes a painful breakup with the one true love of his life, Cliff Emerson.<br><br>When Cliff calls a few weeks before Christmas to announce he’s getting married, Leland accuses him of dredging up the past and their conversation ends badly. As time grows short, Leland sets out to win Cliff back, though he fears he may already be too late. Will they reunite at Christmas or will Cliff be lost to him forever?

All I Want for Christmas

He waited while she lit one up. “You’re so damned disagreeable today. Remind me why I like you.”


“Then why bring up this insane idea of changing my mode of travel?”


“To one you’re terrified of. Yes, I get it.” She took his hand in hers. “Whatever you think, honey, I do like you.”


“And I, you. Sorry. I can be an asshole.”


She went back to her coffee, made a face. “Damn! It’s cold.” She checked her watch. “No time for a warm up.”


“What, no comeback? No, Lee, you’re definitely not an asshole?’”


“Don’t look so pitiful. I think that’s exactlywhy I do like you. Because you are. What you just said you were.”


He reached for the check, but she beat him to it.


“This is on me. I think it was worth it, beating you over the head a little.” Then she grabbed her purse and briefcase, waved him off and made for the door and her winter coat.


Chapter 3