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

“So you’ll consider it,” Cliff said.


“Absolutely. After I find that damn invoice I was looking for when I was so rudely interrupted.”


In the middle of a break between classes, Leland stood on the steps of Denton Hall, listening to his students make plans for the holiday break. Memories of that first Christmas he and Cliff spent together came flooding back.


After opening presents, they’d decided on a late-night walk through the snowy woods behind Leland’s cottage. They’d gone about as far as they could and had turned back toward home when Cliff mentioned the beauty of the place. “Like a fucking Christmas card. All those stars, the snow. I can’t believe it.” He began to hum a holiday tune and put his arm around Leland’s waist. Then he pulled Leland in for a kiss that unfortunately didn’t happen.


Chapter 4