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

“Of course you aren’t. That was a term of endearment.”


“Oh, shit. You really are hopeless.”


“That too. Good luck, Leland, and have a safe trip.”


“It’s just an expression. Don’t look at me like I know something you don’t. I’m sure you’ll have an uneventful flight. You’ll be fine. Flying is safer than driving these days. Oh, that’s right, you don’t drive either,” she said, giving her words a kind of hopelessness. She was at the door when she turned back and smiled at him.


“You really are amazing,” he said. “I mean for your age and all.”


“Have a safe trip home and happy holidays.”


“You, too, Leland. See you after the break.”


Albany International Airport—December 20


Chapter 9