Bowing to his parents’ homophobic demands, Professor Henry Rodimacher always chose Christmas with his family over spending it with his partner. However, when Jeremy became terminally ill, Henry defied his family and stayed home for Jeremy’s final Christmas. After Jeremy passes, Henry decides it’s time to mend fences, so despite a raging snowstorm, he starts the long drive home. Before he gets very far, though, he’s alarmed to see a hitchhiker out in the weather, Henry offers the man a ride, and is surprised the hitchhiker is Jimmy Wilks, a former student of his. The heavy snow eventually forces Henry and Jimmy to leave the highway and take refuge in an abandoned log cabin. As the two hunker down to wait out the storm, they give into their mutual attraction and celebrate a wonderful Christmas together. Can their newfound love survive once the snow thaws? Will history repeat itself with Henry going back home alone, or will the magic of their best Christmas ever live on into the New Year and beyond?

Best Christmas Ever

“We should take Vickie for a walk,” Jimmy said.


“Vickie? I thought we named her Vixen?”


“That’s right, but she needs a nickname, too. My real name’s Jamison, but I wouldn’t want to be called that. Too formal. I bet you have a nickname. What is it? Hank?”


Henry thought of Jeremy. His lover always called him Harry. “My parents and family always called me by Henry. So that’s what I went by. But my partner, Jeremy, loved the Harry Potter stories, and because of my glasses, he called me Harry. You can call me that if you like.”


Jimmy smiled. “Harry fits. I like it. But—I think I’ll stick with professor. Harry was special for you and Jeremy. It should stay that way.”


Henry leaned over and took Jimmy into his arms. This young man was so dear. He had to find a way to the future with him.


They got dressed for Vixen’s outing. “Should we put her on some sort of leash?” Jimmy asked. “I mean—she won’t run off, will she?”


Chapter 16