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

Henry wanted to ask, “What did you have in mind?” Once again, he stopped short.


They were drowsing on the loveseat when the sound of Hugo’s snowmobile returning roused them. They got up just as Hugo knocked. Vixen whined and ran to the door, sniffing the crack beneath it


Henry moved the log that held the door shut against the wind and opened it. Hugo came in, arms laden with a box of supplies. “See y’all found the circuit breaker,” he said, looking up at the ceiling light. “Meant to tell you about that.”


He set his load on the table. “Wife’s made y’all a turkey pot pie for supper—turkey’s left over from Christmas. I hope y’all don’t mind. And there’s a egg and sausage casserole for your breakfast. Eggs are fresh, we got our own chickens. Another reason it’s good y’all want Foxie. She was a bit too keen on them chickens. Could be she does have a bit a fox in her.” Vixen cocked her head to one side as Hugo spoke.


Chapter 19