Sometimes the right gift can be life-changing ...<br><br>On the solstice, Rory’s grandfather gives him a pocket watch he claims will have Rory’s life sorted and his problems solved by Christmas. Rory starts out skeptical, but when he reconnects with an ex he never thought he’d see again, he has to admit there might be some holiday magic at work after all.<br><br>Deacon’s life is in shambles, and he’s returned to Syracuse for a fresh start. Running into Rory again feels like much more than a coincidence, and neither of them can deny the passion between them is still smoldering. With the watch behaving oddly at just the right moments, Rory and Deacon might receive the gift of a lifetime ... if they’re willing to accept it.

A Timely Gift

Usually I headed straight home and fell into bed after an overnight shift. I wasn’t good at mornings to begin with, and after being up all night, my internal clock was all sorts of screwed up. But I was feeling good that morning, and a glance at Grandda’s watch proclaimed it to be only a quarter after seven, so I swung by my favorite little coffee shop. Tucked into an out-of-the-way corner, it had the best pastries I’d ever put in my mouth and coffee to kill for.


I had to park down the block, but I didn’t mind walking. I loved the cold, and I had enough hats and scarves to keep me toasty warm all season. I pulled my beanie down over my ears as I got out of the car, and then I headed for Pounds and Grounds. I reached the door at the same time as another customer, but I had my hand on the handle first. So I pulled it open and gestured for him to go through. He took a step. Then he stopped and turned back to me.


Chapter 3