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

My breath caught as he leaned down, but it was only to place a soft, chaste kiss on my cheek. “Take care of yourself. Have a merry Christmas.”


I sat for a moment longer, trying to gather myself. In my wildest dreams, I never imagined I would see him again. And now that I had, I was grateful I’d gotten the chance. Then a pang of regret coursed through me as I realized I should have gotten his number. Even if he didn’t want to start things up again—I wasn’t sure I did—we could have been friends. I stood quickly, but Deacon was nowhere to be seen.


Missed opportunity. Dammit. Ah well. I guessed it just wasn’t meant to be.


I pocketed the watch, pulled on my coat and hat, and headed to my car, feeling decidedly warmer than I had an hour earlier. I was certain it wasn’t because of the temperature, which was still as frigid as ever. But getting a chance to see Deacon, seeing he was happy and doing well, that had warmed me thoroughly. 3


Chapter 6