When State Trooper Travis Kinslow is injured right before Thanksgiving, the only positive is that for once he won't be working during the holidays. Since he has no family, Travis was absorbed into his best friend Joe's, and he considers them as good as his own. Everyone except Joe's brother Noah. Travis has been in love with the younger man for much of his life, but he's always kept his distance.<br><br>As an ER nurse, Noah is a caretaker by nature. When his brother's best friend is hurt, he's happy to help Travis while he heals. He's only ever allowed himself to think of Travis as the next best thing to an older brother, but by the light of the Christmas tree, Noah finally sees Travis's true feelings. And in that moment, everything changes.<br><br>When faced with opposition and a Christmas nothing like they imagined, will their hopes for the future be enough to carry them through?

His Needs

“My turn!” Marielle called out, acting like a kid and making grabby hands toward her pile of presents. Everyone laughed, even me, and Noah huffed out an amused breath and leaned back against me.


She opened her presents and we all dutifully fawned over each one while she showed them off. I always liked seeing what other people received, especially when the gift giver knew the person well. Marielle immediately dug into her Belgian chocolates and refused to share. She was also particularly pleased with the lace wrap her mother had knitted, which she instantly wrapped around her neck, and she had her husband fasten the charm bracelet from Luke’s family around her wrist


When all her wrapping paper was cleaned up, everyone turned toward Noah, but since he was enthralled with the little kids playing on the floor, I elbowed him in the side.


Chapter 39