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

“It’s apparently a replica of one of the volumes from the 1930s. I thought it was pretty and that you’d like it.” Noah spoke fast, like he was nervous. And I was quick to reach out and pull him into my side. He snuggled in and released a breath.


“I love it,” I assured him. “I haven’t read them in years. It’ll be great to read them again. Thank you.”


“Thank you.” He blushed and surged up, kissing me hard. “This is the best gift. And I’m so excited you’ll be coming with me.”


Noah’s grin was huge, and I loved to see the happiness so clearly on his face. He stood then, gathered up the garbage, and stuffed it in the basket. Then he tucked his present carefully in the elephant bowl on the table before lifting the thick volume from me and placing it next to the bowl. He held out his hands in offering, and when I took them, he tugged me up. He wrapped his arms around me, leaning up to kiss my chin, then neck, and hugged me tightly as he breathed me in.


Chapter 47