Will a decade-old family feud and long held secrets stand in the way of love? Auden Whipple is searching for a bit of peace and quiet from his loud family when he stumbles across the neighbor, Porter Eldin. Porter is scorching hot on a freezing Christmas Day, and nothing like Auden expected. A moment shared by the creek begins a relationship that surprises them both. As the Christmases pass, Auden and Porter’s relationship deepens. But the obstacle of the unresolved conflict between the Whipples and the Eldins makes Auden worried. Worried to tell his family of his new-found love, worried that the conflict will come between them. Can two men truly in love help mend fences that have been broken for too long? Can the holiday spirit help Auden and Porter find their happily ever after?

Four Christmases

With a happy hum, I walk closer to the water and realize I’m not alone. Someone is standing by the creek, with his back turned to me, wearing only a hoodie that makes me shudder at the thought of how cold he must be. His broad shoulders are slumped, his head hangs, and he radiates the complete opposite of Christmas cheer.


“Sorry. I didn’t know someone else was here,” I blurt, and he stiffens when he hears my voice.


I grimace, wishing I’d kept my mouth shut and had just turned and left without drawing attention to myself. The guy must be an Eldin—even if I can’t make out which one of them just by looking at his back. Except for my family, the only people ever coming to this clearing are the Eldins, my parents’ neighbors and mortal enemies for over a decade.


“Try opening your eyes,” the guy grunts.


His harsh tone and the annoyance rolling off him in waves make me wince and step back. “Sorry, sorry. Just needed a moment’s peace and quiet, but I’ll leave you to it. I’m sorry.”


Chapter 3