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

“That bad?” I turn to the water to stop myself from staring.


“Dad and Dale are drunk, spouting bigoted shit about everyone and everything. Marshall is trying to make them stop, but they talk over him like they always do. The only reason I’m even here is Mama. I don’t want her to be alone with all that shit.”


“Oh.” I don’t know what to say, I didn’t expect that much candor from someone I barely ever talked to—not even before the incident—someone who’s the sworn enemy of my family. Most people would have just spouted some shallow trivialities, but I find I like the honesty. His reasons for seeking solitude make my own troubles small and insignificant. If the worst thing about my holidays is a rambunctious family and a Granny with a crass sense of humor, I’m pretty lucky.


“Yeah, tell me about it,” he says. “What’s your story?”


“I don’t mind. I could use stupid.”


Chapter 4