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

“But Mama put her foot down. It was the first time she ever stood up to him, as far as I know. ‘If he goes, I go, too, and I won’t come back,’ she said and shocked the shit out of all of us, but mostly Dad.”


“Wow.” Mrs. Eldin has always given me the impression of being a quiet little mouse, and it’s difficult to imagine her standing up to that big hulk she calls a husband.


“I know. I didn’t think she had it in her.”


I can’t apprehend what it must be like growing up surrounded by such bigotry. My own family has always accepted me; my swishy manners, my tendency to babble without thinking, the way I can’t stop crying when my sister forces me to watch Disney movies with her, and my complete lack of interest in anything sports related unless it features guys in verytight pants. Or half-naked. Half-naked is good, too.


Chapter 7