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

Mom lectured her, saying that twenty-six-year-olds should know better than to blab about things that weren’t theirs to share, but Dad sided with Emily—Daddy’s little princess has him wound around her little finger—and pushed me for information. That Sunday dinner was very uncomfortable.


Emily interrupts my thoughts. “Is he in the closet? Is that why you’re not allowed to tell us about him.”


“No!” I say, too loud, making Merry squirm on my chest, but her eyes stay closed. “That’s not it at all. And he hasn’t forbidden me to tell you about him. It’s mychoice.”


Ugh, maybe that wasn’t the best thing to say and Emily’s reaction confirms it. She rears back as though I’ve slapped her.


“You choosenot to tell us?” Her light blue eyes are wide with hurt, and a flutter of guilt makes itself known in my belly. “So…what? We’re not trustworthy anymore?”


“That’s not what I meant. You knowI trust you.”


Chapter 10