Chris Hart owns the only grocery shop in Nortown, but he isn't exactly overrun by customers. Some days he wonders why he bothers to open the doors at all. Spending his days smiling at the few people trickling in and his nights alone in bed isn't the most interesting life a man could lead. But when Chris suddenly gets the excitement he's been craving, it may be more than he bargained for.<br><br>Gabriel Miller loves his life. He's close to his sister, has a job he adores and is the proud owner of one and a half cats. But all of it is taken away when he witnesses a murder. To keep him safe, the police place him in Nortown, of all possible locations.<br><br>Chris can't believe they're letting someone live in his gran's old cabin in the middle of the winter. It's too cold. When the poor man shows up in his shop looking to buy clothes, Chris's heart melts, despite the freezing temperature. Gabriel notices the way the shopkeeper looks at him, but it can't be right. No one looks at a heavyset man with heat in their eyes. Do they?

Pet Delivery

Maybe he should be grateful for the extra layer of fat he carried around. It would probably keep him from freezing to death a bit longer, but what did a bit matter? Had he desired to die, he could’ve stayed in the city and done so without being cold.


He’d put on every T-shirt and sweater they’d given him, and there weren’t many. Every single one of them stretched taut over his chest and belly, making him want to puke.


He swallowed down the sob threatening to escape. It wasn’t too bad. He was still alive. Toffee and Caramel were with Emma, and the animals at the veterinary clinic would manage without him. Everyone would manage without him.


They hadn’t let him contact anyone from work, but he was sure Emma had taken care of it—he hoped she had.


Rubbing his stinging eyes, he sucked in a shaky breath.


Maybe, one day, he could go back to work. Maybe they’d hold his position for him until after the trial.


Chapter 3