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

He hadn’t taken more than a few steps away from the phone when it rang. The sharp tone made him jump. What if it was Gabe? Probably Jason wanting to say something more—maybe Gabe had just arrived at the café.


He threw himself on the phone, almost tripping as he grabbed the receiver. “Yes?” He cleared his throat. “Nortown’s Corner Shop, this is Chris. How may I help you?” He glanced down at the number on the screen—not Jen’s.


“Chris, this is Officer Ward. I can’t get a hold of Gabriel, and Hart told me you might know where he is.”


Cold spread in Chris’s gut. Heshouldn’t have left him. What if Gabe’s ex had found him? “I haven’t seen him since this morning.”


“Wait! What will happen now?” What if Gabe had left? What if he was lost somewhere?


“I’m on my way. I’m still some distance away, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.”


“I’m going up there.” Chris’s heart was banging in his chest. He had to make sure Gabe was all right.


Chapter 12