It’s almost Christmas and a sudden job transfer to a station on the outer rim has single dad Maxwell Anderson and his young daughter, Molly, moving away from family and friends with only a few of their belongings. To make up for the abrupt upheaval in his daughter’s life, he promises to find her a Christmas tree for their first holiday alone. He has no idea how hard it will be to keep that promise as they set out to search the station’s greenhouse for a likely candidate. Being a proper trellian has always been hard, but Layalla Ries is perfectly happy with her life. She has her career, her plants, and her privacy. She’s never minded being alone, but what is she going to do about the human male and his offspring who have invaded her private garden and her thoughts? Sure, the youngling is cute and Max is attractive, but Layalla has no need for a mate. Or does she? Can Max find a tree in time for Christmas? Can Layalla find room in her life for more? They just might be able to help each other.