Wow. I did not expect to run into Brooklyn Kings retired football star Harte McKinney in my hometown of Appleton Falls. It takes me back to my college days when I crushed on him in silence. All these years later, nothing’s changed. Even better, something in his eyes has me thinking he’s not as straight as I’d always believed. When I find him hurt in a car crash in the snow, it’s my duty as a deputy sheriff to follow him to the hospital and make sure he’s going to be okay. Then we share an unexpected kiss, and I make him a come home with me to recuperate so we can explore these feelings behind closed doors. Each day we spend together brings us closer, and we know we want to be together. But small towns have big eyes—we might not be able to keep what we have to ourselves much longer. My partner already suspects Harte and I are more than “just friends.” And when my mom gets an eyeful of Harte in his birthday suit…it’s time. Let the snow fall where it may—we’re ready to come out. There’s a fire crackling in the grate, the tree is decorated, and presents are wrapped. We’re all set to huddle together for the holidays and hope that love and magic of Christmas conquers all.

I’m finally living the life I want as a deputy sheriff in the small town of Appleton Falls. I gave up my job as a cop in the NYPD to search for the truth about a father I barely know, except finding him brought me no peace. But I’m happy. Really. I’d love to fall in love, but it just hasn’t happened. Yet. Then he shows up to join our force. My old high school nemesis, Dominic Starr. The gorgeous loner and the bane of my existence. As well as my secret fantasy. Why did he leave the NYPD? Was he running from his powerful father? Or hiding from him? It’s not like he wants to forgive and forget and be friends. At every turn he’s in my face, taunting and teasing me with that stupid nickname he loves and knows I hate. Starr should be careful, because he’s got secrets only I know. And one of them is mine as well. But when the past we both want to leave behind crashes into our present—with deadly consequences—neither of us can hide what we’ve been running from all our lives: The future we both seek is in each other’s arms. If we make it out alive.