The thought that there was something better out there took Tristan away…then pride almost broke his heart. Tristan, Samuel and Casey had been friends since grade one. When Casey—the doctor’s son—goes off to university, Samuel and Tristan are left behind in their small hometown. Samuel comes from a poor background and has no money for school. He takes a job in the hardware store that Tristan’s parents own. Tristan decides to work at the store for a year before joining Casey at school. He’s expected to run the store eventually but wants to explore what’s out there first. Breaking away from the town means breaking Samuel’s heart. When tragedy brings Tristan home again, will pride stand in the way of letting Samuel know how he feels? Reader Advisory: This story has been previously released as part of the Sins of Winter anthology by Total-E-Bound Publishing