A Holiday Novella from USA Today Bestselling Author Jess Michaels first published in Duke in a Box Collection.
When widow Alice Crandon and the Duke of Greenfield both accidentally let the same cottage for a holiday escape, a storm leaves them with no choice but to share the small space as best they can.
With her mourning period ending, Alice is struggling with the idea of spending the holiday with well-meaning friends and relatives who expect her to move on after the new year. And Leo, who has recently lost a beloved aunt, feels the same. Their grief and a longtime friendship makes staying together seem like it could work. Even if there are feelings and desires stirring.
After all, Leo has long been in love with Alice and that becomes harder and harder to deny as they spend such close, intimate time together. When friendship turns to passion, they try to convince themselves it's just a trick of the season. But can two grieving people overcome the barriers they put up between their hearts? Or is this Christmas gift destined to end when the holidays do?
