The next few days passed in a blur of laughter and pies and snowball fights and more kisses under the mistletoe. In fact, Luke found himself spending more time in the alcove by the front door than he’d ever expected to, but considering how much fun he was having in it, it was time well spent in his estimation.

The snowstorm – promptly called The Storm of the Century by all of the local news channels – finally abated, after covering all of Long Valley and most of central Idaho and western Oregon with anything from a few inches to a few feet of snow, depending on elevation. Luke knew that for some people, the snow had been a huge inconvenience and that it would take a good week for the county employees to dig everyone out, but he couldn’t help thanking God for the snowstorm eve...

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