Christmas at Spindlewood

In the little town of Charnley Acre, a bitter dispute has a Christmas-loving woman feeling less than festive . . . Christmas is Laura Engleby's favorite time of year. Her daughter is due to come home to Spindlewood, their drafty but beautiful old house. Preparations are well under way for Laura's Christmas Eve party, a tradition started by her late husband, and most of the residents of Charnley Acre are invited. So when Clayton Masters finds himself with nowhere to sell his Christmas trees, Laura doesn't hesitate to let him use her garden . . . even though Spencer Jennings, the man Laura's dating, is the one preventing Clayton from using his usual plot. It's just a little business dispute between them, isn't it?But storm clouds gather above Spindlewood, threatening Laura's festive mood when she discovers that Clayton and Spencer are bitter enemies. She has no idea why, and nobody is saying least of all the two men involved. Soon, Spencer's behavior toward Clayton has Laura wondering how well she really knows him. And when she discovers that the Christmas tree salesman hates Christmas, she's surprised. But a much deeper shock is in store when she discovers the reason. Now Laura is on a rescue mission. But what has Clayton's tragic story got to do with her, and why does his happiness matter so much?