Jess & Sam's Story — Valerie J. Clarizio

After twenty years, Jess returns home to care for her ailing mother. Close proximity to the man she once loved -- who'd dumped her on the very day she expected a marriage proposal -- reawakens her broken heart and strengthens her vow to never put faith in a man.

By his own choice, Sam's the most elusive bachelor in town, his walls of defense firmly in place. But when the feisty little brunette he dated in high school and college moves back, Sam needs to step up his game, stiffening those walls to concrete. True love? A forever union? What kind of idiot believes in that?

No matter which way Sam and Jess turn in their little home town, they run into each other. And stumbling under the mistletoe isn't what either one needs.

Or is it?