The Faller — Daniel De Lorne

Being caught with another man sends Charlie Young fleeing his family to the forests of southwestern Australia to scrape together steamer-passage to the big smoke of London. But life as a timber faller isn't easy and it's made worse when the men he works with are brash, bigoted, and often brutal. All except Jack Tapper, who's the kind of gentle giant that sets Charlie's heart racing.

While the other men head into town for Christmas, it's just Charlie and Jack and acres of forest. But trees tell no tales and a few days alone is the perfect opportunity to indulge a bourgeoning passion. When the men return and find things not as they once were, Charlie and Jack have to make the hard decisions about whether to stay where they are or run for their lives.

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar "Warmest Wishes."