To find out who was claiming ownership of the only place he'd ever called home, Harry Maxwell knew he'd have to practice a little deception. So the wounded lieutenant changed his name a little. Altered a few facts. All for a good cause—get in, get the truth, get out.

Until he met the Brambleberry House heir presumptive. Anna Galvez was captivating in ways he hadn't even known existed. Still, after spending time with her, he wanted the house more than ever.

But only if she was in it…....

All Emery Kendall wanted was to flee painful memories of Christmases past. She craved distraction and healing, and the mountains of Idaho offered both…plus the key to a long-buried family secret. But when she met her host, rancher Nate Cavazos, she hardly got a warm welcome….

The former army ranger's smoldering good looks masked deep emotional scars. And now he had his hands full as guardian of two orphaned nieces. That seemed to be all the involvement he could handle right now.

Still, Nate couldn't ignore his fierce attraction to Emery or his nieces' instant attachment to her—until Emery's secret shattered their happiness. Would it be a lonely Christmas for four lost souls? Or the best family holiday ever?...