NEW BEGINNINGSIt took Michaela Akerman years to garner the courage to leave her abusive husband. Sneaking out in the dead of night, she embarked on what she hoped would be a better life. In Cottonwood, Montana, she's found anonymity and a kind of happiness. Although she longs for more, she is content with her little cottage on a ranch outside of town, and she works for wonderful people who've become like a family.Gunslinger Drake Jaeger has always lived life by his own rules, doing whatever it takes to survive, and now he has the opportunity to seize his lifelong dream. All that he has to do is help a man who once saved his life. All that stands in his way is the fetching Miss Michaela Akerman. And Christmas. Dark secrets are about to be revealed, and to complete his job Drake must put duty over everything--including the sudden allure of all that's good and true. And love.