My name is Sergeant Charlie Warner. Or it was. I'm a retiring soldier, just got out, with no family of my own, and I reluctantly agreed to spend the holidays in picturesque Maple Grove to transition to life after the Army. I'm a drifter now and have no business getting involved with my buddy's family—especially with his sweet little sister who pretends she's frumpy and boring to ward off attention from men. Men like me. I have no plans for Emily other than being an extra brother for a week. That's what I tell myself. I really should let her be, but the harder she tries to hide, the more determined I am to seek. Under those baggy clothes and plain, simple looks is a woman who deserves to know how desirable she is. She thinks I can have any woman I want. And I want her. Author's Confession: You must know by now that I love my tropes, right? Military romance, older man/younger woman, opposites attracting like whoa, small town, older brother's best friend, ugly duckling who's really a swan (though an introverted swan), holiday romance complete with snow, Santa suits, and caroling during a fight scene. Oh, and pudding. Let's get figgy with it.