Nobody's Lover

Previously published as part of an anthology. Cody Everett stopped celebrating Christmas when he lost his parents to an icy road at eighteen. Ever since, he lets the holidays pass as any other time of year. He figures he'll play a few board games, hit a bar or two for an easy pickup if he gets lonely, and he doesn't have to worry about his twin brother wanting to do the family thing because Beau feels just as he does about this time year.
Everything changes when he rescues Kaleena Morgan. Kaleena can't imagine finding happiness after a painful loss, but she's decided to rewrite her life and the Christmas holiday, and she's determined to drag Cody into old and new experiences too. When she shows up at his house unannounced with big plans for the two of them, will he welcome her, or run her off his ranch?