Mackenzie Reed waits anxiously for her husband to come home on the evening of their wedding anniversary. His flight is hours overdue, and she's worn out from a day spent wrangling a toddler. While gazing at her decorated tree, she notices the crocheted angel ornament, and without warning, memories of another Christmas pull her back.

Back to the turbulent flight to Whistler to see Dad. Back to the moment she found herself stranded at the small airport. Back to the tall pilot who gave her a ride—Tate Reed, the grown-up version of the bratty boy next door, the one who'd put grasshoppers down her shirt and ruined her first kiss.

Mackenzie had every reason to keep her guard up. She had Geoffrey back in Greenville—her steady, safe, and uncomplicated boyfriend. She had a rewarding career. She had a detailed life plan.

But between tree shopping, quiet walks, holiday dinners, and a Christmas Eve service, she found herself torn between old resentments and new feelings. Tate was not the boy she remembered who’d caused unending mischief with her three younger brothers. He was funny, faith-grounded, warmhearted, and disarming. Worse, he saw through every mask she wore and questioned who was actually in charge of her life.

She flew to Whistler that Christmas, fearful and guarded. But somewhere along the way, she found the grace to choose the path that scared her, the joy of coming home, and the assurance that love lands right where you are.