Eighteen years ago, a terrible tragedy forced Maria Delacroix to flee Belle Torre -- and Sheriff Jericho Rivers, her first love. Now she was finally back in Jericho' s warm embrace, but someone from the past was determined to destroy her. Both her life and her heart were in mortal danger...With her provocative smile and midnight hair, Maria was lovelier than ever. Jericho would do whatever it took to keep her safe -- and to keep her in Belle Terre, at his side. So as Christmas approached, he vowed to offer Maria a season for love...one that would last for the rest of their lives.