Holy family feud.

The bickering had spilled over into Jessica and Eric’s relationship, even in the bedroom where they hadn’t even ventured during the last several weeks. These last four months, instead of being joyous, had brought them both to the breaking point. They desperately needed this long weekend away from the relentless arguing, needed this time alone, to put their relationship back on track. To reignite their currently nonexistent sex life. To recapture the magic that had surrounded them right from the beginning. And they would. They had to. Because the alternative-not being together, not sharing their lives-was a concept she simply couldn’t wrap her mind around.

Yet there had been times since they’d announced their engagement when she wondered if they’d actually be able to rescue themselves from the quicksand they’d stumbled into and make that walk down the aisle together. She wanted to marry him, wanted to spend her life with him. But…how could she ignore all the shrapnel hitting them from the family fallout? And even though he’d never said so, she knew Eric wondered, too. And she couldn’t help but worry that he’d grow so disgusted with the whole situation, he’d just walk away.

Well, she couldn’t worry anymore. She needed to know. She loved Eric and knew he loved her. But, as she’d unfortunately learned over the past four months, the adage that sometimes love isn’t enough was sadly true. She also knew, in her heart, that this weekend was going to either make them or break them. At the least, it would result in some drastic changes. Because they simply couldn’t go on any longer the way they were. For the past four months she and Eric had tried to keep everyone happy and the result was that no one was happy. Something had to give.

Shoving aside all thoughts that even hinted at sadness, Jessica focused her attention on her surroundings. The rustic inn definitely lived up to the color brochure that had enticed them to choose the Timberline Lodge for their desperately needed getaway-that and an enthusiastic recommendation from Eric’s best friend, Dave. Rustic, yet boasting every modern convenience, the lodge and its recently added cabins were the perfect winter wonderland-type location for a sexy, romantic holiday away from it all.