Book excerpt: Halle Adams is in a bind. While she owns and operates a fun, eclectic gift shop, Just Dandy, her life is anything but. The family purse strings, which have a hold on her shop, have grown too tight for the independent, savvy Wyoming gal. Halle's solution is to seek funding elsewhere, but when her loan request at the bank is denied, she's left to ponder her options during what is meant to be the merriest time of the year. The holiday season ushers in Blake Ellison, who has recently found himself promoted at work, but demoted in spirit. Blake is tired of the chase and simply wants a no-hassle, no-commitment companion to accompany him to the bank-related functions the future president is expected to attend. A chance encounter gives Blake and Halle the perfect solution: She will go with him to the myriad of holiday events and he agrees to approve her loan application. But a barn dance, a black tie gala, and a fundraiser spark feelings of jealousy, protection, and attraction . . . emotions neither of them had on their holiday wish list. Will a business deal between strangers get hoodwinked by holiday hoopla? Sensuality Level: Behind Closed Doors