He offers to let Peter stay at his place only half an hourįeel as fleshed out. Although his complete lack of stranger danger And the New Zealand slang was definitely fun.Īnd his family was super cute. Enough to make the story feel authentic without long The New Zealand setting was well done with both the Peter’s trip to see the comet was both deeply personal and a way for I could definitely see this being turned into a novella. And while I like this story well enough, I think the premise would have done better in a slightly longer format. I’ve never read anything by Cassie Decker before, which isn’t surprising seeing that she’s only written a few short stories. Peter’s never even been out of Maryland.Story from the Warmest Wishes: Dreamspinner Press 2018 Advent Calendar Will they manage to see the comet on its decades-long journey across the sky… and take advantage of a rare opportunity that might never come again? While Rangi is attracted to Peter, he’s seen too many of his friends get their hearts broken by tourists. Rangi can’t leave Peter stranded so close to Christmas, and his family has plenty of room-and love-to share. But is kindness the only thing drawing the two men together? He doesn’t even have a place to stay.įortunately a New Zealand native with a heart of gold offers assistance. But his dream might be quashed after all when his rental car breaks down on the way to the observatory. Since it could be his only chance, he travels to New Zealand. All his life, astrophysicist Peter has dreamed of seeing the comet that last appeared on his birthday-and won’t be seen for another thirty-eight years.

Once in a Lifetime by Cassie Decker