Bennett Pontellier Watkins and Helene-Louise Soileau had a secret, youthful love affair - until their mothers found out. Helene-Louise, the housekeeper's daughter, was sent to France to study lacemaking while a bereft Bennett drowned his sorrows on the beach with beer and sorority girls.

Eight years later, Helene-Louise, now a master craftsman, owns a shop in Beauford, Tennessee, and teaches a series of workshops at the Cultural Arts Center in Merritt, where Bennett is the director. It isn't long before they fall into each other's arms once more.

But old patterns begin to re-emerge, and despite Bennett's declarations of love, it's clear to Helene-Louise that he still has no intention of coming clean with his upper-crust parents about their relationship. Is she willing to give up everything she's built for herself in Beauford for a man who may never see her as more than the hired help's daughter?

Or will Christmastime in Merritt reveal love to be the greatest present of all?

Sensuality Level: Sensual