STARR LEDERMAN. She was named after the Christmas Star. She's a woman who knows her own mind and heart, a woman who values family and family traditions. So she's determined to give her almost-adopted daughter, SeLi, the most wonderful Christmas possible.

SeLi, who's nine years old and wise beyond her years, knows what she wants for Christmas. A dad. Which means a husband for Starr -- whether Starr wants one or not! In fact, SeLi's already got a man picked out. Now she's going to wish extra-hard on the Christmas star, and the name she'll whisper is Clay McLeod.

CLAY McLEOD. He's a rancher with a soft spot for children and animals. He believes in family. But he's not interested in marriage -- especially to a woman as headstrong as Starr. A woman he believes is having an affair with his brother. His married brother.

At Christmastime, though, things have a way of working out.