Don't look down and don't give up. Justin Oberman's credo for living his adventurous-some might say death-defying-life to the max served him well until the unfortunate outcome of a climb made him walk away from the sport he loved. A lucrative new job offer could pave the way to a more traditional life in Marietta, Montana, where his two best friends have fallen in love with the women of their dreams. But settling down always seemed more daunting than Everest and not worth considering until a mysterious lady in red walks into his life on New Year's Eve. Suddenly, that happily-ever-after stuff Flynn and Tucker have been raving about looks within reach. The first fall is always the hardest. Nikki Magnesson Richards has loved Justin Oberman most of her life. First, from the safety of her brothers' old tree house. Later, with unrequited teen-age angst. Her poorly thought out attempt to get him to notice her cost them both dearly. Now, a dozen years later, her fairy godfather boss has orchestrated the most romantic meeting possible-the Big Sky Mavericks Masked Ball for Charity. A kiss at midnight with her very own Prince Charming isn't too much to ask, is it? But what are two star-crossed lovers supposed to do when one kiss isn't enough?