Detective Brad Thornton is called to the scene of a break-in and destruction of a local store in the little town of Clearwater where he has just moved to take on a position with the local police department. The owner of Joyful Wonders is a sassy, spirited little firecracker by the name of Ashley Morrissey. Ashley has something of a reputation in the town for solving crimes before the police can get around to it, and Brad is determined that he will be the one to discover who is trying to ruin Ashley’s business before the holiday season starts. Ashley is not impressed when the handsome detective threatens to spank her! She was subjected to that sort of punishment when growing up in her old-fashioned grandparents’ home, and she is determined not to fall in love with a man who believes in spanking.

Brad’s answer to that is to tell her that is precisely the kind of man she needs, and he is determined to prove to the pretty lady that he is the man for her—even if it takes a spanking or two to convince her. While Brad seems more interested in dealing with the feisty redhead, she is determined to find the person responsible for the damage in her store, and in her home! She wants to give him what for, no matter who it is.