All I Want for Christmas Is You Read Online Free PDF Page B

it was Christmastime. It was nothing an extra-long brushing couldn't fix before climbing into bed.
     
    "Yeah!" Kristen declared and began pulling her mother toward the concession stand.
     
    That's when she saw Kyle talking to the woman behind the concession stand as he patted a gigantic dog tied to a barrel. Her first thought was to change directions and head toward the gazebo. Maybe she could get lost in the crowd. But she was too late. He swung around and saw her walking toward him, making no attempt to hide his surprise or pleasure at their arrival.
     
    He stood up straight just staring at her with his cool as ice eyes, pushing the strands of hair the wind had blown in his face back with one brush of his hand. Even from the distance they were at she could tell he was a good ten inches taller than her five foot six frame. She noticed for the first time what she couldn't last night, he was exceedingly handsome. His hair was long, touching his shoulder blades in the back, with blonde tips and rich brown roots that gave it an almost frosted appearance. It was something she hadn't noticed last night when his hair was wet from the snow. His facial features were strong and hard, reminiscent of a Viking.
     
    When he'd come out of nowhere last night and offered her aid, she'd feared him. She knew she had need. She tried to tell herself it was because she was alone and he was a stranger. And now she feared him again, but it had nothing to do with her and Kristen's safety. It had everything to do with a need that lay dormant inside her for far too long.
     
    "I'm glad you made it," he said when they reached the concession stand. Lauren remained at a good ten foot distance, fearing the behemoth dog might leap on Kristen. "Oh, don't be frightened. They're big, but these dogs are pretty much harmless," Kyle assured them. "That is as long as you don't have any fried dough."
     
    "Or a perfected basted and stuffed turkey," the woman that Kyle had been conversing with spouted from behind the counter.
     
    Up close, Lauren guessed that she was no more than ten or fifteen years older than Kyle. She was petite in size and her short brown hair curled around her ear muffs. What she noticed more was the way her cocoa colored eyes gleamed with affection at Kyle, making Lauren wonder about the nature of their relationship.
     
    "A word of warning, my dear. Make sure you keep your hands and food held high."
     
    Kyle laughed, but appeared slightly abashed. "Are you still sore about Thanksgiving, Ma?"
     
    "What do you think?" the woman returned, rolling her eyes at Kyle.
     
    "I think I'd better quit while I'm still ahead," he answered.
     
    "Good thinking."
     
    Kyle brushed his arm across Lauren's back and she immediate felt a pulse of warmth beneath her heavy coat from his touch. "Ma, this is Lauren Alexander and the little one hiding behind her here is Kristen."
     
    Kristen shyly pulled into her mother in an attempt to hide herself. It was a typical reaction for Kristen when meeting new people. Of course, Kristen had no idea that she'd already met Kyle the previous evening and still felt intimidated.
     
    "This is my mother, Judy Preston," he told Lauren.
     
    "Nice to meet you Mrs. Preston," Lauren returned cordially. She held her eyes on Judy, noting her youthful appearance, then glanced back at Kyle as if to make the link. But she couldn't figure out what didn't seem right about the connection.
     
    "Please call me Judy. Did you have any trouble finding a parking space? It gets so crowded and with all the snow, parking is scarce."
     
    "We live just a few blocks from here so we walked," Lauren told her. "I had no idea this was such a big deal. We've never been."
     
    "Really? You must be new to town. Brimfield has been putting on this celebration for years." Judy seemed nice and friendly, Lauren decided.
     
    "We've lived here a few years. We just haven't had the opportunity to come."
     
    "We're a rowdy crowd but we have a good time,"