Christmas in Sugarcreek Read Online Free PDF

or a ham and not burn it.
    Leaning close, he brushed his lips against hers once more. “I’d be happy with that, too,” he murmured into her ear as he leaned closer.
    As he rubbed her back, seeming to find comfort in just her presence, Lilly relaxed against him. When they hugged like this, when he spoke to her like she was everything to him, Lilly was sure that everything was right in the world. And felt more optimistic about their future together than ever before. “I’m glad you came home early,” she murmured.
    “Me, too.” He pressed his lips to her temple, his now smooth-shaven cheek gliding smoothly against her skin before locating her mouth.
    After a time, he whispered in her ear again. “If we’re alone on Christmas, I’ll get to see how much you enjoy my present for you. All by myself.”
    “What did you get me?”
    “You know I won’t tell. You’re going to have to wait a little longer.”
    “But—”
    He pressed a finger to her lips. “No more prying, Lilly. Besides, I haven’t been pressing you for information, have I?” Before she could reply, he stepped back and looked at her very smugly. “Fair’s fair. Right?”
    “Right,” she replied. Because, after all, what could she say? But inside, that same knot of worry that had threatened to strangle her got even bigger.
    When he left the kitchen, she prayed that she would one day become the woman he believed her to be.
    Better.
    She so wanted to make him proud of her. To have him be pleased with her. And right now, if he didn’t like her gift, she was sure that he was going to be terribly disappointed.
    Maybe even think about another woman who used to be in his life. The woman who’d been so special and perfect.
    And he’d find Lilly wanting. Maybe even have regrets about his marriage.
    She would just hate that. Could there be anything worse than for their first Christmas together to be filled with regrets and doubts?
    With a lump in her throat, she knew there would be something far worse . . . that Robert’s feelings would start to turn.

Chapter Four
     
    Eight Days Until Christmas
     
    T his had been the longest three hours of her life.
    “So do you have any more questions about checking packing slips and filing them away?” Judith asked Ben as she shuffled a few more papers around.
    They were standing side by side behind the front counter, close enough that she could smell the scent of his soap on his skin. Close enough for her to notice that he had a small pair of scars on his jaw.
    And for her to wonder just how he got them. And when.
    Looking at her directly in the eye, Ben shook his head. “I don’t have a single question. Not one.”
    His reply would have meant a whole lot more if he’d ever even looked at the papers. If he’d even acted interested with what she had to say. Instead, all he seemed inclined to do was grin and stare at her.
    Which, of course, made her even more flustered.
    And notice that his hazel eyes were really more blue than green. At least around the edges.
    “Ben, this is serious.”
    “Believe me. I will never take the invoices lightly. Ever.”
    Those eyes of his were sparkling again. And his cheek—well, his cheek had the smallest of dimples on it. Just like he was completely amused by her. “Ben . . .”
    He laughed under his breath before turning toward two new customers. “ Wilkum !” he said with a smile. “How may I help you?”
    The English tourists beamed as they faced him in surprise. As Judith watched the women look him over, notice his broad shoulders and his perpetually tanned face, they looked like they’d just won the jackpot. “We were just looking around. For Christmas gifts. Do you have anything Christmasy here?”
    Judith was just about to inform the ladies that her family’s store was the wrong place to look for ornaments with Amish characters painted on them when Ben walked around the counter and directed the ladies to a collection of handmade baskets and