Hating Christmas (Holiday Series) Read Online Free PDF

boots I
do have are way to pretty for this kind of exposure—all six pair of
them.”
    “Bet you wish you had a non-pretty pair right
now.”
    Ignoring his last comment, Holly trudged on through
the rows.
    By this time they’d arrived alongside her mother who
circled a tree—that look identical to the several hundred others
that were staked here. Michael joined her mom in making
appreciative comments about the fir, but Holly couldn’t work up any
enthusiasm. Walking away from the tree, she stomped her feet
several times, trying to get some feeling back in them.
    “So, have you been the one cutting off the tree trunk
up until now?” Levi had come to join her in the gap between the
trees.
    She made a face at him. “Pretty much, but now you and
your dad can do it.”
    He glanced over his shoulder at the older couple who
were still discussing which of the various trees were more perfect.
“I’ll let him do it. It’ll make him look better in your mother’s
eyes.”
    “I wouldn’t think you’d want that.” She kept trying
to stomp the damp snow off her feet.
    He shrugged. “It won’t hurt anything. Or change
anything.”
    Holly stopped stomping long enough to look at him.
“So, how do you plan to put a stop to this marriage? Got a
plan?”
    His dark, lean face was impassive. “It’s still coming
together. Do you want to know the details?”
    “Not really.”
    “Hey, you two!” her mother called out. “Come vote on
your favorite.”
    “It’s okay, mom. Whichever one you want is fine.”
Holly just wanted a decision, so she could get back into the car
and warm her feet.
    “Well, I like this one, but Michael insists the first
one we looked at is better.” Her mother circled the tree again.
    “Yea, come on you two. Settle the argument for us,”
Michael’s father invited. “Come on, son. All those years in
California hasn’t changed you that much. You must have an
opinion!”
    “I have an opinion, all right.” Levi’s words were low
before he trudged over to where his father stood, staring at the
tree with her mom.
    Going back to stamping her feet, Holly took no part
in the conversation, but she was startled when Levi suddenly
appeared in front of her, turning his back and squatting down.
    “Climb on,” he said over his shoulder.
    “What?”
    “Climb on,” he repeated. “They’ve decided on this
tree and my dad’s paying the lot attendant. Decision made. We can
go back to the car.
    When she didn’t respond immediately, he said, “I
think we need to call a truce. We’re both here for the same end,
we’re both having to endure all this Christmas crap. Now, climb on
my back. Your shoes are soaked and your feet are frozen. Climb on
and I’ll carry you back.”
    Standing on frozen feet in sopping shoes, Holly stood
debating. This was so bizarre and she didn’t even know him! The
truce made sense, but she wasn’t sure how far they should go with
it.
    “Come on. The offer won’t last long. Are you or
aren’t you?”
    “I am,” she said with sudden decision, slogging to
where he squatted.
    “Smart woman.” Levi hoisted her as he stood, bouncing
a little to adjust her position. “Okay. Let’s get you out of the
snow.”
    Clinging to his shoulders—broader than she expected
them to be—she registered his bare hands on her jean-clad knees and
the slight stubble on his chin as she clung to his back. She wasn’t
either tall or particularly heavy, but she felt way too heavy to be
carried like this.
    “Try not to strangle me,” he said over his shoulder
as he walked between the trees.
    “I’m sorry!” she said, registering the warmth of his
neck even as he spoke.
    Levi bounced her again, readjusting she guessed.
    “So, big lunch?” There was laughter in his voice.
    “No!” she said with indignation as he chuckled.
    The chilly breeze lifted her hair as he walked and
she registered the warm, clean smell of his hair.
    “It occurs to me,” he said, still in that teasing
voice,