If I Had You (Christmas In Harper Falls) Read Online Free PDF Page A

stepped out,
    grabbing a fluffy towel, she was smooth and silky from top to bottom.
    Drying her hair was always a chore. Most days she didn’t
    bother. A clip to hold it back and she was good to go. With thoughts of Sam
    floating through her head, she knew that would not do.
    Lila pulled out her seldom-used blow dryer before plugging
    in the curling iron she bought last spring, only to forget about it until
    tonight. Out of practice, it took some time. When she was done, she stood back,
    critically examining her work.
    Not bad. A little make-up, the right dress. She might not be
    able to compete with Sam’s usual supermodel type, but those women weren’t here.
    She was. Applying her eyeliner, Lila promised herself to do this more often.
    Why wait for a special occasion? It was easy to forget, in the day-to-day
    living of life, how good it felt to pamper and primp.
    Her choice of what to wear was a no-brainer. In the back of
    her closet, tags still attached, was a dress. An impulse-buy one day when she
    was shopping with Rose, Dani, and Tyler.
    The soft, jersey knit hugged her body like a dream,
    highlighting her curves in all the right spots. The forest green color brought
    out the flecks in her eyes that were exactly the same shade.
    Her legs weren’t long, but they were shapely. The dress hit
    her just above the knee showing off her nicely toned calves. Thank you, step
    class.
    Shoes were a problem. In this weather, boots were practical.
    For tonight, high heels were mandatory. Again, easy decision. Being good
    friends with the hostess meant Lila wouldn’t feel awkward showing up in clunky
    boots then changing into strappy sandals.
    Lila gave herself one more look in the mirror, before
    heading out. Hair, nice. Makeup? Good — not clown like. Sparkly earrings, her
    mother’s gold bracelet. The dress was a killer. She was as good as she was
    going to get. Hot. Yes, little Lila Fleming felt ready to seal the deal with
    Sam Laughton.
    They could start with a kiss. She hoped they ended naked,
    sweaty, and highly satisfied.
     
    “I KNOW YOU didn’t expect me to accept your
    invitation.”
    Sam stood with Rose, sipping aged malt whiskey. His
    enjoyment of her home and family grew with each passing hour. The large, open
    living area was decorated with festive lights, illuminating banisters, mantles,
    doorways. Boughs of pine scented the room, a large fire crackling, adding to
    the festive atmosphere. His companion, her shoulder-length brown hair shining
    with touches of red and gold highlights, glowed brighter than any light. She
    was lit from within. That’s what loving, and being loved in return, will do for
    you, Sam realized. It made a beautiful woman incandescent.
    “No,” Rose admitted. “When I invited you, I
    was certain this was the last place you’d want to be for Christmas.”
    “Should I apologize? Not only do I show up, I bring an
    uninvited guest.”
    Cooper and Edgar, Jack’s large black dog of indeterminate
    breed, were getting along like old friends. A few tentative sniffs was all it
    took. Now, they were patiently letting three little girls decorate their coats
    with ribbons of various colors.
    “Cooper fits right in. Knowing his story, I’d be mad if
    you hadn’t brought him. As for you, my friend.” Rose linked arms with him.
    “I said I didn’t think you would accept. I never would have made the
    invitation if I didn’t want you to.”
    “Ever regret turning down my many advances?”
    “God no.”
    “Ouch.”
    Laughing, Rose squeezed his arm.
    “I think your ego can take one woman not finding you
    irresistible.”
    “Mmm.” Sam gave her forehead a friendly kiss.
    “It did make it easier when I needed to get on your case. If we were
    lovers, I might have hesitated.”
    “Ha,” Rose said incredulously. “You wanted
    those songs for your movie. A little intimacy would not have stopped you. You
    bullied, Sam. Constantly.”
    “Didn’t you write some songs that will live