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

forever?
    Classics, Rose. Unconditional has been number one for two months.”
    “You don’t get to take credit for that, Sam.”
    Looking across the room, Rose’s eyes got dreamy. “Jack was the
    inspiration. You should be thanking him. I know I do. Every day.”
    “I still say my gentle nudging helped.”
    “Gentle my…” She did a quick assessment of how many
    little ears might be around to hear Aunt Rose swear. Too close to call.
    “My rear end.”
    Seeing Sam’s amused look, she explained.
    “Little pitchers have big ears. They also tend to
    repeat everything I say.”
    Sam nodded. “Hence, rear end instead of —”
    “That goes for you too. Curb the language while you’re
    here.”
    “Got it. Gosh, dang and shucks only. I promise.”
    Sam mingled for the next half hour, his eyes constantly
    checking and rechecking the door. No Lila. He knew she was coming. Earlier when
    he was talking to Alex Fleming, someone asked about her. She was coming. Being
    Christmas Eve, she stayed open to catch the last minute shoppers.
    “Sam. I didn’t know you’d be here.”
    The enthusiastic slap on his back might have felled a
    slighter man. As it was, he did stagger forward. Unconcerned, Sam grinned,
    happy to see the man, no matter how he greeted him.
    “Bobby.”
    At eighty-five, Robert Plank was robust, energetic, and as
    Sam’s shoulder could attest, strong as a bear. His shock of thick gray hair
    would be the envy of a man half his age. He was friendly, a bit bawdy, and one
    of the richest men in the world. His money gave Sam the last boost he needed to
    make Wishes . Finding him at a Christmas party in Harper Falls,
    Washington was a big surprise.
    “Thought a young stud like you would be spending the
    holidays in bed with a beautiful woman. Or two.”
    The last bit sent Bobby into gales of laughter, drawing
    smiles from everyone nearby. Bobby had an infectious personality, drawing
    people in as easily as he made money.
    “I would have thought the same about you. Last I heard
    wife number six was history, making you free to play the field.”
    “I do like a beautiful woman. Plenty around here. I’m
    mighty fond of that one in particular.”
    Sam looked to where Bobby was pointing. Dani Wilde? Really?
    She was a looker, no doubt. All that white blond hair, her emerald green eyes.
    Put those together with a shapely body and a face that could grace the cover of
    magazines. Sam definitely saw the appeal. From their brief conversation, she
    seemed intelligent, friendly. She was also engaged to Alex Fleming.
    “Nothing like that,” Bobby assured Sam.
    “Though I appreciate the thought. No, that sweet lady is like a daughter
    to me. We met up about four years ago and it was love at first sight. Platonic
    love. I couldn’t be happier that she’s found a good man. Unlike me, that is a woman who loves once and strong. Lucky for Alex, he feels the same. If I’m
    too old to kick his ass, I wouldn’t hesitate to hire somebody to do it.”
    “He’s pretty hardcore, Bobby.”
    The older man’s usually jovial expression hardened.
    “When it comes to those I love, son, so am I.”
    Sam didn’t doubt it for a minute. He shook Bobby’s hand
    before wandering through the crowd. And a crowd it was. Half of Harper Falls
    must be here. It didn’t matter to him that he was a stranger in a group of
    friends. Sam was a social being. He liked his own company, sometimes nothing
    else would do. This, though, was where he thrived. He liked people, all types.
    They liked him back because he was genuinely interested. When someone talked to
    him, he listened. A talent that came naturally to him.
    He particularly liked the company of beautiful women. Rose’s
    friends qualified and then some. When that beautiful woman was also extremely
    talented, he couldn’t resist. Dani Wilde was a respected photographer. Her work
    was diverse, one time in a glossy fashion magazine, the next a gritty Newsweek
    feature.
    “I wanted to tell