It Happened One Christmas Read Online Free PDF

to board the train.
    â€œWhy, Henry, that would be lovely! Thank you,” Lisette said with a smile of appreciation. Henry’s sandy brown hair was covered by a tall black top hat, and his gray eyes looked into hers. He had never escorted her to the station before, and Lisette had been touched by this show of caring on his part.
    â€œI shall miss having you with me at the dinner party this evening, Lisette, but duty toward your mother and your family comes first. You are a good daughter.”
    She gave him a bright grin. “The week shall fly by before we know it!”
    He returned the smile and nodded in agreement. “As will this year. You have been so patient with me, Lisette. Next year at this time, we shall be a married couple.” He paused a moment for a bit of a dramatic effect. “We can have our wedding in June.”
    â€œOh, Henry, do you mean that?” she exclaimed in delight. Lisette had been waiting for this for three long years. At times it had seemed as if Henry would never settle on a date for their wedding.
    â€œYes. My uncle has decided to retire for good and will let me take over his practice completely. He told me the news just last evening. With what I have saved now, I can afford to buy us a little house. We can start planning our wedding in earnest when you get back, my dear. Something modest, of course.” He squeezed her hand tightly.
    â€œOh my!” A little thrill raced through her, and she couldn’t stop giggling. “That is wonderful news! I cannot wait to tell my mother and sisters! They will be so pleased.”
    They had waited so long to marry, delaying until he had enough money to support her. It seemed he had finally amassed enough to satisfy himself that he could properly take care of a wife. She had never seen Henry’s sweet face so alight with happiness. His eyes twinkled at her, and he smiled broadly beneath his neatly trimmed sandy mustache and beard.
    The train whistle blew with a pronounced shrillness and steam billowed around them. In an impulsive gesture, Henry leaned down and brushed her cheek with the lightest of kisses.
    â€œHenry!” she squealed, pleased by his sudden display of affection. Henry had never kissed her in public before. In fact, he was so proper, he had rarely kissed her at all.
    â€œNow, hurry before the train leaves without you. The porter has already taken your bag inside and your seat is in the first-class compartment in this car right here,” he instructed her as if she had not been there when the porter took her portmanteau. As if she had not taken the train to visit her mother a dozen times before without his help. Yet she knew it made Henry happy to take care of her, so she nodded obediently.
    â€œThank you,” she said as she ascended the steps of the car. “Good-bye!”
    He waved to her as he watched her board the train. Lisette entered the car and found her seat in the elegant first-class compartment. There were no other passengers but herself, which she was pleased to notice.
    â€œIs there anything else I can do for you, miss?” the barrel-chested porter inquired, popping his head in the compartment to check on her.
    â€œNo, thank you. I’m just fine.”
    â€œLet me know if you need anything then. Good afternoon, miss.” He nodded politely and left, closing the door behind him.
    Just as she’d settled herself on a dark green velvet seat, the train emitted another ear-splitting whistle and jolted into motion. She pulled back the dark velvet curtains and peered out the window, but Henry had already gone from the platform. He would never waste time standing there when he had work to do. Pretending her fiancé was watching her departure, she gave a little wave with her fingers anyway as the engine chugged with slow determination away from the station.
    Lisette relaxed and loosened the ties around the neck of her black velvet, white fur-trimmed cloak, setting