The Perfect Christmas Read Online Free PDF

“I’m sitting right here. If you have any doubts, you can address them to me directly and not to each other.”
    “Okay,” Cassie said. “Tell me about one such man.”
    “All right.” He appeared to be deep in thought.
    “I don’t think he can scrounge up even one,” Cassie whispered, raising her eyebrows.
    “Give me a minute, would you,” he snapped.
    “Notice how testy he gets when challenged.”
    Her brother silenced her with a look.
    “There’s Riley,” he declared triumphantly. He beamed a smile at Angie and then Cassie.
    “I’ve always liked the name Riley,” Angie said.
    “Riley.” Cassie threw back her head. “You’re joking!”
    “What’s wrong with Riley?” Angie wanted to know.
    “He’s an artist friend of Shawn’s. He’s got two ex-wives, a gambling problem and he drinks too much. You’re scraping the bottom of the frying pan if you’re suggesting either of us should marry Riley. ”
    “He’s reformed.”
    “Yeah, right. And when did this happen?”
    Shawn seemed unsure. “Not too long ago. He said he’s through messing up his life. What he needs now is a good woman.”
    Cassie exhaled slowly. “Tell him to talk to one of his ex-wives, then.”
    “Sorry,” Angie said, “I’m not interested, either.”
    “You’re going to have to try harder than that,” Cassie informed her brother.
    “What about Larry Upjohn? You couldn’t meet a nicer guy if you tried.”
    “Do you know Larry?” Angie asked her.
    Cassie nodded. “He’s Shawn’s CPA and in a word… b-o-r-i-n-g. ”
    “You didn’t say you were looking for a stand-up comic,” Shawn said, obviously annoyed.
    “Call me superficial, but I don’t want to date a man who wears knee-high socks with his sandals and a pocket protector in his pajamas.”
    “A little personality would be helpful,” Angie saidin a defeated voice. “As you can tell, it’s not as easy as it seems.”
    “Warren!” Shawn’s face lit up. “What about Warren?”
    Once more Angie turned to Cassie.
    She nodded, but without enthusiasm. “Warren’s a…possibility.”
    “What’s wrong with Warren?” Shawn cried.
    Cassie shrugged. “Nothing really. He just doesn’t ring my bells. He might Angie’s, though.”
    Shawn leaned back, throwing out his arms in an expansive gesture. “I can introduce you, if you like.”
    “Tell me about him first,” Angie said.
    “He’s Shawn’s agent,” Cassie explained. “He’s a nice guy.”
    “ Nice isn’t a word I’d use to describe Warren,” Shawn commented. “He’s a tough negotiator.”
    “But a real kitten on the inside,” Cassie said. “He’s also divorced. Recently, if I remember.”
    “He and Clare split last year. I don’t know many guys your age who aren’t divorced.”
    “That’s reassuring,” Cassie muttered. Warren was the best of the rather shallow pool of Shawn’s male friends and acquaintances. Shallow pools, as everyone knew, were usually the slimiest, too. This was exactly why she’d decided on the matchmaker.
    “Warren’s got a couple of kids. His wife has custody.”
    “Thanks, big brother, but I’ll stick with Dr. Dodson.”
    “I appreciate the suggestion,” Angie said, “but I’ll pass on Warren, too.”
    “If I think of anyone else, I’ll give you a call.”
    “You do that,” Cassie said, although she didn’t expect he would. “On second thought, phone Angie.”

Chapter 4
    Simon says: I can find the right mate for everyone. Even you!
    S imon kept Cassie waiting forty-five minutes on her next visit. His assistant, Ms. Snelling, had called the day after her first appointment. It was now Friday. Since she’d been on pins and needles for three whole days, an additional forty-five minutes didn’t bother her. Today would be when he’d announce whether he’d found her a match.
    She couldn’t figure out how, based on their brief conversation, Simon would be able to match her up with the perfect man. Maybe, as Angie said, it really was all