All I Want for Christmas Is You by Lisa Mondello Read Free Book Online Page B

going tonight. It was a spur of the moment decision. What would you have done if I hadn't shown up?"
     
    He squinted one eye as he looked at her and said, "I probably would have been in the dog house."
     
    "Why's that?"
     
    "Let's just say that my mother is a maniac about three things-breakfast, lunch and dinner." He laughed hard and added, "And she doesn't share my need for taking in strays of the four legged variety."
     
    "This sounds like a good story."
     
    "Come on Sunday and I'll tell you about it."
     
    She couldn't figure out why this meant so much to Kyle. But after meeting his folks, she had to admit the idea of a family Sunday sounded appealing. In fact, it seemed downright heavenly. She missed her own parents so much that she couldn't resist even a few hours in the company of nice people like the Prestons.
     
    "We'll be there."
     
    * * *
     
    Lauren slammed the car door and stood in the driveway gazing at the Preston home. The house was something out of a Currier and Ives picture print. The lighted Christmas tree as well as the tiny white lights illuminating each window could be seen from the street and were the first thing to catch Lauren's attention. Snow clung to the evergreen garland strung around the railing and banister of the Farmers porch giving the house a welcoming quality.
     
    With her gloved hand placed over her chest, she fought her emotions. It reminded her of her grandmother's home in upstate New York where she'd spent the holidays as a child.
     
    She blew out a mist of breath. "They live in a postcard," Lauren muttered, unable to take her eyes from the picture perfect home.
     
    "Mommy?" Kristen called from inside the car, breaking Lauren from her trance.
     
    "Sorry, sweetie." She opened the door and helped Kristen out of the car, wondering if she would be able to make it through dinner without reliving all her childhood memories. Each Christmas Eve since she'd left home, she would cry for hours after Kristen was snug in her bed and the presents from Santa were neatly placed beneath the tree. Only she knew the heartache of what they were missing by being alone for the holidays.
     
    The scent of pine needles intensified as they reached the front door. A wide wreath adorned with a bright red velvet bow hid most of the oval etched glass on the door. She rang the doorbell and immediately heard the scurry of feet and young voices running toward the foyer. Suddenly, she felt a mixed sense of excitement and apprehension filled her whole being. It was the kind of excitement she'd felt in her youth. Looking down at Kristen, she squeezed her little hand in hers and waited for the door to swing open.
     
    "Hey," the young teenager said. Her hair was a multitude of color and shaved in various odd places. A quick glance at the line of gold studs on her ear made Lauren wonder if this girl had more gold than Fort Knox. "You Lauren?"
     
    She nodded. "And this is Kristen," she said when the girl just stood there staring.
     
    "Come on in."
     
    From inside the foyer, Lauren was hit with the heavenly aroma of good old-fashioned home cooking. She missed that. Not that she was a bad chef, she just hadn't quite mastered much beyond a can of soup and a box of macaroni and cheese. It was a good thing Kristen wasn't finicky.
     
    "Kyle!" the girl called out. Turning to Lauren, she added, "He's in the family room, wrestling with Scotty."
     
    Judy appeared in the foyer wiping her hands on her apron before holding her hands out to take Lauren and Kristen's coats. "You don't have to scream to the whole neighborhood, Zoey," she said to the teenager. She turned to Lauren and said, "I'm so glad you made it. I hope you didn't have any trouble finding the house."
     
    "No, I drive right by your house on the way to work, so I knew how to come."
     
    Lauren sensed Kristen's apprehension and drew her close. It wasn't often that they dined at a stranger's home. But Lauren noticed her eyes light up and she beamed when she