Kentucky Christmas by Sarah Title Read Free Book Online Page A

were funny and they obviously loved her. Billie’s elf hat was askew and she’d looked adorable, though now she just looked sad, and he felt his heart bursting out of his chest, reaching out across the table to her. He wanted to make her feel better, but didn’t know how to do this stuff.
    He play-walked the reindeer across the table so it stopped in front of her. Then he jumped the reindeer up to touch her nose.
    â€œThis is the best cookie-decorating party I’ve ever been to.”
    â€œI thought you said you’d never decorated cookies before,” she said, wiping her eyes.
    â€œThat doesn’t mean it’s not the best.”
    She smiled at him. “Thanks.”
    Jack sighed. “That’s because our Billie is the best. Come on, my drunken elf,” he said, reaching out for Katie. “Your sleigh is leaving.”

Chapter 7
    Even in the dark, Billie could see Sniffer make a perimeter around the fenced-in yard with his nose. The motion-sensitive light her dad had installed was on the fritz again, but the moon and the snow were bright enough that she could see that all dogs were present and accounted for. They were all sort of freaking out in the snow—it didn’t happen very often—and Diablo kept jumping up and snapping at the snow he kicked up. She shook her head. At least they’d be tired out. They’d go right into their crates for the night, and then . . .
    And then she could take Andrew upstairs. She’d never had sex in her own house before. She always had to go to the guy’s place. It was a little sad. She was twenty-six years old and had never had a guy spend the night in her bed. She should move out, get her own place like a grown-up. But then her dad would get older, and she would need to take care of him. Besides, she loved this house. It was old and creaky and every nook and cranny was familiar to her. Comforting. What would she do in a tiny apartment? Where would she put all of her Christmas decorations?
    Poor Andrew. He really wasn’t a Christmas guy. But she liked him anyway. He was adorable in those thick glasses. He was helpful. He was good with his hands.
    God, she had a crush on him. She couldn’t remember the last time she wanted a guy because of who he was, and not how he would assuage her crazy inner sex beast. Well, because of who he was and how he wore a pair of slim-fitting trousers. And glasses. She shivered. Those glasses.
    â€œCold?”
    She turned to find Andrew, bundled in his pea coat, closing the door behind him. Sniffer came up to smell his crotch, then continued on to find the best place to pee.
    â€œNo. I mean, sort of, but I was just . . . distracted.”
    â€œThinking too much?” He reached up for the broken light, and jiggled the fixture in the wall. It blinked on, illuminating the small back patio. He really was good with electronics.
    He came to stand next to her and they watched the dogs wear each other out.
    After a while, Andrew blew on his hands and placed them over his ears.
    â€œAre you cold? We can go inside,” she offered.
    â€œNo, it’s nice out.”
    â€œSo nice your ears are turning red.”
    â€œI like being out here with you.”
    Billie turned away from him, but she was pretty sure he still saw her smile.
    â€œDo you want my hat?” she asked.
    â€œWhat? No, you need it.”
    â€œI could get you one from inside.”
    â€œThat’s OK. Unless it’s another pom-pom hat. From now on I only wear pom-pom hats.”
    â€œThere probably is another one in there somewhere,” she laughed. “If not, I’m sure Libby would make you one.”
    â€œShe sounds generous.”
    â€œShe doesn’t like idle hands. You’d be doing her a favor.”
    â€œIs that a Kentucky thing?”
    â€œIdle hands?”
    â€œNo, doing something nice for someone, but acting like they’d be doing you a favor to accept your