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

There must be someone out there
    looking for him, right?”
    “I don’t know him,” she said. “It’s possible
    someone passed through town, stopping for some reason. This guy doesn’t seem
    like the runaway type.”
    Sam swallowed, hating to ask. He looked at the dog, then
    whispered, “What about the pound ?”
    Even though he spelled it out, he was afraid the dog
    understood the nasty word.
    “Across town. The storm would keep some of the staff
    away. I’m sure there’s a skeleton crew. Want me to call?”
    “No,” Sam said. It didn’t seem right. Especially
    this time of the year.
    “Leave me your contact information. If anyone comes
    looking for this guy, I’ll let you know.”
    That settled they were now back in the SUV. The road to
    Rose’s house was surprisingly well tended. Freshly plowed, Sam found the trip
    easy and quick. His companion stretched out in back, unworried.
    Could a dog look smug? This one did. Even after the this isn’t
    permanent warning. Maybe because Sam gave in concerning the shots. As the
    vet said, having him vaccinated couldn’t hurt. The last thing he needed was the
    dog getting sick on his watch. That kind of guilt he didn’t need.
    “I never should have named you.”
    Sam didn’t think it was right to keep calling him dog. He
    searched for something that suited the big guy, settling on Cooper in honor of
    his dad’s favorite movie star. High Noon, Pride of the Yankees, Ball of Fire .
    He lost count of how many times he and his father would sit watching Gary
    Cooper. The good, the bad, and the dreadful. Didn’t matter. Looking back again,
    Sam admitted the name fit. The dog somehow looked like a Cooper.
    The heavy security gate, down the road from the house,
    didn’t make Sam blink. Jack Winston made his fortune keeping people safe. Why
    wouldn’t he do the same for himself and the woman he loved?
    He identified himself; the camera and intercom verified his
    identity. A few minutes later, he pulled up in front of a house that looked like
    it was from another century. Nineteenth, if he was any judge. Grandma’s house.
    Homey. Not the kind of place he pictured when he thought about the couple who
    lived there.
    Yet on second thought, the wraparound porch, dark green
    shutters, bay windows, all screamed Jack and Rose. They were a modern couple.
    He imagined inside there would be every convenience known to man, or woman. The
    more traditional outside design was a good choice.
    Cooper seemed to know they were at their destination. He sat
    up, an excited sparkle in his eyes.
    “Better than spending your Christmas wandering the
    streets, right Coop? I understand there’s another dog who lives here. Remember.
    We are guests. I expect you to be on your best behavior and play nice.”
    As usual, Sam was sure the dog understood every word. Cooper
    even nodded at him.
    “Right. Here we go.”
    He barely stepped out of the SUV when the front door flew
    open, a red-haired, streak of energy rushing out. Right behind, Jack Winston.
    Sam had just enough time to determine it was a giggling
    little girl when she surprised him by launching herself at him.
    “Charlotte Marie,” Jack cried out.
    “Don’t worry,” Sam laughed, scooping her into his
    arms. “I have a niece about this age. She’s always coming at me like that.
    The Laughton charm acts like a female magnet. Age is no obstacle.”
    “I appreciate you catching her. She’s decided four is a
    big girl age. That means going outside even when her mother told her not
    to.”
    Charlotte, obviously learning how to use her feminine wiles
    at an early age, batted her eyes at Jack.
    “Love me?”
    “Always, you little scamp.”
    He snatched her from Sam, tossing her into the air. The ring
    of laughter reached the house, drawing a crowd of six women of varying ages.
    “Starting a harem?”
    “I was blessed with six older sisters, countless
    nieces, and a mother who could pass for a woman half her age.” Jack gave
    Sam a