The Trouble with Christmas Read Online Free Page A

now managing it, and Dad and James agreed to buy it from the corporation that owned it so they could keep it true to the island and its history. I guess it has been going well because I haven’t heard James complain at all about it,” Avery said. “Speaking of James,” she said with studied casualness, which made Lily’s ears perk up. “Do you still think he’s cute?”
    “How about I go round up the decorating supplies?” Lily said, ignoring Avery’s question. “I know your mom wanted your help with the guest list for a dinner or something.”
    “You’re right, she did ask,” Avery said. “You still think James is cute, don’t you?”
    Lily shook her head and laughed. “Your matchmaking skills are not your best attribute and neither is subtlety, but yes, James is cute.” She put air quotes around the word. “All your brothers are super cute but so not going to happen.”
    “I know,” Avery sighed. “But I still have this dream of having you as a sister.”
    “I can be your sister without having to take on your brother,” Lilly said. “My fiancé just dumped me. Give me some recovery time.”
    Lily was surprised that she could even joke about Bob. The island really was magic, but the tears were never far away, and looking for cookie sprinkles would be a welcome distraction.
    Avery sighed and smiled. “I know. Ignore me. Take the golf cart out front. Charge whatever you find to our bill.”
    Lily was happy to escape. She didn’t bother to change out of her sweats and instead hopped into the golf cart and drove to the General Store. The drive led her along the edge of the forest, by the golf course and past the large Melrose Inn, another replica of an original plantation, but now it was a successful resort and owned by the Putnams. The inn had been trimmed in red and white lights and huge concrete urns were filled with red poinsettias lining the porch and entrance.
    From some deep recess of her mind, Lily remembered her ninth grade project about the “painted leaf” flowers, named after Charlestonian Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first ambassador to Mexico, who in 1828 carried home clippings of the plant to the Lowcountry. Her project partner had been Avery, of course.
    Lily laughed and smiled at the blessing of long-time friendship, memories to last a lifetime. Lily pulled the cart up to the front of the General Store, a bright blue wooden cottage with butter yellow shutters. She hurried up the ramp to the entrance. Just as she pushed the door, a man pulled on it to come out and Lily lost her balance, tumbling into him. Strong arms steadied her and Lily looked into the face of the most handsome man she had ever seen. He smiled.
    “Sorry,” he said, still holding her. His hands wrapped around her arms like an electric band that warmed her all the way to her bones, and there was no way she could tear her riveted gaze from his mesmerizing blue eyes. A jolt of heat zipped throughout her body and lodged deep in her core.
    “You okay?” he asked.
    Lily didn’t want to act like a teenager, but her brain wouldn’t function. Her body couldn’t move. It was like she’d been here before. Here with this man and his indigo gaze, melting her bones and turning her blood to honey.
    “Did I hurt you?” Now he looked concerned, and his hands smoothed up and down her arms.
    “I’m fine, my fault,” she said, noticing her voice sounded husky. What was her deal? Had she lost her mind? What about Bob, the man she’d wanted to marry, have children with, build a life with?
    “Sure you’re okay? I think I shook you up.”
    If he only knew the half of it. Lily wondered what he’d say if she told him, no, she was not fine. She was an idiot.
    She smiled and nodded. Truly an idiot.
    “Fine,” she said. “I wasn’t looking.”
    Missing seeing this man would be a tragedy no woman should have to endure.
    “No, I’m afraid I wasn’t paying attention and almost flattened you. Deep in thought, none of it good,”