"She'll call as soon as she gets there. In the meantime, we should get that guy in out of the snow."
"I'll do it," Sam stopped her when she would have opened the door. "First, do you have any old towels? The second he's in here, he will be shaking the wet off. Unless you want it all over your shop…?"
"I'll be right back."
Sam didn't have long to wait. Lila was up and down the stairs in a flash, bringing a pile of light yellow towels.
"These don't look very old."
"They aren't." Lila shrugged. "But they’re all I have. I'd rather wash them instead of my shop."
"Or maybe get new ones?"
"It won't break me," Lila laughed.
She had a great laugh. Natural, a little husky. It made him want to kiss that sexy mouth mid-laugh, catching the joy. Seeing if he would feel what she was feeling.
"Shouldn't we let the dog in?"
Great, Sam thought as he moved to the door. She caught him staring at her mouth. For a guy who prided himself on his smooth, easy manner around women, it was strange how easily this one was shaking his cool.
Cautiously, he opened the door. There was no telling what the dog's reaction was going to be. With his size, his rampaging body could do a lot of damage. He shouldn't have worried. This guy appeared to be a well-trained gentleman. Instead of pushing his way into the shop, he calmly walked in, looked around, continued over to Lila.
"Well, aren't you the gentleman?" she praised when he offered her a paw in welcome.
She knelt, shaking the outstretched foot. Lila didn't recognize him. People walked their dogs past her shop every day. If she'd seen this big, sweet-faced guy, she would remember.
"Let's not take any chances that he's going to remain so well behaved."
Sam took one of the large towels. Starting at the dog's head, he began the considerable job of drying the soaked coat. Lila noticed with pleasure that he was firm but gentle. Sam murmured words of encouragement, praising how well the dog was doing.
So, the big entertainment mogul had a marshmallow center — at least when it came to dogs. It was nice. Her celebrity crush hadn't turned out to be a self-centered jerk.
"There," Sam said, sitting back. "I rubbed the worst of the water off. You'll finish drying naturally in no time."
Sam smiled up at Lila.
"What?" he asked, puzzled by the bemused smile on her face.
"Nothing, really. I was just thinking. Don't you high-powered guys usually hire people to do this kind of thing?"
"Unfortunately, I left my dog dryer home." He winked. "This trip I'm on my own."
"Let me take those dirty towels. I'll hang them out to dry in the back room. Hopefully, I will be able to knock some of that hair off, before I put them in my washing machine."
"Do you have a bowl we can use to give him some water?"
"I do," Lila said as she gathered up the wet towels. "I'll bring it back with me. Won't be a minute."
Sam frowned at her retreating backside. Lila suddenly seemed stiff, a little uncomfortable. What changed while he dried the dog? Where was his sexy, smiling flirt?
"Any theories?" he asked his companion.
No answer came, but Sam took the look in those big, brown eyes to mean, as one man to another, he understood completely. Women could be a mystery.
After quickly dispensing with the towels, Lila took a plastic container she used to scoop potting soil, rinsed it out, and then filled it with fresh water.
What was wrong with her? She wasn't a blushing virgin feeling her first rush of sexual attraction. Sam Laughton was kind to animals. Why should that get her hormones racing faster than usual?
Maybe, because on top of the gentle way he treated the dog, he was outrageously good looking. Tall, the top of Lila's head just skimmed his shoulder. She knew what was under that bulky coat. Just last week People ran a whole page, showing Sam and his woman of the moment, enjoying the beaches in some fabulous tropical location. Those pictures showed a man who easily could have been in front of the camera instead of behind it. Broad shoulders, fabulous chest, one of those washboard stomachs that only seem to exist in the movies, or her dreams.
Then there was that face. Holy crap, what a face. Not a pretty boy, Sam Laughton looked like a man. Strong jaw, full lips, and cheekbones that were to die for. How could high cheekbones look rugged? Somehow, he pulled it off.
Lila opened the small fridge she kept in the back. Mostly, it contained water, juice, some diet soda. Nothing to feed a big, she imagined, hungry dog. There was half a sandwich, though. Her assistant left it there the other day. Meatball sub. Lila didn't think Agnes would mind giving it up, especially when she found out why; she owned two dogs herself.
Reminding herself that for all his shiny glamor, Sam Laughton was just a man. Lila picked up the water and sandwich, and reentered the shop. When he turned, smiling in welcome, she silently scoffed at her own silliness. Just a man? Hardly. At least not like any man she'd ever met.
She set the water down, stepping back away from the spray created by the dog's enthusiastic drinking.
"Wow," she smiled. "He really needed that. I thought he might be hungry. A meatball sub isn't the healthiest option."
She handed the sandwich to Sam.
"It will do in a pinch."
Apparently, the dog agreed. In no time, he ate his snack, drank down another bowl of water, and found a spot just right for a nap.
"Dry, rehydrated — a nice bit of food in his belly. That is one happy dog."
"Animals have simple needs." She looked Sam up and down. "Most animals."
"My needs are simple," Sam assured her. When she snorted in disbelief, he shrugged. Then grinned.
"Relatively simple. I like to be dry. I'm always happiest when my belly has something in it. Water is essential."
"And?"
Oh good, Sam thought, seeing the lovely twinkle back in her eyes. They were reentering the flirt mode.
"If I ask you about your supply of mistletoe, would that be cheesy?"
"No. Not cheesy, just ill timed. There was a big run on it this week. I'm all out."
"None hanging in the shop?"
"I tried that last year. It gave too many men the wrong idea."
"They all wanted a kiss?"
"Most of the guys were fine. It was the others that caused the problem. They wanted to grab any woman within a five-foot-radius. The mistletoe was taken down before closing."
"There are always a few jerks who ruin the fun for everyone else." Sam moved closer. "We could skip the mistletoe."
Lila tried not to smile. He looked so hopeful. That look did wonders for her ego.
"Where's your holiday spirit?"
"Oh, my spirit is just fine." Sam's eyes dropped to her lips.
Not today, fella. Lila was afraid if she let Sam Laughton kiss her, it might end up as a lot more. Her bed was up those stairs. Maybe they would get to the bed. Doing it in her shop wasn't high on her fantasy list, but with Sam, she had the feeling anyplace would be the right place.
"Rose bought a dozen sprigs."
"I don't want to kiss Rose."
Good to know, Lila thought.
"You'll be at the Christmas Eve party tomorrow night. I'll be there."
Sam caught on quickly.
"We're bound to end up under one of those handy mandatory kiss makers. A dozen. Hell, I imagine by the end of the night, we might hit them all."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. How do I know you're a good kisser? Maybe you'll think I'm too sloppy."
"Are you?"
"I haven't had any complaints." Lila tilted her head, a questioning look on her face.
"Me?" Sam asked. "I hate to brag…"
"Oh, go on. You know you want to."
"If you insist. The first woman I ever kissed swore I was the best she'd ever had."
"And she was…"
"Twelve. I was a precocious ten."
>
Lila was fascinated. An insightful, if humorous, look into a young Sam Laughton
"Did this much older woman have a lot to compare you with?"
Sam shrugged. "Let's just say Marcy wasn't the kind of girl who waited for mistletoe."
"A year-round kisser."
"Equal opportunity all the way too. She taught my sister how to kiss."
"Your sister is…"
"A lesbian," Sam told her matter-of-factly. "Olivia wasn't certain at the time. She claims one kiss from Marcy sealed the deal."
"That must be rare."
"Having a lesbian sister?" Sam asked warily. He waited tensely for her to make some offhand homophobic remark. He wanted Lila to be better than that.
"A brother and sister getting their first kiss from the same person. That must be unusual, right?"
Sam relaxed. Sweet. She was so damn sweet.
"I'm not sure it's Ripley worthy. A little odd. Definitely anecdotal."
They were close. Close enough to kiss. Close enough to do a lot of things. Lila found herself wanting to give into temptation. Why not? Sam wasn't going to be in Harper Falls very long. When would she get another chance to take advantage of this kind of situation? A real life, bona fide sex god, wanted her. She wasn't naive. This was about more than a kiss. He wanted a holiday fling — with her. She wanted him to have her.
She leaned closer when the phone rang.
"The vet," she said.
Lila was disappointed and relieved all at once. She wasn't ready for Sam Laughton. She wasn't wearing the right underwear. Her body needed primping. Check her legs. Stubble was a no-no. Lotion. The expensive kind she saved for special occasions. So many things. She wanted to make what would be a once in a lifetime experience as close to perfect as possible.
Sam listened as Lila filled the vet in. Damn phone. Lila was about to give him his kiss, he knew it. She wanted more; he could tell. A little Christmas fling. Not what he planned when he accepted Rose's invitation. Lila was a very pleasant surprise.
"She is waiting for you." Lila took a sturdy piece of rope, tying it expertly around the dog's neck. He was very well behaved, but she didn't want to take the chance on him running off between here and the vet's office.
"Nice knot."
"I dated a sailor for about a month. He taught me all kinds of nifty variations."
"Kinky?"
"Studious. He was still learning. I helped." Lila handed Sam the rope. "I don't attract sexually adventurous men. Guys see me as the girl next door."
Sam led the dog to the door. He was halfway out when he turned back.
"Why does everyone underestimate the girl next door?" He gave her a look that said he never would.
"See you tomorrow night," Sam said with a smile. "I'll be looking for you under the mistletoe."
Lila felt her cheeks heat, glad Sam wasn't here to see it. Sometimes she blushed. Not always. It wasn't something she could control or anticipate. Experienced women didn't blush. Did they? She wanted Sam to rip her clothes off in a bout of mad, wild, no holds barred sex. Pink cheeks made men want to take it slow, be gentle. Or back out altogether.
Lila decided right then and there. She wanted one thing for Christmas. Only Sam Laughton could give it to her.
CHAPTER TWO
"THIS IS NOT a permanent situation. Understand?"
Cooper looked at Sam with adoring eyes. They seemed to say, Think what you like. I'm here to stay.
"No. I don't have the room, or the time, for a dog. That's final."
The trip to the vet turned out to be a bust. She gave the dog a thorough examination. Like Sam thought, he was healthy, well cared for. Until recently, he must have had a good home. No microchip though.
"He's been neutered."
Even knowing it was for the best, Sam couldn't control a sympathetic wince.
"Men," Dr. Baine smiled, shaking her head. "You all have the same reaction."
"No guy wants to lose his balls, Doctor."
"Mmm." What else could she say? "I can't be sure he's had all his shots. If you want, I can give them to him again."
"Won't that harm him?"
"No," She gave the calm, happy dog a scratch behind his ear. "He would be fine. Better safe than sorry."
"He isn't my dog. 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, dra
wing 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 warning look. "Hands off."
"Your mother, your sisters? Your nieces seem a trifle young. Your soon to be wife?"
"All of the above."
Grinning, Jack tucked his niece under one arm, extending his other. Sam took the hand, giving it a firm shake.
"Thanks for having me, Jack. You look like you have a full house. Are sure I'm not going to be in the way?"
"Go back to your mama, Charlotte." Jack set her down, giving her a gentle pat on the bottom. He waited until she was safely back in the house before turning back to Sam.
"I built this place to accommodate my ever-growing family. If one sister isn't giving birth, another is about to."
"All girls?"
"My dad and I are the only men on the Winston side of the family. Luckily, my sisters all married good men. Who have proceeded to repopulate with girls."
"You don't sound too upset by that."
"Are you kidding?" The big man with sparkling blue eyes gave Sam a friendly pat on the back. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, let me grab your bags and get inside where it's loud but warm."
"About that," Sam said as Jack reached for the back passenger-side door. "I brought an unexpected guest."
"So I see."
Cooper greeted both men with a sharp bark. That was a first, Sam thought. Up until now, the dog was virtually silent.
"I know that sound." Jack stood back, his hand making a sweeping gesture towards the snow-covered lawn. "Go on, boy. My yard is your yard."
Cooper leaped from the SUV, running around, rolling in the snow, scoping out the area. Finally, finding just the right tree, he lifted his leg.
"If I'd known he needed to relieve himself, I would have pulled over before we got here."
"Most dogs will hold it until you reach your destination. I take it you haven't had him long."
"It's a long story."
"On cold, snowy days, that's my favorite kind. Looks like your friend is done. Let's go inside. He can meet Edgar; I'll introduce you all around. Then we'll settle down with a hot drink for story time."
FIVE⁕MORE⁕MINUTES Page 11
