A Christmas Worth Billions (Countdown to Christmas Book 4)

by Weist, Jaclyn

  Lily stood in the kitchen, still feeling David's kiss on her lips. It had been unexpected, but had given her something she hadn’t felt in a long time—faith that everything would be okay.

  * * *

  The next morning, Lily sent Mary and Patrick off to school with a group of their friends with a promise that they’d go right there. She made her way to the diner and smiled at the decorations she’d put all over the windows. It looked better than she’d remembered.

  Ann came in not long after and set her coat in the corner of the office. “It smells great in here. I may eat all the roast myself.”

  “If you want a paycheck, I suggest you allow the meat to get to the tables.” Lily laughed and tied on her apron.

  “Fair enough.” Ann turned on the coffee pots and grabbed jam from the storage room while Lily mixed up batter for pancakes.

  When the first customers showed up, everything was ready to go. Ann and Lily took turns between the kitchen and taking orders. David stopped long enough to grab a piece of toast and some hot chocolate before he left with a wink.

  Lily smiled and went back to sweeping the floor. She ignored the questioning looking from Ann. They could gossip later when the diner wasn’t so full.

  It wasn’t until just before lunch that they finally had a break to rest for a moment. They’d had to call in two of their former employees to help out. It made no sense that just doing the paint on the windows would bring in this much traffic. Maybe her article had showed up in the newspaper already. But no, she hadn’t sent anything in yet.

  Lily took out one of the roasts and sliced it into thin slices for the lunch crowd. After making a few sandwiches, she wrapped up the rest and put it back in the oven.

  “Hey, Lily? We have someone who wants to pay their compliments to the chef.” Ann stood at the doorway.

  “Really? Okay.” Lily wiped her hands and moved past Ann, who gestured toward the bar where David usually sat.

  The man had a camera sitting next to him, and he played with the last of the eggs on his plate.

  “You wanted to speak to me?” Lily asked. She took the plate he handed to her and slid it through to Ann.

  “It’s no wonder Mr. Fleschmann comes in here every morning. Although, I’m thinking the company probably helps as well.” The glint in his eyes sent a shiver down Lily’s spine.

  Lily tried her hardest not to glare. “This is the only place in town that serves hot chocolate as early in the morning as he needs it.”

  The man nodded and stood, throwing some money on the counter. “Fair enough. You don’t happen to know where he lives, do you?”

  “Why would I know that?” Lily wanted nothing more than to push him out the door.

  “I’ve heard things.” He handed off a business card. “Beautiful place you have here.”

  “Thank you.” Lily took the card and walked into the kitchen. What did that man want with David? He was obviously a reporter. She would have known even without his card.

  Ann looked up from the noodles. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known he was a slimeball, I wouldn’t have had you go out there.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Lily shoved his card in her back pocket and took out another order. She set the food down in front of the customers. “Here you go. I hope you enjoy.”

  “Thank you.” The woman smiled up at her. “You’ve done a beautiful job in here. What’s the occasion?”

  Lily sighed. She’d hoped to announce it later. “Thank you. Sadly, we’re having to close. I just wanted it to look nice for the holidays.”

  “Oh, dear. I’m so sorry to hear that. I wanted to come and see the diner for myself. I’ve heard so much about it.” She took her napkin and laid it on her lap.

  “You … have?” Lily looked around the diner, wondering how many other people were here because of things they’d heard. “From who?”

  The woman looked at Lily strangely. “It’s in the news. David Fleschmann is done mourning, and it’s all thanks to a beautiful mystery woman in his hometown diner. I can only assume they mean you.”

  Lily gripped the chair in front of her so she wouldn’t fall over. “What? How?”

  “Don’t question. Just go with it.” The woman took a bite and closed her eyes in pleasure. “This is heavenly.”

  “Thank you.” Lily walked back into the kitchen in a daze. What had just happened? She sent a quick text to David to see what was going on, and went back to work. She couldn’t dwell too much on the drama while the diner was so full of people. No matter where they came from.

  A few minutes later, Lily heard a clicking sound blending in with the buzz of customers. She peeked around the corner to find reporters taking pictures of the diner.

  Lily burst into the dining room. “Whoa. Hey, what are you guys doing?”

  “Are you Lilly Johnson? You own this place, right?” A reporter shoved a microphone in her face.

  “Yes, I do, but what are you doing here?” She held up a hand to get the spotlight out of her eyes.

  The other cameramen suddenly turned toward Lily as well. Ann pushed her way through the crowd and grabbed Lily by the elbow, guiding her back into the kitchen.

  “You may want to see this.” Ann held up her phone to show her an article on the front page of a tabloid. It was a picture of Lily and David kissing in front of the diner the night before.

  Lily stared at the phone, trying to digest what she was seeing. “How did they get this?”

  “I’m guessing they followed David here. Stay back in the kitchen, and I’ll take care of everything up front. I think the majority of your customers are reporters anyway. You don’t need that right now.”

  “Thank you.” Lily smiled at her and turned to the stove. She could get angry and storm out, demanding they leave, or she could make the best dinner they’d ever tasted and drum up some business. She felt guilty using David to make money, but only a little, since he was the reason they were here in the first place. She pulled out her phone. “Hey, Mike. What meats do you have available right now? … Okay, perfect. I want it all … Thanks.”

  She made sure the pasta was ready to go and plated, then went to her computer to type out a new menu. Along with the burgers and milkshakes she normally served, she added steak, salmon, and filet mignon. She’d also need to order some asparagus and more rice as well. After hitting print, she went back to filling orders.

  Mike showed up at the back door and set all of the meat in the fridge. “That’s quite the crowd out there. What’s with the video cameras?”

  Lily’s face burned. “Word got out that David Fleschmann eats here.”

  “Wait—the David Fleschmann?” he asked.

  Lily sighed and glanced over to catch his grin. “I take it you already heard everything?”

  “Yep. On the way over here. I have to admit, I was a little jealous when I found out you were his girlfriend.” He winked and picked up his cooler.

  “Uh … Sorry? Seriously, though, thank you for bringing the delivery. If this goes well, I should be able to pay you back tomorrow. Does that work?” Lily felt another pang of guilt that she was using the publicity, but the way it had just fallen into her lap …

  “Perfect. See you tomorrow.” Mike left the way he’d come, and Lily turned back to the oven to pull out the chicken pot pie Ann had started earlier.

  Ann came around the corner just as Lily started plating the dishes. “Eric and Susan are here. I put them in charge of orders, but we may have to switch out soon. It’s a madhouse.”

  “Thank you. Have you seen my kids?” Lily slid the plate to Eric and turned back to grab the next dish.

  “Yes, they’re hiding in the office.” Ann nodded toward the office and dished up some pasta. “We’re going to need more sauce.”

  “Okay. I’ll get it started. One minute.” Lily peeked her head into the office. “Hey, you two. Can you stuff the menus for me? The papers are here, and the menu folders are under the desk.”

  Mary nodded and glance
d toward the dining room. “What’s going on?”

  “Other people found out that David kissed me. Just stay back here and you’ll be fine. I’ll get you some food in a sec.” Lily shut the door and grabbed some garlic and onions for her marinara sauce.

  She chopped the onions first and scooped them into the large pot before moving on to the garlic. She let them sauté for a moment while she grabbed tomatoes.

  There was a slight knock at the backdoor before it opened. Lily tensed, hoping it wasn’t one of the reporters, but it was David. She wanted to punch him and hug him at the same time.

  He put his finger to his lips and didn’t speak until he was right next to Lily. “Hey, I heard this was a madhouse, and I came to help. Where do you need me?”

  “First, you need this.” Ann stuck a face mask on him, then followed it with a hairnet. “Don’t talk, and don’t you dare let people know you’re here.”

  David raised his eyebrows at Lily, but listened to Ann. Lily told David to marinate some of the steak while she added the tomatoes to the sauce and put on another pot to boil more noodles.

  They worked in silence as the crowds continued to pour in and out of the restaurant. Lily was almost out of her usual dishes by the time the diner closed for the night. She’d have to get more meat and vegetables for the next day.

  “Will you go make sure everyone has left the diner?” Lily asked. She dropped another pot into the dishwater. Once everyone had left, Mary and Patrick crept out of the office, and Lily handed them each a plate of spaghetti.

  David washed the dishes while Lily dried. Eric and Susan swept the floors and washed down all the tables before moving on to the bathrooms and kitchen. When they were done with that, Lily had them take over the dishes and started on the prep work for the next day.

  “So, this will end soon, right?” Lily asked. She rubbed the roast with spices and flipped it over.

  “It depends on how much gossip they can get out of their few minutes of seeing you. Look, I am so sorry. I didn’t know anyone had followed me here. This is why I moved out of New York.” David leaned against the counter.

  Lily set the roast in a pan and added the potatoes, carrots, and other veggies before wrapping it up.

  “I’ll forgive you if you forgive me.” Lily set the roast in the oven and shut the door before meeting his eyes. “I might have taken advantage of the press by trying to make money off them.”

  David laughed and pulled her into a hug. “Most people would kick them out and tell them to go away. Trust you to feed them good food before sending them off.”

  Lily joined in, and it helped drain away her fatigue. She stepped back and wiped the tears running down her face from laughing so hard. “Man, I needed that. Thank you. Go grab some food and join Mary and Patrick if you want. I’m almost done.”

  “I can help. I don’t trust the press yet. If I go out there, it could be bad.” He scooped the chopped onions into the next pan and scattered them around the roast.

  “So, this is your life?” Lily chopped some carrots next.

  David stopped crushing the garlic for a second before starting again. “Yes. Well, it was. That’s why I drive the old truck. They don’t expect me to drive something so beat up. Or, at least that’s what I thought. I guess I slipped and forgot to watch for people when I headed out of work one day or something.”

  “Must be a pain.” Lily walked over to the sink and washed her hands.

  “It is.” David’s good mood seemed to have dissolved, and he was quieter than she’d seem him before. “I’m going to sneak out the back again and take the long way home. I’d give you a ride—”

  “I’ll take her. You go.” Ann smiled at him and pulled on her coat.

  David nodded and left the back way. Lily had the kids switch out the menus while she counted money and Ann did the recount. They had enough to pay Mike back the next day, along with the other deliveries they’d need. Lily set some aside to pay for the utilities as well and put the rest in the safe.

  Ann took Mary’s hand, and Patrick took Lily’s as they locked and dead-bolted the door. They ran for the car and climbed in. Ann pulled out of the diner and drove around town a couple of times before taking Lily home.

  “Let’s hope that worked. See you all in the morning.” Ann laid her head against the seat as Lily climbed out.

  “Thank you. I’ll be there early tomorrow. Sleep in. You’ll need your rest.” Lily smiled and shut the door before hurrying inside. She shut and locked the door before leaning against it. “That was insane. Okay, you two have already eaten, so brush your teeth, and we’ll have prayers.”

  Mary left the room and Patrick followed, grumbling. Bedtime was not his favorite time of day.

  Lily walked into her room and dropped on her bed. She didn’t want to move, but she rolled over and made a few calls for deliveries before her kids came in for prayers. She listened to Mary’s sweet pleas to get help for her family, then Lily kissed their cheeks and told them goodnight. It had been a long day, and there was so much to be grateful for. That night, the tears in her eyes were of gratitude—something that had been a long time coming.

  Chapter 7

  David sat at the church for several minutes before going in. He’d been asked to ring the bells at night as well, and that night, he was grateful for the opportunity. He couldn’t believe that Lily had been dragged into the media mess. All the steps he’d taken to be left alone hadn’t worked.

  The cold wasn’t quite as sharp when he climbed out of the truck. He walked into the bright cheeriness of the church. He waved at the pastor and waited for him to come down from the pulpit, where he'd been preparing for the service that evening.

  “There you are. I’m so thankful that you are willing to do this for me. I thought it would be good for people to go to sleep at night with the tune in their heads. That, or they’ll come and yell at me, but either way, I’m getting to them.” Reverend Smith laughed and led the way to the bell tower.

  “I guess that’s a good way to look at it.” David climbed the stairs and looked through the list of melodies he could play. He found a Christmas song and decided it would fit that night well. As he rang the bells to play Silent Night, he teared up. He could almost hear Sarah humming along. When it was over, the sounds still haunted his thoughts. He looked out and watched as Ann left the diner to take Lily home.

  David went downstairs to find a few people sitting in the pews. He nodded to them and walked to the back of the church. He sat down and listened as the pastor spoke of service.

  “Remember that service is not just for the holiday season, but something that’s important year round. Find those around you who might need help, and assist them in the best way you know how.”

  David slipped out before the song was over and climbed into his truck. He drove home and made some popcorn so he could watch a movie. The Christmas tree distracted him, and he thought back to the night Lily had been there. It was the first time this place had felt like home, and he ached for it again.

  * * *

  David made it into the city early the next morning and did his best to be as visible as possible. He wanted to do anything he could to pull the attention away from Lily while making sure she still had plenty of business. Not that he had to try too hard for that—he’d learned that he was a walking advertisement for any place he walked into. It wasn’t so bad most of the time. He got a lot of free meals, and everyone went out of their way to make sure he had the best of whatever they served. He just made sure to tip heavily as he left.

  After shopping for several hours to finish off the details for the party the next night, David dropped the supplies off at the reception hall where they’d be holding the party. Workers were busy hanging decorations, and the tables glittered from the silver and the goblets set at each place. He couldn’t wait to see how his employees would react to everything.

  “Is everything to your liking, sir?” the owner, Steve, asked.

  “You’ve surpassed my l
iking. Seriously. This is why I chose you to put on the party.” David gestured to the bags he’d brought with him. “Here are the gifts I want to hand out. Do you have a spot for them yet?”

  “Of course. They’ll go up near your seat.” Steve whistled for help, and two men came by to grab the bags and followed them to the front. “You and your date will sit here, as will your assistant and the others you recommended.”

  “Perfect. I have everything wrapped and ready to go. However you decide to display them, I want these three to be last.” David pointed to three smaller packages.

  Steve wrote it down in his notebook. “Wonderful. Is there anything else you need? Otherwise, I need to go make sure the food is prepared correctly.”

  “I’m leaving it all in your hands. Thank you.” David nodded at him and left the hall, smiling at the employees as he walked past. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Lily’s face when she saw it.

  And speaking of Lily, he still needed to arrange her dress fitting. He climbed in a cab and directed the driver to a building near Times Square. He climbed out and smiled at the few photographers who were waiting outside—he’d let slip that he’d be here later that day—and climbed upstairs.

  “Hello. I need to speak to Mr. Walker,” he said to the receptionist.

  Her eyes were wide as she called her boss to let him know David was there. It was only a minute or so before David was called back. He sat down on the plush chair in front of the desk and waited for Mr. Walker to speak.

  “It’s a nice surprise to see you here. I trust you have good news about our campaign?” Mr. Walker folded his hands on the desk.

  “Oh, it’s ready to go. My secretary will be calling you Monday to set up a meeting so you can see it. I’m here to talk about something else, actually.” He cleared his throat. “My date needs a dress for the party tomorrow night, and I want to make sure it’s perfect. I was hoping to bring her by tomorrow afternoon to be pampered and dressed for the evening. Are your employees up for it?”