A Christmas Worth Billions (Countdown to Christmas Book 4) (13 page)

The drive opened the door for them, and David climbed out first so he could help Lily. He laced his arm through hers and nodded to the driver before they walked into the hall.

Other couples were arriving at the same time, and Lily stuck close to David so she wouldn’t panic. The reception hall was massive, and had large chandeliers hanging down every thirty feet. They’d gone all out to decorate for Christmas.

People mingled in groups, while others sat at their tables. Each place had a name card, and she couldn’t help looking around for hers.

“We’re up at the front,” David whispered. “We can head up there soon, but we need to make the rounds. Are you okay with that?”

Lily swallowed hard and nodded. As long as he did all the talking, she might survive this. She shook hands and exchanged polite hellos, but otherwise, she didn’t say much. When they finally got to their table, Lily sank into her chair and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Believe me, I know how you feel,” a woman said. She sat down next to Lily and held out her hand. “I’m Debra. This is Erin and her fiancé, Jake.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lily.” She felt at ease around the three of them, but it wasn’t until David sat next to her that she finally relaxed a little. She could almost ignore the fact that they were facing everyone. The guests looked up toward the table expectantly.

The music stopped, and David stood, clearing his throat. “Welcome to our Silver Script Ad Agency Christmas party. It’s been a long time in coming, but I hope to make this an annual thing. As you know, I’ve had quite a rough year. Sarah was dear to many of you, and it was devastating when her life was taken.”

Lily looked down at her plate as many of the people in the crowd glanced over at her. Most of the expressions were curious, but she sensed a few glares among them. Debra reached over and squeezed her hand, and Lily squeezed it back.

David continued. “It was Sarah’s wish that I give back to the company, and as soon as I was able to pull myself out of my dark abyss, I wanted to make good on that wish. In doing so, I found another light. I won’t make her stand, but I want to thank Lily for bringing me a happiness I never thought would be possible again.”

Lily smiled up at him, but she couldn’t help but wonder if she was enough to make up for the loss of Sarah. From the reactions she was getting from the others, she wasn’t the only one. It took everything she had not to get up and run out of the room.

“I know you’re all waiting to eat the wonderful meal provided by the staff here, so I’ll save the presents until the end. Thank you.” David sat next to Lily and put his napkin on his lap. As soon as he gave the signal, the waiters brought out the food.

“You were great up there. I bet your employees adore you.” Lily thanked the waiter who brought her a salad, then turned back to David.

David shook his head. “Thanks, but I’m just trying to make up for lost time.”

Lily took a bite of salad and shook off the questions that were running through her head. David had his own story, and he would tell her when he was ready. She was still full from lunch, so she didn’t eat much of the steak they set in front of her.  Debra and David kept her engaged in conversation, and she was fascinated by their talk of advertising methods. She took mental notes of things she could use—until she remembered that she’d be closing the diner soon anyway.

After dinner was finished, David stood again and asked Lily to stand with him. She'd hand him a gift, and then he’d give it to the person as their name was called. It took a while to get through the hundreds of employees, but the crowd stayed quiet until everyone had a gift at their place. As one, David had them open them.

The cries of excitement brought a grin to David’s face. Lily wondered if she was the only one who caught the tear that rolled down his cheek as he looked out at his employees. When the noise had died down, David spoke again.

“One more thing, and then we’ll start the dance. If you’d all stand so they can move your tables, that would be great. There are a few people up here on the stage who have made a significant difference in the business this year, and I want to honor them.”

David pulled up each person at the table and announced their promotions. Lily had expected to see jealousy or anger as the names were called, but the cheers only got louder with each announcement. When David announced that his assistant was to be made a partner, the crowd went wild.

Then David asked them to dim the lights, and music started. He turned and offered a hand to Lily.

They walked to the dance floor and David put his arms around her, pulling her close. Others followed suit, and the dance began.

Lily enjoyed David’s closeness for several songs. She laid her head against his chest as they moved around the floor. She’d wanted to sit during the faster songs, but David pulled her back. When her legs threatened to collapse, she finally broke away and weaved through other couples to get to the ladies’ room.

She checked her makeup and walked toward the door just as a group of women came in, laughing loudly.

“Oh, it’s you,” one lady sneered. “I heard about you.”

Lily jerked back. “What do you mean?”

“Please. Anyone can see you're after David's money. Although, I must admit that you clean up nicely.” She laughed and walked past Lily.

“David has been through more than most people should ever have to deal with. He needs someone who will appreciate him, not use him for her own gain.” another girl said, glaring at Lily. "Go back home and let us take care of him."

Lily felt like she’d been punched in the stomach. She rushed out of the bathroom, cringing at the malicious laughter coming from behind her. She'd never had to deal with such ... catty people before in her life. Brushing away a stray tear, she pushed through the crowd, trying to find David. He stood near the center of the room, surrounded by a few women, joking and laughing with them. Lily stopped short. So this is what he did as soon as she left? Was she just another woman to him? She turned and ran out into the hallway, ignoring David’s calls to her. She dropped into a chair and buried her face into her hands.

“Hey, what’s going on? Why are you out here?” David’s voice echoed in the empty hallway. He put his hand on her back, but she jerked away.

“I just want to go home. If you need to stay, that’s fine. I just have to go.” Lily stood and walked toward the door.

David caught up and pulled her back. “What’s going on? You were fine just a minute ago.”

“Two women in the restroom said I was after your money. I knew it was a mistake to come. This isn’t me.” She tried to block out the women’s words, but they kept playing over and over in her head. She pushed her way outside and realized she’d left the wrap at her table. .

“Please let me get your things. I’ll go with you.” David kissed her cheek and ran into the building.

Lily waited for David, hoping no one else would come out. Shame had set in, and she couldn’t believe how she’d acted. Maybe they were right. Maybe she wasn’t good for him.

David left the building just as the limo pulled up. He put the wrap around her shoulders and opened the door for her. She slipped inside and stared out the window as they drove to the parking garage where they’d left the truck that morning.

They climbed out and thanked the driver, then climbed into David’s truck. He blasted the heater to warm them up.

“Now can you tell me what happened?” David asked. He pulled onto the road and headed for home.

Lily explained what happened, and by the time she was done, David’s knuckles were white as they held on to the steering wheel.

“You don’t know who they were?” he asked. “Did you recognize them at all?”

“I don’t think so. It was all a blur.” Lily rubbed her temples to try to get rid of the headache that was coming on.

David took her hand. “Please don’t listen to them. They’re just listening to poison that’s being passed around, and I’m doing what I can to fix it.”

Lily stared at David, stunned. “You knew about those stories?”

“Only a little. Peter warned me about them. I don’t know where the press is getting anything, and believe me, I’m going to find out.”

“Don’t bother. There’s some truth to what they say.” Lily stared out the window. “Not about why I’m with you—I don’t care about the money. I mean about my ex-husband.”

David turned onto the highway toward their town. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

Lily took a deep breath. “Just after Patrick was born, my ex-husband took up drinking. He wasn’t an angry drunk, but I didn’t want it in my house. I put up with it for a year or two, but one time he came home and started screaming at us. He tried to hit Mary, and I got in the way. I pushed him out of the house, and he fell and hit his head on the cement step. He was fine, but he spent a few days in the hospital. I don’t think he remembers anything about that night except falling. He told anyone who would listen that I tried to kill him. The local sheriff questioned me, but knew us both well enough that he dropped it. My ex was jailed later for some other crime, and died in prison of an overdose from drugs that had been slipped in to him by an old friend.”

When David didn’t say anything, Lily continued. She should have stopped, but the words just kept spilling out. “Mary and Patrick don’t remember him at all and haven’t ever asked about him. When you came into the picture, they started telling me how much they wanted a daddy.”  Lily shivered. She was glad to have the story out in the open at last. “So, I don’t know who told the reporters what happened, but they only have part of the story.”

“They’ll dig up just about anything. I’m so sorry—they should never have gone after you. This is my fault,” David grumbled. “I’ll fix this.”

Lily’s anger flared, surprising her. “You don’t have to fix anything. It’s my problem. Don’t take the blame for something that wasn’t you. It happened years ago.”

David sighed. “I wish you would just let me help sometimes without fighting back.”

“I appreciate the help you’ve given me, but I can take care of things myself.” Lily looked out the window and clamped her mouth shut. She should never have said anything. It wasn’t his business anyway, right?

She was thankful when they pulled onto her street, and took deep breaths to calm down. He’d put himself out there big time to get her to the party that night, and she needed to show him some appreciation. Then she could just ignore him after that. She had a diner to close and Christmas to worry about.

David pulled into the drive and moved to open the door for Lily, but by the time he’d gotten around the car, she was out. She smoothed her dress and climbed the steps, then waited for him.

“Thank you for today. It was wonderful.” Lily could tell her voice was stiff and tried to relax. She leaned forward, kissed his cheek, and walked into the house before he had a chance to say anything. It wasn’t until then that she realized the clothes she’d worn that morning were still in his car, but she wasn’t about to face him again. The anger she felt was just as much for herself as it was for him. How had she managed to mess up so completely?

Ann stood up from the rocking chair and made Lily jump. “So? How was it?”

“It was the most amazingly wonderful party until two people attacked me in the bathroom. It went downhill from there.”

"Wait—they attacked you?" Ann backed up.

Lily sighed and dropped onto the couch. "It was nothing. They just said mean things that you'd expect in high school."

Ann shook her head. "Some people never grow up."

“Thanks again for watching Patrick and Mary. I hope they were good for you.”

“They were great. They even helped make dinner tonight. I didn't know what time you'd be back, so I decided to bring them home to bed. Save you the trip to my house.” Ann picked up her purse. “I’d ask for more details, but I have a feeling it’s complicated. See you Monday.”

“I appreciate it. See you then. Bring any boxes you have, please. I’ll need to pack things up to sell them. Which reminds me that I need to get the ad in the paper.” Lily rubbed her eyes. “I’ll do it tomorrow. Tonight, I’m taking a long bath and going to bed.”

Ann opened the door. “Good idea. Night, Lily.”

Lily changed into pajamas and hung up her dress in the closet. She’d have to figure out how to return it. It wasn’t something she planned to wear again, and she just wanted to say good-bye to it all at once.

Chapter 9

David lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. He needed to be at the church in a few minutes, but he couldn’t bring himself to get up. It was too much work. He had spent Sunday trying to find ways to make Lily feel better, but it only seemed to annoy her more. Ann had told him to give Lily some space after church, but it had been hard when he saw her walking home in the snow with her kids. He’d taken a step forward to offer a ride, but she’d hurried away.

When the alarm yelled at him yet again, David stood and headed for the shower. He dressed and grabbed his briefcase. The gifts David had picked out for Lily and her children mocked him from under the tree. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and he’d find a way to deliver the gifts, even if she threw them back in his face.

The church was barely visible in the fog that had settled over the valley. David pulled in and ran inside. He waved at Reverend Smith as he walked back to go up and ring the bells. He chose
Oh Come All Ye Faithful,
and the bells echoed in the thick fog, giving the song an eerie tone. A few people had trickled to listen to the sermon, but David left without looking back. He wanted to grab some hot chocolate before heading into work. Even if she wanted to him to stay away, he wanted to support her diner, and had pulled out extra cash so he could give a big tip.