A Christmas Worth Billions (Countdown to Christmas Book 4) (9 page)

It was another hour of craziness before she finally said good-bye to the last customer. She sent Ann home once the dishes were done, then turned off most of the lights. She pulled out the poster board and markers Ann had bought and made posters to hang up around the store. With a week and a half left in the diner, she figured throwing one more party on the last night would be the best way to say thank you to the community that had kept it going for generations.

Once those were done, she got the roasts ready to go for the next morning. She wrapped them in foil and set them in the oven to slow cook. She cleaned up the rest of the kitchen, then leaned down to wake her kids, who had fallen asleep on the floor of her office.

“Hey, let’s go. I’m done.” She helped them up and got their coats on before locking up.

“I came to see if you needed any help,” David said from behind her.

Lily jumped and turned. “I was just finishing a few things up. Thank you for offering.”

“Why don’t I at least give you a ride home?” David walked over to Lily. “I wanted to come by tonight, but we had last-minute things to clear up for Saturday night. How was your day?”

Lily shrugged. “It was slow until tonight. Then it was a madhouse, but I survived.”

“Ever the survivor.” His crooked smile sent a thrill through her.

Thoughts of the letter and wanting to give up ran through her mind, but she pushed them away. “I only survive because I have no other choice.”

David reached up and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Even more amazing.”

Lily’s breath caught as he leaned forward and brushed her lips with his. The cold was forgotten as his closeness warmed her. She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him. They stood there in the headlights of his truck for a few more moments before they pulled away.

He touched her nose with his before stepping back. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

Lily could feel her face burning as she tried to catch her breath. “It’s okay. I mean, if it was okay with you. I just—let’s get in the truck.”

Lily climbed in and ignored the giggles from her kids as David pulled away in silence. Neither of them said anything until the kids were in their rooms getting ready for bed. Lily put a pot of hot water on the stove and turned to find David staring at her.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine. Just exhausted. I sent Ann to get some stuff, and there was a rush of customers. It was rather chaotic for a while there.” Lily dumped some hot chocolate powder into four mugs and poured the hot water over it, then handed one to David.

David laughed. “That would have been an adventure. I wish I could have been there to help you.”

“That would have been great, actually.” She paused while Patrick and Mary sat at the table. She handed each of them a mug. “These two were very good helpers. They helped me get through all of it until Ann showed up.”

“I’ve seen them at work. They’re pretty amazing.” David winked. He set his mug in the sink and rinsed it out. “I’d better get going.”

“Thanks for stopping by. I wasn’t looking forward to the walk home.” Lily handed him his scarf.

David leaned down and kissed her softly. “You’re welcome.”

“Bye, David!” Mary called, and Patrick followed suit.

“You two get to bed so your mom can sleep.” He waved and left the house.

Lily watched him drive away and turned to find Mary giggling. “What?”

“You kissed him. I didn’t think it would ever happen.” Mary stood and put her mug in the sink. “I’m glad you did. ‘Night, Mom.”

Lily kissed her on the cheek. “I am too. Goodnight, sweetie. Brush your teeth and go straight to bed. No reading under the covers.”

Patrick dropped his mug in the sink and wrapped his arms around Lily’s neck. “David would be a good daddy.”

“You think so?” Lily’s heart melted.

“He makes you happy. I like seeing you happy. Plus, he throws the best snowballs.” He kissed Lily on the cheek and ran out of the kitchen.

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 glanced 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.