Free A Christmas Worth Billions (Countdown to Christmas Book 4) by Jaclyn Weist Page B

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