Free The Christmas Piano Tree: What's Christmas without a tree? (A Kissing Creek novel Book 1) by Jina Bacarr Page A

to the light. “Are you sure this is real?”
    “Yes. It might be old, but it’s good.”
    “Where did you get it? In a time capsule?”
    Before she could answer him, Jared came up behind her and set a half-gallon of milk on the counter. “Here’s the milk, Kristen. Last one in the cooler.”
    “Who’s he? ” Mr. Grover asked, suspicious.
    “An Army buddy of Scott’s,” she said without missing a beat. My , how easily the lie tripped off her tongue. Even she was beginning to believe it. She didn’t dare look at the sergeant to see his reaction. Seemed she had nothing to worry about.
    “Sgt. Milano, sir,” said Jared, extending his hand. His voice was friendly, respectful.
    Immediately the store clerk’s attitude changed. “My boy was over in Iraq,” he said, puffing out his chest as he shook the sergeant’s hand. “We’re mighty proud of you fellows.”
    Jared nodded. “Thank you, sir. Just doing my duty.”
    He picked up the paper bag with the milk and sprinkles while Mr. Grover gave Kristen her change. Still shaking his head, the clerk started humming a tune as he put the old five dollar bill into the till. Kristen just shook her head. Amazing how the sergeant had a knack for charming everyone he met in Kissing Creek. Including her.
    On an impulse, Kristen put her arm through the sergeant’s as they left the general store with Rachel in tow. She could feel his muscles harden under her fingers. She sighed heavily. She hadn’t meant to start anything, but she just did. And she didn’t regret it.
    “I’ve never seen Mr. Grover act like that before,” she said, still surprised. “He’s usually as sour as his pickles.”
    “It’s Christmas Eve,” said Jared, flashing her a smile that lit up his hazel green eyes like holiday lights. “A lot can happen tonight.”
    “You’re right about that.” Kristen looked up at the tall sergeant with wonder. Tall, handsome, and oh so magical. She had the feeling he might be Santa Claus after all.
    * * * * *
    “I’ve been waiting for you, Mrs. Delaney,” said Phineas Carey, standing next to his silver Mercedes parked in front of her cottage. He didn’t look like a typical banker. Conservative was not his middle name. He wore fancy loafers with tassels even in the snow, a long double-breasted overcoat with a fancy, white silk scarf tied in an elegant knot, and what had to be a gold Rolex on his wrist. He kept tapping on the glass with his black-gloved finger to remind her she was on his time.
    Kristen winced. He was totally out of place among the tall pine trees surrounding the old cottage sitting by itself at the end of the road. Inviting and homey. But even Mr. Carey couldn’t stop the snow from coming down like soft lace, layering everything with a pretty design.
    Whatever the reason he was here, it couldn’t be a good one. Especially after someone robbed his bank. He had that bah , humbug look in his eye that sent chills through her. It wouldn’t do any good to show fear, though stalling him sounded like a good plan until she could get him off to the side alone to plead her case. She put on a bright smile, and then wiped the snowflakes off her nose as she slammed the door on her SUV. “Looks like we’ll have a white Christmas, Mr. Carey.”
    “ Green is my favorite color, Mrs. Delaney,” he said, scowling.
    Green is also the color of the Grinch , she wanted to add, but didn’t. She didn’t need to antagonize him further.
    “What brings out here this far from town?” she asked casually.
    “I’m here to collect your back mortgage payments.”
    Kristen’s stomach flip flopped. Could he be any more direct? Before she could say anything, Jared got out of the passenger side, the look on his face questioning. “What’s going on here, Kristen?”
    “Who the hell is he?” Mr. Carey sputtered, taken aback by the big man with the no-nonsense look in his eyes. Was it her imagination or did he lose his cool for a moment?
    “I’m a friend of