A Christmas Worth Billions (Countdown to Christmas Book 4) Read Online Free

and climbed out of bed to turn up the thermostat.  He stared out the window at the falling snow, knowing how much Sarah had loved watching it. Maybe she was the one who'd urged to him to leave his work and glance outside. Flashbacks of that last snowstorm in March went through his mind. The ice on the road, the tree coming at them, his wife’s screams … He jerked out of his memory and tucked it back into a safe place in his mind, wiping away a tear.
    He climbed back in bed and pushed his work aside. That could wait until tomorrow. The window was just visible from his bed, and he watched the snow until he drifted off to sleep.
     
    * * *
    The morning was crisp and cool. The snow had stopped sometime during the night, leaving everything bright and new. David found himself whistling as he made his way to the church. Reverend Smith stood just inside, and smiled when he saw David.
    “Ah, you came. Thank you. Come through this way.” He led David to the tower. “It’s just up there. Most churches have the ropes coming down to the lower level, but this church wasn’t built that way. Take the stairs, and the notes on how to ring the bells are in a frame next to the ropes.”
    David glanced at the old rickety stairs and nodded. “Got it.”
    “Are you coming to the service?” Reverend Smith asked.
    David shook his head. “Not this time. Maybe tomorrow.” He climbed up the stairs and tried to ignore the creaks and groans with each step. He’d need to repair the wood if he was going to do this every day.
    The instructions for ringing the bells were posted just like the reverend had said, and David did as he was asked. When he was done, he stared out at the valley that he now considered home. Several people had stopped to look up at the bell tower, so he moved away from the edge. No need to gain extra attention. He climbed back downstairs and nodded to the pastor as he slipped out the backdoor. The church had already begun filling, and he didn’t want to walk through the crowd to leave.
    A snow plow passed by as David stopped to cross the street. That would make it easier to get into work. He took a step, but hesitated, then turned to go to the diner.  He’d skipped breakfast that morning to ring the bells, and he was hungry. He tried to ignore the nagging feeling that he was really going to see the woman from the church. He didn’t have time for anyone right then.
    The diner was quieter than it had been the day before, but there were still a few families. He sat up at the counter again so he wouldn’t have to be reminded that he was alone. Lily came out of the kitchen and stopped when she saw him. He watched her straighten her apron before walking toward him.
    “Fancy seeing you here again.” He laughed.
    She laughed too, and the sound lifted his spirits more than he would have thought was possible. She leaned forward and glanced around before speaking. “You have no idea how much your tip meant to me yesterday. Thank you.”
    David wanted to reach out and wipe the tear from her cheek, but stopped himself. “I’m glad I could help. Your children are beautiful, like their mother.”
    Why had he just said that? He never said things like that. Ever. The way Lily stiffened, he knew he’d gone too far.
    She licked her lips and stood straight. “Thank you. They’re my life. Now, what can I get you? Toast again?”
    David cleared his throat. “Yes, that sounds great. And can you add eggs this time? And maybe some hot chocolate instead of coffee. Lots of whipped cream on top as well, please.”
    “Got it.” She turned away, but not before David caught the slight smile on her face.
    He tapped his fingers to the old Christmas music that played on the radio and waited for his food to be done. The snatches of conversation about how lovely it was to hear the old church bells again warmed David’s heart. Maybe it was worth it to continue. Plus, it would give him a great view every morning.
    “Here you go.” Lily sat