Page 42 of Silver Hills' Christmas Miracle

“You would be the prize for sure,” I murmured. “But we can still turn back. It’s your choice.”

We looked at one another and for a moment, Kitty looked like she was deciding to leave. Then she pressed her red lips together and sighed.

“Nah. Let’s get this over with. I plan on putting him off as much as I can. And if this is the price I have to pay to get Dad in a room full of this town, then I’ll pay it. Begrudgingly.”

Her soft laugh was humorless as she climbed from the car and stomped across the damp ground. It had rained heavily the past day or two, but luckily, the skies remained clear for me to get Kitty to the bar with minimal weather disturbance to her clothing.

Once inside, we were greeted by Melanie.

“Hey, you two.” She grinned. “It’s good to see you. Kitty, your uh…guestis already here.” Melanie used a glass to point near the end of the bar where a tall man with dark, greasy hair and square spectacles sat perched on a stool. He was dressed in a charcoal suit and perched in such a way that it looked like he was trying to avoid actually touching the stool. My mouth briefly fell open as I watched him gingerly pick up a glass of something clear, sip it, then slowly set it back down. For a moment, helooked as if he expected the lemon slice to jump out of the glass and attack him.

A man like that was clearly used to steakhouses that served wine more expensive than a car, not bars where the atmosphere was thick and the drink was cheap.

“Show time,” Kitty said. She smoothed her hands down her black skirt, once again slid her finger along her lower lip, and headed toward her date.

I took a seat at the bar, settling into the corner where I had a full view of Kitty and… Aaron, I think his name was.

“Can I get you anything?” Melanie asked, busy pouring Kitty’s favorite fruity drink.

“Just water,” I replied. “I’m working.”

“You’re always working.” Melanie snorted. “I suppose Kitty is too.”

“Yeah…” I puffed out my cheeks and rested one elbow on the bar. “Actually, make it a lemonade. I need the tartness to distract me.”

“Coming right up.”

As Melanie worked, I kept all of my attention on Kitty. She greeted Aaron warmly, and he was eager to shake her hand. He almost tripped over himself trying to pull the stool out for her until he realized the stools didn’t quite work like that. Once they were seated, Kitty turned around and pointed directly at me.

She must have been introducing me because pale Aaron paled even further as we locked eyes.

This guy looked like he had more money than sense. Either that or this atmosphere and Kitty looking that good in a halter top and skirt were enough to shake him right down to his balls.

“Here ya go, champ.” Melanie set my drink down, then she stepped away from the bar to bring Kitty hers. She smiled brightly at the two of them and then patted Kitty on the shoulder as she left.

My stomach knotted itself as I watched. While Aaron kept his hands to himself, it still bugged me. I wanted to be the one on the date with her. I wanted to be staring at her face as her eyes lit up through whatever story she was telling. I wanted to admire the silver strands she’d woven into her braid and take her hand over the drinks and promise to treat her right.

Instead, I had to watch.

“You know anything about him?” Melanie asked me half an hour later when there was finally a lull in the customers swarming the bar.

“Nah.” I shrugged one shoulder. “He’s a friend of Samuel’s. Although definitely from the rich and dumb side of things. If I remember correctly, I think I saw him once or twice at the shareholder meetings. He’s in charge of providing finances for… something. The construction materials or something?”

“He looks young,” Melanie mused, furiously polishing a glass. “Too young for that kind of money.”

“Aye.” I drained my glass. “Probably why he thinks destroying a place like this is fine in the face of progress or some shit.” I shook my head. “Bunch of dumbasses. I have to stand there sometimes and listen to them talking about the future, the cost of progress and shit like they’re doing something great for the world. I’m a fucking soldier. I’ve done more for the world than they ever will. All they’re doing is building a fucking road no one wants.”

“Wow.” Melanie laughed loudly. “Well, aren’t you spicy when you’re jealous?”

“I’m not jealous,” I replied. “I trust Kitty. I’menvious. That might be worse.”

“You don’t think that’s in your future?” She leaned close and smirked. “A cute little date with Kitty in public?”

“I don’t know.” My fingernails caught along the edge of the glass. “What I want and what has a chance of happening are two different things.”

“Would it help if I told you she’s smitten with you?”

“A little.” I slid my empty glass toward her. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be ranting at you like this.”

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