A Hero Grinch for Christmas Read Free Page A

wonder if he’ll move into the cabin or put it up for sale.”
    “He said he was staying there,” Dani said.
    “Makes sense. He is the next of kin, I suppose. I never heard Denny mention anyone else.”
    “Clarice,” Fay called from the doorway leading to the back. “I knew I heard your voice.”
    “Hello, Fay. Your niece has been filling me in on some interesting news.”
    “Has she now?”
    The two women headed to a table by the fireplace. With her back to the ladies, Dani started up the espresso machine and the sweet smell of vanilla filled the air. She prepared two coffees, then placed them on the table.
    “Thank you, Dear,” her aunt said with a warm smile.
    “Thank you, Dani. What’s this? There’s foam in my cup.” Clarice sounded surprised.
    “That’s a cappuccino,” Dani answered. “It’s coffee with a nice vanilla flavor. The machine makes the milk foam.”
    “Milk? In the machine?” She turned in her chair to glance at the espresso machine.
    “Taste it.” Dani beamed with pride.
    Clarice took a sip and smiled. “It’s good. Very good.”
    “Thank you.” Dani gave her aunt an I-told-you-so look, then she happily returned to the counter and made one for herself.
    “So you knew Denny’s nephew was back in town?” Clarice seemed a bit put out over the idea.
    “Clarice,” Fay started. “The poor man just arrived last night. I was at home, and Dani was in the shop alone.”
    Clarice shifted her gaze to Dani, waiting for her confirmation. She nodded.
    “You see,” Fay added. “I had no time to tell you.”
    “So, he’s living at the cabin?”
    It amazed Dani that everyone called Denny’s home a cabin. The thing was huge and beautiful. How he managed to build it by himself, she didn’t know. She joined the ladies at the table.
    “Denny strutted around here like a peacock waiting for the boy to come home.” Fay dabbed the corners of her eyes with a napkin. “He was so proud of Hunter. He’s a decorated war hero, you know.”
    “Of course, I know.” Clarice bristled. “Calvin had all the details for the newspaper. Purple Heart. Bronze Star. He was even recommended for a Medal of Honor. The boy served three tours in Afghanistan.”
    “Denny was afraid he would be killed over there.” Fay sniffed again.
    “And now his uncle is gone,” Clarice said sadly.
    If the two women continued, Dani would need to bring out a box of tissues.
    The bell above the door jingled and once again the wind blew snow into the store. All heads turned toward the door.
    “Good. You’re both here.” Sarah Brumby straightened her hat. “It’s colder than a witch’s tit out there.”
    “Come warm yourself by the fire,” Fay called.
    “Why are you glad we’re both here?” Clarice asked.
    “You’ll never guess who I just saw. Denny Armstrong’s nephew is in town.”
    “I knew before you did,” Clarice puffed up. “He got here last night.”
    Dani smiled as the women competed over who knew the latest gossip first. “You must be frozen. Why don’t you sit by the fire and I’ll bring you a hot cappuccino to take away the chill.” Dani offered to take Sarah’s coat.
    “What’s that?” Sarah screwed up her face.
    “It’s coffee.” Clarice said, then lifted her cup and sipped as though the drink was nothing new to her. “Now sit down. You’re dripping snow on me.”
    Dani chuckled and hung Sarah’s coat on the brass rack. She crossed the room and turned on the machine. Looks like her early Christmas gift would be well broken in by the time the big day arrived.
    She served Sarah her drink, smiling as the woman oohed and ahhed over the flavor. Dani took her own cup and stood gazing out of the store window, the chatter of the elderly women echoed in the background. The snow had tapered off, but the wind still blew swirls of misty white along the sidewalk.
    She was glad to be away from New York. Fifty million visitors rotated through the city every year. And at Christmas time—total