The Christmas List Read Online Free PDF

together?”
    â€œA dance recital? I’d rather chew razor blades. I’ll just go up early. I can get a nap in.”
    â€œGood. Then you won’t be so grumpy when I get there.” Traci leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
    â€œI’m not grumpy.”
    A waiter appeared and quietly cleared his throat. “Are you ready to order?”
    Kier looked up. “I’ll have the filet Oscar, she’ll have the Caesar salad.”
    â€œWith shrimp,” Traci added.
    â€œAnything to drink?”
    â€œJust a Coke. What do you want?”
    â€œA chardonnay.”
    â€œVery well,” the waiter said. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.” He left.
    Traci took his hand. “I’m sorry I’m going to be late. I’ll make it up to you. We can eat a late dinner, go dancing, then whatever . . . Just don’t pout. I hate it when you pout.”
    â€œI don’t pout.”
    â€œWell, whatever it is you’re doing.” She looked out over the yard. “It’s snowing again. It’s supposed to snow all weekend. Maybe we’ll get snowed in. Wouldn’t that be great? Snowed in at the Snowed—”
    â€œYeah, I get it.”
    She buttered another piece of croissant. “Do you know why these are so good? They brush them with egg before they bake them. It makes them shiny like that.” She took a bite. “I took a French cooking class once. Maybe I’ll cookyou a meal for our anniversary. Our anniversary is coming up.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œYou forgot?”
    He smiled. “No. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
    She smiled back. “I like surprises. Usually.”
    â€œYou’ll like this one.”
    â€œI can’t wait.”
    â€œYou’ll have to.”
    â€œYou’re mean. I can see why your wife left you.”
    â€œI left her.”
    â€œLike I said, you’re mean.”

CHAPTER
Seven

Kier drove Traci back to her condo, then returned to the office. Tim Brey was waiting for him in the conference room. The table was covered with blue and white building plans.
    â€œThere they are,” Brey said. “The final plans for the Paradise development.”
    â€œDid we get the permits?”
    â€œNo, but it’s only a formality. We have the final zoning meeting tonight.”
    â€œGood thing we own the committee,” Kier said. He looked over the plans, nodding approvingly. “I want to modify this for something around forty acres.”
    Brey looked up. “We’re getting the Allen property?”
    â€œUnless he finds a million dollars in the next three weeks.”
    Brey smiled. “Well done. You said you were going to end up with that piece.”
    Kier lifted his case. “Set a meeting with the architects. We’ll go over it Monday afternoon.”
    â€œDone. Let me know how the hearing goes tonight.”
    Kier stopped. “I forgot about that. You better handle it.”
    â€œBut . . .” Brey stopped himself.
    â€œIs there a problem?” Kier raised an eyebrow.
    Brey had plans with his wife, plans made weeks ago, but he knew better than to mention them. “No problem.”
    â€œGood man.” Kier patted his shoulder and walked out of the room.

    Kier stopped by his office and grabbed his briefcase and a bottle of water. “I’m out of here,” he said to Linda.
    â€œBe careful out there. I checked the weather report. Park City is expecting a blizzard. They say that they could get two to three feet of snow tonight.”
    â€œWhen does it hit?”
    â€œLater this afternoon, probably after rush hour. Do you need anything?”
    â€œCall Lincoln, tell him to prepare the paperwork on the Allen property.”
    â€œI will. Have a good weekend.”
    â€œYou too.”
    Kier walked out the back door to his car. He started his car, then turned on his stereo, which began to play a Michael