Adelene ~ The Violinist: A Musical Christmas Series, #2

By Judy Ann Davis

A joyful novella to brighten your day!

Adelene Almanza, an accomplished violinist and Spanish teacher, has only one Christmas wish—to buy an old decrepit schoolhouse and create a teen and literacy center in her small hometown of Bluestone Bluff, New York.

When she tries to attend the sale of the building, she is injured and must rely on her old boyfriend and owner of a construction company, Clay Ciaffonni, to help purchase the building and help with the renovations. But money is tight, and a demolition and salvage company is pressuring her to give up and sell.

Despite an act of vandalism, mounting costs, and a stray puppy, the couple pushes forward to restore the structure to its natural beauty. Will they discover the long-forgotten secrets of the old schoolhouse hidden away in its boarded-up attic? And will the sparks of love ignite a second time for Adelene and Clay?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Judy Ann Davis
• Release date: Nov 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9780999089651

Judy Ann Davis

Judy Ann Davis began her career in writing as a copy and continuity writer for radio and television in Scranton, PA. She holds a degree in Journalism and Communications from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Throughout her career, Davis has written for industry and education. Over a dozen of her short stories have appeared in various literary and small magazines, and anthologies, and have received numerous awards. UP ON THE ROOF AND OTHER SHORT STORIES, is a collection of nineteen of her short works. Her first novel, RED FOX WOMAN, published in 2010, is a western, mystery and romance and was a finalist in the International Book Awards and USA Book News Best Book Awards. KEY TO LOVE was her second fictional work, and UNDER STARRY SKIES was her third fictional work, a sequel to RED FOX WOMAN. Her novel, KEY TO LOVE, is a contemporary romantic suspense. Her latest novel, FOUR WHITE ROSE, is romantic suspense with a hint of paranormal and was a finalist in the Book Excellence Awards and Georgia Romance Writers' Maggie Awards. Her only novella,"Sweet Kiss," is part of the Candy Hearts Series. She is a member of Pennwriters, Inc. and Romance Writers of America, and divides her time between Central Pennsylvania and New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Visit her at: www.judyanndavis.com and www.judyanndavis.blogspot.com You can find her on Facebook: Judy Ann Davis and on Twitter: @JudyAnnDavis4

Book preview

Chapter 1

Adelene Almanza trudged up the snowy sidewalk just as the snow started to fall in heavy, fat flakes and the temperature plummeted to greet the white stuff. It was late Friday afternoon, and she was headed to the far edge of town to teach an English as a Second Language class in the old stone schoolhouse she now rented. It was fifteen blocks from the center of town.

Stopping to pull her red sock hat lower over her ears, she berated herself for not wearing a longer skirt, a thicker coat, and more substantial footwear than the flimsy, knee-high boots with two-inch heels that were no match for a winter challenge. Already her toes were freezing as the slippery slush piled up and covered the walk.

She stamped her feet to warm them a little before she set out again. Had she taken time to check the weather report, she would have driven her car. But no, she wanted the exercise, hoping she could slice off a few extra pounds before the Christmas holidays descended. She estimated the walk from her apartment to the school was about a mile and a half. Surely it would be a bonus to her new workout and calorie-counting program.

The blare of a horn and a vehicle pulling up beside the walk made her swivel around. It was a white Ciaffonni Construction pickup truck. The passenger window slid down, and a handsome face appeared behind the wheel. She sighed. Of course, of all the people in Bluestone Bluff, New York, it had to be Clay Ciaffonni.

He leaned toward the opening. Hey, do you need a ride? he asked in his smooth baritone voice.

She stopped. Just what she didn’t need. A Ciaffonni brother coming to her rescue was on the top of her avoid if possible list. She had briefly dated Clay, but she had ended the relationship months ago when her brother, Andre, relocated to the area and was hired by Ciaffonni Construction Company for his highly-skilled electrical and computer abilities. The last thing she wanted was to get involved with one of her brother’s bosses. Leo Ciaffonni, Clay’s older brother, was married to her cousin, June Westberry. June owned the A# Music Shop where Adelene worked part-time teaching violin lessons. Relationships were tangled enough without adding another sexy Ciaffonni into the mix.

No, thank you. I’m trying to get some exercise. She forced her lips into a stiff smile. I have an ESL class, and I thought I’d walk.

In the snow? In that get-up?

What’s wrong with my clothes?

He snorted. Nothing, but you aren’t exactly dressed to attack a whiteout.

Adelene tugged at the hem of her short skirt and hitched up the strap on her handbag, slipping down her arm, farther onto her shoulder. She frowned.

Get in, snow bunny, before your tail freezes off. Chuckling, he pushed the passenger door open. I’ll drop you off at the old school. I’m going that way.

Throwing her fate to the wind, she hurried to the truck and, using the running board, heaved herself onto the passenger seat.

Thanks. She sagged against the seat and brushed off the snow that had started to accumulate on her shoulders. She tried to yank her skirt down even lower to her knees. Inside the cab, she reveled in the warmth of the heater. The sexy, spicy smell of Clay’s aftershave scented the air and smelled glorious.

Don’t worry about the skirt on my account. His lips curled in an amused smirk.

She ignored his goading comment. I had this brilliant idea to start my diet this week, so I decided to walk.

He looked over at her as he threw the truck into gear. His eyebrows lowered themselves into a vee. What diet? If you lose any weight, you can turn sideways and no one will see you. When you play your fiddle, all we’ll see is the instrument floating in the air.

He pulled away from the curb. Do you think anyone will come to class in this dang mess? He kicked the windshield wipers up a notch to deal with the onslaught of falling snow.

Well, I hope so. After fifteen minutes, if no one comes, I’ll turn the thermostat higher just a bit and start back home. Just drop me off. I’ll be all right.

Hitching a ride with Clay was a big mistake, she quickly decided, and edged closer to the door. The last thing she wanted was for him to wedge himself back into her life. He could be an addiction with his thick dark hair and those snappy dark eyes. And santos arriba, saints above, she was already hooked on his familiar aftershave after just one whiff.

Minutes later, he pulled up to the front of the old stone-faced school. Night was just around the corner. With the darkened skies from the November storm, the day had grown into a cheerless gray. All the windows in the school were gloomy black as well.

It wouldn’t hurt to have a timer to put the lights on inside so you wouldn’t arrive to an unlit building. He squinted through the flapping windshield wipers.

Adelene hand touched the truck handle. Yes, just what I need, she thought derisively, something else to flatten my wallet and tax my struggling budget.

The abandoned building itself was in disrepair and in need of work. A lot of work. But the rent was perfect. And the grant money she received from the state to teach English as a Second Language helped pay for more important necessities for her students like workbooks, teaching materials, paper cups for coffee and tea, notebooks, pencils, and pens.

She turned to get out.

Hold up. He tapped her forearm. Don’t get out. I’ll help you.

She shook her head. Clay, please. Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll be fine.

Yeah, he drawled, we’ve already decided how fine your getup is in this kind of weather. He turned off the engine and jumped out. Before she could step down, he rounded the truck, swept her up in his arms, and carried her to the front door.

Put. Me. Down.

Yes, ma’am.

Plopping her on her feet, he steadied her by an upper arm to prevent a fall and opened his leather-gloved hand. The key, Addy. Give me the key. You’re not going into a dark building without me checking it out first.

You’re crazy, you know that? And my name is Adelene.

I haven’t forgotten your name. The key? He stood for a moment, staring at her, not about to back down.

She pawed through her purse, withdrew the key, and slapped it in his palm.

He opened the door, flicked the light switch, and removed his leather gloves. His brown-eyed gaze traveled around the perimeter of the room before he glanced at the dingy, beige ceiling.

You can go now, Adelene said. "Por favor."

Hands on hips, he refused to budge.

The room was sectioned off with dividers, but the main room held old scarred tables with cheap folding chairs surrounding them. The ancient blackboard on the right wall of the room, once used for elementary students, was now used for adults who needed help because of language difficulties or high school students taking Spanish who needed extra tutoring. The room, once painted green, had aged into a slimy-looking lime. Peeling white paint surrounded the high, mullioned windows in the front of the building. A well-worn, gray linoleum floor made the room look even more dismal.

This could use some work, Miss Almanza. He gestured toward a battered crate with even more battered toys in it. Even the toys need help.

Sometimes the parents don’t have anyone to watch their children when they come here, so they bring them along, and they take turns babysitting. It’s the best plan we have right now and the best set-up we can afford. She sighed and nudged him gently. "Everything in this room could use some money, mi amigo. Money is what I’m short of at the moment. But the building is going up for sheriff’s sale. I’m saving every penny I can to put a down payment on it when the public sale date is announced. If I can get a loan at the bank, I want to buy it." And hopefully snag it for a song, a dance, and a very fervent prayer.

For the last year, she had been setting aside money from her other part-time jobs at the high school—where she taught Spanish, and her job at the A# Music Shop in Bluestone Bluff—where she managed the music shop and taught students who played stringed instruments. Her cousin, June Westberry, now June Ciaffonni, compensated her well for her efforts. Grant money paid for her ESL instructional hours where she taught for a couple of evenings a week at the old schoolhouse. It also paid the yearly rent of the classroom in the decaying building.

From the left corner of the room and behind a room divider, a soft eerie cry, sounding like a whimper, disturbed the silence. Clay jerked upright and his hand shot out. He shoved Adelene behind him. His cautious gaze zeroed in on the divider. The soft wailing sounded again.

What the—? he stopped short as the cry grew more pronounced.

Adelene