Chapter 4
A chamber quartet played music in the background. Wait staff dressed in black and white uniforms carried trays, while guests gathered around white tall tables, helping themselves to the hors d’oeuvres. Heather never expected the town’s annual Christmas festivities would expand to black tie events, but once the Sawyer’s moved to town ten years ago, they embraced the holiday spirit, allowing their fortune in oil to be put to good use. Chandeliers illuminated the room, while garland decorated the curved stairways and railings. The staff murmured with the guests as they served the appetizers.
For a town of fewer than ten thousand people, Sawyer oil put Maple Meadow, Texas on the map. Businesses boomed in all directions without diminishing the sense of community. Heather didn’t want to live anywhere else. Maple Meadow was home.
She loved her students at the gym along with the children she volunteered with at her church’s tutoring program in the summer months. Heather never desired city life. Her heart belonged to the people who gathered every year for their Christmas tree lighting ceremony. She bounced on her toes at the thought. Heather couldn’t wait for the celebration.
Sonia nudged her sister’s shoulder. “This gets better every year.”
“Pretty fancy.”
“At least it’s for a good cause. The Sawyers donate money to our community and health center. Better U Fitness benefits from all this, remember?”
Heather sighed. “I know. I love it all, but this is a lot.”
“You’re just cheap.”
“I like nice things. Practical things.” She ran a hand down her neck. “Besides, I know how to let go and have a good time.”
Sonia scoped the room. “I wonder if there are any eligible bachelors we haven’t—”
“Sonia, please?”
She etched her eyebrows together. “I mean for me. I’m going to go mingle.” Her sister scurried away.
“Sonia,” Heather whispered through gritted teeth. She stopped in her tracks to follow her, spotting an ice sculpture. Heather smiled and walked around, waving to the familiar faces.
The scent of fresh red roses, her favorite, filled the air. Ms. Hattie outdid herself with the floral arrangements and the perfume relaxed Heather even further. She twisted the stud in her ear as she perused the living room, noticing an area designated for dancing. She swayed to the music as she scanned the room.
She spotted Spencer, the Sawyer’s youngest son, talking with Sonia. Her sister didn’t seem interested as she tapped her foot on the floor rolling her eyes. Spencer didn’t take the hint since he kept talking. Heather thought of rescuing her sister, but Sonia was old enough to take care of herself. Spencer was harmless anyway.
“Having fun yet?” A familiar voice asked.
Heather pivoted to see Terrance. “Not quite. My sister ditched me but she needs a ride home.” She played with the bracelet on her wrist. “How are you?”
“You never cease to speak your mind, Heather.” He adjusted his bow tie. “I’m doing well. Nice turn out don’t you think?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess so. I’m not one for these fancy parties. I only come because of the Sawyer family. They may be rich, but they’re the nicest people I’ve ever met. The town loves them.”
“So you’re a simple girl at heart? You just go along with events like this,” he said.
She held a finger up to her lips. “Don’t tell anyone.”
He laughed.
She grinned. “No. Deep down, I love it. How can anyone not love Christmas in a magical place like this?”
“I agree.” He stepped closer. “Would you like to dance?” Terrance’s face seemed to shine with hope.
Heather raised an eyebrow. “Is this your way of asking me out?”
His lips parted while his eyes widened. “Well… if… I mean… how do you make me forget what I’m going to say?”
“The song will be over by the time I explain, so let’s dance.”
Reaching out her hand, Terrance’s strong fingers surrounded hers. Placing her other hand on his shoulder, the duo danced to Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song.” Terrance’s other hand splayed across her back as he led her into a simple waltz. He was decent enough. Chivalrous, generous, and kind, so why didn’t she like him back?
Heather cleared her throat. “So where did you learn to dance?”
“My mother. She made sure I took lessons as a child.” He twirled her around and then brought her back to his chest.
“Look at you trying to sweep me off my feet,” she teased.
“Is it working?”
“You want it to? Be honest with me.”
Terrance exhaled. “I like you, Heather.”
She gave half a smile. “I figured as much. A woman can only take so many side glances at work.”
“There you go saying things that get me all…”
“Confused?”
“Exactly, but I was thinking the word stumped.”
Heather giggled. “Can I be honest with you?”
He bobbed his head, lacing his fingers with hers. Heather’s feet paused mid waltz. “I—”
“You don’t mind if I cut in do you, Heather? Terrance promised me a dance.”
Grace Weiss, dressed in her black one-shoulder formal gown flashed her bright smile at Heather.
Terrance replied, “Actually Heather was about to—”
Heather dismissed his comment with a wave. “Go ahead. We can talk later. He’s all yours Grace.”
The woman squealed leading Terrance to the middle of the dance floor. Heather walked over to one of the tall tables. Taking one hors d’oeuvre in her mouth, she moaned in satisfaction. Finger food was not her style, but she would indulge tonight. While she maintained a healthy lifestyle, she didn’t mind cheating on her diet now and then.
“Is it good?”
Twirling around, she bumped into a hard chest, spilling the contents of the man’s drink.
“Oh no. I’m so sorry,” Heather said, grabbing napkins. She froze recognizing Allen. She’d figured she’d run into him tonight, although she made it a point to avoid him. Reason? “You?”
“Hello again,” he said dabbing at his tuxedo coat.
“I am so sorry again. I’m usually not such a klutz.”
He chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be able to walk out of here with no problem, so you’re good. Heather.”
He remembered her name. After two encounters, she guessed that was normal. One man she dated called her Helen. How hard was the name Heather? “Allen, our newest member in town.”
He laughed. “Perfect memory.”
She swallowed. “Are you always free with the compliments or do you have a thing for women who run into you?”
He lowered his gaze for a second but resumed eye contact. “You speak your mind I see.”
“I don’t know any other way to be. Life’s too short to hold everything inside.”
He nodded in apparent agreement. “In that case, no.”
“No what?”
“No, I’m not free with compliments.”
“So you’re a flirt?”
He chuckled. “You weren’t kidding. You’re bold.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Heather fiddled with her necklace. There was no way a total stranger had her asking him personal questions. Yet, this Allen Richards had her undivided attention.
“I don’t know how to answer that. You definitely know how to catch a man off guard.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I think it’s a simple answer. You’re talking to me for some reason aren’t you?”
Allen cleared his throat. “With me still new in town, you’re the first familiar face I’ve seen since I got here. My cousin hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Sorry. I don’t mean to come across—”
“It’s okay. I like it.” His eyes widened slightly, and his lips parted. As if he realized what he just said, his mouth closed.
She grinned at his response. Did she make him nervous? “So… having fun so far? I mean besides me spilling your drink.”
His eyes roamed around the large living space. Christmas lights and garland decked the Sawyer’s living area, while their ten-foot tree stood as the focal point of the party. Heather loved the décor, only teasing others, saying it was too much.
Allen’s shrugged his shoulders. “I am, but this is a lot of Christmas decorations.”
“You like Christmas right? You have to since you’re here.”
“It’s okay.”
Heather’s jaw dropped. “Okay? This town goes all out for the holidays, especially Christmas.”
“I just don’t go overboard when it comes to decorating.”
“What do you do?”
“Call a few family members and say ‘Merry Christmas.’” His jaw slackened. “Not too many fond memories.”
“Heather!” Morgan Sawyer pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m so glad you came!” She rocked her back and forth before releasing her.
“Merry Christmas,” Heather said.
Morgan took her hand and faced Allen. Giving him a smile, she kissed his cheek. “I’m going to steal Heather away. Do you mind Allen?”
“Well, I—”
Morgan waved away his response. “You’ll see her again. It’s a small town remember.” She led Heather towards the kitchen area.
***
Allen straightened his bow tie, listening to “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in the background. He couldn’t bring up his ex-wife. More importantly, he wouldn’t share something so personal with a woman he just met. Crystal loved Christmas, decking their house from top to bottom in decorations. Garland, an eight-foot tree, Christmas cookies, and too many presents to count.
Swallowing the lump in the back of his throat, Allen laced his fingers back and forth, no longer feeling the platinum ring. He had stashed it away in his top-shelf closet. Though it was gone, it somehow became part of his hand. If only he had… A slap on his back startled his thoughts.
“Where have you been?” Desmond asked.
“Here, obviously,” Allen said.
“What’s with the face?”
“What do you mean?”
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with that woman I saw you talking to. She’s beautiful. That’s Sonia’s older sister, Heather.”
“Who’s Sonia?”
“Morgan’s best friend. You need to get out of that house of yours and meet new people.” Desmond rubbed his hands together. “So tonight is a big step. I’m glad you showed up.”
“You just like the parties.”
“It's a community. That’s what Maple Meadow’s all about.”
He shook his head at his cousin, as he stared after Heather once more.
“Care to share?” his cousin asked.
Allen blinked. “What? It’s uh… nice party.”
“I think you have a thing for Heather.”
“I just met the woman.”
“You didn’t look that way with Elise.”
Allen recalled the double date he agreed to with Morgan and Desmond three weeks after moving to Maple Meadow. He only did it to appease his cousin’s girlfriend. Morgan meddled but her heart was in the right place. No wonder Desmond loved her. They were made for each other.
“Elise was still in love with her ex-boyfriend,” Allen said.
“Yeah, that wasn’t good. Sorry about that.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“What about Portia?”
Allen shrugged. “Man, she’s cool, but I don’t think I want to go that route.”
“I keep telling Morgan to leave it alone, so you’re welcome.”
“Thanks.”
Desmond twisted his mouth into a grin. “Still, man. If you think you—”
Allen rubbed at his eyebrow. “Can I enjoy myself without you snooping?”
Desmond nodded though his grin gave him away. “Sure thing. I’ll let you enjoy the party. I’m going to ask Morgan to dance.”
With his cousin no longer in his ear, Allen’s eyes skimmed the room. He recognized a few familiar faces from church and the coffee shop. Still, he couldn’t say he felt comfortable walking up to strangers. He could turn in early. He didn’t have to stay for the entire party. Moving towards the front door so no one would spot him, he noticed Heather talking to another man.
Pain in his jaw resulted from clenched teeth. Allen grabbed his own coat. He barely knew the woman, so why should he care if another man paid her attention?
“I’ll think about it, Terrance,” Heather said.
“I’ll see you at work tomorrow. I can’t wait to partner our classes for the fitness boot camp,” Terrance said.
Allen secured his gloves over his long fingers.
“I can’t either, but remember nothing too crazy on your part,” Heather said.
Terrance added, “Same goes for you. I admire a career woman, but you’re tough.”
Career woman? Allen bit his bottom lip. There was nothing wrong with a woman having ambition, but his ex-wife —
“Are you sneaking out?” Heather asked.
Allen looked around and noticed he and Heather were the only ones in the foyer. “Um… yeah.”
She gestured to the living room. “You didn’t want to dance?”
He shook his head. “No thanks. I have an early morning.”
She raised an arched eyebrow. “What do you do?”
“Physical therapist. Look I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s okay. It’s not like I dictated my social security number.”
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t steal that, anyway.”
“An honest man.” She brushed past him and he caught a whiff of her perfume. Was that lilac he smelled? “I can appreciate that.”
When Heather grabbed her own coat, Allen hurried in front of her to open the door for her.
Her eyes widened. “And a gentleman. You’re really trying to impress me, aren't you?”
He couldn’t hide his smile. “You sure keep a man on his toes.”
“Don’t like it?” she asked.
He stared into her coal eyes. “I don’t know yet.”
Heather grabbed the railing of the porch steps. Allen took care noticing the ice and extended his hand to her and she took it. As they descended and walked towards the sidewalk, he released his grip.
“What made you decide on physical therapy?” she asked.
He tucked his hands in his pockets. “My grandfather. He had a stroke when I was a kid and I remember coming to visit and his therapist was there helping him. I wanted to help people too. You?”
“Well… I chose fitness because I’ve always loved being in shape. My mom struggled when she was my age and after having kids, it was hard for her to find a program that worked. I became a Pilates instructor.”
“Pi-what?”
Heather’s eyebrows shot up. “Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of Pilates?”
Allen laughed at his own joke. “I have.”
Catching onto his teasing, she rolled her eyes despite her gleaming smile. Stopping mid-stride they both stared at the star-sprinkled night sky. A few clouds formed because of the report of snow, but Allen enjoyed the silence with Heather.
She wrapped her arms around herself. “I love nights like this.”
“How come?”
She faced him. “They’re peaceful.”
Allen’s body went still. Heather’s pupils dilated. He needed to go home. Her furtive gazes made his insides melt like butter. She was as beautiful as the purple flush of dawn. Meeting her eyes with his, he sensed a shifting feeling near his heart.
“Is there a reason you’re staring?” she asked.
Allen’s lips parted to answer, but he lowered his gaze as his ears felt impossibly hot. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.”
His eyes met hers once more, and she smiled. “I almost didn’t come tonight.”
Heather raised an eyebrow. “Glad you did?”
He rubbed the back of his head. “You don’t hold back.”
“Get to know me and you’ll get used to it.”
“So you think I’ll stick around to find out?”
Her lips curved into a grin. “You don’t look like the type that scares easily.”
“What type do I look like?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’ll let you know. I barely know you.”
He chuckled. “You can read people though?”
She walked over to the other side of the walkway. “I won’t say I’m an expert, but I try to be discerning.”
“So these discerning skills, have you been right usually?”
Her face slackened. “I wish but we all make mistakes.”
Mistakes? Someone well acquainted with those, he had a list of them he wished he could take back.
“Heather!” a young woman’s voice called out. “Did you seriously leave? You forgot your scarf.”
Heather pivoted to face the woman talking to her. “You know you could have driven yourself.” She gave him one last smile before she hurried to retrieve her scarf.
“Heather! Are you alright?” the woman exclaimed.
Allen blinked. Heather was writhing on the ground clutching her leg.