Chapter 19

Allen stared at the ingredients he bought on Heather’s kitchen island. Flour, molasses, sugar, and ginger. With her rolling pin in front of her, she agreed on his choice to make gingerbread cookies.

He didn’t know what he was getting into, but he looked up enough recipes to know he bought all the essentials for their baking adventure. It would be interesting. He hoped they could have fun baking.

“Ready?” she asked.

“No clue.” He dried his hands and stepped over beside her. She sat on the barstool. “All of this goes in here?” He pointed to the bowl.

She nodded. “And then we roll the dough and use this.” She held up a gingerbread man cookie cutter.

He rubbed his hands together. “It’s now or never.” Though Crystal's face flashed in his mind, he blinked the memories away. Would she even recognize his face if they locked eyes? Would she know his name? He swallowed.

The past was in the past. He had an opportunity with the woman next to him, her curls pulled into a high ponytail and an apron secured around her waist. He could easily bend and kiss the space behind her ear.

Heather tilted her head towards him, facing him straight on. Her eyes shined. She then gave a slight smile and returned her gaze to the mixer. Allen licked his lips as his nerves stirred and tingled.

He watched as Heather added butter and sugar to the mixer. He handed her the eggs and one cup of molasses. Allen watched as Heather added more ingredients into the mix, while he stood next to her leaning against the counter holding the flour.

“Add this now?” he asked.

She nodded, and he poured it into the mixture.

“You make these often?”

“My sister and I would make them as kids. We got out of the habit, especially once I got into fitness,” Heather said. “What about you and your family?”

He would pick out a Christmas tree with his mother. When he and Crystal would celebrate, she wanted more elaborate decorations with each year that passed.

“My Mom loved Christmas trees. Only Douglas Firs allowed in the house.”

Heather’s mouth fell open. “She wouldn’t have liked me then.”

He folded his arms. “Yeah, what’s up with the fake tree?” He gestured to her tree in her living room, recalling their tinsel fight.

“Call me crazy, but I can’t stand to throw it away later.”

“Someone’s sentimental I see.”

She giggled. “Are you teasing me now?” She rubbed the excess flour on her hands on his nose.

Allen’s mouth twisted into a grin. “This is the second time you’ve attacked me.”

She raised her eyebrows. “What are you going to do about it?”

Allen leaned in closer hearing her breath hitch. He reached out, stroked her cheek, and planted a kiss on her forehead. Heather shivered and his own skin prickled. Then he kissed her eyelids and trailed his lips down the bridge of her nose. His chest flooded with warmth. When his lips hovered over hers, he gently brushed them against hers.

She exhaled. “Not fair.”

“Who said anything about playing fair?”

“Now I have to apologize,” she said.

He kissed her nose. “I’m waiting.”

Heather’s lips parted, but she only rubbed more flour on Allen’s nose. He instead grabbed the excess flour from the bowl and tossed it at her.

“You didn’t?” She grinned, giving into her giggles.

“Merry Christmas.”

Heather shook her head giving the dough one last mix. Then she had him cut off a piece of shrink wrap. Once they wrapped it up inside, they set it inside her refrigerator.

She wiped her hands together. “Now we wait.”

“What should we do?”

“Help me clean up.” She pointed to the floor dusted with flour.

Allen winked at her and retrieved the broom for her. He swept while she wiped the counters. Once they finished, he gazed at her.

“We still have some time, right?”

Heather tapped her fingers to her lips. “Have you seen The Man Who Came to Dinner?”

Allen shook his head. “It sounds old.”

Heather squinted her eyes at him. “Some call it a classic.”

“I still say old.”

She tossed a dishtowel at him but he only caught it. “Should I be concerned that you always throw things at me?”

“It wasn’t a frying pan.”

He laughed. “Thank goodness.”

Heather leaned against the counter. Her eyes sparkled and her smile was much more genuine than when she opened the door. Allen inched closer and stood in front of her. Heather leaned even further back, and he placed both hands on either side of her.

“I don’t remember you being this bold when I first met you.” She touched his arm.

“I think you’re rubbing off on me.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You like it?”

He didn’t answer but kissed her lips. Embracing her waist, he held her close. Heather didn’t push him away. His heart pounded inside his chest as her lips caressed his. He never wanted the moment to end. Electrical jolts shot through him.

Her arms drifted from his neck, only to trace his throat with her fingers. Allen’s breath caught as they glided back up, but this time to his face. As Heather’s fingers caressed his beard, his knees weakened. How did she undo him every time?

His hands ran over her back just as her hands pressed into his chest. Heather tilted her head, and Allen recaptured her mouth in another lingering kiss. When her doorbell rang, Heather pulled away. Her forehead wrinkled, but he heard her exhale.

“You expecting someone else?” Allen asked.

She shook her head, escaping his embrace. He followed only to see Elena Gomez at the front door holding her baby Gabriela.

“I know you can’t get around much, but I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. My grandfather fell and I need someone to watch Gabby,” Elena said. She bit her lip.

“Sure,” Heather said, holding out her hands for the baby.

Elena handed her over along with a bag. “She’s already eaten so you can put her to sleep, but there's another bottle in her diaper bag just in case.” She then carried in her car seat. “I appreciate it, Heather.” Elena paused once she focused her eyes on Allen. He gave a wave, and she smiled. Elena headed back to her car and Heather closed the door behind her.

She shrugged with Gabriela in her arms. “Looks like we have another guest.”

“We’re old friends,” he said. He stepped closer and tickled the baby’s chin. She giggled. “I can help.”

“You’ve babysat before?” Heather raised an eyebrow.

“How hard can it be?”

They took turns holding the baby and by the time the gingerbread finished hardening in the refrigerator, baby Gabriela got fussy.

“Is she hungry?” Allen asked. He rubbed at his temple.

“No, we just fed her.” Holding Gabriela close, she didn’t detect another diaper change. Sitting on the couch she rocked the baby, and then she heard Allen humming. Heather looked over at him. “Singing?”

“It could work,” he said.

Heather shrugged and handed Allen the baby. He stood to his feet and paced the floor as he sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Heather folded her arms. “Really? Mr. ‘I’m not into Christmas?’”

He winked at her and continued to sing. Gabriela’s scrunched face softened, and she relaxed in his arms. He even caught Heather staring as he sang.

Gabby’s whimpers returned, so Allen sat down next to Heather. “Got any more suggestions?”

Heather gazed upward. She hummed long enough for him to recognize “Jingle Bells.” Allen chuckled as he sang along with her, adding the “hey” to the song. Gabby settled in his arms again and rested as he rocked her.

“You’re good at this,” Heather said.

“I worked at a daycare for two years?”

Her eyebrows etched together. “You did?”

“Some men do, you know.”

She raised her hands, palms up. “I didn’t know you did. It’s... interesting.”

“You work with kids at your gym?”

“We have a few programs for them, especially in the summer. I love it. We have great kids in this town.”

He bobbed his head. Gabby tucked her head in the hollow of his neck.

“Did you ever want kids?” Her mouth fell open as soon as the words left her mouth. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

He sighed. “I did. She didn’t.”

Heather touched a hand to his arm.

He turned his head to face her. “Don’t worry about it.”

Heather stood to her feet. “I’ll finish the gingerbread.”

“I’ll be there in a minute,” he said.

Heather wobbled to the kitchen and Allen smiled after her. Gabriela twitched in his arms, but her eyes remained shut. He rocked her as he hummed.

His stomach clenched. He wanted kids. Crystal didn't want them. The words rang in his ears like fire alarms.

Allen blinked. Those days were over. He could start over. Was Heather someone he could build a new life with? Feelings faded. Would they stay after the bliss wore off?

***

Heather settled onto her barstool. She rubbed her forehead to relieve her light-headedness. Allen's ex didn't want children. His marriage left him broken, but he was here.

He wasn’t running away. She exhaled. Kisses meant nothing, because intimacy was another level. Their lives were coming together in more ways than one.

Placing the dough on the counter, she used the flour and the rolling pin. She flattened the dough as she bit her lower lip. Her feelings were taking over. What if this didn't work out? She shut her eyes for a moment. That would mean saying goodbye, and she couldn't stand that thought with Allen.

Heather blinked. She could enjoy the evening without her fears taking over. She blew out a long breath. As she used the cookie cutter, she placed them on her cookie sheet. She rolled the dough again, repeating the action.

“They look good,” Allen said from behind her.

“Is Gabby okay?” She avoided eye contact.

“I put her back in her car seat so she’s sleeping fine.” He leaned closer, resting his cheek on her temple. “Some date night, huh?”

“This was a date?” She rolled the dough adding flour as she went. “I thought you were helping me with dessert.”

He chuckled as he placed his hands on top of hers. Heather froze for a moment, the heat from his hands seeping into her skin. She swallowed, and they rolled the dough together. Heather’s insides trembled, but she remained steady on her feet.

“I thought you were helping me to impress your mom,” he said.

“You don’t need to impress her. She’s already on your side.”

“Your sister?”

“She is too.”

“So it’s three against one?” he asked.

She leaned into his chest. “I think you’re doing a good job of winning me over.” He was.

“I hope so.” He dipped his mouth towards hers, but Gabriela’s whimpering disturbed them. Allen left to check on her.

The heat from his chest crept up her back. Heather then put the gingerbread in the oven. Allen returned.

“Is she okay?” Heather asked.

“She went back to sleep,” he said.

Heather rubbed at her eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re comfortable coming to my family’s house for dinner? I don’t want to rush things.”

“I’ll be fine. Like you said, they like me already.” He walked closer and embraced her waist.

“I like your confidence.” She rested her hands on his shoulders.

His eyebrows etched together. “Are you okay? How’s your knee?”

“I'm okay.”

“Good,” he said. He leaned in once more to kiss her. She pressed her hands into his chest and her brain felt slushy. Why did his touch make her insides shiver? Allen cupped her cheek, allowing his fingers to graze against her jawline and neck.

Her fingers traveled to his neck, teasing him at the nape. He held her closer as her lips meshed with his. Heather's heart raced. This man was in her system.

She exhaled. “We're supposed to be baking.”

“We are?” He kissed the corner of her mouth.

“Yes. Not to mention watching the baby.”

“She's asleep. I promise.” He stroked her back and kissed her mouth once more.

Heather didn't stop him but wrapped her arms around his neck. Allen turned his body, and she leaned against the counter. She forgot about the brace on her knee. She ignored the weakness in her legs from his embrace. Instead, she moved her hands to cup his face.

Then the doorbell rang again. Allen groaned against her mouth, and then rested his head on her shoulder. Heather giggled. He then raised his head and pressed his forehead against hers. “One of these days I’m going to kiss you and not be interrupted.”