Chapter 6
ASH
Ash locked eyes with the sweet teacher, his heart still aching from seeing the way Maya had unabashedly embraced her.
Just like she hugs me…
Allie’s cheeks went pink and she cast her blue eyes back down to his daughter.
A wave of satisfaction warmed his chest at the idea that Allie was attracted to him, at least a little. And he fought the urge to reach out and brush away the snowflakes collecting in her golden hair.
He knew he was playing with fire just being here with her, let alone trying to make it into a date. He’d almost cancelled a dozen times, but every time he thought about the way she was with Maya, he just couldn’t bring himself to throw away what might be his only shot with Allie.
He could search the world over and not find another woman who seemed to connect with his daughter so instantly. It was worth taking a calculated risk and pushing the boundaries of his own comfort a little.
This kind of thinking worked for me in the business world, he reminded himself.
“What’s a Fun Festival?” Maya asked Allie.
“Well, I know there are some games and food outside,” Allie told her.
“And even more games and some raffles for grownups inside. This is our very first one, so the main thing I know is that it’s supposed to be fun.
But there are lots of other traditions in town.
I’ll make sure to tell you and your dad all about them. ”
“That’s nice,” Maya said. “Are they fun too?”
“I think so,” Allie said. “We do them every year, and they feel more special the more times you do them.”
“Like my dad’s reunion,” Maya said, nodding.
“She’s talking about a reunion we go to with some of my college friends and their families,” Ash put in. “We have a picnic every summer. It’s a casual thing. But Maya’s right, it’s a tradition.”
Maya lit up and his heart felt like it would burst with pride. She was such a great kid.
“Shall we try inside things first?” Allie asked. “Or outside?”
“Outside, outside, outside,” Maya sang out before Ash could suggest that maybe Allie should choose.
“Okay,” Allie said, laughing. “That’s a good idea. It might be snowing even harder later. Let’s see what’s happening outside.”
Maya took her hand and the two of them headed around the school, leaving Ash to follow. He couldn’t help smiling to himself, watching them together as they turned the corner to the back of the school and the festival was spread out in front of them.
Someone had shoveled the snow from the blacktop behind the school so that all kinds of games and food stalls could be set up.
There were hopscotch patterns chalked on the ground, a table with spray bottles of different colored water that children were using on the snowmen other kids built out in the field, turning them into a rainbow of fantastic shades.
The hot cocoa station was very popular, with marshmallows of different sizes and tiny candy canes that could be added to the beverage.
“Can I go play?” Maya asked suddenly, spotting another child from her class.
“Sure,” Ash told her. “Just stay where I can see you.”
Maya jumped up and down in place while he spoke and then took off to join the boy in the green coat, a big smile on her face.
Ash watched and was relieved to see that the little boy seemed as happy to see Maya as she was to see him. Of course he worried that she might not be making friends in the new place.
“She’s very popular,” Allie said softly, as if reading his thoughts. “We all love how cheerful and enthusiastic she is.”
“Thank you,” Ash said, his eyes still on his daughter.
Sometimes he couldn’t believe she was old enough to run off with a friend. Other times he couldn’t wait until she was a little older and he could know more about the person she was going to be.
“Allie, how are you?” an older lady said, approaching Allie with a big smile. She had long gray hair, and a blue puffer coat.
“Hi, Linda,” Allie said, her face lighting up. “Linda, this is Ash Tailor, Maya’s father. Ash, Linda is the art teacher here at the school.”
“It’s great to meet you,” Ash said, extending his hand.
“Wonderful to meet you,” Linda said, stepping in and hugging him instead. “Hope you don’t mind. I’m a hugger. And you’ve got one special little girl. Allie’s always talking about her.”
“Oh,” Ash said as Linda let him go. “Thanks.”
“Allie,” someone else called out.
“Oh wow,” Allie said. “It’s my sister-in-law and the twins.”
A dark-haired lady hurried over with a pair of blond boys trailing behind her.
Ash was introduced all over again, and before the introductions were done Allie was being greeted by more friends and family.
Back in the city, Ash had a bit of a reputation as a serious man. No one yelled out his name or pulled him into a patchouli-scented hug. People nodded to him or politely said good morning.
He’d always appreciated that he was treated with respect for his privacy.
But something about this whole situation was charming. As Allie chatted with a friend from choir and Linda asked if he’d tried out the local cheese selection at the country store, he didn’t feel overwhelmed or invaded at all. He felt relaxed and accepted.
This is how small towns are, he thought to himself. Not a lot of boundaries and not a lot of stress.
A lady wearing a hand-knit scarf who he was pretty sure had just been introduced to him as another sister-in-law eyed him appreciatively and arched a brow at Allie as he finished up talking with Linda.
Allie’s cheeks went pink and Ash felt a surge of satisfaction at a fresh sign that she only needed a little convincing to agree to a real date soon.
Just as the others were heading off and he was feeling on top of the world, he heard the familiar voice of his ex-wife call out his name and his heart sank.
He turned to see Libby with her new boyfriend, Hayden.
The two of them looked out of place in their sunglasses and tailored wool coats. And the cool expressions on their faces were in direct contrast with the easy smiles of everyone around them.
“Isn’t this cute?” Libby sniffed, looking around in a bored way.
Ash was grateful that Allie’s friends had drifted off and weren’t around to hear Libby’s condescending tone.
“Mommy, Mommy, Mommy,” Maya yelled as she ran for her mother with a marshmallow Santa Claus on a stick. “You came.”
“Easy with that, sweetheart,” Libby said, grabbing Maya by the wrist to keep the sticky treat away from her clothing before Maya could give her a bear hug.
“Okay,” Maya said, her smile in place, but her eyes worried. “Are you going to stay?”
“Sure,” Libby said.
Maya smiled up at her and Ash felt his heart ache.
He knew things hadn’t been great between himself and Libby for a long time, maybe not ever. But how could she distance herself from Maya when the little girl needed her so much?
“Maya, look,” a little boy yelled out as he ran past, heading for a lady who was carrying a big tray of cupcakes over to a folding table that had been set up a few feet away from them.
“Can I go, Daddy?” Maya asked.
“Sure,” Ash said, reaching into his pocket.
“All the refreshments are free,” Allie told him softly.
That was a surprise, but he nodded to Maya to go on and she flew off after her friend like a racehorse exploding out of the gate.
When he turned back, Libby was eyeing Allie suspiciously.
“Want to check out the raffles, babe?” Hayden asked Libby, not noticing that his girlfriend was busy checking out her competition. “The sign out front said there was a wine basket.”
“Well, I’d better not,” Libby said, a smug smile on her face as she wrapped a manicured hand around her flat belly.
For a moment Ash just stared at her blood-red nails, unable to comprehend that what she was implying could be true.
She doesn’t even seem to want the child she already has…
“For sure,” Hayden said, chuckling. “We’ve gotta do everything right, babe. You want a normal kid this time.”
Normal?
Fury rose in Ash’s chest, and his fist balled up of its own accord. He’d never punched anyone in the face before, but there was a first time for everything, and no one talked about his daughter like that.
His arm pulled back to smash the impudent man’s face in. But before it had a chance to land, Allie stepped in front of him, her hand closing around his fist.
“Oh, we can’t wait to give Maya a sibling too,” she said sweetly. “She’s going to be such a phenomenal big sister. She has such a wonderful sense of right and wrong, and she always stands up for other children in need.”
Wait. What?
Ash’s anger was replaced by confusion as he tried to understand what was happening.
“Oh, honey, I know you didn’t want to spring this on Libby in public,” Allie said, turning to him. “But look, she’s doing so well. She won’t mind that we’re engaged. You’re happy for us, aren’t you, Libby? Because we’re so happy for you. Maya is going to have such a big, wonderful family.”
For a moment, Ash could only stand there, thunderstruck.
This whole time he’d thought Allie Lawrence was a sweet, guileless girl.
He had clearly underestimated her.
It turned out that she was incredibly observant and lightning fast on her feet. Best of all, whether it was through her natural cheerfulness or her savvy, she had managed to deliver her shocking lie with a sweetness that Ash figured would get under Libby’s skin even more than the lie itself.
He hadn’t thrown a punch, but somehow, Libby and Hayden both looked like someone had knocked the wind out of them.
Brilliant.
“I guess you’re right, sweetheart,” Ash said, threading his fingers between Allie’s and pulling her close, wishing he could kiss her right now for surprising him with her resourcefulness and edge. And for keeping him from making a big mistake.
“Where’s your ring?” Libby asked suddenly.
Allie’s hand tensed in his.
“It’s at the jeweler’s,” Ash said without breaking contact with his fake fiancée’s blue eyes for a single moment. “It was too big for her dainty little finger.”
“It’s so beautiful,” Allie murmured. “I can’t wait to show it off.”
Ash pulled her closer still. Maybe it was just her shampoo, but he swore she smelled like a ripe peach.
Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, telling himself it was just to keep up the act, but savoring every second.