Chapter 14 Allie
ALLIE
Allie felt a rush as Ash walked her to the doors of The Moose. The old bar and grill was a really nice restaurant, and its location on the corner of Bear Avenue and Red Oak Street, right across from the park, made it the perfect place to be spotted by curious townsfolk.
And while she knew the purpose of tonight was just that—appearances, she couldn’t help being excited about a night out, even if it was just a simple dinner.
It had been forever since she had dressed up, and she’d even smoothed on a little lipstick for tonight, and swept a touch of mascara onto her lashes, though she normally didn’t bother with makeup.
Seeing Ash’s face as he took her in had been really satisfying, and the little wow he’d let out made her blush like a schoolgirl.
He’s a wealthy man, she reminded herself. And his ex looks like she could have been a model. He’s not actually interested in me like that.
But it was fun to pretend.
She automatically reached out and patted the big, wooden carved moose by the front door as they headed inside, smiling nervously when she realized what she had done.
“You like the moose, huh?” Ash asked.
“I always pat him when I pass the restaurant,” Allie admitted. “I have since I was a kid. I used to think it was lucky.”
“Another town tradition?” Ash asked, cocking one eyebrow in a way that made him look so gorgeous she had to turn away.
“Nope,” she said. “That one is just me.”
“I like it,” he told her, stopping to pat the moose himself. “There, now we’ll both be lucky.”
Allie smiled as he opened the big red front door for her. A rush of warm air and the scent of savory foods cooking greeted them.
“Oh, I think I’m going to like this place,” Ash said, scanning the dark wood and understated decor.
Allie personally loved the thousands of twinkle lights that were hung from the trim and the bar. The place was so cozy during the holidays.
“Welcome to The Moose,” the hostess said, approaching and sliding her eyes up and down Ash in an appreciative way.
Allie didn’t blame her. He really did look gorgeous tonight. He’d traded in his usual flannel and jeans for a white button-down and gray trousers. He honestly looked like a movie star with his dark hair and wide shoulders.
“Thank you,” Ash said. “Can we have a booth? I want to show off my date.”
He winked and the hostess looked like she was literally melting. She had been a couple of years ahead of Allie in school and she knew she was one of the Chalfont girls, probably Mandy.
Is it pathetic that I can’t go anywhere without knowing everyone?
She’d never thought so before, but it was interesting to see Ash get to interact with her familiar world as an unknown entity in a brand-new environment.
Everyone in Sugarville Grove had decided long ago who Allie was, and it would be really hard to change their minds about her one way or the other.
Mostly that was a good thing—people liked the Lawrence boys’ baby sister.
But there had been plenty of times growing up when she wished she could reinvent herself, or at least not be forever in their shadow.
“Here you go,” Mandy said, leading them to a table overlooking the park. “How’s that?”
“It’s perfect,” Ash said.
“Great,” she said. “A server will be over to take your drink orders in just a moment.”
Ash waited for Allie to seat herself, and when he sat opposite her, she had a sudden pang, wishing he were next to her instead so she could lean on his shoulder and look out at the snow falling on the park like they were in a Christmas movie.
But something about it felt off, and she wasn’t sure why.
“Everything okay?” Ash asked softly.
She looked over at him and couldn’t help thinking all over again how handsome he was. Maybe it was the concern in his eyes, which she felt down to her toes, but she didn’t think she’d ever seen a more beautiful man, not even on television.
“Everything is great,” she told him.
He didn’t look convinced, but he turned his attention to the leather-bound menus Mandy had left for them.
“What’s good here?” he asked Allie, without even opening his.
She blinked at him for a moment.
She definitely couldn’t tell him that she had assumed he was the kind of guy who would want to take total control, and even order for her.
“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head. “The steaks are great, if you’re a steak man, and their burger is next level. And if you want something healthier, they have maple-glazed salmon, and the maple syrup comes from a farm in town.”
“I’ve heard about that place,” he said. “Have you been there?”
“Yes, lots of times,” Allie said. “The Hayes boys are close in age to my brothers.”
“Of course, you’ve been there as a guest,” Ash said, smiling. “I keep forgetting how small this town is.”
“You’ll get used to it,” she told him. “Probably pretty quickly, since it’s so small you can get to know it in less than no time.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” Ash said, eyeing her thoughtfully.
“Hey there, what can I get you to drink?” the waiter, who Allie also knew, said before she could question what Ash was talking about.
“I’d love a hot apple cider, Jon,” Allie said.
“Make it two,” Ash said, nodding.
“Very good,” Jon replied before heading over to the bar.
Once again, Ash had followed Allie’s lead. It was kind of surreal. With his looks and confidence, she had expected him to be the kind of man who doesn’t really listen. And once she found out he had money, she was almost certain of it.
She knew that being part of a big family meant voices talking over each other all the time, and not always getting your own way. But being the youngest meant she was usually the last to be asked for advice, so it was refreshing to have someone looking to her for a change.
“I hope you don’t mind me copying your order,” Ash said, probably misinterpreting her silence. “Hot apple cider sounds amazing on a cold night.”
“Not at all,” she said. “I was actually thinking that it was nice you wanted the inside scoop.”
“Well, maybe you can help me out again then,” Ash said. “I need to find a local doctor for Maya’s checkups.”
“Oh, my brother West has a practice on the other side of the park,” she told him. “He was at Sunday dinner, but you met so many people that night.”
“He’s got the little girl, Elizabeth, right?” Ash asked. “And the wife with a little sister, both with cool names?”
“Dulcie and Delphine,” Allie said. “Yes, exactly. Goodness, you have a great memory.”
“I don’t know about that,” Ash said. “But how amazing is it that your brother is a doctor?”
“It definitely comes in handy,” Allie told him. “I’ll text you his number so you can set something up.”
“Thank you,” Ash said. “So, is everyone in town your brother?”
“There are a lot of them,” Allie said, laughing. “So many Lawrences.”
“A lot of you, you mean,” Ash said with a smile.
“I think when you mention the Lawrence kids around here, most people are thinking of my brothers first, and then maybe their baby sister,” Allie heard herself admit. “I think it’s probably easy for people to forget that I’m a grown Lawrence too.”
“What’s that like?” Ash asked, leaning in, his dark eyes so serious.
“Well, it was amazing growing up,” Allie said right away. “My brothers played with me and protected me and probably spoiled me.”
“I don’t think you’re even a little bit spoiled,” Ash said.
“Thank you,” she told him, though she wasn’t so sure.
“Anyway, now it can be kind of a challenge. My brothers still treat me like that little girl in pigtails sometimes. And I think a lot of people in town still see me as Little Allie Lawrence too. It’s not so bad—there are much worse reputations to have, and I’m so grateful for my family.
But once in a while… I don’t know. I’d like to just be me, not me in comparison to them. ”
It was odd to actually voice this thought she’d had more and more often lately. She half-expected him to think she was being selfish or whiny. After all, she was telling the truth when she said she had basically won the lottery when it came to family. It was silly to complain.
But Ash just nodded thoughtfully, and she felt a pang of gratitude that he wasn’t trying to fix her problem or tell her she was wrong.
“If it makes you feel any better,” he said after a moment. “I think of all of them as Allie Lawrence’s brothers.”
“See, this is why I’m lucky that you met me first,” Allie said, laughing.
“I’m lucky too,” Ash said, his voice husky.
Allie’s breath caught in her throat as their eyes met again, and she saw that same look of longing on his handsome face that had been there after their kiss.
“Two hot apple ciders,” the waiter said, carefully setting down two fragrant, steaming mugs.
“Thank you so much,” Allie said, not sure if she was sorry or grateful that the moment had been interrupted.
“Are you ready to order?” he asked.
Ash gestured for Allie to go first, and she ordered her favorite, the creamy potato soup with a fresh homemade roll.
“I’ll have the burger,” Ash said. “I’m told it’s next level.”
Allie smiled at her own echoed words.
“How would you like it cooked?” the waiter asked.
“As rare as you can get away with, please,” Ash said. “Thank you.”
“Very good,” the waiter said. “Coming right up.”
“So, what did you do at work this week?” Ash asked, turning back to Allie.
“We’re working on winter projects,” Allie said. “The kids always love that, and it’s a favorite activity of mine too.”
“Maya was talking about making a snowman in class,” Ash said.
“Oh, she’s really excited about that,” Allie said, nodding. “Each child is making a big paper snowman that is celebrating some of their family’s winter traditions.”
“Very nice,” Ash said, nodding. But there was worry in his eyes.
“You don’t like the idea,” she guessed.
“I love the idea,” he told her. “It’s just that we haven’t always had a lot of traditions around the holidays. I mean we do presents and a tree, but it’s not like this.”