Chapter 22 Allie
ALLIE
Allie took a deep breath as she, Tag, and Charlotte stood in front of La Danza, the former dance hall that had been transformed last year into an incredible restaurant.
Allie hadn’t had a special enough occasion to visit the restaurant yet, but the impressive facade of the building made it look almost like a castle and she couldn’t wait to go inside.
People she had known all her life were heading in, dressed in finery like she’d never seen them in before. She was happy to see that she wasn’t the only one who didn’t own a fancy jacket. There were plenty of other women in beautiful dresses with faded puffer coats on top.
The weather was supposed to be iffy, but for now the snow seemed more picturesque than dangerous, and the whole thing looked like something out of a snow globe.
“Are you ready?” Charlotte asked her gently.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Allie said, smiling gamely.
“Are we going in or not?” Tag growled.
“All right, all right,” Allie laughed.
“Not if you’re going to act like a bear who just woke up from hibernation,” Charlotte told him briskly. “I thought we agreed that you were going to enjoy yourself tonight. You deserve this. You’ve been working hard all year.”
“Fine, fine,” Tag said. His voice was gruff, but Allie could hear the love in it. Charlotte had an incredible effect on the man. He was so changed now that she was in his life.
Charlotte looked absolutely radiant as she turned back to La Danza.
Allie and Tag exchanged a look and she almost burst out laughing when she squared her shoulders before taking her first step toward the event and saw that her brother was already doing the same.
I guess we’re not fancy event people, she thought to herself. Or at least, we haven’t been. Maybe it will turn out that we love this kind of stuff.
One thing was certain, and that was that she was grateful to Charlotte and Tag for meeting her in the parking lot and walking in with her.
She hadn’t really wanted Ash to pick her up, but it also seemed dreadful to wander into this type of event on her own.
So, this was kind of the best of both worlds.
“Remember that you promised to give him a chance,” Charlotte whispered to her as they stepped inside.
The walls were a beautiful, dark green, with gorgeous wood wainscoting. Bright chandeliers illuminated the ceiling and gave the whole place the feeling of an enchanted forest in the moonlight.
Waiters circulated with drinks and hors d’oeuvres on copper trays. A pretty banner fluttered from the ceiling announcing the mentorship organization’s fundraiser and all the activities happening this evening, including dinner, the ball, and a silent auction.
Allie felt as if she had been transported into a movie or a fairy tale. She trailed after Charlotte and Tag to check her coat. The group of students who logged their things seemed so happy and proud of their job that Allie was pretty sure they must be part of the mentorship program themselves.
The massive room that normally must serve as a dining hall was lined with leather upholstered banquettes. And the tables that ordinarily might have filled the center of the hall were set up closer to the entrance for the occasion.
As she stepped into the room, Allie saw a familiar figure leaning against a column.
The splendor of the rest of the party seemed to fade away as she met his dark eyes.
Ash looked like a billionaire off the cover of a romance novel in his gorgeous dark suit, the crisp white shirt setting off his dark hair.
She moved across the room without realizing her feet were carrying her to him until she was nearly at his side.
“Allie,” he murmured, his voice a husky growl.
“Hi,” she heard herself say softly.
“You’re exquisite,” he said, taking her hand in his.
His hands were large and warm, and his thumb toyed with the engagement ring on her finger.
“Thank you for the dress,” she managed.
“I hope you and Charlotte had a nice time,” he said with a half-smile. “They were under strict instructions to do whatever it took to make sure it was a relaxing evening.”
“It was fun,” she said, trying desperately not to lose herself in his eyes.
Maybe avoiding him during this last week hadn’t been the best idea. After only a few days apart, she was blown away all over again at how handsome he was, and her heart was fluttering like a frightened bird.
“How was your week?” he asked her.
“Busy,” she told him. “But good. I think I’ve got the kids ready to face the winter break without losing too many skills.”
“Good,” he told her, nodding.
“How was yours?” she asked, ready for him to ask why she hadn’t replied to his texts, and not sure what she would tell him when he did.
“Mine was busy too,” he told her. “The investors who want to take Tailor Beverage national decided to come to town today to check it out. Me being here instead of at headquarters had them nervous.”
“What was that like?” Allie asked, wondering what a group of wealthy investors would make of her tiny hometown.
“They really seem to like it,” Ash said, looking unsurprised. “And who wouldn’t? In my opinion, Sugarville Grove is the nicest town in the world.”
Allie couldn’t help smiling at his praise for the hometown she loved with all her heart.
“I hope you don’t mind that I invited them here tonight,” he added.
“It’s for a good cause,” she replied. “The more the merrier.”
Oddly though, she found she did mind a little. Tonight wasn’t about business.
I didn’t speak to him all week, she reminded herself. He’s probably given up on actually dating me.
The thought should have brought at least a little relief, but instead all she felt was regret that she hadn’t given him a real chance sooner.
They wandered the space, looking at the tables of items in the silent auction and chatting lightly with the other guests.
Whispers about a very dramatic event in the entry hall near the beginning of the evening traveled through the gala like wildfire, with half the guests in absolute awe, and the other half eagerly gossiping and arguing about whether a romance between two very unlikely locals might either be rekindled or doomed.
But Allie could hardly pay attention. She felt like she was in a dream, and her heart ached to know whether Ash felt the same.
At dinner, she sat by his side. The two younger investors, Geraldine and Patrick, sat across from them, alternately whispering to each other and slipping their phones out to tap on them.
Doug, the older investor, sat on Allie’s other side and asked her questions about her greenhouse project.
Complimented that Ash had mentioned it, Allie felt herself coming to life as she described all the benefits the greenhouse would have for the kids.
“I think it’s going to be really memorable for them,” she said at last. “The kind of project they never forget.”
Geraldine looked up from her wine glass at that.
“Unforgettable, huh?” she asked.
“I think so,” Allie said carefully, uncertain if the other woman was making fun of her or actually interested.
“I think it’s lovely,” Doug told her. “You have a wonderful vision, young lady.”
After dinner, the servers hurried to clear up the plates and glasses and the lights faded as the dancing began.
“May I have this dance?” Ash asked as he got to his feet and held out a hand to Allie.
There was such warmth in his eyes that her poor heart began fluttering all over again.
She nodded, afraid that if she spoke she would blush so hard she’d be red all the way to her hairline.
The dance floor had been hung with fresh garlands, with Christmas lights strung among the branches. The high ceiling and shining floors made her feel like a princess in one of the movies her nieces and nephews loved to watch and rewatch.
With mostly just the holiday lighting, and an absolutely enormous Christmas tree glowing in one corner, the ballroom was dimly lit, except for a single spotlight that made a bright circle on the floor right underneath a pretty bouquet of mistletoe with a festive red ribbon around it.
Allie found that the soft lighting somehow made the ballroom feel intimate, in spite of the ample space all around them.
Though she had felt a little awkward coming into the ball in her fancy dress, now that she was in Ash’s arms, Allie felt like she belonged.
His eyes seemed to read her soul as he swept her around the ballroom floor as if she were light as air.
“I missed you,” he whispered in her ear as he pulled her closer. “What happened this week?”
“I don’t know,” she heard herself admit. “I was scared.”
“What scared you?” he asked, his voice sad now.
“We’re so different,” she said. “Can this really work?”
“We’re not so different,” he said. “And of course it can work. We’re incredible together, Allie. Can’t you feel it?”
His hot whisper sent a shiver down her spine that she could feel all the way to her toes.
This is the feeling I wanted. This is how it’s supposed to be.
“What are you thinking?” he asked her as they swayed closer to the big Christmas tree in the corner. “Talk to me, baby.”
“I want this to work,” she told him, her heart soaring. “I want us to be together.”
“Perfect,” he growled as he swept her past the tree to the spotlight on the dance floor where the mistletoe hung.
Allie held her breath when Ash stopped them in place.
Her pale gown swirled around them both as he cupped her cheek in one big hand and bent to kiss her.
As his warm mouth claimed hers, Allie felt her heart crack open and all the love she had been holding back fell over her like a waterfall. She clung to him, trying not to be washed away in the rush of her feelings.
A little light applause from a nearby couple woke her from her half-trance and she pulled back, feeling her cheeks heat.
But Ash was gazing down at her, his beautiful eyes filled with adoration, and she couldn’t bring herself to really be sorry that she had allowed him to kiss her in front of everyone.
The song ended and Ash squeezed her hands, smiling with a warmth that sparkled in his eyes.
“Congratulations,” Principal Chittenden said, squeezing Allie’s elbow. “You two look great together. Are you excited about the winter break, Allie?”
“Yes,” Allie told her, shining with pride. “It will be wonderful to have extra family time and planning time too.”
“Speaking of planning, when you have a chance, I’d love to talk with you about the physical activities you’ve been doing with your kindergarteners,” the principal said. “I’m hearing that they’ve been great for the kids. Maybe you could do a presentation for the district?”
“You two chat,” Ash said quietly. “I’ll grab us a glass of punch and meet you back by the Christmas tree.”
Allie nodded to him gratefully and turned her attention back to her principal.
“I’d love to do that,” she told her honestly.
“Anything I can do to help. Honestly, this whole event has made me think of you. I know it wasn’t an official mentoring relationship, but you’ve taken me under your wing since the day I came to visit and tell you about my college major. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” the principal said, pulling Allie into a hug. “I’ve always said you have great instincts and a big heart. It’s a joy to see you put them to work, and not just at work.”
She glanced in the direction Ash had disappeared in before turning back to Allie and winking.
“I’ve had a good year so far,” Allie said with a smile. “Let me know when you’d like to meet. You know me. I don’t go anywhere during break, so if next week is too busy, it can be whenever.”
“Wonderful, dear,” Principal Chittenden said, giving her a big smile. “I’ll be in touch then.”
The principal headed back to the table where her husband was chatting with a few other teachers and staff from the school.
Allie went over to the Christmas tree to wait for Ash.
As she was admiring the beautifully decorated branches, she happened to overhear some people talking on the other side of the tree.
“The schoolteacher is great for this small-town image he’s trying to pull off, and she has a good idea with her greenhouse project,” Geraldine was saying. “I think we can take that national too.”
“Why would we do that?” Patrick scoffed. “It’s a waste of money.”
“Not if it’s branded with the Tailor Turbo logo,” Geraldine said. “Think about getting that logo in front of the kids starting in kindergarten. We’d grab them for life.”
Allie’s heart thudded in her chest and her mouth dropped open in horror.
“Oh,” Patrick said. “Yeah, I get it. That’s actually kind of slick. And it’s cheaper than billboards.”
“Tailor’s a genius,” Geraldine said.
She went on speaking, but by then Allie’s pulse was so loud in her ears that she couldn’t hear anything else.
She felt like her face was on fire and like she’d been hit with a bucket of ice water at the same time. Suddenly, even the big ballroom seemed like not enough space to breathe.
I have to get out of here…
The shortest way to the doors was straight across the ballroom, and she took off, brushing past her fellow townsfolk in their finery in her haste to get out into the fresh air where she could think.
“Allie?” Ash asked, his deep voice coming from right in front of her. “Are you okay?”
She looked up into his handsome worried face. But instead of seeing the man she was falling hard for, she saw a businessman so eager to feed his own ambition that he would sell away the best interests of the children in his own community.
“I can’t do this,” she said, her voice cold and flat. “I could never be with someone like you.”
“What are you talking about, Allie?” Ash asked her, extending his hand to her. “What happened?”
“Branded greenhouses with the Turbo Tailor logo?” she asked him, leaving his hand hanging in the air. “On elementary school properties all over the country?”
She wanted to say so much more, but there was nothing more to say, and her stomach was churning like that fancy dinner was going to come back up.
She pulled off the beautiful engagement ring and dropped it in his hand.
He was looking down at it, sadness in his eyes, as she ran from the ballroom, through the great hall and out into the snowy night.
Allie sucked in a deep breath of fresh air, then let it out slowly, watching it cloud in front of her.
But she couldn’t just stand out here. If Ash followed, she would have to talk to him and she just couldn’t bear to do that. She wasn’t sure she could hold her resolve.
Running for her car, she prayed for the strength to hold fast to her convictions.
She didn’t need someone who was rich and handsome like Ash. Allie could be happy with just about anyone, as long as they were kind. And there was nothing kind about marketing something dangerous to children just to make a buck.