“It’s not a date,”Allie yelled to her best friend, who also happened to be her sister-in-law now.
“I see,” Charlotte said. “Any chance you can make it one? He’s so handsome.”
Allie beeped as she approached the covered bridge and then drove through. The hollow clatter of her tires on the boards probably told Charlotte exactly where she was.
“He’s my student’s father,” Allie said primly as she came out on the other side of the bridge. “I should probably keep things as professional as possible.”
“So, youdothink he’s handsome,” Charlotte said, sounding delighted.
“Ugh,” Allie replied, but she was smiling. Charlotte knew her too well.
“I’m only teasing,” Charlotte said. “Don’t overthink it. Just have fun and keep an open mind, okay? She won’t be your student forever.”
Somehow, that idea only made Allie feel sad. She wondered which teacher Maya would get for first grade, and if they would understand her challenges and help her manage her big heart and her busy feet.
“I’ll keep an open mind,” she told Charlotte, just to change the subject. “How are you?How’s Alonso?”
Charlotte and Tag had three kids, Olivia and Chance from Tag’s first marriage—both absolutely adored by Charlotte—and baby Alonso, who was about to celebrate his second Christmas.
“He’s doing just fine, aren’t you buddy?” Charlotte said. “We’re at the park, and we should probably let you go since you’re driving. Call me if you want to talk after your not-date.”
“Okay,” Allie laughed. “Have fun at the park.”
“We always do,” Charlotte said.
Allie tapped the phone to end the call just as the sprawling suburbs between the farmland and the little town ended.
A few minutes later, she pulled up at the elementary school and parked on the street, since the festival was taking up the parking lot and the gymnasium.
She had just gotten out when she spotted Ash and Maya waiting for her by the big tree.
Maya danced and scampered in circles as Ash leaned back against the trunk, looking like a model in one of the L.L. Bean catalogues that came in the mail every winter.
Allie watched them as Maya tugged Ash’s hand, and somehow he looked more handsome than ever as he smiled down at his little daughter.
“Allie,” he said, noticing her and giving a friendly wave.
Allie waved back awkwardly as Maya turned to her.
“Hi,” Allie called back.
Maya barreled toward her, a streak of red from her jacket cutting through the snowy lawn of the school, a big smile on her face.
“Miss Lawrence,” she yelled as she closed the distance between them.
“Hi, Maya,” Allie said. “I’m so happy to see you.”
Maya locked her arms around Allie’s waist and squeezed her tight.
Allie hugged her back, surprised at how good it felt to get arealhug from such a small child.
“Hey,” Ash said, striding toward them.
Please don’t melt,she begged her heart.
But as his dark eyes met hers, it was clear that her heart wasn’t listening.
6
