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 bluepuffer 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.”
