“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 prettysure 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. “Youcame.”
“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.
