Allie’s brother Cash was a musician. He and his sonhad been out touring in support of a new album since Thanksgiving. It would be so good to see them and his wife, Bella.
I’ll have to lie to them too.
“I’ll ask him,” she agreed, wishing she could think of any reason not to.
“Wonderful, kiddo,” Dad said, patting her shoulder.
“I’m off to meet them now at the park,” she said.
“That’s lovely,” her mom said as she pulled out a tin of homemade frosted sugar cookies. “Bring a cookie for the little one.”
Allie grabbed one and smiled as she tucked it in her bag. Everyone else had to wait until after supper for cookies. Maya was already getting special treatment.
“See you later,” she called as she headed out.
It was slightly less frigid than usual when she stepped out the front door and headed to her car, and the sun was fully up now.
She put on the radio and had to laugh when she heard her own brother’s voice singing a Christmas carol. Of course the local station loved playing Cash Law songs anytime they could.
The countryside melted away, and soon she was admiring the Christmas lights and decorations on all the houses in town. By the time she pulled up at the park, she was feeling a lot better, and maybe just a little excited to see Ash.
Only so we can get our stories straight,she told herself.
But when she spotted his tall, dark, and handsome form by the pavilion her heart started fluttering again.
Why amI such a fool?
“Miss Lawrence,” Maya called to her, running over.
“Hi, Maya,” Allie said. “It’s so nice to see you.”
“Do you want to play hide-and-go-seek tag?” Maya asked, her eyes bright and hopeful.
“Yes,” Allie said. “I definitely want to do that. But we’d better check with your dad first.”
“Okay,” Maya said happily, taking her hand.
The two of them headed over to Ash, and it was so easy to pretend to herself that all of this was real, just for a moment.
“Good morning,” Ash said, his deep voice sending a little shiver through her. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes,” she admitted, feeling sort of surprised at herself. Shouldn’t she have tossed and turned?
“You wish you hadn’t?” he asked her, chuckling.
“Am I so easy to read?” she asked him.
“Miss Lawrence and I want to play hide-and-go-seek tag,” Maya said. “We need at least three players?—”
“Maya,”a little voice called out.
They all turned to see Eloise approaching. Her parents sat on a bench at the center of the park with paper coffee cups.
“Hi, Eloise,” Maya said.
“Want to swing?” Eloise asked excitedly.
“Yes,” Maya said. “But I’m supposed to play hide-and-go-seek tag with Miss Lawrence.”
