Creemees had always been Allie’s favorite. The uniquely Vermont concoction was like a smoother version of soft-serve ice cream, and the maple flavor at the shop came from Hayes Farm, right here in Sugarville Grove.
She took a bite and her eyes closed with bliss, like always.
“Makes everything a little better, right?” Charlotte asked.
“Yes,” Allie admitted.
“I know things didn’t work out the way you hoped they would,” Charlotte said carefully. “But are you sorry you gave him a chance?”
Allie let her memory carry her back to the ball for a moment, and what it had felt like to swirl around the floor in Ash’s strong arms.
“No,” she said softly. “I couldn’t be sorry for that.”
“I’m glad,” Charlotte said, nodding. “And who knows what might happen in the future? You might feel differently about his business.”
Allie shook her head and put the creemee down on the table.
“I know what I want,” she said firmly. “Finally. And I’m going to hold out for it. Even if it means getting to be a cool aunt is the end of the line for me. I’d rather be true to myself.”
“I can’t think of a better person to be true to,” Charlotte said, holding up her own creemee and offering a toast.
Allie picked hers up again and tapped it toCharlotte’s before taking another heavenly bite.
“So, what happens now?” Charlotte asked her.
“I’ll keep tutoring Maya,” Allie said. “Just because I’m not dating her dad doesn’t mean I can’t be her favorite teacher.”
“Agreed,” Charlotte said.
“And I think I’ll keep working on this greenhouse project,” Allie decided. “I might not have the money behind it for maintenance now that I didn’t hold up my end of the deal with Ash. But I still think it’s a good goal. Maybe I can apply for grants or do corporate fundraising to get the money together.”
“You should definitely do that,” Charlotte said excitedly. “And I’ll help any way I can. Maybe my marketing background will come in handy.”
“Thanks,” Allie told her. “I might take you up on that. It’s funny, things didn’t work out with Ash, but he changed me.”
“How do you mean?” Charlotte asked.
“I guess knowing him made me start to feel like a lot more is possible,” Allie said. “Maybe onenoisn’t enough to make a person have to quit. Maybe it’s just a starting place.”
“I’m glad you feel that way,” Charlotte said, glancing over Allie’s shoulder. “Because I have a feeling you’re not the only one who’s thinking the firstnois just a jumping off point.”
“What?” Allie asked.
But Charlotte just slipped out of her seat and headed back to the counter as the bells over the door jingled merrily. When Allie turned to look, Ash Tailor was standing just inside.
He was back in his flannel and jeans with a navy peacoat on top, and his dark hair was slightly ruffled, as if he’d been running his hands through it.
His jaw tightened as he spotted Allie, and his eyes were filled with what looked like a combination of wild hope and steely determination.
“Ash,” Allie heard herself murmur as she rose from her chair.
“I knew you’d be here,” he said, his voice a husky growl.
“How?” she asked.
“You said it was a place to come when you were sad,” he said. “And I’m so sorry I made you feel that way, Allie. I’ll never forgive myself. But I made things right today.”
“What do you mean you made things right?” she asked.
