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Their eyes locked one more time. He said, “I’m glad you’re doing better.”
She reached for his hand. Her eyes teared up and all Allen could do was hug her. Her body shook in his embrace and he stroked her back. She kissed his cheek and then looked over her shoulder. “I need to go check-in.”
Allen cupped her cheek. “Take care, Crystal. I hope you're happy.”
She reached up and kissed his cheek again. “I am. I want the same for you.”
He gave a slight smile, recalling the good times they shared.
“If this woman makes you happy, don’t let her go.” Crystal wiped her eyes.
They made peace. Crystal backed away with her bags with one last wave to him. He waved back only to hear his phone buzzing inside his pocket. Walking away through the automated doors, the wind chilled his skin beneath his coat.
Taking out his cell, Allen saw a voicemail that made his phone slip through his fingers. Heather?
She didn’t answer his last few calls, so he stopped to give her some space. Dealing with Crystal only clouded his judgment with Heather, but he had to know. He listened to the voicemail. His mouth fell open. He had to find Heather Shaw.
Chapter 30
Heather served the hot chocolate with a smile. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” played in the background as arts and crafts took place in the middle of the cafeteria. Stringed lights hung from the ceiling and the tree stood tall and proud, decorated with ornaments collected over the years in Maple Meadow. Heather wanted to stay at home but decided against it.
Allen made his choice. He left with his wife, but Heather was proud of herself for being honest with him. Holding the phone to her ear felt like torture. She never poured her heart out, but between her father and Allen, she couldn’t keep her feelings to herself.
She didn’t think it would happen. Her heart had grown icy like a fountain in the winter. No one could penetrate it. She made sure of it, but Allen melted her heart. She saw a future with him. She wanted him to choose her, but he didn’t.
She closed her eyes for a moment. He left with Crystal. Dread and hopelessness weighed on her mind. Not because of him. She didn’t blame him for returning to what he knew.
With his wife, there was history. Choosing something new with Heather would require bravery. While Allen said he wanted to try, who was to say he wouldn’t run when he got the chance?
She hated to think the worst of him. Not after the way he held her in his arms or the time he taught her some notes on the piano. The tingles when he was near or her urge to touch his face. The yearning in his eyes, undeniable. He made it difficult for her to breathe, but she could still relax in his arms.
She served another cup to Emily who hugged her three times already. It warmed her heart to see the kids enjoy Christmas with their families. Then Amy Grant’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” played and a few couples crowded the dance area. Heather watched Terrance and her sister smile at each other, while her mother and father exchanged a few sweet kisses.
Her lips quirked up. The love in the room was clear. Love. Heather still couldn’t believe she’d fallen in love. How did she move on from this?
The doors creaked again as more townspeople walked inside. Heather waved and smiled, keeping up with the hot chocolate orders. She could last another hour at least before her emotions took over.
“Enjoying yourself?” her father asked.
She shrugged. “Trying to.”
Her father rested his hand on her shoulder. “You're waiting for him aren't you?”
She rolled her eyes. “I don't know why. Allen’s not coming. He left with... her.”
“He told you that?” her dad asked.
“I went to his house, and he wasn’t there. His neighbor said he left, so I put two and two together.”
Her father bent down and kissed the top of her head. “Is he a tall guy with a beard?”
Heather jerked her head to watch the door. Allen? He was here? She blinked. Was this a dream?
Allen scanned the room waving to townspeople and hugging the few women who walked up to him. Her mother was one of them, only to turn to point out Heather and her father. Heather adjusted in her chair.
Her father patted her shoulder. “It’s about time I met this man.”
Heather covered her face with one hand as her father strolled to meet the man who ruined her chances of ignoring him. Even if he didn’t leave with his wife now, he could leave later. What if Crystal convinced him to go back to her? Sure her memory loss justified her actions, but according to Allen, she hurt him long before the accident.
