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She refused to cry despite her vision blurring. She wouldn’t tell him that was the first place her mother took her and Sonia after their father left. Determined to keep their family together, her mother went all out for Christmas.
Heather loved every minute as a girl. Garland decorating their fireplace, twinkling lights around their home, a Christmas tree as the centerpiece in their living room. Standing around the tree with the townspeople she loved as it glittered into the night.
They sang carols as families gathered together while fresh snow fell around them. It was her first moment of peace. Perhaps she and her family would be okay with her father gone.
“I guess that means you won’t be coming tonight to help decorate,” Allen said.
“No, I’m staying inside.”
Allen pulled his truck into her driveway. “I agree. Do you need anything? I can—”
She dismissed his response with a wave. “No, I want to be alone.” She unclicked her seatbelt but her hand trembled. The tears were coming, but she refused to cry in front of this man. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Let me help.” Allen got out of the car.
Heather wished she could disappear. “I’m fine.”
He didn’t listen but helped her anyway out of his truck as she stabled herself on her good foot. Allen handed her crutch to her, and she walked past him to her front door. She didn’t look back.
***
Allen settled back into his truck and pulled out his cell. It wasn’t his problem. He couldn’t convince her doctor to let Heather go. He’d never been to a tree lighting ceremony, but it meant the world to her. How could he fix it?
Fix it? There was no need to interfere. Yet, he saw Heather’s frown along with her slumped shoulders. There wasn’t even a smile when he turned his radio to Christmas music. Heather stared into space as he drove. How could he make this right? Was there a way?
He called her mother. “Ms. Diana?”
“Hello, Allen. Heather texted me that you took her to her appointment. Thank you so much.”
“It was no problem. I was glad to help.” It gave him time to be around her daughter. Allen squeezed his eyes shut. He needed to focus.
Ms. Diana continued. “Well, I appreciate it all the same. That’s what we do here in Maple Meadow. We’re there for our friends and family.”
He smiled, enjoying the fact that she saw him as a part of their community. “You’re welcome. I have an idea, but I’ll need your help.”
“What’s that?”
Allen rubbed the back of his neck. He hoped he wasn’t overstepping his bounds.
Chapter 14
Tinsel barked at the front door as the doorbell rang. Heather didn’t want company. She slumped on her couch flipping the channels on her TV. The doorbell rang again. She didn’t want to hear it again, so she wobbled to the door, adding a little pressure to her bad leg.
Heather opened the door to see her neighbors, a few of her Pilates students, along with the Christmas fair volunteers at her front door. Her mother held up a box.
Heather’s mouth hung open.
“Are you going to let us in or let us freeze to death out here?” her mother asked.
Heather stood off to the side, inviting her friends and family into her home. Sonia entered through the door along with Morgan. They both gave her a hug.
“What’s all this?” Heather asked.
“We’re here to decorate your house for Christmas. We heard you couldn’t come to the tree lighting.”
Heathe
r squinted her eyes. “I didn’t tell you that. I only found that out today.”
