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Allen only laughed at her antics when she wanted to appear strong—or he challenged them in his own quiet way. They were opposites. She was an extrovert and he was an introvert. Could she complement him and vice versa? As much as her head screamed no, her heart shouted yes!
“That was nice of him. I’ll thank him.” Heather hoped her mother would get off the subject.
Her mother opened her mouth to respond but then stood to order the arrangement of the Christmas placemats on Heather’s dining table. Heather blinked. Was that a keyboard?
She didn’t play the piano so why in the world would anyone bring that to her house of all places? Tinsel scurried back to her only to jump on the couch. Her eyes examined the room as her fellow townspeople decorated her house.
She heard hammers and spied the stringed lights being hung from her house. Were those net lights tossed over her bushes? Heather cuddled Tinsel. Her bottom lip trembled but she wouldn’t cry.
“I have lasagna for you,” Abigail said. “All you have to do is put it in the oven for forty-five minutes. Would you like me to heat it now?”
She shook her head. “Not yet, but thank you.”
Abigail smiled just as her husband Nick plugged in the keyboard.
Nick rubbed his hands together. “Who wants to hear some Christmas carols?” His eyes diverted to Heather on the couch. “Any requests?”
She bit her bottom lip. “Joy to the World.”
Nick wrung his hands together and sat to the keyboard. “Alright, everyone. Heather’s made the first request.” He touched his fingers to the keys and played one of her favorite carols. Heather sang along with the people inside her home. She swayed back and forth with Tinsel in her lap. Her house came to life.
By the time they finished “Joy to the World,” her brick fireplace shined with lighted garland. Her fireplace blazed with a fire, bringing even more heat to her chilled home. She secured the blanket around her shoulders as Tinsel jumped off her lap once again.
Her heart hammered as she felt a familiar presence. She pivoted to see Allen behind her, and upon eye contact, he smiled at her. She blinked and licked her lips. He was here. Despite his attitude towards the season, he came to help. She touched a hand to her chest. Then he sat beside her.
“Having fun?” he asked. His smile reached his eyes.
Heather glimpsed around her living room. “I love it. I only wish I could help. I do this every year so it’s weird to be on the sidelines.”
“It’s coming together.”
She nudged his shoulder. “Thank you for coming.”
He stared for a moment. “You’re welcome.” Was there more?
She didn’t ask but turned to see Nick leaving the keyboard. Heather nudged Allen’s shoulder again. “Want to play?”
His eyebrows shot up. “I don’t think—”
“Teach me then?” she asked. It was a long shot, but she wanted to try. She didn’t want him to leave yet. His eye contact wasn’t as strong so perhaps a change of subject was easier.
Allen blew out his cheeks and stared at the keyboard. Then turning back to her, he held out his hand. “I hope the bench is big enough for the two of us.”
He helped her to her feet, securing one arm around her waist. Heather walked next to him, avoiding eye contact. Why did she fit next to him? For a moment, she forgot the twinges of pain inside her knee.
Time slowed. Everything around her faded as her eyes zoned in on Allen’s strong chin. Her hands itched to touch the stubble on his face. It would be easy to reach for his cheek and turn his face towards her. Her insides quivered at the thought of him kissing her.
As they approached the keyboard, he helped her to sit.
“Okay?” he asked.
She bobbed her head, fearing her voice would squeak if she spoke too soon.
Allen didn’t sit next to her. Instead, he stood behind her and leaned in, bringing his chin to her shoulder. Heather exhaled. How would he teach her like this? She didn’t ask questions, but her body went still.
“Give me your hand,” Allen said.
Heather raised her right hand, only to have him place his strong hand on top of hers.
