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“Oh?”
He nodded. “But I don’t want to date just anyone.” He placed his pinky over hers and they intertwined. “There’s only one person who has managed to make me truly feel something since…” He was about to say Shellie’s name again but thought better of it. “Since I’ve been single.” So many words to say something so simple. He needed to just come right out and say it. How much easier could it get? She was right here. He just had to ask.
“Would you go out with me?” She blurted before he had the chance.
He stiffened, his face swiveling toward her. His eyes took her in, all of her. Somehow her beauty was even more pronounced. Her smile could make his insides light on fire. And the simplest touch of her skin against his could send his skin humming with electricity. “Yeah, I think I’d like that very much.”
She smiled, and the light from it lifted to her eyes. “Are you sure?”
This time he took her hand in his and laced his fingers between hers. Luke traced lines on the back of her hand and his own smile spread slowly across his face. “I couldn’t be surer of anything in my life.” His eyes flitted up to meet hers. “I only have one request if that’s okay.”
Allie peeked at him, a half-smile touching her lips. “Oh?”
“Yeah. With everything that has happened from the beginning of all of this, I think it would be a good idea if we try to avoid going to The Local Table.”
Her brows creased. “Why?”
Luke scooted closer to her so their shoulders brushed against one another. “I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want is for Pippa to have a front row seat to our official first date.”
She ducked her head and laughed. “I guess you’re right. Pippa would probably make a big show of it. She always has a tendency to overdo things like this.”
“Exactly. And she’s a buttinsky.”
Allie rested her head against his shoulder and not for the first time was he surprised at just how right it felt to be with her like this. “Well, that’s definitely true. Hey, does she know you were coming over to talk to me tonight?”
“I think she suspects something’s up, but I didn’t say anything.”
“Me neither,” Allie murmured. “I did tell her we kissed though.”
His laughter sent a squirrel scurrying for cover. “You did? Hilarious. How did that go?”
“Honestly? I think… she’s okay with it.” Allie craned her neck around so she could see his eyes. “It’s like she’s been rooting for us to get together all along.”
“I would wager it’s because she has always wanted a sister.” Luke brushed his lips against her temple.
“But she’s got Jackie.”
It wasn’t lost on him that she left out Shellie in that statement. It was as if the two of them had come to an unspoken agreement that Shellie be left out of things for the time being. “Yeah, well Jackie has always been more friendly with me than Pippa. I don’t know why they never really clicked.” He lifted a shoulder and pushed the swing once more. “That’s my only guess, other than that, I have nothing.”
Allie snuggled against him. “I’m glad she’s on our side. It will make things a lot easier.”
“You’re definitely right about that.” He rested his cheek against the top of her head. Now all he had to worry about was easing his daughter into all of this. He had a feeling Molly would be just as excited as Pippa. Even still, they had to tread carefully so no one ended up getting hurt.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Thanksgiving was onlysix days away and there was still so much to do. Allie didn’t know how Luke was managing. Between the final harvest and getting the trees ready for sale, he was always busy. They barely had time to spend together on their own.
Instead of selfishly demanding he spend more time with her, Allie threw herself into helping. She baked cookies and prepped the hot chocolate stand. She’d even asked the parents of her class if any of them would like to supervise and have their children learn a little bit about commerce. So far, she would be free to help Luke where needed since the hot chocolate stand was covered for the first week of their little market.
Everything was coming together. This weekend would be a soft opening before Thanksgiving weekend. She stopped and surveyed her surroundings. It was a nice day for November. The high today would be about seventy degrees and the sun was out.
Hands wrapped around her waist, and she squealed before spinning around to face Luke. Without warning, he placed a firm, toe-curling kiss on her lips before releasing her.
His face was bright with excitement as he took in the sight. “Isn’t this great? I can’t believe it’s come together so seamlessly.”
Allie nodded, loving the way his hand rested at her waist so he could keep her close. “It’s definitely amazing. You did a wonderful job.”
He pulled her tighter against him. “We did a wonderful job. Together.”
