2

“Just think how much stronger your core will be,” Heather said to her class. Then she went into a downward facing dog, giving her abs and obliques a mini break. Music filled her ears as she concentrated on holding her position in place, watching her own reflection in the mirror panels along the wall. She was grateful for the soft give of her workout mat. It made it so much easier—well, mostly. “Hold it here, pressing the balls of your feet into the mat. Great.”

“Heather, you’re crazy,” a strained voice said.

She giggled, knowing the voice of her little sister. Sonia told her not to take it easy on her, so Heather relished in the complaints from her baby sister.

“You’ll all thank me later,” she replied. “Hold it here for the last ten seconds. You got this. You’re strong. Keep telling yourself that… and… rest.”

The sighs and heavy breaths filled the rooms as her students rested on their mats. Heather patted her own stomach, feeling satisfied with her second workout of the day. While she wasn’t a morning person, she enjoyed her 7 a.m. workouts before coming to work her shift at 9 a.m. at Better U Fitness.

She applauded her students. “Congrats, you’re finished for the day. Remember, exercise is only ten to twenty percent of the battle. The remaining is food. Keep a healthy balanced diet, drink plenty of water, adequate sleep, and—no stress.”

Heather reached the disinfectant wipes to clean her mat. Then she retrieved from her bag her portable hand sanitizer. Afterwards, she rolled her mate and returned it to its corner. Her sister walked towards her, hugging her sides as the sweat glistened on her copper skin.

“It’s insane how sore I am,” Sonia said.

Heather tilted her head to the side. “You said not to take it easy on you.”

“I’m telling mom you almost sent me to the hospital.”

Heather giggled. “No problem.”

Sonia shook her head. After taking another gulp from her water bottle, she sat cross-legged. Heather then dabbed her forehead free from the sweat on her hairline.

“Are you coming to the Sawyer’s Christmas party this weekend?” her sister wondered. Morgan Sawyer was Sonia’s best friend, who Heather considered another little sister. Taking the torch from her mother, Morgan threw the Christmas party of the year, inviting the whole town.

“Yes, but I can’t stay long,” Heather said.

“Why not? Oh, you have a date?”

“No, I don’t so don’t get too excited. Besides you promised to stay out of it.”

“I did and I will.” Sonia twisted her mouth as if she had a trick up her sleeve. “There’s always Terrance.”

Heather pictured the handsome personal trainer and co-worker who worked down the hall from her. With deep brown skin combined with Chestnut eyes and a fit physique, he was one of the most attractive men in town.

“Technically, he hasn’t asked me out and even if he did, I wouldn’t say yes.” Heather rubbed the back of her neck to ease the tension.

Sonia shrugged her shoulders. “Okay, I promised so I’ll keep my opinions to myself.”

“Ask mom if she wants to ride with us.”

Her sister bit her bottom lip.

Heather raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Mom’s not coming.”

“What? She comes every year. Why not?”

Sonia folded her arms across her chest. “Our mother told me she has a date.”

“You’re kidding?”

“I’m not.”

Heather’s foot tapped on the floor. “Mom can’t be serious.”

“She said she’s going out so I can’t—”

“Who is this guy? Do we know him? Is he new in town? Where does he—”

Sonia raised her hands in a surrendered gesture. “I don’t know, Heather. She said she was going out. Mom’s a grown woman.”

“Do you know this guy?”

“She wouldn’t tell me anything.” Sonia reached for her sister’s hand. “Mom’s okay. She’s strong. She’s been through a lot, but she’s fine. Let her have some happiness. She deserves it. So do you.”

Heather gave her sister a gentle squeeze of her hand before releasing her grip. “Okay, I’ll back off.”

“I have to shower and change before my shift at work. You’re certain about the party?”

“I’ll be ready to go this weekend.”

Her sister hugged her before exiting through the door. Heather took a gulp of water from her bottle. The thought of her mother dating stayed on her mind. How could she after what she’d been through? Sonia was asleep when it happened, but Heather had heard the door slam that night. Rushing to her bedroom window, she watched her dad’s pickup truck pull out of the driveway.

She had asked her mom after rushing to the steps of their traditional home. “Where’s Dad?”

Her mother’s sienna eyes shimmered with tears. “I’m sorry, Baby. He’s gone.”

Heather had watched her mother’s spirit crumble in that moment. Then she rushed to her side for a hug, releasing the sobs trapped inside her.

“Heather? Are you okay?” A tenor voice asked.

She jerked her head to see Terrance staring at her. “Sorry I didn’t see you there.”

“Are you alright? You look worried.”

Heather forced a smile. “Why would I be worried? I’m fine.”

He folded his muscular arms across his chest.

“I’m fine, T. Thanks for the concern, but I’m okay.”

He licked his bow-shaped lips. “Any chance you’ll be at the Christmas party?”

“Unless I fake sick.”

He chuckled. “It’s one of the biggest events in town. Why would you miss it?”

“I’m kidding. I’ll be there.” She giggled only to meet Terrance’s serious eyes. “T?”

&nb

sp; “I guess my reason for asking is I’ve wanted to ask you out for a while.”

She swallowed. “I can appreciate a man knowing what he wants.”

He inched closer. “Will you, Heather? I’m not a bad guy; get to know me and see.”

“I know you, T.” She playfully shoved his shoulder.

“Not like that, Heather. I’d like to see if there’s more between us.”

“How about I meet you at the party? I’ll even save a dance for you.”

“I’ll take it.” He checked his wristwatch. “I have another class. I’ll see you there?”

Chapter 2

Heather grasped the handle of her small basket. She ignored the cinnamon buns and fresh bread, already knowing the choice of ice cream was already pressing her luck. With background music coming through the speakers, she hummed along to the familiar tunes.

She scanned the ice cream aisle for her favorite flavor and even grabbed a carton of butter pecan for Sonia, who would stop by later. Heather’s nose wrinkled once more at the selection but obliged. A smile spread across her lips when she heard Earth, Wind, & Fire’s “Let’s Groove” coming through the speakers. She bobbed her head as her hips swayed down the aisle.

How she loved watching her mother and father listen to the classic group growing up. Heather would bounce on her toes as a small child, clapping her hands as her father swayed her mother across the floor. That was before. A twinge of pain hit her chest, but like a cut cord, she wanted nothing to do with it anymore. Rolling her shoulders back, she ignored the dismal memories.

Heather couldn’t ignore the tune, despite the painful recollection. She resumed her dancing, shutting her eyes for a moment. Shuffling her feet back and forth, she twirled but only to bump into something hard. She lost her footing. “Oh, no!” Opening her eyes, she spotted a hard chest.

Strong arms held her at her waist. Chestnut eyes met hers and her body went still. Licking her lips, she pressed her fingers into his chest, regaining her composure.

The man’s eye contact stuck with hers, as if he was taking her all in. Anchoring his hands around her waist, he helped her resume her balance. He looked familiar. Where did she see him before? The man in the scrubs. She never got his name. Was she staring? Heather swallowed the lump in her throat.

Then the man loosened his grip on her waist and stepped back. “Are you alright?”

Where was her basket? Heather’s eyes dropped to the floor and spotted it along with her one carton of ice cream. She reached for it, only to meet the gentleman’s hand on top of hers.

She apologized. “Thank you. Sorry about that.”

He returned her carton of ice cream. Displaying a wide grin, he said, “Don’t worry about it. You must like this song.”

Inwardly, Heather winced. “You saw that?”

His eyes sparkled. “Nice moves too.”

She stood upright. “Thank you.”

While his height didn’t tower her, she had to look up to reach his gaze. He extended his hand. “I’m Allen. Allen Richards.”

She accepted the handshake. “Heather Shaw.” An almost electrical feeling took over at the touch of his fingers. She released her grip. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” He eyed the contents of her basket. “Cookies and cream?”

“Not your favorite?”

He shrugged. “I prefer chocolate chip cookie dough.”

“Raw cookie dough? You know that’s bad for you, right?”

“So is that.” He tapped her carton.

Heather did her best to hide her smile. “Moderation.”

He raised an eyebrow. Were those dimples in his cheeks? For a moment, she desired to touch his stubble face. Blinking to come back to her senses, Heather cleared her throat. “Are you new here to Maple Meadow?”

“I’ve been here for almost a month.”

“I think I saw you not too long ago. You know the Gomez family?”

He bobbed his head. “You’re close with them?”

“Everyone is close here. I live across the street.”

He smiled. “I knew you looked familiar. So you know little Gabriela?”

“I do. She’s a sweet baby.”

“I agree.”

“Then welcome to our town. If Gabriela approves of you, then you must be a decent guy.”

“I like to think so. You’ve always lived here?”

Heather said, “We moved here when I was fifteen. You?”

“My parents moved here five years ago. Now, I’m back permanently.”

“Glad to have you here.”

Allen’s eyes drifted away for a moment.

Heather cleared her throat. Was the conversation over? Should she walk away and go home? “Well... I’ll see you around then.”

He ran a hand down the back of his neck. “Sure. I’ll see you around.”

She gave a slight wave and strolled to the checkout area. She didn't dare look back but pushed the stray hairs away from her face. Heather's mouth went dry. Maple Meadow wasn't short of its handsome men or eligible bachelors. Allen was no different.