5

Sonia bounced in her seat as Heather steered down the street to the Sawyer mansion. Heather grinned at her sister’s dance moves in the passenger seat. Stopping at a traffic light, she changed the radio station.

“What’s that for?” Sonia asked.

“We need Christmas music.” She glanced at the touch screen once more and selected her favorite station. Hearing Donnie Hathaway’s “This Christmas,” Heather swayed in her seat. “There we go.”

“Okay this is good,” Sonia said.

The sisters sang along to the music. Turning into the gated community, she passed homes with expensive vehicles. The town had grown as real estate moguls built a few resorts outside of Maple Meadow, drawing in more tourists. One of those real estate moguls was Richard Sawyer, Morgan’s father.

Heather passed large front lawns and manicured hedges and shrubs. Fresh snow covered them like a blanket. Long driveways that widened out to the front entryway lined most of the houses. Approaching the Sawyer home, Heather pulled into the driveway past the heavy metal gates. Cars already lined the sidewalk, so the townspeople were pouring in to celebrate the season.

“I hope we don’t get stuck,” Sonia said.

“We may have to park on the street.” Heather shifted gears to back up, only to hear the blaring of a horn. She slammed the brakes, her car jerking.

“What in the world?” Sonia turned in her seat. “Did you see that truck behind you?”

Heather checked her side mirrors. “I guess not.” She waited for the driver to back up. The only problem, another car pulled up behind the truck. Heather rolled her eyes.

“Just great.” She backed up some, but the truck didn’t move an inch.

“Does he not see me trying to get out?”

Sonia looked behind her. “I think the car’s moving.”

Heather let down her window, the crisp metallic smell in the air. When she stuck her head out the window, a familiar face driving the truck caught her eye. Heather unconsciously took her foot off the brake as she stared at the man from the grocery store and restaurant. Allen.

She licked her lips. He was here, and she was glad to see him. She blinked to regain her composure.

Sonia yelled. “Heather! You’re going to hit him!”

Heather slammed her foot on the brake again, grateful she didn’t damage Allen’s truck. She looked behind her once more as the car behind him finally cleared the driveway. Allen’s truck backed up, giving room for Heather.

“That could have been a disaster,” Sonia said.

Heather backed onto the street, noticing Allen following her lead. He parked his truck, got out, and headed to the front door. Allen waved to them, but he soon disappeared inside the Sawyer home. Heather parallel parked herself on the street and cut the engine.

“You know him?” Sonia asked.

“Not really.” She wouldn’t give her sister any ammunition tonight.

Sonia checked her makeup in the mirror. “Ready to have some fun?”

Heather checked her lipstick. “I guess so.”

“I thought you were excited about the party.”

Heather rolled her shoulders back. “I am. We will have fun like we do every year.” Allen was here. So what? Who cared if he showed up? It was an open invitation to the public.

“Maybe we’ll mingle,” Sonia said, with a hint of suggestion in her voice.

“Sonia?” Heather cocked her head towards her sister.

Her sister’s eyes glowed with a twinkle of mischief. “I said nothing. Let’s have some fun shall we?”

“Don’t try anything, please. I’m begging you to let this go.” They both exited her car.

Sonia then walked over and looped her arm through her sister’s. “Let’s go inside. I’m only here for the food.”

Chapter 4

A chamber quartet played music in the background. Wait staff dressed in black and white uniforms carried trays, while guests gathered around white tall tables, helping themselves to the hors d’oeuvres. Heather never expected the town’s annual Christmas festivities would expand to black tie events, but once the Sawyer’s moved to town ten years ago, they embraced the holiday spirit, allowing their fortune in oil to be put to good use. Chandeliers illuminated the room, while garland decorated the curved stairways and railings. The staff murmured with the guests as they served

the appetizers.

For a town of fewer than ten thousand people, Sawyer oil put Maple Meadow, Texas on the map. Businesses boomed in all directions without diminishing the sense of community. Heather didn’t want to live anywhere else. Maple Meadow was home.

She loved her students at the gym along with the children she volunteered with at her church’s tutoring program in the summer months. Heather never desired city life. Her heart belonged to the people who gathered every year for their Christmas tree lighting ceremony. She bounced on her toes at the thought. Heather couldn’t wait for the celebration.

Sonia nudged her sister’s shoulder. “This gets better every year.”

“Pretty fancy.”

“At least it’s for a good cause. The Sawyers donate money to our community and health center. Better U Fitness benefits from all this, remember?”

Heather sighed. “I know. I love it all, but this is a lot.”

“You’re just cheap.”

“I like nice things. Practical things.” She ran a hand down her neck. “Besides, I know how to let go and have a good time.”

Sonia scoped the room. “I wonder if there are any eligible bachelors we haven’t—”

“Sonia, please?”

She etched her eyebrows together. “I mean for me. I’m going to go mingle.” Her sister scurried away.

“Sonia,” Heather whispered through gritted teeth. She stopped in her tracks to follow her, spotting an ice sculpture. Heather smiled and walked around, waving to the familiar faces.

The scent of fresh red roses, her favorite, filled the air. Ms. Hattie outdid herself with the floral arrangements and the perfume relaxed Heather even further. She twisted the stud in her ear as she perused the living room, noticing an area designated for dancing. She swayed to the music as she scanned the room.

She spotted Spencer, the Sawyer’s youngest son, talking with Sonia. Her sister didn’t seem interested as she tapped her foot on the floor rolling her eyes. Spencer didn’t take the hint since he kept talking. Heather thought of rescuing her sister, but Sonia was old enough to take care of herself. Spencer was harmless anyway.

“Having fun yet?” A familiar voice asked.

Heather pivoted to see Terrance. “Not quite. My sister ditched me but she needs a ride home.” She played with the bracelet on her wrist. “How are you?”

“You never cease to speak your mind, Heather.” He adjusted his bow tie. “I’m doing well. Nice turn out don’t you think?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess so. I’m not one for these fancy parties. I only come because of the Sawyer family. They may be rich, but they’re the nicest people I’ve ever met. The town loves them.”

“So you’re a simple girl at heart? You just go along with events like this,” he said.

She held a finger up to her lips. “Don’t tell anyone.”

He laughed.

She grinned. “No. Deep down, I love it. How can anyone not love Christmas in a magical place like this?”

“I agree.” He stepped closer. “Would you like to dance?” Terrance’s face seemed to shine with hope.

Heather raised an eyebrow. “Is this your way of asking me out?”

His lips parted while his eyes widened. “Well… if… I mean… how do you make me forget what I’m going to say?”

“The song will be over by the time I explain, so let’s dance.”

Reaching out her hand, Terrance’s strong fingers surrounded hers. Placing her other hand on his shoulder, the duo danced to Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song.” Terrance’s other hand splayed across her back as he led her into a simple waltz. He was decent enough. Chivalrous, generous, and kind, so why didn’t she like him back?

Heather cleared her throat. “So where did you learn to dance?”

“My mother. She made sure I took lessons as a child.” He twirled her around and then brought her back to his chest.

“Look at you trying to sweep me off my feet,” she teased.

“Is it working?”

“You want it to? Be honest with me.”

Terrance exhaled. “I like you, Heather.”

She gave half a smile. “I figured as much. A woman can only take so many side glances at work.”

“There you go saying things that get me all…”

“Confused?”

“Exactly, but I was thinking the word stumped.”

Heather giggled. “Can I be honest with you?”

He bobbed his head, lacing his fingers with hers. Heather’s feet paused mid waltz. “I—”

“You don’t mind if I cut in do you, Heather? Terrance promised me a dance.”

Grace Weiss, dressed in her black one-shoulder formal gown flashed her bright smile at Heather.

Terrance replied, “Actually Heather was about to—”

Heather dismissed his comment with a wave. “Go ahead. We can talk later. He’s all yours Grace.”

The woman squealed leading Terrance to the middle of the dance floor. Heather walked over to one of the tall tables. Taking one hors d’oeuvre in her mouth, she moaned in satisfaction. Finger food was not her style, but she would indulge tonight. While she maintained a healthy lifestyle, she didn’t mind cheating on her diet now and then.

“Is it good?”

Twirling around, she bumped into a hard chest, spilling the contents of the man’s drink.

“Oh no. I’m so sorry,” Heather said, grabbing napkins. She froze recognizing Allen. She’d figured she’d run into him tonight, although she made it a point to avoid him. Reason? “You?”

“Hello again,” he said dabbing at his tuxedo coat.

“I am so sorry again. I’m usually not such a klutz.”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be able to walk out of here with no problem, so you’re good. Heather.”

He remembered her name. After two encounters, she guessed that was normal. One man she dated called her Helen. How hard was the name Heather? “Allen, our newest member in town.”

He laughed. “Perfect memory.”

She swallowed. “Are you always free with the compliments or do you have a thing for women who run into you?”

He lowered his gaze for a second but resumed eye contact. “You speak your mind I see.”

“I don’t know any other way to be. Life’s too short to hold everything inside.”

He nodded in apparent agreement. “In that case, no.”

“No what?”

“No, I’m not free with compliments.”

“So you’re a flirt?”

He chuckled. “You weren’t kidding. You’re bold.”

“You didn’t answer my question.” Heather fiddled with her necklace. There was no way a total stranger had her asking him personal questions. Yet, this Allen Richards had her undivided attention.

“I don’t know how to answer that. You definitely know how to catch a man off guard.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “I think it’s a simple answer. You’re talking to me for some reason aren’t you?”

Allen cleared his throat. “With me still new in town, you’re the first familiar face I’ve seen since I got here. My cousin hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Sorry. I don’t mean to come across—”

“It’s okay. I like it.” His eyes widened slightly, and his lips parted. As if he realized what he just said, his mouth closed.

She grinned at his response. Did she make him nervous? “So… having fun so far? I mean besides me spilling your drink.”