“It is Mabel’s specialty. Have you tried the homemade biscuits yet?” she asked as she leaned in as if to share a secret with him.
Allen walked closer and stood beside her seat. “Not yet, but I will. Thanks.” He stuffed his hands inside his pocket. Why did he come over? He didn’t do this. Put him in a work situation and he could handle himself, but this woman had his fingers tingling. He exhaled. He could do this.
“What brings you here?”
“I had a taste for the shepherd’s pie,” Heather said.
“So ice cream and shepherd’s pie.” He laughed. “And I’m unhealthy for eating cookie dough ice cream.”
“Moderation is key and I don’t eat the same every day.” She looked over at him. Her smile reached her eyes.
“Heather?” a voice called out.
She rose from her seat and walked over for her to-go bag. Handing the cashier cash, she had her keep the change. Heather pivoted to face Allen. “Enjoy your meatloaf.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you.”
“It’s Maple Meadow. You’ll see me around.” She walked past him to the exit door.
Allen stared after her as she walked away. He saw her twice. Maple Meadow was a small town, so that was normal.
***
Heather hummed as she swallowed the cookie mixed with her favorite ice cream. She relaxed in her overstuffed chair, with a throw blanket over her feet. The fire popped in her fireplace, but it only brought tranquility. She inhaled her scented candles as they burned. This was peace. This was home.
“Are you serious about this abdominal challenge tomorrow?” Sonia asked.
“It’ll be fun.”
Her sister narrowed her eyes at her. “Planks are never fun.”
Heather waved her spoon at her sister. “You’ll thank me later, especially when your core is nice and strong.”
Sonia groaned. “You’re such a fitness nut.”
“I’m eating ice cream, there’s shepherd’s pie on the counter, so I have my moments.” Heather swallowed another spoonful. Chestnut eyes flashed in her memory. He swept her off her feet and saved her from falling flat on her face.
So what? She could appreciate him being a gentleman. They were scarce. Then to see him at the diner only made her mouth fall open. It was Maple Meadow. People ran into each other all the time. What made her eyebrows raise was seeing him at the table with another woman.
Morgan was sitting with her boyfriend, Desmond. Then she recognized Allen at the table. If only she didn’t know the woman sitting next to him, but Portia Barnes was a new student in her Pilates class. With a pleasant personality, Heather could see her getting along with Allen. What did she care if they did?
When their eyes locked from across the room, an almost electrical feeling went through her. Then he stood and walked over to her. She touched a hand to her hair, waiting for her order of to-go shepherd’s pie. Her body temperature rose, but that didn’t mean a thing. He was handsome with piercing eyes. She met plenty of men with those qualities.
Why did he talk to her though? Why didn‘t he pass by and leave her alone? Even if she attracted him, he wasn’t her type. Did she attract him? Men gave wrong signals all the time. He was on a date with someone else, but he talked to her. He even flirted with her. She knew that much.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Are you smiling?” Sonia asked.
Tinsel jerked in his sleep in Heather lap, so she patted his back. She swallowed another spoonful. “No, why?”
Sonia grinned. “Did something happen?”
“You’re nosey.”
Sonia’s mouth slackened. “Sorry. I know I can be overbearing like Mom.”
Heather’s heart sank. She reached for her s