Heather sat on a barstool at the kitchen island. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Sonia walked in carrying an empty casserole dish. “You never fail with your broccoli and cheese, Mom.”
Heather noticed her mother’s furrowed brow. “Mom? Are you alright?”
Her mother wiped her damp eyes. “We have company. I shouldn’t be crying.”
Sonia came around and hugged her. “Mom, what’s going on?”
She patted Sonia’s cheek. “I’m fine. I’m happy for my girls.”
Heather arched an eyebrow in disbelief. Her mother didn’t even mention the guy she was seeing at the table. Were they getting serious? Her mother needed to be careful. She didn’t even bring him to meet her and Sonia yet. If this man wanted to date her mother, shouldn’t have he at least asked for her and Sonia’s blessing?
Sonia no doubt would gush over the idea. She was a romantic at heart. Heather was more practical, which was why falling for her physical therapist rattled her nerves. She threaded her fingers through her hair.
“Are you alright, honey?” Her mother walked over and placed her hands on her daughter’s shoulders.
“When do we get to meet him?”
At first, her mother’s eyebrows etched together, but then her expression softened. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you both about that.”
“And?” Sonia asked.
“It’s getting serious,” Heather’s mother said.
“How serious? You’re not thinking of marrying him?” Her mother wouldn’t remarry. She couldn’t. Heather wanted her mother to be happy, but they were fine as a family.
“That’s for us to decide,” her mother said.
“Then we should meet him. We know nothing about this guy. If it’s getting serious, why are you waiting to tell us about him?” Heather asked.
Her mother walked over to the refrigerator and took out a homemade classic cheesecake. So much for the gingerbread. Besides, this was a bigger issue.
“I know what we’ve been through as a family. I’m not saying I didn’t make mistakes, but I’m making changes now. Perhaps my methods were wrong, but I had to do what was best for me,” her mother said.
“And not us?” Heather heard wrong, right? All her life her mother taught her to keep family first. No one would ever come between them. Who was this guy who was threatening their family dynamic?
Sonia looked back and forth between them. “Are you happy, Mom?”
The posture of their mother was strong. “Yes. This time it will be different.” She sliced a few pieces of the cheesecake and returned to the table with Allen.
Heather sat in place. Things changed fast. First her mother and now her.
“Let her be happy,” Sonia said patting her sister’s arm.
“I don’t want her to get hurt.”
“She’s a grown woman, and it’s her decision.”
Heather shook her head. “I’ll know for sure when I meet this man.”
The thought of her mother remarrying only made her recall her mother’s teary eyes as a little girl. Was this new guy different? Even Heather was experiencing joy herself with Allen.
The way she responded to his touch. His kisses turned her knees to water. His stares made her heart melt. It was too soon to feel this way about him, but she didn’t want it to end.
Chapter 21
Dinner with Heather’s family two nights before had been perfect. It felt like home. Today, Allen worked with his patients and by the time he headed home, the sun was setting. The clouds below picked up the colors of yellow and deep gold in the sky, and Allen hummed along to the Christmas music on the radio. When his cell rang, he connected his Bluetooth to his truck. His heart leaped inside his chest by the name on the screen.