Page 41 of This Christmas

Ally was standing at the oven, pulling a tray of perfectly toasted rolls out. She was wearing tight black pants and a long red sweater that made her skin glow warm in the light. Her hair was down, laying freely over her shoulders, and there was a faint flush on her cheeks from the oven’s heat.

For a second, he forgot to breathe.

“Welcome back,” she said, smiling, though her voice held a hint of question. “You’re just in time.”

He realized that Charlotte’s sweater matched her mother’s, except for the glittery Christmas tree stitched across the front. The two of them looked like they’d stepped out of one of those family holiday ads, the ones meant to make lonely people remember what home felt like.

Only, this wasn’t staged. It was real.

Suddenly, he wished he’d changed into one of his nicer flannel shirts and jeans.

“I hope you’re hungry,” Ally said, turning back to the counter. “We made roasted chicken and vegetables. And someone insisted on extra crescent rolls.”

“That someone being me,” Charlotte piped up proudly as she danced around the kitchen and then climbed into her chair. “Mama said I can set the table.” She stood up on the chair.

He smiled and moved to help set the table before she dumped the silverware on the floor. “You’ll get no complaints from me. I’m starving.”

Dinner was easy. So easy it felt right. There was laughter over spilled gravy and stories about Charlotte’s time at the bookstore, where she got to hang with her new best friends, Ivy and Sienna.

He hadn’t felt this kind of peace, this kind of belonging, in years.

He grew up in a loving family, but after joining the military, he’d been on his own. He’d dreamed of having a family of his own one day, but in that dream, it had always been Lisa across the table from him. That dream had died with her. Now, it was back.

After dinner, while Ally and Charlotte worked together to load the dishwasher, he leaned against the counter, sipping a cup of coffee. He had wanted to help, but Ally had insisted she and Charlotte work together instead.

The sound of Christmas music drifted softly from the living room, and he caught himself just watching them.

Charlotte was talking about Santa and Ally was laughing. He glanced out the darkened windows and saw the snow building.

“It’s getting really bad out there.” He pulled out his phone and checked the weather app. “It looks like we’re due for more snow in the coming days. I’ve heard it doesn’t usually snow this much around here.”

“It’s perfect.” Ally sighed as she glanced out the window too. “It’s supposed to snow for Christmas, too.”

“More snowmen,” Charlotte cheered.

When Ally turned and caught him staring, her smile faltered just a touch, not from discomfort, but something more complicated. Something that mirrored exactly what he felt.

When the dishes were done, Charlotte rushed off to the living room to play.

Ally avoided looking at him by drying her hands on a towel. “Charlotte’s excited you’re going to be here for the holidays. She’s already planning to make cookies tomorrow.”

“I like making cookies,” he said softly, stepping closer to her.

She laughed softly, as if she was nervous. He should have told her why he’d left.

“She just likes putting the sprinkles on and licking the icing spoon,” she said, still avoiding his gaze.

“Ally,” he said softly and waited. It was quiet for a moment until she looked him in the eye.

“I spooked you,” she finally said softly.

“No,” he replied quickly. “I… needed to have a conversation with Lisa.” Her eyebrows rose. He held up a hand. “Yes, she’s really gone. It’s just, I visited her gravesite and… filled her in on…” He motioned between them.

Her eyes softened. “You must have loved her very much.”

“I still do,” he admitted, “but I’m starting to have feelings for someone else, and I owed her the respect of telling her so.” He stepped closer. “I’m hoping you feel something too.”

She nodded and lifted her hands to his shoulders while he took her hips.