All I've Waited For by Lindsay Harrel
Author:Lindsay Harrel [Harrel, Lindsay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Aster Press
Chapter 11
Derek knew when to call in some backup. âSo youâre going to stay the whole time sheâs here, yeah?â
Heather rolled her eyes as her hands plunged into the bowl of cookie dough. âI told you I would.â She arched an eyebrow at Mia, who sat on the barstool at the white marble countertop coloring a picture of some Disney princess. âUncle Elephant sure is on edge, isnât he? I wonder why that is.â
Mia glanced up and scrunched her nose. âWhatâs âon edgeâ mean?â
Derek ruffled her curls. âNothing, Peanut. Mommyâs just reading into things.â
Rolling a ball of dough between her hands, Heather pursed her lips. âAm I? I donât ever remember you inviting meâmuch less begging meâto hang out with you and Ashley before. Somethingâs definitely up.â
Walking toward the oven, he peeked inside, inhaling the calming scent of the chocolate chip cookies Heather had set inside only minutes before. âI just thought youâd be able to help us with some wedding stuff. You can stand in for Claire.â
âMm-hmm.â
Fine, who cared if Heather believed him? Fact was he absolutely could not allow himself to be alone with Ashley again. That was why heâd invited her out to the vineyard, where he had the home advantage.
The doorbell rang and he pointed at Heather. âIâm counting on you.â
She plopped another dough ball onto the cookie sheet. âEven if I leave, Mia will stay if you keep plying her with cookies.â
âCookies are my favorite!â
His nieceâs sweet giggle brought a smile to Derekâs face, sustaining him as he trudged to the front door.
But as soon as he opened the door, his grin disappeared.
Ashley had a death grip on Claireâs binder, and her posture was so rigid that an army general would be proud. âHi.â
âHey.â His jaw clenched. âThanks for coming over on a Saturday night.â
âAnything for one of my grooms.â Ashley moved past him. âWhere did you want to set up?â
âIn the kitchen. Heather and Mia are going to keep us company.â
Ashleyâs shoulders sank like a balloon pricked by a pin. âGreat idea.â
So he wasnât the only one who regretted what had almost happened two days ago. Good. âGlad you approve.â He led her through the living room into the kitchen. The rest of the house was quiet tonight, since Dad and Nancy were at a movie and Christina lived in her own apartment in town.
Mia looked up at their arrival. âMiss Ashley!â
Ashley set the binder on the counter and leaned down to hug Derekâs niece. âGood to see you, Mia. Itâs been a while. I wasnât sure youâd remember me.â
âIâm four. I have a good memory.â
âI should have known better.â Ashleyâs laugh swept through the kitchen. âHeather, whatever youâre making smells heavenly.â
Heather wiggled her doughy hands. âNothing special. Just cookies. But youâre welcome to them once theyâre ready.â Turning, she washed her hands in the sink, then flicked them dry before snagging a towel. âWhat are you guys working on tonight?â
âNow that weâre holding the wedding at the inn, weâve got to figure out decorations.
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