Page 29 of Harmonizing with Little Heaven Leigh

That did sound like fun, and itwastempting. She hesitated and then gave in. “Okay, let’s do it then. Um what did you have in mind?”

“No idea. I’m just going to start melting chocolate and see where my whims take me. How about you?”

“I’m not really sure…” She chewed on her bottom lip as she considered her choices. “How about if I make something for you, and you make something for me? A dessert for tonight?”

“Perfect idea. I love it.” Angel grinned and, with a dramatic bow, ushered her into the kitchen ahead of him.

Heaven had to take a minute to stand on the threshold and admire the beautiful industrial-sized kitchen. There was so much space. It was the first kitchen she’d ever been part of planning, and she’d put a lot of thought into the design. It needed to be functional and take into account that there would be two separate industries using it.

They each had their own side, stocked with tables, machines and equipment. In some cases that meant they had doubles, since there was equipment that was useful for both baking and chocolate making. In the middle of the room was a giant table where they could work together. She was hoping they could plan creations that used both of their skills. It was what she was looking forward to most.

“Should we meet in the middle?” she asked. “Or are we going for surprise?”

“The middle seems fitting for our first night in our own shop,” he said, nodding.

Without another word he went to the cabinets and began picking out ingredients. He clearly already had an idea in mind, which left her still scrambling to come up with something. After a few minutes of thought, she decided to make muffins.

It wasn’t what she was known for, but she thought muffins were a vastly underrated baked good. And besides, Angel loved them, especially when they had berries, so muffins it was. As soon as she started pulling out ingredients she was hit with a wave of happiness.

It was finally happening. They were in their very own place, together, and everything was exactly the way they’d wanted it. She had an urge to dance across the concrete floor and sing; that’s how happy she was.

As the batter was mixing, she did start to sing an old rock song. She loved classic rock. As a child she hadn’t often been exposed to anything but hymns, but once she’d run away, she’d quickly picked up other types of music.

Rock was her favorite. She loved the beat and the way it made her feet want to move. Without realizing it her hips started to sway, as she sang a silly song about a yellow submarine and poured a scoop of frozen berries into the mixer.

She had just gotten to her favorite part when Angel joined in. His voice blended so flawlessly with hers, but an octave lower, that several more lines passed before she realized that her Daddy was singing! She spun around and stared at him. “What was that?” Her voice was raised and slightly accusatory.

“That?” Both eyebrows shot up and he set down the chocolate he’d been shaving. “What was what?”

“That sound… your voice!”

“That was me harmonizing with you…” He trailed off, frowning. “Isn’t that okay?”

She just stared, mouth working soundlessly for a long few seconds before she could find the words. “I mean, yeah. Yes, of course. I just… I didn’t know you could sing.”

He laughed. “Not like you,chiquita, but sure, I sing. I actually sing along with you all the time.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You do not. I would have heard you!” Again she sounded accusatory.

“Not with your ear buds in, you don’t. I could play a trombone next to you and you wouldn’t hear it when those things are in.”

“Oh.” He was right about that. She tended to wear them when she worked, because she loved the music and because the Ranch kitchen wassoloud all the time. And working was when she usually sang, outside of the shower, but then, she probably wouldn’t hear him if she was in there either.

“Does it bother you, Heaven? I’ll try not to if?—”

“No, no, Daddy. I’m sorry. It’s totally fine. I was just surprised.” But then she had to stop and think about it.Wasshe okay with it?

She hadn’t really sung with another person since she was a kid. Since she’d sung with her family. Barbara had always loved to listen, but never sang herself. “You should be grateful, child. You sound like a songbird, but I sound like an old crow when I try to sing. All cawing and screeching,” she’d said once, laughing.

So Heaven sang alone, but maybe she didn’t have to anymore. She let out a deep breath, rolled her shoulders to release the sudden tension and sent a smile in his direction. “You were a bit flat on that last line though. If you’re going to sing with me, you’ll have to do better than that, Daddy,” she teased.

He rolled his eyes. “Fine then. Take it from the top.”

She started over with the first line, and they sang while they worked. His execution was bit rough. He didn’t always hold the notes properly, and sometimes his voice cracked, but there was a warmth to it that she liked. And for someone who hadn’t been trained to sing, with hours of practice every day, he was good.

But when their voices melded together, it felt like magic. He harmonized with her so well, voice rising and dipping to match hers, as they went through a medley of old songs. Finally, she started one he didn’t know, and carried on without him for a couple of lines, before she realized and stopped with a laugh.

“That was beautiful, Daddy. I can’t believe I didn’t know you could sing.” She finished scooping batter into the paper-lined muffin tin.

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