Page 67 of Every Beat of My Heart

“Jameson sent me a picture of Owen working on the farm. He’s doing it for volunteer hours.” I tipped my screen so she could see the picture of Owen standing in the doorway of a van, securing a tree to the top.

“Does Jameson work on a Christmas tree farm or something?” Violet asked after she’d seen the picture.

“His family owns Pine Valley Farms.”

Violet’s eyes widened. “Oh, I know them. I partnered with Daphne Calloway to carry her pies in my ice cream shop.” Then she paused. “Wait. Are you dating one of her brothers?”

I nodded. “Daphne’s the youngest, and Jameson is the one closest in age to her.”

“Wow. It’s a small world.”

“It sure is.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about Violet having a connection to the Calloways. I hadn’t spent any time with Daphne, so it shouldn’t bother me.

A smile spread over her face. “And you’re spending Thanksgiving with them.”

“That’s the plan. I’m bringing a green-bean casserole.” I’d asked Jameson to let his sister know so she wouldn’t make the same thing. He’d said I didn’t need to bring anything, but I couldn’t come empty-handed.

“So is this a date kind of thing?”

I shook my head. “They asked what I was doing for the holiday, and I mentioned my parents were out of town. They were just being nice. I would have turned them down, but I don’t want to face a holiday with just me and Owen.”

Violet covered my hand with hers. “That’s completely understandable. I’d invite you to my parents’, but I don’t even want to go.”

“You know you don’t have to go home for anything. You can set that boundary.”

Violet grimaced. “I wish I could. I’d much rather eat take-out and binge watch holiday movies.”

“Or you could come to the Calloways.”

“It’s too late to get out of it now. I’ve already said I’ll be there, and it would be rude to back out.”

“Promise me you’ll consider going somewhere else for Christmas.”

Violet sighed. “I’ll consider it if you give Jameson a real chance. None of this ‘we’re having fun’ stuff.”

The idea of pursuing something with Jameson was attractive. “I’m just not sure I’m what he wants long-term. I’m a few years older than him, I’m divorced, and I have Owen.”

“He’s already proved that he enjoys spending time with kids.”

I chewed my lip. “He even helped him with his math homework the other night.”

“That’s a sure-fire way to your heart. This guy obviously knows what he’s doing.”

“That’s the other thing. He puts on this persona. Like he can be really charming. He’s quick with a panty-melting smile or a wink, but he’s not like that with me. I get to see the real him.”

“Then what’s the problem? That sounds great.”

“Why does he feel the need to put on a mask? Why does he have to be the easy-going guy when he feels so much? He wants to help others. He enjoys being a mentor to kids. Why hide that?”

“Is he hiding it?”

“I think he was from his family. Although they showed up at his first football game and were supportive. As far as I could tell.” He’d mentioned spending time with his brothers that night and how he’d enjoyed it.

“I think he and his brothers are very competitive with each other. He feels like he doesn’t measure up to them in some way. That’s my guess. He hasn’t opened up about that.” His mother died when he was younger and that had to have affected him too.

“It sounds like you care about him. If you just wanted to get back to dating, you’d be telling me about his hot body.”

“We’ve only kissed.”

---