Page 103 of Follow My Heart

Charlotte squeezed my hand between hers. “We’re going to make a great team.”

Then we went back to my office and discussed her prices. It was a risk, but I had a feeling it would be a good one to take. Hopefully, it was something I could continue running on my own when Charlotte left.

Even if things with Ryder didn’t work out, he showed me how much I enjoyed talking about the process of making ice cream and teaching classes. My shop was going in a new direction, and he might have inspired it, but I was going to implement it.

I walked Charlotte out, hugging her before she left. Then I looked at the Sweet Scoops sign. This was my dream. Sure, I’d love to have a family, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what life could have been like with Ryder and Faith. But I was in control of what happened at the shop. Nothing else was within my grasp.

Ryder made his decision, and I had to be okay with it. I needed to move on because he already had.

CHAPTER 22

RYDER

The emergency motion was denied. In a brief order, the judge said that no exigent circumstances existed to justify an emergency. What had occurred last night didn’t rise to the level that necessitated court interference.

Boone had explained it to me, but it wasn’t sinking in. The only conclusion I could draw was that Stacy got away with it. That she could continue to do whatever she wanted, and this was her permission to do so.

Boone was apologetic, but it wasn’t his call. I understood that there were more pressing matters out there.

“You have two options: you can do nothing and continue as things are, or you can withdraw your original separation agreement and negotiate a new one.

“What would you suggest?” I asked him. My body was weary from the lack of sleep, and my brain wasn’t functioning.

Boone inclined his head. “It’s up to you. I know how badly you want the divorce to be final, to be done with Stacy. You only have a few more days to go until the final hearing.”

“I’ll never be done with her.” We shared a daughter. She was going to play games for a long time. As long as people let her get away with it.

“Or you can threaten to withdraw the separation agreement, opening up the custody issue for more negotiations. Her move out of the family home would be reason enough.”

“I want the divorce to be final. But I don’t think I have a choice. I have to do something. She can’t continue to upend Faith’s life whenever she gets a new boyfriend.”

“Her attorney said Stacy wants to get married as soon as possible. They don’t want to do anything to derail the divorce proceedings.”

“She wants the divorce to be final.” I waited for the familiar hurt to take hold in my chest, but it didn’t come. I wanted the same.

“Her attorney shouldn’t have told me that, because now we have a bargaining chip. The question is what do you want?”

“More time with Faith.” That was easy.

“Do you want the house, or do you want to force the sale and then distribution of the proceeds? If you lived here, fifty-fifty custody would be possible.”

If I could have everything? “I want primary custody of Faith. I want her to live with me and go to school in Maryland.”

“That’s a big ask. It could be a long battle. Are you prepared for that?”

My jaw tightened. It meant being married to Stacy for longer, but, “If she wants to get married, won’t she be motivated to give me something to move things along?”

“She’ll argue that we could still finalize the divorce and request a change in custody afterward.”

“You said that it’s easier to hash out these details now. After its final, it’s more difficult to make changes. The judge could say no.”

“That’s right. If you’re okay with it, let’s withdraw the custody agreement based on her move out of the family home.” He held up a hand. “But I have to warn you that anything can happen. You’re not guaranteed to get what you have now if this goes to court.”

“Does it matter that Faith wants to live with me?” I asked.

“It’s a factor the judge could consider. But her mother could influence her to say anything.”

I let out a breath. “I have to try.”

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