Page 105 of Follow My Heart

“Why don’t you ask her what she wants? I have a feeling it’s not living here with you. She liked the version of her dad that lives in Maryland.”

I closed my eyes. Had I been a different person? Was I more open to life and what made me happy? I thought about my morning runs when I’d see George, meeting Violet again for the first time, helping her scoop ice cream at the holiday festival. I was happy there in a way I’d never been in this house.

If I stayed here, would it be more of the same? Would Stacy actually have a tighter hold on my life? Would she continue to play these games, pushing the boundaries? Wouldn’t it be better if I stayed in Maryland where I had the support of my family? “You might be right.”

Dad gestured at the kitchen. “What does Violet think about all this?”

“I don’t know. We haven’t talked much.” I told her about the emergency motion when we’d talked on the phone. But there hadn’t been much interaction otherwise. I was afraid I’d ended things with the way I’d concluded our conversation last night. “She can’t move here. She has a shop in Maryland.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it. You haven’t even talked to her about this, have you?”

Did he know? Had Violet talked to Daphne? “I did.”

“But you haven’t included her in the decision,” Dad persisted, and I felt an itchy sensation on my skin.

I grabbed the back of my neck. “What’s there to talk about? This is about Faith.”

“If you want a life with Violet, you have to include her. You’re not alone anymore.”

Then why did I feel more alone than ever?

Dad’s jaw tightened. “You didn’t call any of us, and you’re not talking to Violet.”

“What’s your point?” I asked with more force than necessary.

“You have a lot of people who want to support you. But you’re isolating yourself just like you did in your marriage. Except this time, you can’t blame it on Stacy. You’re doing this all on your own.” Dad threw up his hands.

I braced my hands on the counter and let my head hang between my shoulders. Was he right? Is that what I was doing?

“We want to be there for you.” Dad’s reminder was comforting.

“I appreciate that. But I have to figure out what would be best for Faith.” I couldn’t deny that me living here would be the ideal scenario. She was familiar with the house and where she’d be the most comfortable. But I didn’t want to live here. It felt like I was taking a step back just being here for a day.

Dad gave me a pointed look. “Is this really what you want?”

I let out a breath. “It’s weird being here.”

Dad’s brow furrowed. “Don’t you think it will be the same for Faith?”

I swallowed hard. If I moved into the family home, it would make what Stacy did okay. I’d be cleaning up after her mess. In Maryland, I was getting a fresh start, and Dad was right. I was happy there. “I figured I’d have to break things off with Violet. It wouldn’t be fair to her to continue a long-distance relationship when she couldn’t move.”

“You want to break things off with her?”

I thought about the last few weeks with Violet, how she’d been there for me and Faith, and how much fun I had when I was with her. “No.”

“I’m not here to tell you what to do?—”

“You’re not here to talk some sense into me?” I asked incredulously.

“I just want you to be happy, and I don’t think you would be if you moved back here.”

“I don’t think I realized it at the time, but I was miserable in this house. Being here brought everything back. I worked so much because I didn’t want to be around Stacy. I felt pushed out in a way. She made all the decisions.”

“What are you doing now?”

I let go of the counter. “Making all the decisions without talking to Faith or Violet.”

Dad nodded as if he was satisfied with my line of thought. “You got some food in that fridge? I’m starving.”

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