Page 111 of Follow My Heart

I gripped the arm rests of my chair. It took everything inside of me to stay in my seat and not take off across the trail between us to confront her.

Music played over the speakers that were mounted on the back of the house.

My heart rate picked up. She was interrupting my peace and quiet.

I came here to hide out. To disappear. To not have to deal with people and loud noises, and this woman was breaking all my rules.

She turned up the volume, and I saw red.

I set my lukewarm beer aside, then marched in her direction, the blood pumping through my veins. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say when I got there, but I let the irritation build inside me. My fingers curled into fists by my side.

When I got close enough to really see her, her head was tipped back again, her eyes closed, and her legs were floating in front of her. My gaze was quickly diverted to her breasts, the tops of which were just visible above the water.

I saw miles of bare skin. I wanted to know if she was tall or short. If she was sensitive to touch. If her skin was soft.

The jets churned and the music played, my blood thumping in time with the bass.

Instead of saying what I’d come to say, I was riveted by the sight of this gorgeous woman naked in the hot tub. Didn’t she know how dangerous this was? Anyone could take advantage of her.

EPILOGUE

VIOLET

Sanibel Island

My parents had moved from Naples to Sanibel Island, Florida, after they retired. This wasn’t my childhood home. I didn’t have many memories tied up in this house. But I couldn’t shake the nerves.

My parents hadn’t made the trip to see the party at Sweet Scoops. I’d forwarded them the link to the news article, and they’d responded with their usual lack of enthusiasm. “How nice. When are you coming home?”

I shouldn’t have any expectations of them. My sister tended to occupy most of their attention. I wasn’t here to prove anything to my parents, but it was a hard feeling to shake after having done it for so long.

This was a minivacation, a respite from the winter weather in Maryland before the final rush at the Christmas tree farm for the holiday. Except I was introducing them to my fiancé for the first time, and I was nervous.

What would they say to him? I was more worried they’d be critical of me in front of him. I didn’t want Ryder to see how they treated me. It was embarrassing, especially since I chased their approval for so long. Then there was the other alternative: that they’d rave about Danielle and her amazing career.

I’d explained everything to Ryder so he wouldn’t be blindsided. But I was still worried.

When we pulled up to the house on stilts with the plants separating it from the ocean, Ryder let out a low whistle. “This is nice.”

“They’re enjoying their retirement,” I said with a slight tremor to my voice.

His gaze was fixed on the house as he parked next to my parents’ other new purchase, a Jeep Wrangler. “I can see that.”

I wanted to spend some time on the beach and visit with my best friend, Luna. She’d recently visited me in Maryland, then said she had to get away. I think she didn’t want to be present for my reunion with Ryder. I assumed she’d come home, but she hadn’t said.

Lights were strung on the deck that wrapped around the house. A wreath hung on the front door.

“Are you ready to do this?” Ryder asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I said as we got out, and he grabbed our luggage from the back. “Maybe we should stay in a hotel instead?”

“We can do whatever you want. But I’m just not sure we can find a place at the last minute.”

I sighed, remembering the island was mainly for tourists who’d booked their vacations a year in advance. “You’re right.”

He held his hand out to me, and I gratefully took it. When we made our way up the stairs, we knocked on the front door.

I heard footsteps on the deck. Mom appeared with Dad. “You’re here! We’re so excited you’re finally home.”

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