Page 21 of Follow My Heart

The store was closed on Monday, so I spent the morning cleaning it from top to bottom until it shined. I didn’t have as much time for a deep clean the other days of the week. Then I pulled out the ingredients and supplies we’d need for my class with Faith.

I realized at the last moment we’d never exchanged numbers. If Ryder needed to cancel, he had no way of getting in touch with me. If we had exchanged numbers, would we be talking over text in between visits?

When the knock finally sounded on the front door, I let out a sigh of relief.

Ryder stood on the other side of the glass with his hand on Faith’s shoulder. She was watching him with a slightly bored expression. He was probably reminding her to be polite and respectful. Maybe even telling her to thank me. I loved watching Ryder in his element as a father. He was a good one.

I unlocked the door, then opened it, listening to the tinkle of the bell above us. “Thanks for coming.”

Ryder grinned as he stepped inside, a gust of wind ruffling the notices on the community bulletin board. “Faith has been excited about this all week.”

“Dad,” Faith whined as if she was embarrassed he’d admitted that out loud.

“Sorry, did I embarrass you? I never know.” Ryder’s tone was light.

Faith rolled her eyes.

“What did I tell you?” Ryder asked sternly.

Faith faced me. “Thank you for taking the time to show me how to make ice cream.”

I clasped my hands together, barely able to contain my excitement. “I’m showing both of you, and I can’t wait. Most people enjoy eating the ice cream but have no interest in how it’s made.”

They followed me into the kitchen where the counters gleamed. Everything we’d need was set on the countertop, including the recipe card. I kept the recipes in a pretty wooden box I’d found in one of the local shops.

“You handwrite your recipes?” Faith examined the card that was dotted with the occasional spill.

“I don’t want to get cocoa powder on my laptop. And I prefer paper.”

“What flavor are we making?” Ryder asked.

“I was hoping you could help me make a big batch of my newest flavor. Berger cookie.”

“Oh, I love those. Vanilla cake and chocolate icing?” Ryder sounded like a kid.

I wondered when the last time was that he’d even eaten Berger cookies.

“I’ve never heard of them,” Faith said, reminding me that she hadn’t grown up here.

I opened the package and handed her one. “Take a bite.”

Her eyes closed. “So good.”

“What do you taste?” I leaned a hip against the counter.

She opened her eyes. “Vanilla and chocolate.”

“What do you think we could use to make it?” I asked, testing her creative thinking skills.

Faith thought for a few seconds. “I would think vanilla ice cream, chunks of the cookie itself, and swirls of icing.”

“Yes! You’re a natural. It’s the icing that makes the cookie. We couldn’t make the ice cream flavor without it. But I don’t think it will be enough. Swirls in the vanilla will make it as close to the real thing as we can get.”

Faith looked from me to her father. “I’m excited to see if it works.”

I didn’t tell her I’d already tried a few batches and knew what would work. Because she was spot on with her assessment. “You’re a natural at this.”

I helped her add the ingredients to the vanilla ice cream, then showed her how I mixed it. She listened intently, biting her lip as she concentrated on the task.

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