Page 41 of Follow My Heart

“But when though? You never want to talk about it,” Wes continued.

Growing up, Wes was Teddy’s right-hand man. He never disagreed with him. I wondered if it had anything to do with his relationship with best friend and now-wife, Sutton. He’d offered to marry her when her grandmother told her she couldn’t inherit if she was unmarried. Their relationship turned from fake to real. Sutton seemed to bring out a different side of Wes.

“With Axel coming home, we need to make some decisions as a family,” Wes prodded, but Teddy turned and walked into the house.

“Good luck with that,” I said to Wes.

Wes touched my shoulder. “You’re home now. You’re just as much a part of this.”

For the first time in a long time, I wanted to be involved. “You can count on me.”

CHAPTER 10

VIOLET

The guys talked tough, but when they had to tackle their wife, daughter, or niece, they became big softies. It didn’t make for a competitive game, but it was fun.

I felt like I was a part of their family, even though we were here as guests. Grandpa seemed to be having a good time talking to Al. Both of them had lost their wives, so maybe they found a kinship or at least common ground.

We washed up, then gathered at the large dining room table to eat. Jameson tried to start a gratitude thing at the table, but it quickly dissolved into multiple conversations after Izzy and Faith went. No one seemed to mind.

It was loud. Teasing was encouraged, and the only one who seemed tense was Teddy. I’d overheard some of the brothers’ conversation outside. Wes wanted Teddy to make decisions regarding the farm, but Teddy didn’t want to discuss it.

I wondered why that was. Did he not want the farm to succeed? Did he feel like his brothers were overstepping?

I’d have to ask Ryder about it another time.

Ryder’s phone buzzed. He turned it over. “It’s Stacy. She wants to talk to Faith.”

“Can it wait until after dinner?” I asked him, not wanting to interrupt the meal.

“I’ll see.” Ryder pushed away from the table and headed outside. I could see his hunched shoulders as he talked to his ex-wife.

Jameson, who sat on my other side, tipped his head toward Ryder. “What’s that about?”

“I think he was hoping she’d call back after dinner.”

Jameson shook his head. “Doesn’t look like it’s going so well.”

I glanced outside where Ryder’s head hung slightly. “No. It doesn’t.”

His ex was a part of his life, and he was going to have to learn how to navigate these tension-filled moments, shared holidays, and the distance between their houses.

He came back inside, the phone in his hand at his side. “Faith, you want to say hello to your mother? She has to leave soon to see Phil.”

Faith’s lips pursed. “Right now?”

Ryder’s expression was apologetic. “It’s the only time your mother has to talk to you today.”

I almost winced at that. Why couldn’t her mother work her schedule around her daughter’s and not the other way around?

“Ugh. Fine.” Stacy threw her napkin down on her chair and took the phone from her father. She slipped into the kitchen. All I heard was, “Mom,” before she was too far away to overhear.

“Seriously? She couldn’t wait?” Teddy asked, and I sensed that Stacy wasn’t loved by the Calloways. It might have been the way she’d blocked them from seeing Faith and Ryder over the years.

“You know how she is. It’s her way or no way,” Ryder said as he sat down next to me. “I just don’t want Faith to get hurt.”

I didn’t want that either. I’d only known Faith for a short time, but she was bright and inquisitive and just wanted to be loved. Like any child.

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