Page 48 of Follow My Heart

I nodded. “Not now. I don’t know when I’ll be ready for all that entails. But I know I like you.”

Her forehead creased. “This is everything I said I wouldn’t do. Fall for an unavailable guy again.”

“I’m here, talking to you, and wishing we were together. How is that unavailable?” I asked even though I knew what she was talking about. I wasn’t free to be with her.

“Neither of us is in a place where we can be in a relationship.” She chewed her lip.

“We can take it slow.” The last thing I wanted to do was upset Violet. She and her grandfather were important to me.

Violet nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

My lips curved into a grin. “I want to do some holiday things with Faith this weekend. Do you have any ideas?”

Violet nodded. “If you’re up for it, the other tree farm hosts a light show. I think they have a walk-through night this weekend.”

Hope swirled in my gut. This could work. “Faith would love that.”

Her brow furrowed as if she was thinking. “Then there’s the botanical gardens in D.C.”

That would mean a long drive, and I’d insist on picking Violet up to go with us. “That’s a possibility.”

“There’s an ice show at the Gaylord. They have other things going on there too. An outdoor skating rink. Hot chocolate stands. A candy store. Faith would enjoy it.”

“All those options sound nice. I’ll ask Faith what she wants to do in the morning.”

Violet focused on me. “I’m glad I could help.”

I was almost afraid to ask, but I promised I’d be true to my desires. I wouldn’t hide them anymore. “Would you go with us?”

“Shouldn’t you spend this time with Faith?” Violet asked hesitantly.

“You know the area a bit better than I do. I haven’t been back in years.”

She pursed her lips. “I did all the holiday things last year when my best friend, Luna, visited from Florida.”

“Then you’d be the perfect tour guide.” This was turning out better than I thought it would. I wanted an excuse to invite her with us, and this was it. “Are you working tomorrow?” I asked her, knowing it was the last hurdle.

“I’m off, but I have to go into the shop on Saturday and Sunday.”

A thrill shot through me. “We’ll spend the day together. Then I’ll have the rest of the weekend with Faith.”

Violet sucked her bottom lip into her mouth.

I already had a plan to get her to say yes if she was waffling. I wasn’t sure why this was so important to me. But everything inside me was telling me that Violet had come into my life for a reason, and I should explore it. Even if it wasn’t the right timing or what anyone would expect from someone going through a divorce.

“Okay,” Violet said finally.

I grinned. “Faith will be excited.”

“You know she’d be happy to be with you if you stayed in too. You don’t have to plan elaborate things to do with her.”

“I know.” I wondered if Violet was referring to herself and her interactions with her parents. “I never got to do the holiday stuff. I was usually busy working, and I let Stacy take the lead on that kind of thing. I’m just happy to have this time to spend with her.”

“You’re a good dad,” Violet said.

I knew Violet didn’t have the best relationship with her parents, but I’d be a better dad for Faith. She deserved my time and attention.

“That means a lot to me,” I said to her.

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