Page 51 of Follow My Heart

I wished I could hold Violet’s hand, but this wasn’t a date. She’d agreed to a day with us, not to anything more.

Inside, it was warm, the perfect climate for the plants and flowers growing. I took off my coat. Then Faith handed me hers. I’d grabbed a map that indicated we were in the Garden Court, and it was filled with gorgeous flowers. It was busy, but we meandered behind another couple with a girl a little older than Faith and what looked like a four-year-old boy.

The girl held the boy’s hand as he skipped next to her. Did I want another child? A chance to do things right this time? Would I be in a position to take more time off of work? Maybe work a standard schedule.

The pathway led into the Mediterranean area featuring the fruits and food from the five different regions. Faith stopped to look at the plaques of information.

Violet snapped pictures as we walked. I wondered if she’d like flowers. It was too cold for a garden, but maybe I could send her a bouquet. Would she appreciate it, or would she say something snide about picking them up at a grocery store? After Stacy had said that a few times, I’d stopped bringing home flowers.

I’d been burned before, but I was willing to try again with Violet. She was different from Stacy. And something inside me told me that Violet would appreciate it. That she didn’t expect gestures like that. It wouldn’t matter where the flowers came from but that I’d bought them for her.

The idea sent tingles down my spine.

When we entered the Orchid Room, Violet curled her hand around my arm as she leaned closer to read the sign that indicated there were hundreds of flowers. “They’re beautiful.”

Too soon, she pulled away to take photos of the blooms.

“Can I take a picture of you?” I asked Faith.

She eagerly stood in front of the orchids, a grin on her face. I snapped a few pictures before Violet snagged my phone. “Stand next to her. I’ll take one of both of you.”

My heart squeezed. “Thank you.”

I put my arm around Faith, and she leaned into my side. I wasn’t sure how much longer Faith would let me hug her or put my arm around her. Other parents had told me to expect a change during her teenage years, but I’d eat up every moment that she’d share with me.

“One more,” Violet said as she handed her phone off to someone else, just assuming they’d take it. “Can you take a photo of us, please?”

She’d already moved to Faith’s other side, standing close enough that her shoulder brushed my fingers. The woman took a few photos, then gave the phone to Violet. “Are these okay?”

A smile spread over Violet’s face. “These are perfect. Thank you.”

She tilted the phone in my direction so I could see the screen.

We looked so happy posing in front of the flowers with Faith between us. We looked like a family.

Would Violet be interested in something with me? Even though I had an ex who liked to make things difficult for me?

Today was supposed to be a chance for us to get to know each other better. When I was with her, she made me feel like I could move on and be a better man.

CHAPTER 12

RYDER

After we watched the trains run under the plants at the botanical garden, we left to check out the monuments.

I’d been to D.C. too many times to count since I grew up nearby. Today, we spent the most time at the World War II Memorial with its large fountain. Faith ran her fingers through the water and insisted on walking around to see the bronze sculptures.

For lunch we ate hot dogs from a street vendor, and then stopped for dinner at a taco restaurant. Faith talked about everything she’d seen that day, then scrolled through the pictures on our phones. On the ride home, Faith fell asleep in the back.

I glanced over at Violet. “Thanks for going with us today.”

“It was fun.”

“I’ve done D.C. so many times, but Faith hasn’t. We never visited long enough to have the time to come down here.”

“What about when you lived in Virginia? That’s close by too.”

“Stacy kept us busy with her social calendar. It’s nice to have more of a say in what we do and when.”

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