Page 6 of Follow My Heart

But as I watched Ryder set Izzy on her feet, then follow her to the swings where he pushed his niece and Faith next to each other, my heart squeezed. Would he be up for that? He seemed interested when he was standing in front of me talking about our history. But did that mean he wanted me as an adult?

I’d been told I was too much too many times to just jump into something like this. I had to go slow, be cautious, essentially be everything I wasn’t. I was impulsive when it came to relationships. I did what felt good. And the thought of Ryder Calloway backing me into a corner, bracing a hand above my head, and lowering that delicious mouth to mine had all of my girl parts standing at attention.

“Here we go,” Morgan said as a trio of little girls ran up to the cart.

I was here to promote my business, to be seen in a tourist town where there was an ice cream shop or two on every block. I wasn’t supposed to be thinking about sexy times with Ryder Calloway. He might have been my pretend husband in another lifetime, but in this one, he was a divorcé and a single dad.

By the end of the festival, my feet ached, and my face hurt from smiling. I loved meeting new people and promoting my ice cream, but it was hot, and I was exhausted. It got so busy after my conversation with Morgan; I lost track of Ryder, and they never returned for a second scoop of ice cream. Not that I thought he would.

Would he show up at the store? Sweet Scoops was easy enough to find if he’d noticed the name on the ice cream cart. Or he’d go home and realize that he was in no position to be flirting with anyone, much less me. I was a mess when it came to guys.

It didn’t stop me from hoping for something better, for a man and family of my own. But I felt jaded at this point. Each guy seemed worse than the last. My most recent relationship revolved around what Beau wanted, which was usually a home-cooked meal, then a night playing video games with his online friends.

When I got sick and tired of being ignored, he told me that I wanted too much attention. I was needy and desperate. I’d heard it before, so it shouldn’t hurt, but it did.

So no matter how much my body was humming with desire for Ryder, I had to be practical. I couldn’t be his rebound. He was just flexing his flirting muscles after his recent divorce. I wasn’t special.

Tonight, I was visiting my grandfather. When my grandmother died, and I found out she’d left money to me specifically to open my dream shop, I didn’t think twice about moving back to Maryland to do it and be close to my grandfather. Florida never felt like home.

I picked up Grandpa’s favorite pizza from a local shop and drove to his house on the outskirts of town. I wanted him to be able to live in his house for as long as possible. He enjoyed puttering around his garden, and he would wilt in a nursing home. My shop had to be successful so I could pay for any in-home nursing care he’d need as he aged. For now, he was mobile and as sharp as ever.

I pulled into his driveway, next to his Buick SUV. There was a carport, but he never used it, preferring to store his gardening tools there.

I got out, grabbed the still-hot box of pizza, and headed inside. “Grandpa?”

“On the lanai,” he said.

I walked through his tidy home, past the framed photos of our family, and opened the slider in the kitchen. The lanai was a little covered patio off the back of the house. It was my grandparent’s favorite place to spend time.

Grandpa rubbed his hands together. “I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

I set the box on the small two-person table and kissed his wrinkled cheek. “Were you looking forward to seeing me, or is it the pizza?”

“Both, lovely girl. Both.” He’d already set out two plates.

I grinned at him as I opened the box. I let the steam escape before handing him a slice and then placing one on my plate.

I sat across from him, closing my eyes as I took a large bite. “So good.”

“How was the festival?” Grandpa asked.

I grimaced. “Long. Hot.”

“You get a lot of customers?” Grandpa took a large bite of his slice.

“Absolutely, but whether they noticed my store’s name or just wanted ice cream, I don’t know.” I wasn’t sure if these events were worth my time or not. It was a struggle to keep the ice cream cold enough on hot days.

“You’re doing great. I’m so proud of you,” Grandpa said easily, and my heart contracted.

“You always believed in me. Grandma too.”

Grandpa’s expression was wistful. “I miss her every day. I wish she were here to see your beautiful store.”

“I wouldn’t have it if it wasn’t for her.”

“She wanted to give you the money earlier, but she always worried we’d need it for care.”

I covered his hand with mine. “I’ll take care of you. You don’t need to worry.”

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