Page 65 of Follow My Heart

After dinner, we cleaned up, then headed over to Violet’s. It had only been a day, but I missed her when she wasn’t around. I tried not to think too hard about what that meant. I wasn’t looking for anything serious. Not after being married. But Violet was.

She’d want to get married and have kids. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be in a place where I’d want those things again. Or at least not any time soon. I’d been burned once.

When I parked, she came up to the truck. I pushed open the door for her, since she wasn’t giving me time to walk around and get it. “You could have waited inside.”

“I was excited to see the lights.”

“Me too,” Faith said from the back seat.

Violet turned to ask Faith, “What did you do today?”

“We hung out with Grandpa. I taught him a bunch of card games.”

“I bet he loved that,” Violet said.

“He enjoys having Faith close by and seeing her more often.” Even if it was only on weekends.

We got in the line of cars headed onto Monroe Farm. Attendants in orange vests were directing each vehicle where to park.

Tonight, I wasn’t a Calloway. I was just a single dad, hoping to spend time with his daughter and his new woman. We hadn’t discussed labels, and I wasn’t in a hurry to define us. I wanted to take it moment by moment.

After we parked, we got hot chocolate at the stand, then took our time walking. Faith ran ahead and then came back to report what display was coming up next.

Even though we didn’t touch or hold hands, it was nice to be with Violet. To enjoy this time with her. All too soon, we’d seen the lights, and it was time to take Faith home.

“I’ll drop you off, then take Faith home.”

“Thanks for including me tonight. I’ve never been to the light display.”

“It’s a nice addition to their farm. Dad said he hired Charlotte without getting Teddy’s approval.”

“It’s his farm, right?”

“Yeah, but Teddy stepped in when Mom died, and I don’t think he’s going to be happy.” Not that he was happy about anything he didn’t have control over.

“I hope she can make some improvements like the Monroes did. They’ve really increased business here.”

Their farm was busier than ours. Then again, we didn’t have a light display or a shop like they did.

At Violet’s house, I got out to walk her to the door. “I’d kiss you, but?—”

“Faith might be watching.”

Violet smiled, looking past me to the truck. “She probably is. She’s curious about everything.”

“She’s a good kid. Thanks for tonight.” She put her arms around my middle and hugged me.

I stroked a hand down her back, feeling her smooth hair against my palm. “I’m sorry you can’t come with me. I plan to talk to Stacy tonight.”

She looked up at me without pulling away. “What are you going to say?”

That was a good question. “What do you want me to say?”

Her brow furrowed. “Are we dating? Seeing each other?”

“I’ll tell her I met someone, and that you spend time with me and Faith.”

“You think she’ll be okay with it?”

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