Page 70 of Follow My Heart

Daphne opened the door with a smile and ushered me inside. “It’s so good to see you. I could use some girl time.”

We hugged, and Cole came into the foyer with a sleeping Colson on his shoulder. “I’m going to get this guy to bed.”

Daphne kissed Colson’s chubby cheek, and then Cole’s. “Thank you.”

Cole winked at her. “After I get this one in his crib, I’ll make sure Izzy takes a bath.”

“You’re a lifesaver.”

Cole stood up straighter and smiled at us. “Have fun.”

Daphne led the way to the kitchen and grabbed some waters from the fridge. “Let’s go on the back porch. I can turn on the heaters. If we’re inside, Izzy won’t want to go to sleep.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Outside, she turned on the heaters and the gas fireplace before handing me a throw to put on my lap. “This is nice.”

Daphne gave me a look. “I thought you were going out with Ryder tonight.”

I sighed. “His ex needed him to take Faith.”

“I bet he was happy about that. I know he was upset she was threatening to reduce his time with Faith.” Then she caught the look on my face and grimaced. “But it sucks for your date.”

“I know it’s selfish, but we were supposed to go out. Our first date by ourselves.” I picked at the fabric of my sweater.

“I’m sorry. It’s never easy when you’re dating someone with a child.”

I sighed. “I was hoping you could give me some perspective.”

“What’s bothering you?” Daphne asked.

“I get that Faith comes first, but it feels like Stacy is controlling everything. As soon as Ryder mentioned he was dating me, she wanted to go back to the original visitation agreement which meant every other weekend.”

“She reduced his time,” Daphne said with disgust.

“Then we make plans, and she calls him, demanding he pick Faith up so Stacy can spend the weekend with her new boyfriend.”

“And of course, Ryder wants to see Faith.”

“It feels like Stacy’s getting what she wants, and the rest of us have to jump when she says so.”

Daphne cradled the bottle in her hands. “That might be how it is for a while as they navigate the new situation.”

“I don’t want to come between him and Stacy, or him and Faith, but I’m concerned about how things are going to go in the future.”

“As you should be. But I’d give it some time yet. Things are new.”

I let out a breath.

“I’m sure Ryder appreciates everything you’re going through.”

“He said she controlled things during their marriage, but it’s no different now.”

“That’s up for him to figure out for himself and for you to decide if you can live with it.”

I let my head fall back. “Ugh. This sucks.”

The slider opened, and Cole came outside.

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