Page 77 of Follow My Heart

The only indication that Charlotte heard him was a slight wrinkle to her forehead. “Inside the barn we’ll do the Santa pictures. I’ll set up a chair for Santa, and we’ll hand out candy canes afterward to the kids.”

“Who’s going to be Santa?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

“I was thinking Teddy could do it, and I’ll be the elf assistant,” Charlotte said proudly.

I covered my smile with my hand. Charlotte was either the sweetest person alive or clueless when it came to Teddy. I had a feeling it was a bit of both. Or maybe she knew what she was doing and didn’t care what Teddy thought about her.

Everyone avoided Teddy or catered to his demands. Dad had stood up to his for the first time by hiring Charlotte, and she obviously wasn’t going to bow down to him.

“How are you going to get him to agree to be Santa?” I asked.

Charlotte smiled. “He’s the only one that can do it. Everyone else is busy with their families or businesses. And I think he’d be perfect. He’s big and burly.”

I could do it, but I wanted to spend time with Faith and Violet. I wanted to enjoy the farm as a bystander, not from the owner side. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”

Charlotte waved a hand in my direction. “I’ve already told him he’d make the perfect Santa.”

“Except for his grumpy countenance,” Dad said.

“Mmm. I don’t think he’s that bad.” Charlotte grinned at a customer she must have known and went over to speak to her.

I blanched.

“She’s something, isn’t she?” Dad said with a smile.

I grunted. Teddy was going to hate her if he didn’t already. She had a sunny personality that seemed to resonate with most people, and she was confident in her ideas. He didn’t stand a chance against her. And I wanted to be around to see the fallout.

“I, for one, can’t wait for the festival. I think it’s going to drum up a lot of interest.”

“All you have to do is advertise that Teddy Calloway is going to be playing Santa. That will bring people in droves.”

Dad raised a brow. “Are you talking about women?”

“They can’t get enough of grumpy assholes.”

Dad made a strangled sound deep in his throat.

“You know he’s grumpy, and he can be an ass. I’m not telling you anything you didn’t already know.”

Dad’s gaze settled on me. “You constantly trash-talk each other. I was hoping you would grow up to be friends.”

“I think we are.” Although I hadn’t seen much of him since I’d been back.

“I’m happy you’re finally home. You’re welcome to help out in any way you can with your schedule. I’m glad we can see Faith more often.” Dad’s expression softened as Faith bounded up to us.

She wrapped her arms around my middle and hugging me. “Thanks for coming here today.”

I wasn’t sure how many hugs I would get from my little girl, but I’d cherish every one of them. For now, living near my family made sense. But if it didn’t work out for Faith, I’d have to be willing to do what was best for her.

CHAPTER 17

VIOLET

On Saturday night, I was on my way to Ryder’s house when my mom called.

“Hey.”

“I want to make sure you’re coming home for Christmas. I can’t plan unless I have a head count.”

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