Page 8 of Follow My Heart

I grinned.

“But I enjoy getting out too. I like the people and brightening other people’s days.”

“Let me know if you need extra hands. I’d love to help out.”

He inclined his head. “You don’t exactly have a green thumb.”

I sighed. “Not for your lack of trying.”

“You make up for it with your sunny attitude.”

“I loved spending time with you and Grandma.”

Grandpa nodded. “You’re my pride and joy.”

“I never get tired of you saying that.” It was a balm to my soul and made my heart clench at all the time I’d missed with him and Grandma.

“It seemed like your parents focused more on Danielle. It was like they couldn’t see how special you are. Your soul is so pure.”

“How do you know that?” I asked, genuinely needing to know. I’d grown up away from him and surrounded by parents who placed an importance on grades and accolades. Something I rarely received. Instead, it was calls from the school that I couldn’t sit still or stop talking.

“When your mother called, she was always going on and on about Danielle’s accomplishments, her straight A’s, her volunteer work. But each child is unique. You can only see their true self if you let them grow into it. You don’t try to mold them into who you want them to be. And you are the purest expression of self I’ve ever seen. You’ve resisted your parents’ desires for you.”

“I didn’t want to go to work in an office.”

“I’m proud of you. Your grandmother was too.”

“I miss her so much.” Tears stung my eyes, and I felt guilty that I stayed in Florida after I graduated. Why hadn’t I moved to Maryland sooner so I could have more time with my grandparents?

“She’d be happy you’re living your life on your own terms.”

Was I? Lately, I’d been more cautious, slower to take risks. It was solely because it never worked out for me. But if I was going to be true to myself, didn’t that mean following my desires?

An image of Ryder Calloway popped into my head, the one where he was holding his niece. His biceps were popping, but there was something about a man holding a little girl that had sweat beading on my forehead and my heart fluttering.

“Follow your heart. It will never steer you wrong.”

I shook my head, not quite believing him. “Are you sure about that? I haven’t had the best track record when it comes to men.”

“Hmmm.”

“What does that mean?” It was a sad day when you took relationship advice from your grandfather, but I was feeling desperate.

“I think you have a big heart, which means that you love easily. Sometimes people take advantage of that.”

I frowned. “Shouldn’t I be more wary then?”

Grandpa got up and patted my knee. “You should do what you feel is right. Now, come on. I need a short walk to work off this food.”

I stood and followed him outside. I never could say no to my grandfather, and if he wanted an evening stroll, I was happy to oblige.

CHAPTER 3

RYDER

I’d rented a house in an older neighborhood with mature trees where kids rode their bikes on the sidewalks and played basketball on hoops set up in the cul-de-sacs. There was always someone walking their dog.

I’d convinced Faith to try to ride a bike. When I was married, I was never home early enough in the evenings to teach her, and Stacy insisted she didn’t need to learn.

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