Page 89 of Follow My Heart

“Same.” My parents weren’t easy to live with, but they’d stayed together. I wasn’t shuffled back and forth between houses. I couldn’t imagine how hard that was for Faith. I wondered if the phone call was related to that. Would Ryder move back to Virginia if Faith was struggling?

I knew he would. He was a good dad and would do the right thing even if he got hurt in the process. My stomach tightened.

“I’d better get back to my booth. I’m not sure I brought enough pies to keep up with the sales.”

“That’s good news, right?”

“How about you?” Daphne nodded toward my mostly full tubs of ice cream.

“Ice cream isn’t as popular on a cold day. But I’m glad Charlotte thought to include me. It’s still a good opportunity to get the word out about my shop.”

“I agree. I have to say it’s nice to have someone to do business with.”

My brow furrowed. “Don’t you have Cole?”

“Yeah, but he didn’t build a business from the ground up. He joined his cousins at the farm and then with the contracting business. He listens, but he doesn’t get the fear like you do.”

“The worry that everything could disappear tomorrow?” That sales could dry up, and I wouldn’t be able to afford the lease on the store.

Daphne nodded. “What if another pie shop opens up?”

“Be confident that no one else makes pie like you do.”

Daphne sighed. “That’s what Cole says.”

“Cole’s a smart man.” And he was right. Her pies were legendary.

Daphne hugged me. “I’m so happy you’re dating my brother. He deserves someone like you.”

She walked away, and I hoped that Ryder saw the same thing.

My assistant, Morgan, showed up at noon, and I left the cart in her hands so I could check out the Santa pictures.

A line of kids flowed outside of the barn doors. I slipped inside, looking for Faith and Ryder.

I finally found them off to the side standing with Fiona. I stood next to Ryder. “Hey,” he said.

“Morgan’s covering the cart. I thought I’d see how it was going in here.”

“It’s going,” Fiona said with a nod in the direction of the Santa who sat on a throne-like red velvet chair.

“I want to know where Charlotte got a Santa chair,” Wes said.

Jameson shook his head. “You can find anything online.”

“How’s Teddy doing as Santa?” I asked.

“He hasn’t scared anyone off—” Jameson broke off.

“Yet,” Ryder added.

Charlotte stood next to the chair in her elf outfit, talking nonstop in her bubbly way, handing candy canes out to the kids before she sent them on their way. Was she trying to make up for Teddy’s grumpy demeanor?

He was in costume with the full beard. He wasn’t quite scowling, but his expression wasn’t jolly either. “Yikes.”

“I’m not sure it was the best idea to have Teddy be Santa,” Ryder leaned over to say softly.

“Physically, he makes a good Santa. He’s big.”

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