Page 91 of Follow My Heart

“It’s a lot of change, and exactly what I wanted to avoid.”

Was he saying that he would have stayed with Stacy even now to block Faith from being hurt? I couldn’t bring myself to ask the question. “How does she want you to pave the way?”

“Talk to Faith, make her see that it’s the right thing to do.”

“Is that how you feel?” I asked carefully.

He let out a breath. “I think it’s too soon. We agreed that Faith would stay in the family home. I thought I’d move back to Virginia eventually. And it would be less stress to keep Faith in the home she was used to.”

I tried to process his admission that he’d always intended to move back to Virginia. Why did I think he’d changed his mind because he was happy here now? My sandwich turned to rocks in my stomach. “And now?”

“Faith asked if she could live with me. I don’t know if it’s a passing phase or she really wants to. Is she just avoiding Phil and his kids, or is she happier with me?”

“I think you have to talk to her and think about it.”

“I don’t want to start a battle over custody. That wouldn’t be good for anyone.”

I had a feeling it wouldn’t be good for me and Ryder either, but my concern was for Faith. What was best for her? “Take things slow.”

“I asked Stacy to wait a bit on the move.”

I raised a brow, watching the people walk past us. The happy families with their children. “You think she will?”

Ryder gave me a look. “I know you don’t know her well, but when she’s pushed, she just goes harder in the other direction.”

“You’re worried you made things worse.”

Ryder nodded miserably. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“You’re concerned about Faith though.”

“Why did she call during the festival? I was distracted. Faith had just said she was unhappy with her living arrangements. I was in full protection mode.”

My chest tightened. “You’re worried you said things you shouldn’t have.”

Ryder nodded. “Stacy can be vindictive if you don’t do what she wants.”

“But you’re not married to her anymore.” I had to tread carefully because this was his ex, and they had a history. One I knew nothing about.

“We share a child.”

There was that wall I felt between us. The one that said he was a dad and I was separate. He might want to spend time with me and Faith, but when it came to big decisions, they were his to make. “She’ll always come first. I understand that.”

Ryder sighed heavily. “I don’t know what to do.”

“You don’t have to make a decision now.” My stomach was churning. Would he choose to move into the family home now that Stacy was moving out? It was the perfect solution, and I felt like a jerk for not mentioning it. But surely he had.

Maybe our relationship wasn’t the best thing for him right now. “Do you think we should take a break while you’re going through this?”

Ryder squeezed my thigh. “I need you though.”

That was nice, but I wanted to be needed for other reasons than just emotional support. I wanted to be the woman he couldn’t live without. But I knew going into this that I would play a supporting role in his life. That it wasn’t the best time to enter into a relationship.

Faith ran up to Ryder with Izzy in tow. “Can we get funnel cake?”

“If it’s okay with Aunt Daphne.”

“She’ll say yes,” Faith said confidently.

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