Page 108 of Follow My Heart

I went down the line, thanking everyone until I got to Al. “Thank you for coming.”

Al smiled. “We wouldn’t miss it.”

It hurt that Ryder’s family had come, but he hadn’t. I hadn’t talked to him about it. But he was preoccupied with everything going on in Virginia. I’d given up on getting updates from him.

Grandpa looked around. “The place looks great.”

Charlotte had painted the store with two different shades of violet stripes on the walls and white on the wainscoting. Then she’d taken photographs of me making the ice cream, blown them up, framed them, and hung them throughout the store.

I held out my hands, cognizant that Teddy stood behind Al. “This was all Charlotte. She had a vision in her head, and she made it a reality.”

“She’s magic, isn’t she?” Al said with a glint in his eyes.

“She’s something all right,” Teddy mumbled as he moved past us.

Al nodded after Teddy. “He’s all right. He just doesn’t like the changes Charlotte’s making around the farm.”

Charlotte stood on a chair near the frame with the story printed on it that was covered in a white sheet. “We asked someone special to read the article in the paper for everyone tonight. But first, I wanted to do the big reveal.”

Teddy moved closer, and I wondered if he was worried about her standing in those heels on the metal chair.

Who would she have invited? The reporter? I looked around for Mindy but didn’t see her.

Charlotte whipped off the sheet, and I was stunned by the full-page article that included a picture of me in the kitchen, wearing my Sweet Scoops apron with a large bowl in front of me on the counter. I held a spoonful of ice cream in the air and was smiling wide. It was probably the moment I realized that my new flavor was perfect.

I moved closer to the frame, the crowd parting for me. I heard the clapping, the whistles, and even the cheers, but everyone’s face was a blur. I couldn’t believe that my shop had gotten a spread like this in the paper.

When a low voice read the title, “’Local Woman Moves Home to Open Sweet Scoops,’” my body heated.

Teddy helped Charlotte down from the chair, exchanging some words with her, but I was mesmerized by the man who stood next to the framed article, no chair necessary to be level with the words.

“Ryder?” My heart was pounding. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m reading an article about my amazing and accomplished girlfriend.”

Girlfriend? We hadn’t put a label on what we were. But he’d talked about our relationship like it was still viable. Not like it was in the past. Something to be cherished and remembered.

Before I could form an intelligent response, he continued reading the article. “Violet Pendleton moved from Annapolis the summer after second grade and returned after the death of her grandmother to be close to her grandfather and to open her dream store, Sweet Scoops. Her idea was to create fresh flavors. She’s partnered with local pie-shop owner Daphne Calloway to create lovely pie flavors for the holidays, including cherry, pumpkin, and apple.

“She just created her flavor, Violet Dreams. It’s a combination of berry and cream, but Violet said it represents her dream, this store, and the happiness people feel when they enjoy her cold treats.”

Ryder paused for a moment as if taking a breath or checking my reaction. It was probably a combination of both, but I couldn’t take my gaze from his finger that rested on the frame.

His hands were large and strong, and he was here, reveling in this moment with me. What did it mean? Why was he here?

Then he continued, “I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the burgeoning love story that began as soon as her childhood husband moved to town.”

“It doesn’t say that,” I interjected, but the crowd behind was quiet. It felt like it was just me and Ryder in the room.

Ryder winked at me. “It does, actually. Ryder Calloway said he’s been in love with Violet since she asked for his name in second grade. They were instantly boyfriend and girlfriend. They planned pretend weddings at recess, held hands in the hallways, and even went to the principal’s office when they kissed. Elementary school sweethearts, these two recently rekindled their relationship.” Ryder paused to take my hand.

“If you haven’t had a chance to stop in at this unique and special shop, do so the next time you’re in town. It’s a must see.”

The crowd around us erupted in applause, but Ryder stepped closer to me, his shoulder leaning against the wall as he touched my hair.

“I can’t believe she wrote that.” It was more than I was expecting. So much more.

“I might have called and told her our story. Mindy wanted to include it. I hope that’s okay.”

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