Page 2 of Follow My Heart

Daphne’s eyes widened. “You dated in second grade?”

I waved a hand. “Whatever you call it in elementary school. Going out?”

Daphne placed a hand on her hip. “I’m fairly sure I didn’t date in elementary school.”

“Well, yeah, we wouldn’t have allowed that to happen.” My brothers and I were protective of our sisters, especially Daphne because she was the youngest.

Daphne rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

I grinned at Violet. “Those were good times.”

Faith tugged on my hand. “You’re not supposed to kiss in school, Dad.”

“And that’s why we got sent to the principal’s office.” I was flirting with a woman who wasn’t Faith’s mother in front of her. I’d obviously lost my mind. But I was standing in front of my childhood crush, and I couldn’t seem to turn off my mouth.

“Just wait until she starts dating.” Violet’s lips twitched as she gestured at Faith.

I touched Faith’s shoulder. “No dating until you’re thirty.”

Violet laughed, and it was so carefree; my heart squeezed.

“You find that funny?” I asked her.

Violet raised a brow before returning to her spot behind the cart. “That you have a daughter and you’re worried about her dating when she’s only, what? Twelve?”

“I guess when you started dating in second grade, you have a right to be concerned,” Daphne said wryly.

My jaw tightened at the thought of Faith dating. “I’m glad you find this amusing.”

Violet bit her lip as if to stop the grin that took over her face. “The word I’d use is adorable.”

I cleared my throat, racking my brain for a proper retort, but before I could find one, Violet continued, “Now, what can I get you? I have Daphne’s famous apple pie, and the fan favorites, chocolate and vanilla.”

“Chocolate,” Izzy and Faith said simultaneously, then turned toward each other and said, “Jinx!” They erupted into giggles.

Daphne grabbed napkins. “Apple pie for me.”

Violet’s gaze swung to me, a hint of a challenge in her voice. “How about you? Or are you too old for ice cream?”

“You’re never too old for ice cream. I’ll try the apple pie.” I was interested to see how Daphne’s pies tasted translated into ice cream.

“Good choice,” Violet said as she rung us up.

I got my card out before Daphne, registering her irritated sigh. I never let women pay when they were in my company; didn’t matter if they were my date or my sister. When I handed the card to Violet, our fingers brushed, and a tingle ran through my hand and up to my elbow.

Violet averted her eyes, and I wondered if she felt it too.

She kept her gaze on the card reader, and when she handed it back to me, she was careful to keep her fingers away from mine.

But I had a feeling this wouldn’t be the last time we’d run into each other.

For the first time since Stacy said we should treat my job transfer as a trial separation, I felt hope. That maybe I wasn’t an abject failure for my marriage ending. That my dream of having a family might not be over.

Violet scooped our ice cream. When the girls had theirs, Daphne pointed to a nearby tree. “We’re going over there.”

I appreciated that she was giving me a moment alone with Violet. “I’ll be over in a minute.”

I watched as Violet scooped my ice cream, and I had visions of eating it off her hot skin. It would melt quickly. I’d have to move fast.

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