Page 43 of Follow My Heart

Jameson grimaced. “Like a woman scorned. She’s going to lash out and make your life hell.”

“I’ll do whatever’s best for Faith. She’s all that matters.” Ryder’s gaze rested on his daughter who’d already forgotten about the awkward phone call and was giggling about something with Izzy.

I didn’t know what it would feel like to love a child, but I guessed it would be this all-consuming love. I would have thought it would be unconditional. But it sounded like Stacy was using her daughter to get what she wanted.

Whereas the divorce prompted Ryder to reevaluate his role of father and to be better. Stacy was doing the same things that landed them in this situation to begin with.

When we finished eating, Daphne served her famous pies with my ice cream, and we all helped to clean up. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had so much fun.

After cleanup, I found myself in the kitchen with Daphne, Fiona, and Claire, drinking a glass of wine.

“What’s going on with you and Ryder?” Claire asked with a knowing gaze.

“My grandfather lives a few houses down from him. We run into each other in the neighborhood. Then I showed Faith how to create an ice-cream flavor.”

“So there’s nothing going on?” Fiona asked.

I didn’t know Fiona as well as Daphne and Claire, so I didn’t feel as comfortable being honest. “We’re friends.”

Claire’s face fell. “I was hoping there was some interest. That you’d be my sister-in-law.”

I’d just taken a sip of wine and started coughing.

Daphne slapped my back. “Are you okay?”

When I could breathe again, Fiona handed me a glass of water. “Just went down the wrong pipe.”

I sipped the water slowly, hoping they’d forgotten about their line of questioning.

“So…you and Ryder?” Daphne prompted.

“We’re just friends. He’s going through some stuff.” I waved a hand in the direction of the dining-room table, referencing the phone call with Stacy. “And I’ve sworn off men.”

“Why have you sworn off men?” Fiona leaned forward on the stool as if she couldn’t wait to hear my juicy history.

“I have a pattern of dating guys who are anticommitment.”

Fiona considered it for a few seconds. “Or you’re dating the wrong kind of guys.”

“Since I can’t trust my judgment, I’ve sworn off dating.” For some reason, my vow fell flat in front of these women.

They exchanged a look.

“But what if you meet someone who could be good for you?” Fiona asked.

“I wouldn’t even know.” I was sitting in a kitchen with a group of women who’d already met their significant others. They had this wistfulness about them, as if they wanted everyone to be as happy as they were. “It’s just not the right time. I’m trying to keep the shop afloat. I don’t have time for anything serious.”

“Ryder’s a good guy. When he married Stacy, he really wanted a family. But it didn’t work out for him. I’m not sure he’s ready for a relationship so soon after his marriage ended. I don’t want you to get hurt,” Daphne said.

“Trust me; I don’t want to be a rebound.”

“We weren’t surprised when he got engaged to Stacy in college. Then they got pregnant right away. It was everything he’d ever wanted.” Fiona swirled the wine in her glass.

Daphne frowned. “But then he only had Faith.”

Fiona nodded. “It’s none of our business if there were fertility issues or they just decided on one kid, but I think it was more than that. I think the problems started earlier than Ryder’s letting on.”

I wouldn’t hope for something more. It had always gotten me into trouble before.

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