Page 62 of Follow My Heart

Faith might have said she was okay with us dating, but that was different than finding a woman in my bed in the morning.

Miss you already.

It felt good to share my feelings, knowing that they wouldn’t be ridiculed. Stacy wasn’t the touchy-feely type, and she didn’t like talking about big emotions. Somewhere along the way, I’d learned to stuff them down and not voice them out loud. Maybe that’s why I was mostly numb by the time she asked for the separation.

Violet sent an image of her licking ice cream off a spoon.

Are you in the shop?

You inspired me to create a new flavor last night.

I couldn’t imagine what that could be.

Just then, Faith burst into the room. Violet must have left it unlocked after she left. “I’m starving.”

“I’m up,” I said, even as I threw the covers off and swung my legs to the side of the bed. I was grateful I’d thrown on sweats at some point last night for this very possibility.

Faith just gave me a look, then turned and bounded downstairs. She’d wait for me to start breakfast. It was nice to be here with just her. We could decide what we wanted for breakfast and when.

This wasn’t Stacy’s house. I thought I’d miss our marriage, but the further I got from it, the less I held onto it. It was nice to have my own place, to see my family regularly, and have Faith to myself for a few days a week.

I actually had more time with her. I took a quick shower, dressed, and met Faith downstairs. “Chocolate-chip pancakes?”

“Can we do waffles today?” Faith asked.

“Absolutely.” I gathered the mix, the chocolate chips, an egg, milk, and oil.

Faith stood on the step stool to get the mixing bowl.

“You want to see the lights at Monroe Christmas tree farm tonight? They’re supposed to be nice.”

Faith frowned, probably remembering the Monroe farm was our family’s rival. “Is that okay?”

“It’s Cole’s family’s farm. It’s fine.”

“Okay,” she said, but she didn’t sound confident. “Can we invite Violet?”

She was the one who’d mentioned the light display. “Are you sure you don’t mind if Violet spends time with us? This is supposed to be our time.”

Faith rolled her eyes. “We have all day together. I need to go shopping for Mom. Will you take me?”

I sighed as the tension inside my chest tightened. I didn’t want to think about Stacy, much less buy her a present, but she was Faith’s mother and would always be in our lives in one way or another. “Sure. Did you want to go to the mall, or do you think we could find something nice downtown? They have touristy things, but they’re more unique than you’d find in the mall.”

“Let’s go downtown.”

Maybe we could find an excuse to stop by Violet’s for ice cream. It probably wouldn’t take too much to convince Faith.

We ate our waffles covered in strawberries and whipped cream. I didn’t always run in the morning when Faith was visiting because I wanted all the time I could get with her. And we wouldn’t have time today.

After we cleaned up breakfast, we headed to downtown Annapolis where the shops were. We took our time, ducking into each shop that looked promising, buying Phil a few spices from a spice shop because he liked to grill. Finding something for Stacy was harder because she never acted happy with anything I’d ever gifted her.

We finally wandered up to State Circle where there was fewer shops and more restaurants. We found a pottery store and went inside.

“What about this?” Faith pointed at a tall, round stoneware crock with a blue stripe and flowers.

“She could put her wooden spoons and rubber spatulas in it.” It was useful and thoughtful.

“You think she’ll like it?” Faith asked the loaded question.

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