Page 107 of Always a Bridesmaid
Or perhaps to taunt him.
It was hard to tell, but either way, warning bells began trilling, growing louder by the second.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, and when Easton’s name flashed on-screen, he excused himself and walked into the kitchen to take it.
“You’re at the reopening, right?” Easton asked.
“Murph’s, actually. I should probably head to the bakery, though.” Ford glanced at the time. Violet’s father had undoubtedly arrived by now, and he wondered how much trouble he was in for not being there.
With things between Addie and Tucker all messed up and his train-wreck thoughts, it was thelastplace he wanted to go.
“Okay, well don’t worry about the flat tire call that came in from dispatch. I’m on my way, and it sounds like Darius is ahead of me.”
This was what happened when Ford ignored his radio and didn’t pay attention to alerts. He hadn’t even heard about the flat tire. The excuse called to him like a life saver in the lake of confliction he was about to drown in. “Where is it? I’ll meet you there.”
“Are you deaf? The entire reason I called was to tell you we have it handled. Go to the bakery and do your thing. Then maybe later, you and I can grab a beer at the Old Firehouse. I have something I need to talk to you about.”
…
So far, Violet had avoided Dad and Cheryl, who were getting the big sign reveal ready. Sure, she’d strapped her niece into a carrier and used her as an excuse to walk around and evade an awkward encounter of the parental kind, but Isla was having a great time.
Since Violet had seen Ford run before, she knew he could move quickly and was flummoxed he wasn’t back yet.
“Do you see him, Isla?” Violet tipped onto her toes. Every dark head of hair had her heart quickening, but then they’d turn, and it wouldn’t be him, and she’d experience a twinge of disappointment.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She considered ignoring it, figuring it was a message in the Bridesmaid Chat she could read after the mini ceremony, but curiosity got the best of her.
Ford:I know I promised to be there, and I’m so sorry, but I’m not going to make it. I got an emergency call I have to take care of.
Violet’s stomach bottomed all the way out, splatting against the hard ground.He’s not coming. I’m on my own.
He can’t help when there’s an emergency. While I feel like I’m in the middle of one, I’m not bleeding out.
Ever since he walked out the bakery door, she’d been replaying their last few minutes. Catching him talking to Isla. Seeing her tiny hand wrapped around one of his fingers.
Her ovaries had stood at attention, kickstarting her biological clock. She felt the residual ping, as if they wanted to say they hadn’t given up.
Violet patted her lower stomach and muttered, “You need to calm down, baby box. Ford and I barely started this relationship, and that’s the kind of thing that’d freak him out.”
Isla tipped up her chin and blinked at Violet, tiny eyebrows puckered.
Violet kissed her cheek and whispered, “I guess Ford was right about me being a little off. But just wait until you have to deal with boys. They’re confusing and amazing and frustrating and fascinating. One day they’ll be amazing and the next they’ll act all cagey.”
The way Ford had been there at the end.
The longer he’d taken to show, the more she’d worried he’d noticed the visions of babies dancing in her head. Long term, of course. After dismissing the notion as futile, it was simply nice to daydream about the possibility again.
Violet readjusted the pink sock that’d slid halfway down Isla’s foot. “Unless what you decide you want is a girlfriend. Honestly, I’d go that route if I could choose, but attraction is a powerful thing. Although drama comes along with every relationship, I suppose, so—”
“Are you talking to me?” the woman next to her asked, and Violet gave her a sheepish smile.
Oops.
Dad began his mayoral speech, Maisy at his side as he discussed how proud he was of his daughter, and Cheryl on his other side, nodding her agreement. With them occupied, Violet moved closer.
She swung her camera from where it’d awkwardly hung at her back to avoid bouncing against Isla, lifted it, and snapped several photos.
“…proud of both my daughters.” Dad’s gaze pinned Violet in place. “As most of you probably know, Violet’s done the majority of the repainting and decorating.”
