Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

VIOLET

I focused on the customers in front of me, but I was worried about Ryder. I knew he was talking to Stacy. I'd seen her name pop up on his screen.

Why was she calling when it was his time with Faith? I thought they talked when they did the exchanges. Had something come up?

Ryder's shoulders were tense, his brow furrowed. I noticed he kept one eye on Faith who was playing with his brothers.

To me, it seemed like there was a storm cloud hanging over his head. Could anyone else see it, or was it just me?

When he lowered the phone, his gaze flicked from Faith to me. Then he closed the distance to the cart. I handed the woman standing in front of me her credit card, then thanked her and her son before they walked away.

"Hey, is everything?—"

Before I could finish my sentence, Ryder was kissing me. When he finally pulled away, my cheeks were warm. "What was that for?"

"I'm just happy to be here spending time with you."

Another customer came up to us before I could ask about the phone call. It wasn't the time, but I was worried about what happened.

For the rest of the morning, he helped me show Faith how to scoop ice cream. He was tense even though he tried to cover it with a smile.

Faith nodded toward the line at the barn. "Can we go see Santa?"

I raised a brow at Ryder, still unsure on whether Faith believed in Santa.

A real smile finally covered Ryder's face. "She wants to see her uncle as Santa."

My lips curved into a smile. "Ah. Teddy?"

Ryder squeezed my shoulder. "The one and only. We'll be back." Then he followed Faith into the barn where Charlotte stood at the entrance in an elf costume.

Daphne appeared at my side. "I can't believe Charlotte convinced Teddy to be Santa."

"I'll believe it when I see it," Fiona said.

"I think it's great if she did." If Charlotte wanted to create interest in the farm, including Teddy as part of it was a good move. She was smart.

"I'm going in," Fiona said.

"Let us know how he's doing," I said with a laugh, and Daphne added, "Take some pictures for us!"

"On it," Fiona called over her shoulder.

I giggled. I couldn't help it. I was having fun here with the Calloways.

When the line died down, Daphne asked, "How are things with you and Ryder?"

The phone call was still on my mind but I said, "Good. And I love Faith."

"She's a sweetie. I'm just sad we had to wait so long to spend this kind of time with her. Izzy adores her."

"I know things have been tough for her with all the changes. First her parents separating and now her mother dating someone new."

Daphne sighed. "It was hard enough when our mother died. I can't imagine going through a divorce."

"Same." My parents weren't easy to live with, but they'd stayed together. I wasn't shuffled back and forth between houses. I couldn't imagine how hard that was for Faith. I wondered if the phone call was related to that. Would Ryder move back to Virginia if Faith was struggling?

I knew he would. He was a good dad and would do the right thing even if he got hurt in the process. My stomach tightened.

"I'd better get back to my booth. I'm not sure I brought enough pies to keep up with the sales."

"That's good news, right?"

"How about you?" Daphne nodded toward my mostly full tubs of ice cream.

"Ice cream isn't as popular on a cold day. But I'm glad Charlotte thought to include me. It's still a good opportunity to get the word out about my shop."

"I agree. I have to say it's nice to have someone to do business with."

My brow furrowed. "Don't you have Cole?"

"Yeah, but he didn't build a business from the ground up. He joined his cousins at the farm and then with the contracting business. He listens, but he doesn't get the fear like you do."

"The worry that everything could disappear tomorrow?" That sales could dry up, and I wouldn't be able to afford the lease on the store.

Daphne nodded. "What if another pie shop opens up?"

"Be confident that no one else makes pie like you do."

Daphne sighed. "That's what Cole says."

"Cole's a smart man." And he was right. Her pies were legendary.

Daphne hugged me. "I'm so happy you're dating my brother. He deserves someone like you."

She walked away, and I hoped that Ryder saw the same thing.

My assistant, Morgan, showed up at noon, and I left the cart in her hands so I could check out the Santa pictures.

A line of kids flowed outside of the barn doors. I slipped inside, looking for Faith and Ryder.

I finally found them off to the side standing with Fiona. I stood next to Ryder. "Hey," he said.

"Morgan's covering the cart. I thought I'd see how it was going in here."

"It's going," Fiona said with a nod in the direction of the Santa who sat on a throne-like red velvet chair.

"I want to know where Charlotte got a Santa chair," Wes said.

Jameson shook his head. "You can find anything online."

"How's Teddy doing as Santa?" I asked.

"He hasn't scared anyone off—" Jameson broke off.

"Yet," Ryder added.

Charlotte stood next to the chair in her elf outfit, talking nonstop in her bubbly way, handing candy canes out to the kids before she sent them on their way. Was she trying to make up for Teddy's grumpy demeanor?

He was in costume with the full beard. He wasn't quite scowling, but his expression wasn't jolly either. "Yikes."

"I'm not sure it was the best idea to have Teddy be Santa," Ryder leaned over to say softly.

"Physically, he makes a good Santa. He's big."

"Just not jolly," Fiona added.

"I'm proud of him for doing it," Jameson said.

"No teasing him about it either. He's doing us all a favor," Wes said.

Jameson nodded. "True."

"We should have made Axel come back and be Santa," Ryder said.

"Maybe next year when he's home. I think Dad said he's officially retired this month or next. He's waiting for the paperwork to go through," Wes said.

Ryder smiled. "It would be nice to have him home for the holidays."

"Then everyone would be home," Fiona added.

Surely, Ryder wouldn't move back to Virginia. Not after realizing all he'd missed by not being here, and Faith adored this side of her family.

But I couldn't get that phone conversation out of my head. The look on Ryder's face or the set of his shoulders. Whatever had gone down, it wasn't good.

I watched Charlotte interact with Teddy, touch his shoulder when he greeted a child, the way she leaned in to say something to him. She was hovering in case he needed her, but there was something else going on too because Teddy didn't look irritated by her presence. Not as much as he usually did.

"Teddy hates costume parties. I can't believe she got him to put on the suit," Ryder said.

"She has a way with him," I murmured.

Ryder glanced down at me. "You think so? She seems to piss him off more than anyone."

I nodded in their direction. "That's not what I'm seeing today."

Faith grabbed Ryder's hand. "Can we eat? I'm starving."

Ryder let her drag him out of the barn, and I followed. "Sure. Want to go to the food trucks?"

"Absolutely." The air was cool but not too bad for December. We stood in line for a hot dog and fries for Faith and crab sandwiches for us. We carried our food and drinks to a picnic table.

Izzy approached to Faith when she finished her food. "Want to play?"

"Sure." Faith jumped up to join her without waiting to ask permission.

Ryder shook his head. "I'm not going to say anything because it's family. But I'll remind her later tonight to ask me first and clean up her trash."

"Parenting is tough, huh?" I thought my parents treated us unfairly, but maybe they'd just been doing the best they could. I should give them a break and go home for Christmas.

He snagged one of Faith's fries. "I make a million mistakes a day."

"No one is perfect."

His brow furrowed. "I just want to do right by her."

"You are." I wondered if I should ask about the phone call, but I didn't want to upset him again.

A few minutes later, Ryder sighed. "Stacy called earlier. She wants me to pave the way with Faith for them to move in with Phil."

I frowned. "I don't even know what to say about that one. What are you going to do?"

Ryder's arm rested on the table, his shoulder brushing against mine. "I don't have a therapist for Faith. But maybe I should find one."

"It wouldn't be a bad idea for her to have someone neutral to talk to about this stuff."

"It's a lot of change, and exactly what I wanted to avoid."

Was he saying that he would have stayed with Stacy even now to block Faith from being hurt? I couldn't bring myself to ask the question. "How does she want you to pave the way?"

"Talk to Faith, make her see that it's the right thing to do."

"Is that how you feel?" I asked carefully.

He let out a breath. "I think it's too soon. We agreed that Faith would stay in the family home. I thought I'd move back to Virginia eventually. And it would be less stress to keep Faith in the home she was used to."

I tried to process his admission that he'd always intended to move back to Virginia. Why did I think he'd changed his mind because he was happy here now? My sandwich turned to rocks in my stomach. "And now?"

"Faith asked if she could live with me. I don't know if it's a passing phase or she really wants to. Is she just avoiding Phil and his kids, or is she happier with me?"

"I think you have to talk to her and think about it."

"I don't want to start a battle over custody. That wouldn't be good for anyone."

I had a feeling it wouldn't be good for me and Ryder either, but my concern was for Faith. What was best for her? "Take things slow."

"I asked Stacy to wait a bit on the move."

I raised a brow, watching the people walk past us. The happy families with their children. "You think she will?"

Ryder gave me a look. "I know you don't know her well, but when she's pushed, she just goes harder in the other direction."

"You're worried you made things worse."

Ryder nodded miserably. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"You're concerned about Faith though."

"Why did she call during the festival? I was distracted. Faith had just said she was unhappy with her living arrangements. I was in full protection mode."

My chest tightened. "You're worried you said things you shouldn't have."

Ryder nodded. "Stacy can be vindictive if you don't do what she wants."

"But you're not married to her anymore." I had to tread carefully because this was his ex, and they had a history. One I knew nothing about.

"We share a child."

There was that wall I felt between us. The one that said he was a dad and I was separate. He might want to spend time with me and Faith, but when it came to big decisions, they were his to make. "She'll always come first. I understand that."

Ryder sighed heavily. "I don't know what to do."

"You don't have to make a decision now." My stomach was churning. Would he choose to move into the family home now that Stacy was moving out? It was the perfect solution, and I felt like a jerk for not mentioning it. But surely he had.

Maybe our relationship wasn't the best thing for him right now. "Do you think we should take a break while you're going through this?"

Ryder squeezed my thigh. "I need you though."

That was nice, but I wanted to be needed for other reasons than just emotional support. I wanted to be the woman he couldn't live without. But I knew going into this that I would play a supporting role in his life. That it wasn't the best time to enter into a relationship.

Faith ran up to Ryder with Izzy in tow. "Can we get funnel cake?"

"If it's okay with Aunt Daphne."

"She'll say yes," Faith said confidently.

"Let's make sure." Ryder stood and went with Faith and Izzy. He didn't look back at me, and I shouldn't expect him to. His daughter would always come first. That's what made him a good father and why I admired him so much.

But at the same time, I didn't want to be an afterthought. The woman he left sitting at the table because he forgot he was with her.

I quickly threw out our trash, then went back to my ice-cream cart. Ryder was going through some stuff. It was understandable that he was distracted. But I couldn't quite displace the hurt for the rest of the afternoon.

Ryder didn't come over, but we were busy the rest of the festival. I should have been happy with the business, but I was worried about what was going to happen between me and Ryder. I wasn't sure that the foundation we'd laid would withstand Stacy's vindictiveness.

I had to be prepared for Ryder to move. I had to rein in these feelings I had for him.

When the crowd dissipated, I cleaned up the cart. Morgan helped me get it into the van I'd rented for the weekend to transport it.

I had a busy evening ahead of me. I needed to get the cart into my house and return the van. I didn't have time to think about Ryder and what he was going through. He hadn't stopped by to say goodbye or inquire about my plans for the evening.

He was consumed with his own issues. By the time I was home with the ice cream cart covered and tucked away, I was exhausted.

I showered off the stress of the day. Putting myself out there in the community was more stressful than managing the store. I was worried people would find my flavors lacking or compare it to a franchise.

Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and was delighted with my holiday flavors. Charlotte asked every vendor to put a holiday spin on their wares. Even the funnel cake had red-and-green sugar sprinkled on top.

By the time I dried off and got dressed for bed, there was a text waiting for me.

I missed you.

I was working the ice-cream cart. He could have stopped by at any time. I tried not to let the hurt sink in but it was impossible.

Where did you go after lunch?

Stacy kept sending messages and calling.

Is that something she does?

If Stacy was going to harass him about things, that would be an issue for me. I wasn't up for toxicity, even if they shared a child.

My phone buzzed with an incoming call.

"Hey. I can't say she's done this since we were separated. I think she was happy with our arrangement. But she really wants me to help her convince Faith to move in with her. She's panicking."

My stomach rolled. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. Faith doesn't like Phil or his boys. She doesn't want to move out of her house. If that happens, she'd prefer to live with me."

"I can understand being on the same page. But you're not, and she's pressuring you to do something you're not comfortable with." Namely pressuring Faith to do something she didn't want to. I didn't like it. As much as I liked Ryder, I wasn't sure I could stick around and watch this go down.

"I feel stuck in the middle."

"So unstick yourself." I felt impatient, which wasn't fair. This was a big deal for Ryder and Faith.

Ryder lifted his head. "How do you propose I do that?"

I wanted to say you have to decide what you want and stick with it, but I went with a more neutral statement, "I'd talk to your lawyer. See what your options are."

Ryder nodded. "That's a good idea."

"What happens when Stacy doesn't get what she wants?" I remembered he'd said she was vengeful, but he hadn't mentioned details.

"I've avoided that reaction over the years."

He'd pleased her rather than deal with her wrath. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. It felt like a bad omen for us. "If you want the best for your daughter, you might have to stand up to your ex now and then."

There was no maybe about it. He should stand up to her. But that decision had to come from him. Not me.

"I wanted to see you tonight."

"You disappeared after lunch, and I needed to get the ice-cream cart to my house and return the rental."

"I wish I could have helped you with that."

"You were busy. But next time, can you let me know what's going on?" So I don't look for him the rest of the festival, disappointed when I don't see him again.

"I was just consumed with everything that was going on."

"I can't pretend to know what you're going through. I've never been married, and I don't have a child, but I think you need to protect Faith from this kind of thing. You have to be steady for her. This back-and-forth with Stacy has the potential to impact both of you." It wasn't healthy for either of them, and I couldn't help but think Stacy did it on purpose to ruin their weekend. It had certainly put a damper on mine.

"Shit. Stacy's calling again."

"I'll let you go," I said flatly.

Either he wasn't listening, or he was too caught up in Stacy's drama and their history to see it as clearly as I did. She was controlling him, his reactions, and even his day with his daughter. It wasn't right. But I couldn't make him see what he didn't.

"Thanks for understanding," Ryder said right before he hung up.

The thing was, I wasn't so sure I did.