Page 41 of Merry with a Brewmaster
Vienna busies herself at the stove making snowman-shaped chocolate chip pancakes while I watch the driveway and pace the front entryway, practically jumping and ripping open the door when Kim’s car comes into view.
She’s barely parked before Haven is out of the car and racing up the steps, her backpack slung over her shoulder and her pillow clutched in her arms. My daughter won’t meet my gaze as she ducks past me and goes into the house. Kim watches her with an expression I can’t read, but I don’t care. My blood is boiling as I close the door behind me with a snick and walk toward her driver’s side window.
Her lips purse as she rolls down her window.
“She’s fine,” she says automatically—dismissively. And I’ve let her get away with it for far too long.
“She’s not fine, and I’ve given you enough chances to show up and be a parent. I’ll be contacting my lawyer to set a court date to revise our custody agreement.”
“Wells—”
“It’s not okay for you to walk into her life whenever it’s convenient for you and turn her world upside down. You don’t know who her friends are or that she really loved playing soccer or that she was an alicorn for Halloween.”
“A what?”
“Exactly.” I drag my hand through my hair as I look out at the street before returning my gaze to my ex-wife. “When you’re ready to be a part of Haven’s life,a real part,I’ll do everything I can to help facilitate that. But until then, this stops.” I wave my hand between her and the house. “That’s the last time you break our daughter’s heart because you think there’s something more important than her.”
I don’t wait for her reply, just turn on my heels and stalk back up to the house. The door is barely closed before the sound of screeching tires can be heard on the pavement.
Christmas music plays in the kitchen, and when I round the corner, Haven is up on her stool with her unicorn apron on as Vienna squirts whipped cream into my daughter’s mouth. Haven’s cheeks are splotchy, and my heart aches at the thought that she’s been crying. Crossing the room, I wrap her in a hug, and she squeezes me tight.
“I don’t want to go back,” she murmurs into my neck, and I watch over Haven’s shoulder as Vienna brushes a tear away.
“I told your mom that we need a new schedule and that we need to figure something out that works for you.”
“Really?” she says as she lifts her head and meets my gaze. Her eyes are watery but bright, and a tentative smile settles on her lips.
“Really.”
The sound of the whipped cream container has us turning toward Vienna who has piled each plate with a mountain of the fluffy white topping. “Who’s ready for pancakes? And putting up Christmas decorations and making cookies!”
Haven leans against me and giggles. “I guess we better eat up,” I say, throwing Vienna a wink, and she blushes like I knew she would because while pancakes might be for breakfast, there’s no doubt I’ll steal her away and make her dessert.
VIENNA
SAIGE: the PERFECT place just went on the market
SAIGE: Can you meet me today?
VIENNA: Really?! Let me talk to Isaac and I’ll get back to you!
My heart racesas I walk down the sidewalk to where Saige is standing. She looks beautiful in a sort of business meets rockstar chic that I’ll never pull off. But that’s okay because I could never give up my Tennessee roots or my cowboy boots.
Garland and wreaths line the light posts on Main Street, the whole town getting ready for the winter festival this weekend.
“Hey, I got here as fast as I could,” I say, leaning in to give her a quick hug, our relationship so much different than when I first reached out to her about helping me find a property. Saige beams at me, her black hair tied back in a sleek ponytail that somehow defies the South Carolina humidity.
“No problem. Are you ready to see it?” she asks.
“Definitely.”
The outside needs a new coat of paint, but I’m already in love with the huge single-pane windows that frame the door. Saige punches in the code and then holds the door open for me, letting me have the first look.
And what a look it is.
The white painted brick walls are bright with recessed lighting and a beautiful wood counter. Shelves line the walls, and I can picture every stand and display as I spin slowly in a circle.
“Let me show you the back. I think it would be the perfect place to put a cooler in, and there’s already a huge workbench there.”
