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“Now, one thing that’s often overlooked is how to hold the camera steady,” I tell her, helping her grip the phone in one hand and steady the bottom of the phone with the other. “Try taking a few.”
Using what I taught her, she takes several pictures before turning the camera onto me. I end up chasing her around the tree, laughing hysterically.
It isn’t long before she’s in my arms. “I’ve caught you, little professor.”
Giggling, Violet wraps her around my waist and snuggles into me. I’m discovering that my little girl is extremely affectionate and loves to cuddle. Another aspect of her personality I adore.
“Why don’t we grab some hot cider and apple pie?” I suggest. “Then we can see how our pictures came out.”
“Good, I’m getting hungry,” she says, grabbing the bags of apples off the ground.
“Would you like to walk back or wait for our ride?”
“Let’s walk,” she says, taking my hand. “It’s such a nice day.”
“Okay, but give me those,” I say, plucking the bags from her hand. “Little girls don’t carry heavy bags.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” she says shyly.
“Would you like to see my house this afternoon?” I ask. “Maybe we could make popcorn and play a board game.”
“I’d love to,” she replies. “Do you have any good games?”
“I might have a few,” I tease, thinking of the collection I have, waiting for a little girl to enjoy them.
When we get to the orchard’s entrance, there are twice as many people as when we arrived. They’re milling around the store, lining up to take the cart out into the orchard, or snacking at the picnic tables.
“Why don’t you grab us a table, and I’ll get us some hot cider and a snack?”
“Okay,” she says enthusiastically.
I kiss the tip of her nose before heading into the crowd. It takes me longer than I’d like to pay for our apples, grab our snacks, get a little something special, and make my way back to the table Violet has found. She’s sitting with her face turned up, eyes closed, soaking in the sunshine.
Taking a seat opposite her, I set the stuffed apple in front of her. She opens her eyes and smiles brightly, hugging the bright red smiling apple.
“Something to remember today by,” I tell her, organizing the food in front of us.
“Thank you, Daddy.” She leans across the table and kisses me quickly. “What should I name him?”
As we eat our pie, Violet keeps glancing at her phone that’s lying screen-side up on the table.
I flip the phone over and tell her, “We need a new rule. Unless we’re taking pictures, we don’t have our phones out while we’re spending time together.”
“I like that rule.” She tucks the phone into the pocket of her bag.
“Good girl,” I say, forking a piece of pie and offering it to her. She opens her mouth with a smile and takes the bite.
Soon we’ve decimated the pieces of pie and been warmed by the hot cider. As we get into the car to head to my house, Violet seems jittery and nervous. I worry that I’m taking this too quickly.
“Are you sure you want to come over?” I say, taking her hand. “I’ll drop you off at home, and we can make plans for tomorrow instead?”
Chapter 6
Etienne
“Wow, this view is gorgeous,” Violet says as we drive toward my lakefront house.
Lake Champlain, with the autumn leaves in vibrant reds and oranges, shining in the sunlight really does make a perfect picture as we park.
