A familiar person walked up to the fence I was leaning on, dark hair and sunglasses as I looked up and watched as he pushed his sunglasses onto his head. "Hey" he said standing next to me. "Hey what are you doing here? " I said swallowing the lump in my throat, "I was going for a walk in the woods, didn't expect to see you here. Wait what's happened?" he asked. "I don't know what you mean" I lied, "Im not silly you look like you've lost a pound and found a penny" he said. Those dreaded tears that I had fought so hard to stop flowing just seemed to flood down my face like a river bursting it banks.
"Oh god, please what's happened?" he asked worriedly pulling me into his chest. "Everything, my nans died and my moms gone AWOL. She's left me in charge of Bella, I tried so hard to be strong for them but I cant do it anymore. I don't know what to do, I cant do this" I sobbed as he stroked my hair. "It will all be ok I promise, your mom just needs some time. If you're here who's looking after Bella?" he asked, "My aunt, but what if she doesn't come back what if she goes forever" I said. "Oh right ok, Im sorry to hear about your nan. I cant say I've ever met her but im sure she was a lovely lady. Your mom will be home, she probably needs time to think. Look I know I've not been the best father in the world but you should know that I do care about you" he said.
"You are the best father for someone like me, I've looked up to you all my life anyway" I said sniffing. "That's really sweet but that doesn't count as being a good father, I should have found you sooner. I should have looked after you and been there for everything you've done" he said. "Look all that matters is you're here now and I've finally found you and you've found me" I said. "I guess so, I have a lot of catching up to do, maybe you can come visit sometime" he said.
"Seriously?" I asked looking up at him, "Of course" he answered. "OK then well I better go back to mine, I need to pack the rest of my stuff" I said as I stood up. "Why you going on holiday?" he questioned. " No I'm staying with Jasmine for a few days, you can come back to mine and help if you like" I said. "Sure I guess so, do you live far?" he asked standing up. "Nope just through the woods" I answered as we walked through the woods. We came out by the paddocks as the horses neighed at me wanting food, "hey babies, I'm going away for a few days. I'll leave you lots of food and water" I said stroking them all in turn. "Give me a second to sort these guys out" I said climbing over the gate, Adam lent on it watching me as Cocoa came over and nuzzled him.
"Hey" he said stroking her nose, "who are the rest of these guys?" he asked. "Well you've got marmalade, butterscotch, midnight, cocoa, buttercup and Rosie" I said pointing to each one. "Wow they love you" he said as I poured oats into a trough. I filled the bucket up with water and left the stable doors open for them. "Done, follow me" I said climbing over the gate and walking through the vineyards.
"This place is awesome" he said as I smiled and led him to the back door. "Come in" I said, "are you sure?" he questioned as I nodded. My aunt came running into the kitchen, "oh Violet there you are, where have you been and who's this?" she asked looking Adam up and down. "I've been out, this is Adam. I'm staying with Jasmine for a few days, I cant be here right now" I said. "Oh her dad is called that you know the one who walked out on his daughter" she stated, "oh be quiet Aunt mom didn't bother telling him she had me so she's not all squeaky clean you know. Give the guy a break" I snapped.
"I've got to pack some things, you can either stay here or come to my room" I said as he shrugged and followed me. "Well that was awkward" he said running his hands through his hair. "Ugh don't worry about her" I said pushing open my bedroom door and grabbing a bag. I started putting some clothes in the bag as Adam glanced around my room, the walls were covered in posters of him with my CD's and books stacked on the side. "Wow big fan I see" he said smiling as I blushed, "Kind of I may have been a little obsessed but now I have the real thing and what's better is he's my dad" I said zipping up my bag.
"Violet?" Bella said looking round my door. "Hey Bella come in" I said as she came in. "Who's that man?" she asked looking at Adam. "Bella this is Adam, its OK you can go say hello" I said as she shyly made her way over. "Hello there" Adam said smiling at her, "Hello, are you Violets boyfriend?" she asked. " No honey" he said gently pulling her pigtails as she giggled. He was good with kids, I wonder if he would have been like that with me when I was Bella's age.
"Where are you going Violet?" she asked looking at my bag. "I'm going to stay with Jasmine for a few days, Auntie tiff is staying with you and mom will be home soon I'm sure" I said. "But you cant go, I want you to stay here" she said quietly. "I have to Bella, I need some time. Look I will have my phone If you want to talk to me and I'll visit everyday after school, but I need you to be a big brave girl and look after the horses for me" I said.
"I don't want to clean up their poopies" she said wrinkling her nose. "You wont have to just give them a carrot each everyday OK?" I said. "OK Violet, I will miss you lots" she said hugging me. "Aw Bella I will miss you lots too" I said hugging her tightly, she wandered off into her room as I stood up and picked up my bag. I headed downstairs and out the front door, "are you alright?" Adam asked as Jasmine walked up the drive. "I feel like im abandoning her, just like mom did" I said sadly. "You aren't she's a big girl you know, my offer still stands if you ever need it" he said. "Thanks" I said as Jasmine walked over to us, "hey Violet. Hey Adam" she said smiling.
"Hey" Adam said smiling back, "Alright Jaz" I said as she hugged me tightly. "Shall we go?" Jasmine asked, "Yeah sure" I answered. "See you later" Adam said waving, "Bye and I will think about your offer" I said hugging him tightly. "Please do" he said handing me a piece of paper, "what's this?" I asked. "My cell phone number, if you ever need my day or night ring me or text me ok?" he said. "Ok I will" I said as I let go of him and made my way up the drive with Jasmine, I stopped at the end and waved as he waved back and headed in the opposite direction.
