Connor had put his family first over his own happiness.
“The company is doing very well,” Connor said.
“I know it is, and I’m glad.”
“But it’s a lot of work to manage this success.” There was strain in Connor’s voice. “I need you to consider and pray about coming home to share my burden—at least until the baby is born. After that, you can go back to your world tour or whatever it is you want to do.”
Evan wasn’t sure how to respond. How could he leave Rosie in Savannah and return to Seattle? Their relationship had only begun. In fact, it was only less than ten hours ago that he and Rosie had gone public with their relationship.
It had been a whirlwind, and he wanted to calm down and stabilize their boyfriend-girlfriend status.
How could he pack up and go home to Seattle now?
“This timing is bad for me…” Evan started to say before realizing how selfish he sounded. He was only focused on himself and his own personal happiness, while Connor was out there holding down the fort and sacrificing his own desires to keep the family business going.
“All right. I’ll talk to Cyrus and see if I can get a week off,” Evan finally said.
“You were planning to come home for Christmas anyway. This is one week early.” Connor’s voice suddenly sounded jovial, as though a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders.
That burden now landed on Evan’s shoulders.
“Maybe when you go back to Savannah you can stay a week longer,” Connor added.
“Or be here for Christmas instead of in Seattle.” Evan wanted to move to Savannah permanently.
“Just take it as I owe you one. Pray about it and let me know?”
“I will.” Evan sighed. “I’ll also talk to my girlfriend and see what she says.”
“Girlfriend?” Connor laughed. “After all these years, you finally found yourself a girlfriend?”
“Divine providence.”
“For sure. Send me a photo.”
“Will do.” Evan wondered what would happen if Connor forwarded the photo to Mom. Would she approve of Rosie?
Funny how Evan still wanted Mom’s approval even though they weren’t exactly getting along at this time.
Hmmm. Maybe he could make peace with Mom. It was time for them to sit down and talk and get their annoyances ironed out. If they could do it before Christmas, Evan would feel better about celebrating the Lord’s birthday without this dark cloud hovering over him.
What would Rosie think of him if she found out how bad his relationship with Mom was? Would she think less of him?
Yeah, he’d better go home to Seattle and settle this matter with Mom so that his conscience was clear and he could move forward with Rosie.
The opportunity had come in an unexpected form, even though Evan felt bad that his sister-in-law was on bedrest before Connor called him for help with the company and to deal with their parents. With Evan at the office, Connor could ease up and be available for his wife.
Evan would have to leave Rosie sooner than he’d expected.
Then again, perhaps this could be a test of their relationship. If they survived this separation unscathed, then Evan wanted to marry her.
Startled at his own thoughts, his jaw dropped.
Then he smiled the biggest smile.
He called Rosie on video.
She was in the kitchen. “Whassup?”