Page 21 of Marrying Chrissy

Chapter Eight

Wyatt listened as Pastor Donovan said the final prayer of Sunday morning and wished everyone a wonderful week. Wyatt spent several moments shaking the hands of people he’d known most of his life. He’d been coming here with Gran, Bonnie, and Lucy since he was young. It wasn’t that their parents didn’t believe in God, they just didn’t talk about Him much. Church certainly wasn’t on their list of priorities.

That’s when Gran stepped in. She took the siblings to church, taught them about the ways God touched their every day lives, and was the example of faith and consistency they needed. Violet used to go as well, but eventually chose to walk away from it.

Sundays were still one of Wyatt’s favorite days of the week. He got to see Bonnie, Lucy and her family, and his grandmother. He and Gran usually went out to lunch together afterward.

Speaking of Gran, he found her near the front of the church visiting with one of her friends. As soon as she saw him, she smiled and excused herself. “There you are. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

“Me, too. Where are we going this week?”

Half an hour later, they were seated at a little café working on their soup and sandwiches. This was the place Gran preferred most weeks, though occasionally she surprised him. Wyatt didn’t mind, as this place made the best French dip sandwiches.

“So what does this coming week look like for you, Gran?”

She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin and then laid it across her lap. “Well, that all depends on you.”

Wyatt blinked, completely taken by surprise. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Gran made a “tsk-tsk” sound and shook her head sadly. “I spoke with your mother, and it would seem there’s no room reservation for Chrissy at the resort. I thought for sure you would invite her. We’d all love the opportunity to get to know her better.” She sat up a little straighter. “Unless she’s sharing your room. You know how I feel about that, young man. But if it means she’ll be joining us, I suppose I can turn a blind eye.”

Heat climbed the back of his neck, and Wyatt held up a hand to stop her. “No, we aren’t staying in the same room, Gran. I’m pretty sure she has plans with her mom and sister this weekend.”

“Surely she could make an exception.”

Wyatt studied Gran, but there was no playful glint in her eye like he’d expected. How could he explain that Chrissy wasn’t really his girlfriend? Sure, they’d gone out on one date, but that had ended awkwardly. He wasn’t sure what had shifted during the close of dinner, and he didn’t know where they stood now. There was no way he was going into all of that with Gran, though.

“I just don’t think it’s going to work out this time, Gran.”

Gran sighed, and her shoulders sagged a little. “I understand, Wyatt. I was really hoping she could be there. You know, when I blew out my candle at my birthday party, that was my one wish—that we would see you and Chrissy attend the reunion together.”

Wyatt knew very well that Gran was being dramatic, yet he still felt guilty for not bringing his nonexistent girlfriend with him. Wow, Gran was good. What was he supposed to say? There was no way he could ask Chrissy to go with him, especially not after Violet’s less-than-subtle attempts to stick her nose into everything. “I’d bring her if I could.” He got up and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

“That’s okay, Wyatt.” She patted him on the shoulder. “As my only grandson, you’ve always made me proud. I know that, if you can at all, you’ll find a way to convince that girl of yours to join us. I haven’t given up hope yet.” Gran gave him a sweet smile. “So what do you have going on this coming week?”

Wyatt sat down again and told her about the work waiting for him at the country club. With several new people to hire, he’d had a lot of applications and resumes to go through.

Gran ate the last spoonful of soup and observed him with a serious look on her face. “Don’t work too hard, Wyatt. It’s not good for anyone.” She paused. “I’ve watched your father work his life away. I want better for you.”

Wyatt recalled many times where Dad hadn’t been present due to one work commitment or another. Wyatt grew up determined not to be that way if he ever had a family of his own. “Don’t worry, Gran. I know there are a lot of things that are more important than work and making money.”

“Good.” Gran seemed happy with his answer. “I’m serious about Chrissy, though. It’s not every day you meet a girl as sweet as she is. Do what you can to convince her to come to the reunion.”

“I can’t promise anything.”

She seemed content with his answer and went on to talk about the next church social. He admired her ability to speak her mind and not worry what anyone else thought. Gran once told him it was a perk when she reached her eighties, and she’d certainly taken full advantage of it over the years.

Gran had a habit of making things a bigger deal than they needed to be, but that whole bit about wishing for Chrissy to join them for the reunion only echoed his own thoughts. It didn’t help that the idea of spending an entire weekend with Chrissy wasn’t exactly the worst one he’d ever heard.

~*~

Chrissy slid a finger beneath the flap of the elegant envelope and gently opened it. The only mail she ever got was either bills or junk. This paper looked like something someone would choose for a fancy wedding invitation. That, in combination with the first-class stamp in the upper right corner, told her this was something more.

Curious, she slid a card out, only then aware of Emma watching over her shoulder. Chrissy didn’t realize it until it was too late to keep Emma from reading the note as well.

My Dear Chrissy,

It was so kind of you to accompany Wyatt to my birthday party. Thank you for the chocolate truffles. They were delicious. I think, however, the best gift of all was the opportunity to meet the girl that has turned my grandson’s head.

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