Page 45 of Marrying Chrissy

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Wyatt was losing her, he could feel it. It was as though everything they had together had been left on that beach, and the further they drove, the smaller any chance he had with her became. He wanted to talk to Chrissy and find out what Violet said, although he could certainly imagine. He knew he should’ve told her about Ashley before any of this happened. He resisted the temptation to pound the steering wheel with the palm of his hand.

He may have ruined everything with Chrissy before they’d even had a chance. He just had to get her to talk to him and let him explain.

Wyatt wished he could drop Bonnie and Gunner off first, but it made no sense. He’d have to go all the way across Clearwater, past Chrissy’s home, back again, and then back a third time to where he lived. It’d be obvious what he was doing, and he seriously doubted Chrissy would agree with his plans.

Gunner woke up not long after and fussed for the rest of the drive, effectively ending any chance at conversation. By the time they got to Chrissy’s home, Wyatt’s ears were ringing, and he knew poor Bonnie was beside herself trying to calm the baby down.

He pulled up in front of her house, put the vehicle in park, and went to the trunk to retrieve Chrissy’s things. They walked side by side to the front door. Before she had a chance to reach for the doorknob, Wyatt turned to her.

“We really do need to talk. Let me explain. Give me a chance to set right whatever it was that Violet told you.”

She shook her head, her chin down and her eyelashes lowered. “We’re too different, Wyatt.”

He used his hand to gently lift her chin until her pretty eyes were on him. “Different isn’t bad.” They could hear Gunner crying from the car, and Wyatt was well aware of the fact that her mom and sister were probably watching through the window. “We’ve got something here, Chrissy. I don’t want to let it slip away.”

Moisture gathered in her eyes. She drew her bottom lip in between her teeth and shook her head again. “I can’t. I’m sorry, Wyatt.” She took a step away from him, her back pressed against the door. With one last, sorrowful look, she turned and made her escape.

His heart aching, Wyatt returned to his vehicle and glanced at Bonnie’s face in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were wide, and her mouth opened for a moment like she was going to say something before closing again.

To his relief, she went back to trying to calm Gunner, not that it seemed to make much of a difference.

“We’ll be back to his house in ten minutes,” Wyatt assured her. He did everything he could to focus on driving and try not to think about Chrissy. Not that it worked.

A moment later, he felt Bonnie’s hand on his shoulder. She gave it a squeeze. “I’m sorry, Wyatt. What happened?”

He shrugged. “What didn’t? Violet. Mom and Dad. Life.” He sighed. “She won’t even hear me out. I’m not sure what Violet told her, so I can’t even explain or defend myself.”

“You should go back after you drop us off.”

“I don’t think so. She needs space, and maybe I do too.”

“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” It was clear from the tone of her voice how she felt about it. “Come on, Wyatt. You were happier this weekend than I’ve seen you in a long time. I may not know Chrissy all that well, but she wasn’t exactly hating it either.”

“Maybe. But she’s made it clear how she feels now.” He wasn’t even sure howhefelt right now. He certainly should’ve known better than to open himself up to this. His family didn’t want him alone, but they only had one type of woman in mind for him. Bringing Chrissy to the reunion had opened them both up to hurt, and her to ridicule.

Bonnie squeezed his shoulder again and let her hand drop. Once at her employer’s home, Bonnie unstrapped Gunner and lifted him into her arms. Apparently that’s all the baby needed because, after an hour of crying, he quieted quickly. Wyatt helped her get the car seat and luggage into the house. He would’ve offered to give her a ride to her house since her car was at the shop, but she only lived a block away, and he knew she preferred to walk.

He gave his sister a hug at the doorway. “Be careful walking home, and have a good rest of your Sunday, okay?”

“You, too. And Wyatt?” She gave him a sad smile. “Don’t give up on this, okay?”

“I’ll see you later, Bon.”

With a wave, he got back into his Jeep, thankful for the blessed silence that filled the cab. He decided to go home, take a shower, and then lie down for a nap. The plan might have worked, too, if his dreams weren’t filled with the sound of Chrissy’s laughter or the memory of their kisses.

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