Page 40 of Marrying Bonnie

Chapter Fourteen

Bonnie lost track of how many times she glanced at the door leading into the church’s worship hall. She tried to keep it subtle, but this time, Wyatt nudged her shoulder. “If you’re looking for Chrissy, Gran is with her and they said they’d be back in a few minutes.”

“Yeah. I mean, no, that’s not who…” She stopped and sighed. “I invited Jace, Noel, and Gunner to come to church.”

Wyatt kept his face neutral, though there was no missing the interest in his eyes. “That was a good move, Bon.” He put an arm around her shoulder. “Are things still weird between the two of you?”

“Maybe not as weird. But yeah.” Bonnie shrugged. “It shouldn’t be this hard.”

“You know what Gran would say.”

Together, they repeated, “If it’s worth it, then it’s worth doing something about it.”

A voice spoke up from behind them. “I’m glad to hear that my words of wisdom aren’t lost on the younger generation.” Gran chuckled as she joined them, shortly followed by Chrissy.

Wyatt reached for his wife’s hand and drew her to his side.

Bonnie watched them for several moments. He’d been so sweet to Chrissy since their miscarriage nearly two weeks ago. And Chrissy had leaned into him for strength. The two of them were an inspiration. Bonnie was just glad to see that at least a little of the sorrow in her sister-in-law’s eyes was easing.

She stepped around Wyatt to give Chrissy a hug. “You doing okay?”

Chrissy nodded. “A little better every day.”

Bonnie went to stand in front of her chair and then turned to hug Gran, too, who took the seat next to hers. “Hi, Gran. And for the record? I consider your wisdom worth more than gold. At least most of it.” She gave her grandmother a wink.

Gran patted her hand with a loving smile.

Bonnie looked around the church and soaked in the contentment and love that always filled the building. It wasn’t just the four walls, though. It was the people that filled it. She’d been coming here with Gran since she was young, and it would always be another home for her.

The countdown on the projector screen showed less than five minutes until worship would begin.

Bonnie was tempted to look at the door again but forced herself to focus on the screen in front of her. Staring at the door certainly wasn’t going to make Jace appear. And even if he did visit their church, it didn’t mean anything anyway.

She’d just about convinced herself of that when a deep voice spoke from behind her, immediately sending goosebumps racing across her skin.

“Good morning, Bonnie.”

What was it about his voice that had her pulse dancing? She took a slow breath in as she schooled her response and then turned to find Jace and Noel in the row right behind her. “Good morning.” She noted the absence of a particularly active little boy. “Did someone help you find Gunner’s class?”

Jace nodded. “As soon as Gunner saw the bin of toys, he never looked back.”

Noel reached over and gave Bonnie a hug. “Everyone here has been so welcoming. Thank you for inviting us.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you’re here.” Bonnie realized that their interactions had snagged the attention of her family. She barely had a chance to make the introductions before the church’s worship team began to play music. Moments later, the room filled with song as the lyrics appeared on the screen at the front of the room.

It took nearly everything Bonnie had in her to focus on worship and then the message instead of the man who was sitting directly behind her.

When she’d invited him to join her at church, she had no idea whether he would accept or not. Now that he had, she wondered whether it was simply because he was looking for a church home himself. Was it horrible that a big part of her secretly hoped there was more to it than that?

She swallowed a groan and tried to focus on the announcements the associate pastor was sharing. After a final prayer, the congregation was dismissed. Bonnie tucked her Bible under one arm and retrieved her bag from beneath her chair.

The aisles were full as people maneuvered their way to the back of the church. As had become their habit, they waited with Gran until the aisle cleared and it was easier for her to walk.

Gran turned in her seat to address Jace and Noel. “It’s good to finally meet you both. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Jace chuckled. “All good, I hope.”

“It depends on who I heard it from.” Gran gave him a mischievous wink while reaching over to pat Jace’s hand. “But don’t you worry, comments have been positive from those who count.”

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