Page 144 of It's Always Been You
I chuckle. “It’s a good thing Jesus says a disciple is not above his teacher.”
She lifts the back of her hand to her forehead then fans her face dramatically. “Now she’s quoting Scripture on me. Goodness me.”
We laugh together. “I have a long way to go,” I say, glancing down. “But I choose to trust Him. Through the good and the bad. It’s hard; I can’t deny that. But I haven’t regretted it yet.”
Grandma nods. “Very true. Nor have I.”
I lean forward. “Grandma, listen. I love you. You said you wished you’d accepted help sooner, maybe moved sooner, thinking it might have changed certain outcomes. But God knows your heart. He knew what you were going to do—or not do—before you did it, and He accounted for everything. You can’t thwart His plans. And He certainly doesn’t want you living with guilt or regret, okay? Tell me you won’t.”
She dabs at her eyes with a napkin. “Thank you for the reminder, sweetheart. I won’t.”
“Good. Now,” I say, sitting back with a wan smile on my face. “You tell Bert I have a bone to pick with him.” She frowns and tilts her head in question. Crossing my arms, I tut like I’m insulted. “He didn’t even get my permission before asking for your hand in marriage, Grandma.”
She snorts and rolls her eyes, waving me off like the suggestion is ridiculous, but she’s smiling.
“Hey! Don’t pretend that’s not amajorfaux pas, Grandma.”
Her eyes shine with mischief. “Oh, I agree with you.” Then she winks. “And it’s one I would never allow someone who wanted to ask foryourhand in marriage to make.”
Chapter 49
Brandon
“Iheardyou’reterribleatWii bowling,” Evie comments as Teddy sets the table and I pull the lasagna out of the oven.
“I’m not the worst,” I defend. “But I’m not the best.”
“In other words, you stink.” She plugs her nose and waves her hand in front of her face, glancing at Teddy. “Pee-yew. Your daddy stinks.”
Teddy giggles, and I shoot Evie a look of warning. She covers her mouth, making a conspiratorialoopsieface at my son before she winks. I roll my eyes like I’m displeased, but I couldn’t be happier right now. I’m with my two favorite people, and we’re about to enjoy dinner as a family.
We take our seats and say grace.
Draping her napkin across her lap, Evie rubs salt in the wound. “Bert gets a kick out of your poor sportsmanship.” Her eyes light up suddenly. “Oh! Did you know he and Grandma are engaged now?” She curls her hands beneath her chin, swooning. “He proposed on Valentine's Day.”
“I did know that,” I say, smiling briefly. I may not like Bert, but I am thrilled for Maggie. “And I amnota sore loser.” Despite what he might say. “What’s that guy’s problem, anyway?” I’ve tried not to let Bert get under my skin, but I’m only human. He’s always around, making his dislike of me known both to me and everyone else within a hundred-mile radius.
Evie’s head tilts. “What do you mean?”
“The guy despises me,” I explain before taking a bite of the cheesy lasagna. It melts on my tongue and warms my stomach, soothing my annoyance.
“Huh?”
“He bullies me, Evie,” I say point blank, giving her a drawn look. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I’m bothered by his treatment of me. I’m not used to being disliked.
Evie guffaws. “Bulliesyou? What are you talking about?”
“I don’t know. It started when I brought him those Thanksgiving leftovers after your car accident. He said, and I quote, ‘Good. She deserves better,’ after I explained that I wasn’t your boyfriend.”
Her eyes go round as the color drains from her face. “Oh.”
I glance at Teddy. He’s in his own world, scarfing down his lasagna like he didn’t have a Happy Meal and most of my French fries a couple of hours ago. “What?” I whisper, knowing I’m onto something. “What did I do?”
Evie swallows. “Well . . .”
I quirk a brow, my heart dropping at the look on her face. “What is it?”
She shrugs. “I might have told him . . .”
