Gunn Forever With You

1. Auflage 2014
ISBN: 978-0-9828772-3-4
Verlag: Robin's Nest Productions, Inc.
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 272 Seiten

Christy and Todd, the memorable couple who met as teens in the Christy Miller series, are now married and life is suddenly full of way more challenges than they expected. Christy shares some news with Todd that could significantly alter their lives. When he doesn't respond the way she hoped,, Christy discovers that Todd is facing his own life-changing problems. Will they find a way to come through this tough season closer than ever? Or will the obstacles to their unity and happiness be too overwhelming?

Autoren/Hrsg.

Gunn, Robin Jones

Leseproben

CHRISTY WAS READY.

Todd wasn’t home yet but she was ready to surprise him and make her grand announcement the minute he entered their apartment. She’d gone all out and made Ritzy Chicken, Todd’s favorite. A cluster of candles were gathered in the center of their small kitchen table giving the room a romantic glow. Two places were set, complete with folded paper napkins under the forks.

Todd is going to be so happy about this. The timing is perfect. I can’t wait to tell him!

Christy pulled the hair tie out of her long, nutmeg brown hair and gave her mane a quick shake. She reached for the pitcher of homemade lemonade in the refrigerator and filled two tall glasses. On this warm September evening in southern California, lemonade sweetened with frozen strawberries seemed like the perfect, festive way to get their evening of celebration started.

Through the open windows of their vintage style apartment Christy heard someone approaching the front door. She hurried to undo the lock, feeling her heart flutter with anticipation. Christy pulled the door open and her exuberance came to a screeching halt as the last person she expected to see was standing on her doorstep.

“Rick?”

“Hey. How are you, Christy?”

“Good. I’m good. How are you? It’s been awhile since we’ve seen you.”

They exchanged an awkward hug and Rick looked past her into the apartment. “Is Todd home yet?”

“No. He should be pretty soon. Do you want to come in? Is Nicole with you?”

“No.” Tall, dark-haired Rick’s abrupt reply about his fiancée caused Christy to look at him more closely. He was disheveled, which was not a look Christy remembered ever seeing on him.

“Are you okay?” She motioned for him to come inside.

Rick didn’t answer. He seemed intent on catching another whiff of the casserole that Christy was keeping warm in the oven. His eyes fell on the table where the candles were flickering with promise.

“You have plans,” he said more to himself than to Christy.

“Yes. Well, sort of.” She didn’t want to say another word. The last thing she wanted to do was slip and end up telling Rick her good news before she had a chance to tell Todd. She quickly covered by adding, “I decided to surprise Todd and make a nice dinner for once.”

“I’ll come by another time.” Rick retraced his short steps to the open front door. “Tell Todd I’ll text him later.”

“Okay. Are you going to be in the area for a few days?”

“I think so.”

For decisive, always-on-an-agenda Rick, that was an unexpected answer. He turned to go and then paused. Giving Christy an odd glance at her stomach he said, “I hope you guys have a good night.”

“Thanks. You, too.” Christy closed the door and frowned. That was strange.

It was moments like this when Christy tried to remember why she’d ever gone out with Rick when they were in high school. He was nothing like Todd. Never had been, never would be. If anyone would have told her then that she, Todd and Rick would all be such great friends now, she never would have believed them. Their forever friendship was a rare gift and she appreciated it. However, tonight was not a night for catching up with old friends. Christy wanted her husband all to herself.

She returned to the kitchen and pulled the salad from the refrigerator, anticipating Todd’s arrival any minute. The sound of the key turning in the lock prompted another round of flutters in her heart. She hurried to the front door and greeted her husband with an exuberant kiss.

Todd pulled back, surprised. “Whoa! What’s the occasion?”

“I made dinner for us. Did you get my text?”

Todd’s tussled, sun-bleached blond hair had been growing out the last few months and now fell across his forehead. He took in the sight of the table and drew in the aroma. “Ritzy Chicken?”

Christy nodded proudly. “With salad and green beans.”

Todd’s silver blue eyes focused on hers as he tilted his head and asked, “What’s the big occasion?”

“I . . .” Christy paused, feeling her face turn rosy. “I thought it would be nice to sit at the table for once and talk about things.”

“Things?” Todd looked skeptical.

She knew she was enjoying drawing out her big announcement way too much but it was too fun to stop now. “About our future.”

Todd leaned over and gave her another kiss. This time she was certain she detected a hint of taco flavoring on his lips.

“Did you eat already?”

“Yeah, I grabbed a taco on the way home.” Todd put his keys and his phone on the counter and washed his hands in the kitchen sink.

“You didn’t get my text, did you?”

Before Todd could answer, his cell phone chimed an alert. He reached for it and read the screen. Typing a quick reply to the text that had just come in, he set his phone to mute and said, “Remind me to set an alarm tonight. Rick’s in town. I’m meeting him for coffee in the morning.”

“Yes, I was going to tell you. He came by right before you got home. He doesn’t look like he’s doing very well.”

“What do you mean?” Todd took the seat at the kitchen nook table.

“I don’t know. He seemed kind of spacey. Like he hadn’t slept for a week.”

“That’s not good. Do you think we should invite him to come back and eat with us?”

“No!” The answer popped out way too quickly so Christy added, “I mean, I was hoping that . . .”

“Because I have a feeling things aren’t going well between him and Nicole. She wasn’t with him, was she?”

“No, she wasn’t.” Christy lowered herself into the chair across from Todd and felt a sense of empathy for Rick. She’d only been around Rick and Nicole a few times but they seemed like a good match. Even her best friend, Katie, who dated Rick in college and had introduced him to Nicole, thought they were the ideal couple. Christy hoped Rick and Nicole weren’t breaking up.

Todd got up from the table and went for his phone. “I think we should have him over. There’s plenty of food and if he’s hurtin’ the way I think he is right now, and if I were in his place, I’d need to be with my friends.”

Christy knew Todd was right. She was okay with waiting on telling him her big news. People in need always came first with Todd. His position as a Youth Pastor gave him plenty of opportunities to reach out to teens and their parents and so far Christy had never regretted any of those times.

Todd paused and looked over at Christy. “Is this okay with you? Sorry I didn’t ask.”

“It’s okay. Go ahead. Give him a call. I’ll set another place.”

Apparently Rick hadn’t gone far because it took him less than five minutes to return. Todd opened the door and Christy watched the two of them give each other their typical manly sort of hug as they clasped hands and leaned in to bump shoulders.

Rick hesitated before stepping into the small kitchen area where Christy stood. “Are you sure I’m not crashing your party?”

“No. It’s okay.” Christy motioned for him to have a seat at the table. “You’re welcome here any time, Rick.” She took a seat at the end and make sure they had everything they needed on the table.

Instead of praying, as Todd usually did before they ate, he raised his glass of lemonade and Rick and Christy followed his lead.

“To the King and His kingdom,” Todd said with winsome sincerity. “And to His mysterious ways and His perfect timing. We are grateful, Lord, for good food and good friends and this chance to enjoy them both. Amen.”

“Amen,” Christy echoed as their glasses clinked.

“Mysterious ways,” Rick repeated quietly. “That’s for sure.” He picked up his fork and moved the steaming green beans around on his plate but didn’t take a bite.

Christy looked at Todd, wondering if they should ask Rick any questions or just let him eat.

Rick put down his fork and lifted his chin. He had tears in his eyes. Stubborn tears. They rose to the rim and then belligerently refused to spill over. He blinked a couple times and said, “Nicki gave me the ring back last night. She said it’s over.”

Christy’s hand instinctively reached over and gave Rick a comforting squeeze on his arm. Todd placed his hand on Rick’s shoulder and said, “Really sorry to hear that, man. What happened?”

“She said she’s not ready. Not ready to marry me; not ready to get married. She’s not even willing to stay engaged and try to work this out. She said it’s over.”

Christy didn’t know what to say. Todd kept his hand on Rick’s shoulder as if infusing him with courage to say everything he needed to say.

“It’s my fault.” Rick stared at the untouched food on his plate. “I pressed her to get engaged too soon. She wanted us to take our time...