Marrying Chrissy (Brides of Clearwater Book 3) Read online

  Chrissy looked around the large covered patio as people ate and visited. The area had to be larger than her entire house. Honeysuckle and climbing roses covered the white fencing along one side, and their fragrance tickled Chrissy’s nose. Meanwhile, fans above kept the air flowing and chased away the Texas heat.

  As fancy as the country club was, she’d half expected crystal and china. Instead, they used thick, plastic plates that were much fancier than paper but still disposable. Chrissy enjoyed her New York strip steak and mashed potatoes and gravy. Although, compared to the kind of food she usually ate, this was pretty uptown all on its own. Thankfully, she seemed to blend in with the crowd.

  Wyatt gently bumped her shoulder with his. When she looked at him, she found him smiling with a hint of humor in his eyes. “Earth to Chrissy. You doing okay?”

  “I’m good, thanks.” She drank the last of her punch. “Just people-watching. I’m usually too busy at the coffee shop to do a lot of that. It’s nice to sit and be invisible for a while.” He said nothing, and she glanced at him. He was watching her thoughtfully. “What?”

  “Trust me, you’re never invisible.”

  Chrissy’s hand immediately went to the purple streak in her hair, and her eyes flitted to her nails. Maybe she should’ve toned things down a little. Was he wishing that she had? Had someone mentioned something to him?

  Before her mind could wander further, he captured her hand in his. “That’s not what I’m talking about.” He squeezed it gently before standing up.

  Then what did he mean? She wanted him to elaborate, but he was already gathering their empty plates.

  “I’m going to take these to the trash. Would you like something else to drink?”

  She glanced at her cup. “Yes, please. More punch would be great.”

  “You’ve got it. I’ll be back shortly.”

  She nodded. He gave her a smile and disappeared into the crowd. He wasn’t gone a full minute before Violet slid into the seat across from Chrissy. She pushed some of her sandy brown hair out of her face and offered a friendly smile tinged with something else Chrissy couldn’t quite define. It was almost as though her smile was just a little too sweet.

  There was a strong resemblance between Violet, Wyatt, and the other two siblings she’d met. They all had the same-colored hair, green or hazel eyes, and the same strong nose. A big contrast to her own family, where no one ever pegged Chrissy and Emma for sisters and were later surprised when they discovered that was the case.

  Violet nodded toward the crowd of happy people. “So what do you think? I hope you’re having fun.”

  “You know, I am.” It was nice to be able to say that honestly. “Everyone’s been very welcoming.”

  “We’re a pretty good bunch. Most of us, anyway.” Violet folded her arms on the table and leaned forward. “The fact that Wyatt brought you here is a big deal. He doesn’t do that, you know. Bring women to family functions. At least not since Ashley.” She paused. “He has told you about Ashley, right?”

  Chrissy tried to control her reaction to the question. No, Wyatt hadn’t told her about Ashley. And why should he? They barely knew each other. Chrissy guessed Ashley must be an old girlfriend or something along those lines. She ignored the zing of jealousy as she scrambled for what to say. She wasn’t about to lie, and she couldn’t tell the truth, either. “I’ve never met Ashley, but I didn’t realize he was so hesitant to bring women to family functions. I guess I should feel honored.” Hopefully that answer would be good enough.

  Violet leaned back in her chair then and studied Chrissy. “You certainly should. What did you say or do to convince him? Goodness knows the rest of us haven’t been able to accomplish in the last five years what you have in the last…” She raised an eyebrow. “Exactly how long have you and my brother known each other?”

  Did that mean Wyatt hadn’t dated anyone in five years? Or had he only kept his love interests safely away from his sister? Curiosity burned until Chrissy realized Violet was still staring at her, waiting for an answer. Chrissy tried to push down the irritation that bubbled out of nowhere. Didn’t Wyatt say Violet was married? Where was her husband? Or kids? Surely she had someone else she could bother.

  “I met Wyatt back in December.” That was the truth. Why it was bothering Chrissy so much to be accused of lying was beyond her, although her very purpose for being here was shady at best. There was something about Violet that rubbed her the wrong way. She may not know Violet well, but Chrissy could detect sibling mischievousness when she saw it. As much as she wanted to know who Ashley was, Chrissy was being baited, and she refused to bite. “Well, it’s been wonderful to help Gran celebrate her birthday.”

  Speaking of Gran, she was sitting back in a comfy chair, happily visiting with anyone that stopped by and said hello. While the wrinkles on her face and the thin skin on her shaky hands attested to her age, her laughter and the way she seemed to enjoy life spoke of a much younger woman. Chrissy could tell Evelyn Tabor was a woman she would enjoy sitting down and visiting with.

  Chrissy barely remembered her own grandmother. She’d never had the kind of close relationship that Wyatt and his sisters seemed to have with theirs. Was it wrong to envy them for it?

  Wyatt returned and set Chrissy’s cup down in front of her. He sat to her right and let his arm drape across the back of Chrissy’s chair before fixing his sister with a curious look. “You two doing alright?”

  “We’re good. Just chatting.” Violet seemed to take them both in. “So Wyatt, when are you going to bring Chrissy to a family dinner?”

  Her question seemed to throw him, and he hesitated. “What?”

  “When are you going to bring Chrissy to one of our family dinners? It’d be nice if we had a chance to get to know her in a more intimate setting.” There was something about her expression and the tone of her voice that suggested she wasn’t all that fond of the idea.

  Wyatt looked at Chrissy and gave her a little shrug. “I don’t know, Violet. After having to deal with this crazy crowd, I wouldn’t blame her if she never attended another Tabor event again.”

  Chrissy smiled at him. “I have to admit these large gatherings overwhelm me. But it’s been wonderful being welcomed by your family.”

  Violet didn’t seem happy with Chrissy’s response. Her brows drew together, and she opened her mouth to say something else when Mrs. Tabor clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.

  “Thank you all for coming.” She put a hand on Gran’s shoulder. “Now it’s time to bring out the birthday cake.”

  Violet glanced at Chrissy again, gave her a tight smile, and got up from the table. So far, she was the only person Chrissy had met tonight that hadn’t seemed happy to see her there. There were a lot of curious looks, but that was it.

  Mrs. Tabor nodded toward the clubhouse, and someone wheeled out the largest birthday cake Chrissy had ever seen. The base itself was as large as a giant pizza box, and it extended upward into three tiers. Roses made of frosting covered the cake, turning it into a mini edible garden. Even this crowd couldn’t come close to eating the whole thing. The arrival of the cake was accompanied by appreciative clapping.

  Mr. Tabor kissed his mother’s cheek. “We opted for one rose-shaped candle on the top.”

  Gran patted his hand. “That’ll be fine, dear. But I’ll have you know I was looking forward to the challenge of blowing out ninety candles.” She gave him a stern look that quickly dissolved into a playful smile.

  Chrissy thoroughly enjoyed watching Gran as she interacted with her family members. When she turned ninety, she hoped she’d continue to live her life with such grace.

  Wyatt’s hand brushed against Chrissy’s shoulder sending goosebumps traveling down her arm. He leaned in close. “Sorry about my sister. She’s naturally the suspicious type. About everything.” He was so close to her ear that his breath brushed across her skin like a feather. Chrissy suppressed a sigh as he squeezed her shoulder and let his hand drop.

>   This whole thing was a charade. So why was his nearness turning her brain into mush?

  ~*~

  Wyatt really didn’t know what he expected from Chrissy at the birthday party. She was good at her job at the coffee shop, and she was well spoken, so he assumed she’d at least be professional about their arrangement. What he hadn’t banked on was how easily she inserted herself into his family. By the time Gran had cake and opened the rest of her gifts, Chrissy had visited with all his siblings and even some of the cousins. From what he could tell, she handled each of the conversations with ease.

  Not only that, but he could visualize her as a member of his family. That wasn’t a good thing.

  “Wyatt?”

  Gran’s voice shook him from his thoughts. He smiled at her, aware of Chrissy to his right. “Hey, Gran. I hope you’re having a great party.”

  “I am, dear, thank you.” Gran reached for Chrissy’s hand. When she placed it in Wyatt’s hand, the warmth of Chrissy’s skin practically burned into his. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She covered her surprise and then laced her fingers with his.

  That’s when Wyatt had to hide his own shock. He gently squeezed her hand and forced his attention back to Gran.

  She fingered the necklace that one of her great-great-grandchildren made her. “It’s wonderful to see you with someone, Wyatt. It’s about time. And it’s been a treat to meet you, Chrissy.” She looked thoughtful. “You know, Wyatt, you should bring Chrissy on the family vacation.”

  Wyatt started to shake his head, but Gran would have none of it. “I insist.” She looked at Chrissy imploringly. “Humor an old woman. I’d like to get to know you better, dear. Please do come. Normally, it’s our reunion, but I think many of us are already here today.” She chuckled. “Ask Wyatt, he can tell you all about it.”

  “Oh, I don’t know…” Chrissy looked lost as she glanced at Wyatt, hoping for a hint on how to respond.

  “I’m pretty sure Chrissy has to work that weekend, Gran.”

  Chrissy nodded.

  Gran only looked more serious. “Nonsense. What could be better for a young couple in love than a weekend at the coast? I expect to see you both there.” She gently patted Chrissy’s cheek and turned to talk to Wyatt’s uncle.

  Chrissy’s hand was still nestled in his as he led her away from Gran and toward the clubhouse. “I guess I should be getting you back home.” Wyatt paused once inside and glanced at the watch on his other wrist. “And look at that, it’s not quite eight. See, I’m getting you out of here early.”

  She smiled at him and glanced down at their joined hands. Reluctantly, he released hers and slid both of his into the pockets of his pants. “If you’ll follow me, miss, I’ll get you through this maze of a country club and escort you home.”

  Chrissy offered a mock curtsy. “Thank you, kind sir.”

  Wyatt ridiculously wished he still held her hand as he led the way through the clubhouse and back out to the large circular driveway out front. Once they were seated in his car again, he reached across and withdrew an envelope from the glove compartment. He handed it to Chrissy.

  “There you go—the last of the money we agreed on.” Unwilling to dawdle in the parking lot and risk someone coming out to talk to them, Wyatt turned the ignition and began to drive them back to her place.

  Chrissy slipped the envelope into her purse.

  “You don’t want to count it?”

  “I trust you.” She closed her purse again and set it on the floorboard. “Thank you.”

  “Are you kidding? You saw my family. You went above and beyond tonight. Thank you for being so kind to Gran and for putting up with Violet.”

  Chrissy laughed then. “Your sister is a character, isn’t she? And rightfully suspicious.”

  “Maybe so, but she doesn’t need to know that.” He grinned.

  Chrissy’s smile faded as she kept her gaze fixed on the windshield. She finally cleared her throat. “Look, I wanted you to know that this money is a huge help. It’ll go to pay for my own sister’s medication this month.”

  Wyatt glanced at her. She didn’t say more, but he detected a catch in her voice. He’d grown up with money—more money than he ever knew what to do with. It sounded stupid and selfish, but sometimes he forgot that so many other people struggled. Wow, now he felt like a snob. The five hundred dollars tonight hadn’t even made Wyatt think twice, yet it seemed to mean a lot to Chrissy.

  He wished he’d offered to pay her more. “I hope your sister’s okay.”

  “She is now.” It didn’t sound like Chrissy was going to say more, but then she continued. “Emma had a heart transplant. It saved her life. But the medical bills have been astronomical, and the medication every month alone…” She cleared her throat. “Sorry, none of that is your problem.”

  Things started falling into place. “So you, your sister, and your mom all live together?”

  Chrissy nodded. “By splitting the cost three ways, we can afford to live there. It works out.”

  “That sounds like a great plan.” As Wyatt pulled up in front of her house, he was again struck by how rundown the place was. He wondered if the landlords were just that cheap or if the three women owned the place and couldn’t afford to keep it up. A host of questions swirled in his head, but he stopped himself from asking them. He barely knew Chrissy. It wasn’t his place to start questioning her financial position or to insert himself into their lives by offering help. It should be enough to know that the money he gave her would purchase medication for her sister.

  At least, that’s what he kept telling himself as he went around the vehicle, opened the door for Chrissy, and watched as she got out. He saw the curtains in one window part as two people looked out at them.

  Chrissy noticed it then, too, and chuckled. “Since they both know about tonight’s arrangement, would you like to meet them?”

  A flash of panic traveled to his throat, and he swallowed. Would her family want to meet him? What if they were offended by the fact that he paid Chrissy to essentially go on a date with him? “Considering you were willing to talk to my mass of a family, it only seems fair.” Wyatt put a hand to her back as they walked up the few stairs to the front door. Spending a little extra time with Chrissy wasn’t a bad thing. He hadn’t looked forward to saying goodnight and going home quite yet, anyway.

  The sounds of the locks turning filtered through the door. Chrissy quickly turned and whispered, “Only stay a few minutes, okay? Emma gets tired in the evening and needs her rest. But don’t tell her I said that, or she’ll have my head.”

  Wyatt chuckled. “You’ve got it.”

  The door opened, and a woman who looked like a taller and wiser version of Chrissy greeted them. “Oh! I didn’t expect… Please, come on in.” She smiled brightly and moved to the side.

  Wyatt followed Chrissy through the door and into the small living room where Chrissy’s sister waited.

  Chrissy wasted no time in introducing everyone. “This is my sister, Emma, and my mom, Sarah. Guys, this is Wyatt.”

  He shook their hands, relieved to receive what seemed to be a warm welcome from Chrissy’s family. “It’s wonderful to meet you both. I hope I didn’t keep Chrissy out for very long.”

  “Not at all,” Sarah said. “I hope your grandmother is having a wonderful birthday.”

  “She is, thank you. She thrives on attention, even though she won’t admit it.” Wyatt laughed. “She loved every minute of having thirty-odd family members there celebrating her birthday.” She’d always made a big deal out of everyone else’s birthdays, too. Wyatt didn’t remember a single birthday of his own without Gran there. In fact, she’d bought him his first remote-controlled car—a toy that he still had even though it had quit working long ago.

  Emma motioned toward the little kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  Wyatt held up a hand. “I appreciate it, but no, thank you. I just wanted to say hello before I went home.” He discreetly obser
ved the living room and the kitchen where he could just make out the yellow-topped cabinets. Everything inside the house could use an update as well. At the same time, everything was clean and tidy. Clearly, the ladies took great care of what they had, they just didn’t seem to have the means to update things as needed.

  Sarah motioned to the couch and waited for Wyatt to sit before she joined him. Emma sat in the small recliner, and Chrissy balanced on the arm of the couch near her mother.

  “So what do you do for a living, Wyatt?” Sarah asked.

  “I manage one of my father’s businesses.” He shrugged. “It’s not overly exciting, but it’s a decent job.” He didn’t want to go into the fact that Dad owned the country club, among other things. Instead of dwelling on whether or not he should tell her, he deflected before more questions could be asked. “What about you, Sarah?”

  “I work for Clearwater Community Bank on the other side of town. I have for nearly twenty years now.” She smiled. “As you said, it’s not overly exciting. But it is a stable job, and one can’t complain about that. Especially at my age.”

  Chrissy reached over and smacked her mother on the arm good-naturedly. “Whatever, Mom.”

  Sarah only reached up and patted Chrissy’s hand.

  Wyatt smiled. “It sounds like a great job.” He looked at Emma. “How about you?”

  “I work for one of the local veterinary hospitals. It’s a lot of fun, and I enjoy the opportunity to help animals and their families.” She hid a yawn behind one hand.

  “Well, it sounds like you’ve got the most exciting job out of the four of us, hands down.” Wyatt glanced at Chrissy and caught the almost nonexistent nod. “I should probably get going. I just wanted to say hello instead of dropping Chrissy off and disappearing.” He stood, and the others followed suit.

  Sarah looked like she wanted to say more, but she glanced at Emma who was covering another yawn. “Well, it was nice of you to take the time. And no matter the reason, it was good of Chrissy to get out for a change.” She gave her daughter a firm look. “She spends way too much time here with us or on her own.”