I Promise (22 page)

“Why don't we mix the men and women on both sides?” Todd suggested. “I mean, it's our wedding, right? We can do whatever we want. We could have my dad, Doug, and Tracy on my side, and then Katie, Rick, and David on your side.”

Christy contemplated Todd's suggestion. Once again, his unique way of looking at things opened a world of possibilities to her.

“What do you think?” Todd asked.

Christy had to smile, remembering when he had asked her that question as they shopped for engagement
rings. With a big grin, Christy said, “What do I think? I think you kiss pretty good.”

Todd seemed to appreciate her humor. He responded with one of her lines. “Do you want to talk mushy or business? I was asking about the wedding attendants.”

With a playful grin Christy said, “Mushy, of course. But I'll try to refrain myself and stick to business by saying that once again your clever random factor has saved the day by coming up with an unexpected solution to a problem that had my tidiness issues and me in a panic.”

Todd laughed, scooped up her empty ice-cream cup, and carried it to the trash can at the other end of the ice-cream shop.

Just then Christy noticed some students from Rancho coming in the door. Sierra was with them. Christy waved at her, and Sierra left her group to come over to talk to Christy.

Sierra sat down in Todd's empty chair. “I'm glad you're here. I wanted to ask, when is your wedding date?”

“May twenty-second.”

“Good! I was hoping that was the day. I was accepted for the summer study program I told you about. My flight leaves the next Saturday. I didn't want to miss your wedding.”

“Oh good. I'm glad you'll be there,” Christy said.

“Me too. I've also been meaning to thank you.” Sierra bent her head toward Christy.

Christy noticed Todd was talking with the students who had come in with Sierra. She gave Sierra her full attention.

“What you said to me at The Nest about being who God made me to be has really helped. Especially as I've prepared for this trip to Brazil.”

“In a way, it helped me, too.” Christy was thinking about how she had discovered she was a lot like her aunt but how that had turned out to be a good thing when she realized God could fulfill His purpose for her exactly the way she was.

“Well, it helped me a lot. And I started to think about what it is about you that makes me appreciate you so much.”

Christy felt a little funny having Sierra shower her with such praise.

“You know what you do?” Sierra asked. “You love people. Gently, calmly, with specific, kind attention, you make people feel welcome. You put people at ease that way, Christy. It's a gift. I think God has given you the gift of hospitality as well as organization.”

Christy took in Sierra's words. “I don't know about the hospitality part. I don't exactly live in a place where I can do a lot of entertaining. I never have. And being married to Todd, I have a feeling a house with lots of guest rooms isn't going to be in my future.”

“Who needs a house? I'm talking about your heart. You have plenty of guest rooms there. And that's what you do. You open your heart to people. You keep lovely little rooms in there, just waiting for your friends to
come visit. People feel as if they can come right in, just as they are. You don't entertain, you love. That's what lasts. That's why people like me feel as if I will always be your friend. You hold a special place for me in your heart.”

Tears rolled down Christy's cheeks faster than she could blink them away. “Thank you, Sierra. Thank you.”

“Don't thank me, thank God. He's the One who gifted you the way He did.” Sierra flashed a bright, free-as-a-kite smile at Christy and hopped up from the chair. “It looks like those guys have already ordered. I better go. See you later.”

Christy felt that a great life mystery had just been solved. She knew who she was, she knew how God had gifted her, and she felt peace coming over her like a cozy down comforter.

Wherever Todd and I end up living, however I end up using this college degree, I now know what my life is about. I can love people. I am a woman of hospitality. A woman who loves.

16
As the final weeks of Christy's senior year slid past, her life seemed to fall into place. She felt her future was more defined. Sierra's words about Christy's spiritual gift being hospitality had opened up a world of understanding and possibilities to her. She liked being hospitable, and she thought being organized and detail oriented were nice companions to hospitality. It all made sense. Now she knew what her life was about, and she was eager to move forward, being true to the person God had created her to be.

The wedding plans were also coming together nicely. Their bank account was growing, thanks to Todd's painting job, and Christy was finding time to complete her class work since she rarely saw Todd.

On the Friday afternoon before Easter vacation, Christy worked extra hours in the bookstore while the other student employees left early for their vacations. Matthew Kingsley came in wearing a baseball cap over his light brown hair. He appeared to have grown an
inch since she had seen him last. “Hi,” Christy said.

“Hi yourself.”

His warm brown eyes smiled down at her. “Where have you been hiding? I haven't seen you in weeks. I stopped by a couple of times, but you haven't been here.”

“My hours changed this semester,” Christy said. “I have more classes, too. I've been swamped.”

“Tell me about it. They have us on a crazy schedule this baseball season.”

“How are you doing?”

“Great. My mom told me about your grandfather passing away,” Matt said. “I was real sorry to hear that. He was a good man.”

Matt and Christy had grown up together in Brightwater. He had been her first crush at Washington Elementary School, and now they were at the same school again. Last semester Christy had seen Matt all the time. This semester they rarely ran into each other.

“Thanks, Matt,” Christy said. “I agree. He was a wonderful man. I saw your sisters at the funeral. They've really grown.”

“Yeah, they're both doing well. My family is coming to California this summer, so they're pretty excited.”

“Are you staying here this summer?”

Matt nodded. “I got a job with the Youth Outreach Center. That's why I haven't been helping Todd with the youth group at his church. I have my own bunch of kids to work with now. They're a lot more street smart than the kids Todd works with. I like it. We have
two baseball teams put together so far.”

“That sounds like something you would be good at,” Christy said. “How did you find that job?”

“Jenna works there. She recommended me.”

“Jenna?”

“Don't you remember Jenna? I told you guys in the cafeteria one day in December that I wanted to ask her out, and you talked me into that group date event at The Dove's Nest.”

“Oh yes, Jenna.”

“It's okay if you don't remember much about that night. You and Todd were pretty busy getting yourselves engaged.”

Christy smiled. “That was a special night. I was glad you were there.”

Matt hesitated and shyly looked over his shoulder before saying, “We're still doing stuff together.”

“You are? You and Jenna?”

Matt nodded.

“Good for you! She seemed like a really sweet person.”

“She is,” Matt said. “I've been wanting to tell you that because, well . . . I guess I just wanted you to know and to be happy for me. You're like the closest thing to family I have here.”

“I'm glad you told me. I hope you bring her to our wedding. The invitations haven't been mailed yet, but it's on May twenty-second.”

“I'll be there,” Matt said. “And I'll bring Jenna with me.”

“Good.” Christy hoped her warm smile told Matt how happy she was for him.

“As a matter of fact, Jenna and I are going bowling tonight, in case you and Todd want to go with us.”

“Bowling, huh?” Christy thought it was great Matt had found a girl who liked sports. “Thanks, but I'm not sure we can squeeze it in. As soon as I get off work, I have to drive down to my parents' house. The bridesmaids' dresses arrived, and I have to get Tracy's to her in case it needs altering.”

“Oh.” Matt nodded but looked as if he had no idea what she was talking about. “We can try to do something together another time.”

“Sure.” Christy knew it wouldn't happen. At least not in the next two months.

Maybe after we're married, Todd and I will find time to get our social life back.

On Saturday afternoon, Christy drove to Carlsbad with Tracy's bridesmaid's dress in the Volvo's backseat. She and Tracy planned to meet for lunch at the Blue Ginger Café, but Christy was a little early. That was fine with her because she was able to grab an open table outside where the fresh spring sunshine poured over her, warming her and making her eager for summer to come. She closed her menu and closed her eyes, basking in the warmth.

A few moments later, Tracy walked up, and Christy smiled to see her friend's little belly pooching out in a compact, round ball.

“I know,” Tracy said, patting her tummy. “I'm definitely showing.”

“You look so cute! You're adorable.” Christy hugged her and patted the baby bubble gently. “You look really good, Tracy.”

“Thanks, Christy. I can't say that I believe you, but thanks.” Tracy pulled out a chair and sat across from Christy. “Have you ordered yet?”

“No, I was just enjoying a little sunshine break.”

“It's nice today, isn't it? I hope you didn't wait long. We had an appointment with the doctor before coming here, and it lasted longer than we expected. He had some surprising news for us.”

Christy took off her sunglasses to see Tracy's face more clearly. “Twins?”

“No.” Tracy laughed nervously. “Thank goodness! We found out it's a boy. We want to name him Daniel.”

“That's wonderful! Or were you hoping for a girl?”

“No, I'm thrilled. Doug is thrilled.”

“And you like the name Daniel?”

“I love it. He can go by Danny when he's little and then use Daniel when he earns his Ph.D.”

Christy grinned. “You have high aspirations for this child.”

“Doesn't every parent?”

The waitress stepped up to their table, and they both ordered garden salads and sparkling mineral water.

“Are we becoming old ladies or what?” Christy asked. “Look at us, ordering salads and mineral water.
That's what my aunt would order.”

“I talked to your aunt this week,” Tracy said.

“You did?”

“Yes. I have some more news for you. I've been planning a couple's shower for you and Todd. Doug thought we should make it a surprise, but I told him I was going to tell you today because I thought it would be easier if you knew.”

“Thanks, Tracy.”

“It's this Thursday, and your aunt volunteered her house because, when Doug and I started to make a list of people to invite, we realized we couldn't fit twenty or more people in our little living room.”

“And my aunt agreed to this?”

“She was thrilled and honored. I told her we would do all the food, but she insisted I let her take care of everything because of my ‘condition.'” Tracy settled back in her chair and rested her arm on her stomach. “I would have argued with her, but the truth is, I am pretty tired all the time.”

“Todd said you were planning to quit your job after the baby . . . or should I say, after Danny gets here.”

Tracy nodded and sipped the mineral water the waitress placed in front of her. “We might have to move.”

“Why? You have a darling house.”

“I know. But our lease is up in November, and it's so small. We only have the one bedroom. That's fine while Daniel is tiny, but he's going to need his own room eventually.”

“I hadn't thought about that,” Christy said. “Would you move into a two-bedroom apartment or what?”

“I don't know. It's something we've just started to talk about. Doug has this dream about buying a house, getting a dog, and having a backyard big enough for a swing set. We would have to move inland to afford that.”

“I imagine you would miss the beach a lot.”

“Yes,” Tracy said. “But you would be surprised. We hardly ever go to the beach anymore. When we first moved there, we went all the time. I guess we need to be more responsible and frugal and live in an area that's less expensive.”

Christy swished the ice and mineral water in her glass. “Who knows? We might end up in the same neighborhood.”

“Are you and Todd going to live near Rancho?” Tracy asked.

“We're working on finding an apartment in the same complex where Rick lives, if you can believe that. It's only about five minutes from the church.”