CHAPTER 8 #2
“Whatever.” Lynn paused, the original offense coming back to her. “Why do you always take Dad’s side?”
“I wasn’t taking sides. I was pointing out that you misunderstood what he said.”
“Oh really? I assume the ‘mistake’ he was referring to was my engagement—the one I apparently won’t bounce back from. What was your mistake, Beth? Wearing the wrong shoes with an outfit? Gonna turn it into a fashion trend?”
They were practically nose to nose, despite the eight-inch height difference, voices sharp.
“Oh, grow up, CaroLynn. Like I’d ever wear the wrong shoes with an outfit. Do you even know me?” Beth tossed her hair dramatically, throwing in her best cheerleader voice.
Lynn cracked a reluctant grin, her anger easing.
“Like it or not, my wild little sister, you always leap from one thing to the next. We love you so that makes us worry you’re rushing into this engagement.”
“I don’t leap,” Lynn huffed, arms crossed.
“Where do you work right now?”
“I don’t leap. I like change.”
“Oh really? What’s your major now?”
“Shut up. You took a year off too.”
“Yes, from nursing school. I went back and finished nursing school. One major, start to finish. You? You’ve leapt all over the academic catalog like a leprechaun. Your green top hat and pipe should be arriving any day now.”
“You’re not funny. Don’t bring my height OR my red hair into this. I’m not a freaking leprechaun and I’m not leaping.”
“You’ve known the guy two weeks.” Beth held two fingers in front of Lynn’s face to emphasize her point.
“His name’s Rick! IF it were YOU getting engaged after two weeks, everyone would assume God Himself wrote it on the wall. They’d throw you bridal showers and celebrate your upcoming wedded bliss.” Lynn gestured wildly as she spoke.
“Probably. But only because I’m not known for rash decisions.”
“So, what? Just because I don’t have the ‘God Stamp of Approval’ doesn’t mean I’m making a mistake.”
“You’re right—it is your choice. And we’re your family.
It’s our job to love you enough to look out for you, even if it makes you mad.
You’re right—it might not be a mistake to get married after a couple weeks.
But we don’t know him. Instead of getting mad and doing it just to spite us, just..
. consider it. Give it time. If it’s not a mistake to marry Rick, you’ll know. ”
“WHY are you always so sure of EVERYTHING?”
“What? I’m not. I just see the logic of waiting before jumping in. That’s all.”
“Well, it must be nice to be the sweet and perfectly logical sister, but it gets old having everyone treat me like I’m a walking mistake.”
“You’re not a mistake, Lynn. And we don’t think that.”
Lynn rolled her eyes.
“And I am not perfect. I’ve made my share of mistakes. Plenty of them.”
“Plenty? Please. We grew up together. You’re so sweet you make honey taste sour.”
“That’s not true.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“I make mistakes all the time.”
“Oh really? Like what? Aside from that time you cut your hair too short, your worst decision was what? Mismatched socks?” Lynn’s eyes widened in mock horror.
“Why do you want me to make a big mistake?”
“I don’t. But I wish just once you’d understand what it’s like. What it feels like to make just one bloody mistake. Maybe then you wouldn’t be so quick to judge me.”
“Oh, trust me. I know what it feels like. I know it only takes one mistake to change everything. That’s why I don’t want you to make the wrong one too.”
“Oh please. What mistake could you possibly have made, Mrs. Clean, that would give you such insight?”
“HIM!” Beth blurted, pointing at Bryce.
“Thanks, honey,” he grinned, and blew her a kiss.
Lynn’s hair flew through the air as she whipped around to look at the man her sister referred to.
When she saw him blow a kiss toward her sister, she spun back around to see Beth burying her face in her hands.
“What? Who is he?”
“Sorry, Bryce,” Beth winced.
“Don’t worry about it. The finger-pointing was powerful. Really drove it home. Besides, it’s not like I didn’t already know you felt that way.”
“I don’t feel that way. Well... okay, maybe a little. But I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that.”
“HELLOOOOOO! Could someone PLEASE tell me what is going on here?” Lynn waved wildly between them.
“That is my husband. Dr. Bryce Jensen.”
“YOUR WHAT?”
Lynn noticed their father had joined them and was sitting quietly at the table.
”My husband. While we were at the convention in Vegas, we got drunk and got married. So yeah, I know what it’s like to rush into something and deal with the fallout.”
“No [CENSORED], you’re kidding, right?”
“Language!” Sue warned.
“Sorry, Ma.” Lynn absentmindedly waved her hand in the direction of her mother, as the gears in her brain began to churn. Lynn looked to Bryce as he cleared his throat.
“She’s not kidding. Though she wishes she was.”
“So let me get this straight. YOU—” she pointed at Beth, “got drunk, got married to HIM—” she pointed at Bryce, “yet Dad—” she now pointed at Donald, “is not worried about it because you trust she’ll turn it into something amazing?
Meanwhile, I—” turning her finger on herself, “only got engaged and I’m the family trainwreck? ”
Throwing her hands up in the air, exasperated, Lynn moved to the counter to pour herself a coffee… sneaking in a quick splash from the flask in her crossbody bag.
“Maybe he’s just worried you’ll end up like me.”
“Then why invite you two for lunch and not Rick?”
“They hadn’t met Bryce yet. You’re acting like they’re playing favorites.”
“Aren’t they?”
“No!” Donald and Sue answered in unison.
“Only in your mind. Besides, do you really want to subject your fiancé to tofu wraps?”
“Hey, what’s wrong with tofu?” Sue protested.
“It’s gross, Mom!” the girls chorused.
“Actually, I tried it and didn’t think it was bad,” Bryce offered.
“Can it, Doc,” Lynn shot back with a grin.
“Yes, ma’am.” He mock-saluted.
“So, you’re really the man who finally dragged my sister to the altar? I always figured someone would have to get her drunk first.”
“Hey! Just because you don’t want to stop and pray about your decisions doesn’t mean you get to mock me for doing it.”
“Yeah, it does, I’m an equal-opportunity mocker,” Lynn grinned. “Besides, without prayer, I only got engaged.” She did a little shimmy on that note, liking how the tables had turned.
“Exactly. Without prayer, I got married. This is why I pray about everything. Now, either sit down and eat or leave, I’m done arguing and I’m starving.”
“Ha! Leave and miss getting to know my new big brother-in-law? Not a chance.” Lynn plopped down on the stool next to Bryce, forcing Beth to sit across the table.
“If you stay, you’ll have to endure my horrible tofu wraps,” Sue warned.
“Sorry, Mom. We didn’t mean to be rude,” Beth said, kissing her cheek. “Lynn, this is Dr. Bryce Jensen. Bryce, this is my pesky little sister, CaroLynn.”
“It’s just Lynn. Wait—you’re THE Dr. Bryce Jensen, huh?”
“Yes. Although you may know me by my nickname—Dr. Handsome.” He winked at Beth as he shook Lynn’s hand.
“Actually, I do! I cannot believe Beth told you that.”
“Your mom did.”
“There you have it. That makes more sense.”
They both shared a laugh at Beth’s expense.
“Change the subject or I’ll sit on you,” Beth warned.
“Is that a promise or a threat?” Bryce teased, not passing up the opportunity to flirt with his wife. Watching her blush was his new favorite thing.
Mortified, Beth’s jaw clenched as she answered, “I was talking to HER, not YOU!”
“Pity.” He shook his head with a click of his tongue.
The room filled with laughter—an unexpectedly good note to begin the afternoon. Everyone, Donald included, began to warm to their newest family member. Lunch stretched into dinner, and by the time they parted ways, it felt like a day well spent.
Before leaving, Bryce offered to pick Beth up for church the next morning. After only a moment’s hesitation, she said yes.