Page 374 of The Christmas Wife

“Hmm.” Eddie surveys my features. “All the more reason to hold the wedding as planned in six days so you have time now to plan and?—"

“No, really, it’s fine. It doesn’t matter to me if it takes place now or six days from now.”It’s inevitable, after all, so maybe it’s best I get it over with.

He frowns. “Are you sure about this?”

“I am.” I hold his gaze.

“I apologize, my dear. In my excitement to get the two of you married, I didn’t take your feelings into consideration.” G-Pa holds out his hand. I glance at it. Then, with reluctance, release my hold on Edward and place my palm in his. G-Pa’s big gnarly hands engulf both of mine. “I did not mean to trample all over your dreams?—”

“You’re not.”

“We can move the wedding to the original date, in six days?—”

“Actually, I think it’s better to have it today. You’ve gone to the trouble of planning everything, and all of my friends are here, and I think I’d rather not spend the next few days stressing over what is to come.”Besides, I don’t have the energy to plan anything. The fact that someone else has stepped in and taken care of the arrangements is a weight off my shoulders.

G-Pa, doesn’t seem convinced.

“I mean it.” I squeeze his hand. “I’d like to get married today.”

“Don’t feel compelled to agree,” Eddie interjects.

“I’m not.” I raise my gaze to his. “Unless, of course, you'd prefer to wait another six days to get married?”

He blinks, then slowly shakes his head. “I’d prefer we get married right away.”

“It’s settled then.” I turn to G-Pa.

His eyes glisten with tears. He raises my hand to his face and kisses my fingertips. “You’re an angel. I’m aware how all ofthis must be a surprise for you. I thought I had five grandsons. After my wife’s death, I read a letter from her that told me about Edward. Our daughter-in-law swore her to secrecy, but my wife wanted me to do right by him. When I learned I had another grandson—my oldest—I realized a part of me always knew. I wanted to ensure he got his share of the inheritance. And when I met him, I could sense how deeply unhappy he was."

Edward makes a sound deep in his throat, but G-Pa ignores it.

"My son and his wife want nothing to do with me. I hoped they’d attend his wedding, but as you can see, they're not here."

"Neither are mine, by the looks of it," I say softly.

"I'm sorry. Your mother said it was too last-minute and too far to travel, and they had other plans. I suggested changing the time but…

"…but she declined…"

He nods sadly, then brightens. "But I'm here." G-Pa’s eyes, more grey than brown, yet so much like Edward’s, turn intense. "And I want to thank you for already changing him."

"Me?" I look at Edward, then back at his grandfather. "I’ve done nothing."

"By simply being who you are and being here, you’ve set events in motion."

"O-k-a-y?" I’m sure he’s mistaken, but I guess this is not the moment to argue with him.

"The two of you have so much in common, my dear."

"We do?" I burst out.

"No, we don’t," Edward says at the same time.

"Your stubbornness, to begin with." G-Pa smiles.

"Look who’s talking," I say lightly.

"It’s a family trait, which is why you’ll fit right in."

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