Page 90 of Brides and Brothers
“Yes. I’m calling because my brothers are upset. I’m concerned about it, and I know you’ve always been a huge support to us, and—”
“No, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, but I can’t help you out on this one.”
“Come on, Amy. We’re family now. I’m your brother-in-law.” Aiden fingered the fine edges of his scriptures and said a little prayer for help.
Her voice was quiet. “Honestly, I’m upset with Grant, so I’m not feeling like the biggest fan of the Petersons right now myself.”
Aiden’s brow drew tight in confusion. Hadn’t Amy been on the verge of tears when she thought something was wrong with Grant? If he was right, all the women in apartment 206 were concerned with his brothers’ welfare. He needed to get to the bottom of this. If only he could go there in person.
Aiden switched his phone to his other ear. “Do you want to tell me about what happened between you and Grant?”
“Not really.” Amy sniffed.
“Come on, Amy. I’m your big brother. I want to be there for you.”
“You’re his big brother first,” Amy threw back at him.
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I care less for your happiness. Tell me what’s going on. I can’t promise to fix it, but I can listen.”
“Do you have time for this?”
Aiden’s hotel clock had hardly moved the last hour. He rolled his eyes. “Time is all I have.”
“Grant was writing to me several times a week,” Amy started, “and I was concerned he wasn’t focusing as much as he should be. I wanted us to date long distance, but I realized we needed to put our relationship on hold so Grant could keep his mind on track. I told him, but I didn’t mean I didn’t want him in my life at all. I haven’t heard from him in over a month. At first, I was worried sick about him, but last week one of your brothers told me he’s been writing them and is doingawesome.”
Aiden furrowed his brow. “So you’re mad because he’s still writing to my brothers?”
“No!” Amy growled into the phone. “I’m upset because he hasn’t once written to tell me he’s still alive. He didn’t bother sending me a letter to agree with me, to fight for me, or to touch base with me. Instead he’s doing awesome! He can’t possibly have any feelings for me. He owes me an explanation, but I doubt he’ll go to the effort to give me one. No offense, but I’m supporting the boy fast one hundred percent.”
Aiden rubbed his temples with his free hand. Amy’s voice was similar to Camille’s, but Camille’s personality was generally calmer. He wished he were talking to her right now instead of her sister. “You must think Grant has a greater imagination than he does. He’s not smart enough to think of any of those things. If I was a betting man, which I’m not, then I would stake my life that Grant is trying to please you by not writing at all. He’s simply doing awesome because that’s all Grant knows how to do. He’s a happy guy, and when tough times come he does his best to push through them.”
“I miss him.”
“Me too. I’ll write and tell him he’s hurt your feelings. Everything will work itself out. I promise.”
“Thank you. I’ve been sick not hearing from him, and devastated wondering if he stopped caring. I can’t even talk to my mom because I know she’ll ask about him. She’s never liked the idea of me dating a devout Christian, and I know she’ll be ecstatic if I tell her Grant hasn’t written to me. I can’t handle that.”
Terry Klinger, Camille and Amy’s mom, was a perfect stranger to him. He’d never met her, talked to her, or had reason to respect her. He didn’t hate her or anything, but he also didn’t feel the need to like her. Still, the woman was probably worried about her daughter. “You don’t have to be sick about it any longer. Why don’t I hang up so you can go call your mom. If she asks about Grant, tell her what you know. You don’t have to talk about your relationship unless you want to.”
Amy sighed. “There’s one other thing.”
“What’s that?”
“The other women aren’t going to change their minds because I tell them to.”
“Why is that?” Aiden wanted to groan. Nothing was going his way today, and he could tell by the fact that it was still Monday.
“Because they want to know if, after some time apart, they still like your brothers as much as they did before. It’s a tested theory and has proven to be a deciding factor for many relationships.”
Rubbing his temples again, he asked, “Who tested this theory?”
“I did,” Amy said.
Aiden said goodbye to Amy and finally let his groan escape. What was he going to tell Benson? Grant was thousands of miles away and causing nearly as much grief as the others. He had always been a happy guy with a pleaser personality, but right now Aiden wanted to sock him.
Aiden called Benson back. This time he could hear voices in the background instead of cars. “Hey, Benson. Amy wasn’t completely helpful, but—” Aiden suddenly realized his scriptures would provide the answers he needed after all. “I’ve had some inspiration that will fix everything.”
