Chapter Nine
Sundays spent with her family were the best. Alexis sat at her parent’s dining room table, sipping the last of her iced tea.
Mom’s famous pot roast filled her stomach, and she declined a piece of apple pie until she had more room. Dad sat the head of the table, enjoying his slice with homemade vanilla ice cream. Harper sat between Mom and Alexis, her two favorite people beside her mom. She filled their ears with chatter about a television show she’d watched yesterday.
Tynley and Ryan sat across the table from Alexis, sharing secret smiles with each other. They complemented each other well, and Alexis loved how Ryan always treated Tynley with respect. He cherished her, never held the past against her. Of course, he’d never said that to Alexis or her parents, but Tynley had told them in her many gush sessions about Ryan.
They were incredibly sweet together. Alexis could easily have been jealous of them, but she was too full of happiness for them. Harper adored her soon-to-be dad, and the feeling was mutual. Alexis wasn’t sure she could even listen to Harper’s ramblings with as much patience as Ryan did.
Tynley clapped her hands, asking for everyone’s attention. “We have an announcement to make.”
The room quieted, and all eyes were on Tynley and Ryan. Tynley beamed at Ryan before addressing her family. “You all know how important it is to me and Ryan that Pastor Abshire be the one to marry. He was the chaplain at the New Leaf and played a pivotal role in my spiritual growth. He’s also the pastor of the church Ryan and I attend.”
“He’s a wonderful man of God,” Dad said. “I’ve enjoyed his sermons on the occasions I’ve visited your church.”
“Is Pastor Abshire okay?” Mom asked, always the one to read further into comments.
“Couldn’t be better,” Ryan answered. “He’s been invited to participate in a six-month long mission trip to Sudan. After praying about it, he’s decided to go with the church’s blessing. Our assistant pastor will fill in for him while he is gone.”
“That’s an incredible opportunity.” Thinking further, Alexis felt the creases form in her forehead. “When does he leave?”
“Well…” Tynley looked at Ryan and grinned. “He’ll leave in December and return next May.”
“But your wedding is in March.” Why weren’t they upset? Instead, they appeared gleeful.
“We’ve decided to move the date to early November.” Tynley’s bliss bubbled over in a wide grin. “I know it changes a lot of our plans, but honestly, I’m fine with having a small wedding.”
Ryan wrapped his hand over his fiancée’s. “Before we officially announce the new date, we wanted you to know.”
Mom laughed when she heard the date and shook a finger at Tynley. “There isn’t a French cooking class on that day is there?”
“No. I had to make sure you were free before we confirmed with Pastor Abshire.” Tynley giggled. “We can still take that class one day. They have them at our community center on the weekends, so you wouldn’t have to worry about the drive. We’d make a whole day of it.”
“We’ll talk about that later, but let’s talk weddings.” Mom jumped to her feet and began clearing the table. “Will your colors stay the same?”
Dad glanced at Ryan. “That’s our cue to leave.”
Ryan chuckled. “We can catch the second half of the game.”
“You know the way to the living room.”
“Wait for me,” Harper called, running with them.
Tynley laughed again as she watched her daughter run. “She asked if a smaller wedding meant she wouldn’t have to wear a dress.”
Alexis pictured that conversation and grinned. Her niece was very much a tomboy. “What did you tell her?”
“That she wasn’t wearing jeans and a sweatshirt to my wedding, or I’d wear curlers to hers.”
“Good one.” Mom sat fresh mugs of coffee on the table for all of them.
“Apparently, the threat was horrible enough on the small off chance she might possibly one day in the far-off future get married—her words, not mine—that she agreed to wear a dress for the occasion.”
“Her aunt was the same way at that age.” Mom slid the sugar bowl to Alexis. “Do you remember when you and Trey Kaplan were cast as Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the school’s Christmas program? You swore up and down you’d never get married.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t believe she’d forgotten about that until now. “I believe my exact words were that I’d never marry the creepzoid Trey Kaplan.”
Tynley burst into a belly laugh that ended with a snort. “You had such a crush on him.”
