Back on Blossom Street (Blossom Street #4)(83)

On Monday afternoon, Jordan waited for Alix to finish her shift at the French Café. The day had turned out to be gloriously sunny and warm, an exception to the cool weather May had brought so far. Although her fiancé had assured his mother the sun would shine for their wedding, Alix was pragmatic enough to suggest they rent a large white tent. There was always the chance, she’d joked, that someone else with a connection to the Guy Upstairs had asked for rain to water his crops.

“Hi,” Alix said as she got into the car beside Jordan.

“Hi, yourself.” He leaned over and touched his lips to hers in a casual kiss.

Like her, Jordan seemed a lot more relaxed since their confrontation.

“Grandma’s really excited that we’re coming to visit,” he said as he checked his sideview mirror and merged with the Blossom Street traffic.

“You didn’t tell her we’re doing yard work, did you?” Once Grandma Turner heard that, Alix was afraid she’d be out digging in the flower beds herself.

“I didn’t say a word.” He headed for the entrance to the Interstate.

“Good.” Alix laid her head back and closed her eyes. She’d been awake since three that morning, with the same questions chasing around and around in her mind. She’d tried to ignore them, especially those having to do with his mother. “I love you, Jordan,” she said, her eyes still closed.

“Any particular reason?” he asked, as if her statement amused him.

“Lots. Mostly, I love you for loving me enough to cancel the big wedding.”

“Oh. That.” His voice fell, and Alix opened her eyes to look at him.

“Is it bad?” she asked, biting her lip. It couldn’t be easy for any of his family. Susan was the one on the front lines. The curious questions from relatives and friends would all be directed at her. She was stuck canceling the arrangements, too, since she’d booked most of them.

“Mom will survive,” Jordan assured her.

“Does she hate me?”

“Alix, of course not! She understands.”

That comment produced an involuntary smile. The one thing Alix had gleaned from their meeting the week before was that Susan Turner most definitely did not understand.

When they arrived at Grandma Turner’s house on Star Lake, the sun gleamed on the water and the afternoon was about as lovely as Alix could have hoped for. After greeting them, Jordan’s grandmother insisted on serving them iced tea out by the lake.

“I thought that while I was here I’d mow the lawn,” Jordan told her.

“You don’t need to do that. I have a service that comes in every two weeks. I’ve already asked them to make a special trip right before your wedding.”

“Grandma, we don’t want you to do that,” Alix said. “We’d like to do it for you.”

“Nonsense,” she said, refusing their offer with an airy wave. “Getting the lawn mowed is the least I can do.” She urged Alix and Jordan to eat more of the oatmeal cookies she’d brought out with the tea. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re holding the wedding here.” She gazed wistfully out at the lake. “I’ve always loved this house. It’ll be wonderful to have all my children and grandchildren together.”

“I’m happy about it, too,” Jordan said, linking his fingers with Alix’s.

Jordan had described his visits to the lake when he was a child but Alix didn’t know how much he’d loved his grandmother’s home until she’d suggested getting married here. An elated expression had come over him and he’d immediately agreed it was the perfect place, a perfect solution.

This close to the lake, Alix could feel a light breeze. She set her iced tea on the round patio table and saw Jordan’s grandmother glancing over her shoulder.

“Jordan, would you mind bringing me my sweater?” Sarah asked. “It’s hanging on the peg just inside the kitchen.”

Alix nodded to Jordan and instead of heading for the house, he went to his car and came back with a white box, tied with a red bow.

“What’s this?” Grandma Turner asked when he returned.

“A little something for you from Alix.”

“Alix?” Wearing a puzzled look, Grandma Turner turned to her.

“Just open it.”

“Why would you be bringing me gifts?”

The answer to that was simple. “Because I love you.”

“Oh, Alix,” the old woman said, sighing. “You’re the best gift I could ever have.” Shaking her head, she added, “I couldn’t ask for a better match for my grandson. I’m so happy for you both.” Her eyes filled with tears, which she blinked rapidly away.

Alix struggled not to cry herself.

“Open the box before we all start to boo hoo,” Jordan teased, pretending to wipe tears from his face.

Alix elbowed him in the ribs as his grandmother removed the lid and peeled back the tissue paper.

“Alix knit it herself,” Jordan explained even before his grandmother had the opportunity to lift the lacy shawl from its box.

“It’s the prayer shawl I mentioned earlier,” Alix said. “People knit them for other people who are special in their lives or in need of prayer or healing. You listened when I needed a friend and loved me when I didn’t think anyone in this family ever would again.” Alix looked at Jordan, who leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Those days with you meant a lot to me. I realize you’re not sick or in need of extra prayers, but I did want you to know how much I love you.”