Chapter Eighteen
Wyatt tied up a few loose ends Thursday afternoon. He’d already let everyone else know he was leaving early to take care of some personal things. He’d just stood from his chair when the door to his office opened and his father walked in. Wyatt suppressed a sigh.
“Hey, Dad. I was just on my way out.” They shook hands. “What brings you by today?” Whatever it was, hopefully it wouldn’t take long.
Dad pulled a chair out and sat down. Wyatt had no choice but to return to his own seat as well and do his best to look interested.
“I’m concerned, son. Concerned that you’re not taking your position here seriously. Concerned that you’re going to throw it all away for that charity you keep talking about.” Dad clenched his jaw as he studied Wyatt. “And what were you thinking bringing that coffee barista to the family reunion? I’ve tried to stress how important it is to set your priorities and then keep them in check. I don’t understand where things went wrong.”
Wyatt exhaled slowly to curb his annoyance. “Nothing went wrong, Dad. You and I have different priorities, that’s all.” His father looked like he was going to object, but Wyatt didn’t have time for this to turn into a big production. “Joyful Hope Stables is going to happen. Period. It may take me longer than I’d like to get there, but I’m planning on officially opening next summer. When I do, I’m going to have to step away from my position with your company. I’d really like to stay on through the new year and then help train the person who will be taking over my job, but it’s up to you how you want to handle that situation.”
Dad’s eyebrows raised, and Wyatt could practically hear the sound of his teeth cracking as Dad’s jaw moved from one side to the other.
Before Dad had a chance to say anything, Wyatt continued. “As far as Chrissy goes, I originally brought her to Gran’s birthday party so that, for once, you and Mom would quit hounding me about my personal life and Gran could celebrate in peace.”
“And the reunion?”
“I brought her as my guest because I enjoy her company. She makes me happy, and I hope I do the same for her. As a woman I’m interested in, she had every right to be at that family reunion. You and Mom should’ve taken the time to get to know her instead of criticizing what she does for a living.”
That seemed to surprise Dad more than the announcement about the stables. “You aren’t telling me you’re serious about this girl.” It wasn’t a question but a statement. Typical.
Wyatt didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I am.” The moment he said those words, he knew it was true. There was something about Chrissy that made his life better, that made him happier. It was something he had no intention of letting go of if he had anything to do about it. He rested his arms on the desk and gave his dad a look that he hoped conveyed how serious he was. “I’m heading over to speak with her this afternoon. I’m praying that, despite all you, Mom, and Violet have done to convince her otherwise, she’ll give me a chance.” He pushed away from his desk and stood. He didn’t want to miss catching Chrissy at the coffee shop when she got off work.
Dad followed suit and pulled on his dress shirt to straighten out the wrinkles. “I hope you know that if you choose to open those stables, and pursue this woman, you’ll never see a dime of your inheritance.”
“You know what, Dad? I love you and Mom, and I respect you both, but I don’t want your money.” Wyatt walked around the desk until he was toe-to-toe with his father. “I don’t need it. I’m financially stable with a strong, long-term plan for Joyful Hope. I don’t know whether Chrissy’s going to give me the time of day or not, but if she does, I’m a lucky guy to have someone that incredible even look my way.” The more he spoke, the more a weight felt as though it were being lifted from his shoulders. “I don’t need your criticism, and I don’t need your doubt. What I could really use is your support.”
Respect flashed in Dad’s eyes before he drew himself up to his full height and pierced him with a firm look. “And you’re sure about all of that?”
“Absolutely.”
Dad held his hand out for Wyatt to shake. “We’ll see you Saturday at dinner?”
“I’ll be there.”
With a single nod, Dad turned and left the office.
Wyatt released the breath he had been holding and allowed himself to sit on the surface of his desk. That was about as close to an approval as he’d ever gotten from Dad. He’d be shocked if he didn’t have to deal with more repercussions from Mom and Violet, but that was probably the last he’d hear of it from his father.
Still stunned by the conversation, Wyatt rushed downstairs to his vehicle hoping he could catch Chrissy before she left for the evening. By the time he got there, she’d already exited the coffee shop and was walking down the street. He jumped out of his Jeep and jogged to meet her on the sidewalk.
The moment she spotted him, her eyes widened, and she came to a stop. “Wyatt? What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.” When she started to shake her head, he reached for her hand to stop her. “Please, hear me out. Then I won’t bother you again if you want to leave.”
She didn’t object or pull her hand from his. Taking that as a good sign, he led her to the fountain where they’d first talked and sat facing her.
“I should have told you about Ashley.” It was difficult to not react to the hurt on her face at the mention of his ex’s name. “We were engaged to be married. It was years ago, and we didn’t know each other all that well. She was constantly telling me how much she loved me. I thought I loved her, too. The rest of what Violet told you, however, wasn’t true. I was not marrying her to get my inheritance money. At that time, my parents were still unhappy with my decision to one day open Joyful Hope Stables. Ashley agreed that it was a waste of time. My parents approved of her, but when she heard that they wouldn’t give me my inheritance if I kept going forward with the stables, she became angry.”
Chrissy’s eyes were wide as she listened. She still hadn’t pulled her hand away, and Wyatt held onto it like a lifeline as he continued.
“Ashley told me that we needed the money and that I was being selfish. That’s when I realized she didn’t love me. She loved the idea that I might gain an inheritance and, as my wife, so would she. It was me who broke off our engagement at that point. Ashley, my parents, and Violet were all furious and have never fully forgiven me for the decision. I doubted myself for a long time because of it. How could I have not known who Ashley really was?”
“It sounds like she was a master manipulator. Sometimes people like that are so good at what they do, even they believe it for a time.” Chrissy’s voice was quiet as she spoke. “Why did Violet invite her to the bonfire?”
“Because Violet thought it would be entertaining to invite her and mess with us. I’m not sure if she was hoping it would make me mad, break us up, or if she thought Ashley still had a chance.” He shrugged. “I’ve never been able to understand her motivations.” He looked at their joined hands and softly caressed the top of her thumb with his.
“This whole thing between us may have started off with you going as my fake girlfriend,” he lifted his gaze to examine her face, “but that’s not the way it ended. I miss you, Chrissy.”
