1225 Christmas Tree Lane - Debbie Macomber [40]
Ah, yes, Corrie thought, seeing the problem.
“So we decided to simply go ahead and get married right away and then, this summer, have another ceremony and a reception.”
“Makes sense to me,” Roy said, obviously pleased by this unexpected turn of events.
“Why didn’t you let us know?” Corrie asked, feeling a twinge of hurt despite her happiness. Even if it was a quick affair, she would’ve liked to be there.
“I agree we should have asked you to attend,” Gloria said. “But if you were there and Chad’s parents weren’t, they would’ve felt cheated. So we just did it. We applied for the license and were married a couple of days later.”
“By whom?”
“Judge Griffin,” Chad said. “At the courthouse. Mack and Mary Jo stood up with us.” He paused. “I don’t blame you for being upset.”
“We’re not upset,” Roy told him, and Corrie nodded.
“As Gloria mentioned, we plan to have another ceremony later, with friends and family from both sides.”
“This way we all get what we want,” Corrie said happily. A marriage and a baby—another grandchild for her and Roy—and a wedding.
Roy stood, extending his hand to Chad. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you.” The two men shook hands.
Corrie hugged her daughter and Chad. She’d spend the next few months getting ready for the wedding and reception, and the thought filled her with anticipation.
“Mom and Dad, there’s another reason we stopped by early.”
“Oh?” Corrie murmured.
“You’re not pregnant with twins, are you?” Roy asked, half-joking.
“No. We wanted to get your okay before we had one of your gifts delivered.”
“All right….” Roy glanced at Corrie, clearly wondering if she knew what this was about; she shook her head, as confused as he was.
“Did you hear someone left ten puppies on Beth Morehouse’s porch?”
“We did,” Corrie confirmed. “In fact, Bob was just telling us he got one of those pups for Peggy.”
“And we chose one for you,” Gloria said.
Their daughter had gotten them a puppy?
Corrie stared at her.
“Not long ago, Dad talked about a Labrador he had while he was growing up and he got a nostalgic look in his eyes. I heard about these puppies from Ted Reynolds, and Chad and I went to Beth’s house today to pick one up.”
“If you don’t want the dog,” Chad said, moving toward the edge of the sofa, “Gloria and I will take her. She’s cute as a bug and has personality to boot.”
“Where is she now?” Corrie asked.
“At my place,” Gloria replied. “We thought we’d bring her over tomorrow.”
“A puppy.” Roy wore a silly grin, as if the prospect delighted him. “What about a name?” he asked.
“I know—Asta. That’s the dog in the Thin Man movies, remember?” Corrie suggested.
“Perfect for a detective’s dog.” Roy smiled. “Even if the original Asta was a boy.”
“Asta it is,” Corrie said, adding, “We need a puppy in the house again.”
This was going to be the most wonderful Christmas in recent memory. Weddings, grandchildren—and now a puppy.
Chapter 11
“Come in out of the cold,” Danielle said as Kent and Beth returned to the house after delivering the sleigh to the Nelsons’. It might have been Beth’s imagination, but she suspected Danielle had been standing by the door waiting for them. She had her cell phone in her hand again.
She immediately ran up to Kent and spoke urgently in his ear. Kent looked decidedly uncomfortable as she hugged him, but put his arms lightly around her. Beth saw Danielle’s hug as a claim of ownership. Unable to watch, she stepped around the embracing couple and hurried into the kitchen, grateful for the escape.
Bailey and Sophie were standing in a corner of the family room, whispering heatedly.
“Girls?” Beth said, wondering what they were up to. They didn’t seem to be arguing, but clearly had different opinions on something or other. “Is everything all right?” she asked.
Bailey turned around so quickly, she nearly stumbled. “Ah…sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”
Sophie narrowed her eyes as Danielle and Kent stepped into the room.
“It was a…lovely afternoon, but it’s time I…we left,” Danielle said, and then inclined her