Message in a Bottle - Nicholas Sparks [95]
“What now?” Garrett asked.
His father peeked his head around the corner. “You’re wearing a tie, too, aren’t you?”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Well, change your plans. I don’t want Theresa to find out that I raised someone who didn’t know how to dress for company.”
The day before her arrival, Garrett helped his father finish his preparations. Garrett mowed the lawn while Jeb unpacked the wedding china he seldom, if ever, used anymore and washed the dishes by hand. After searching for matching silverware—easier said than done—Jeb found a tablecloth in the closet, deciding it would be a nice touch. He tossed it into the washing machine just as Garrett came inside after finishing the yard. Garrett walked to the cupboard and pulled a glass from the shelf.
“What time is she coming in tomorrow?” Jeb asked from around the corner.
Garrett filled the glass with water and answered over his shoulder. “Her plane gets in about ten o’clock. We should be here around eleven or so.”
“What time do you think she’ll want to eat?”
“I don’t know.”
Jeb walked into the kitchen. “You didn’t ask her?”
“No.”
“Then how will I know when to put the turkey in the oven?”
Garrett took a drink of water. “Just plan on us eating sometime in the middle of the afternoon. Anytime is fine, I’m sure.”
“Do you think you should call and ask her?”
“I really don’t think it’s necessary. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“Maybe not to you. But it’s the first time I’ll be meeting her, and if you two end up getting married, I don’t want to be the subject of any humorous stories later on.”
Garrett raised his eyebrows. “Who said we’re getting married?”
“No one.”
“Then why did you bring it up?”
“Because,” he said quickly, “I figured one of us had to, and I wasn’t sure you were ever going to get around to it.”
Garrett stared at his father. “So, you think I should marry her?”
Jeb winked as he answered. “It doesn’t matter what I think, it’s what you think that’s important, isn’t it?”
Later that evening, Garrett opened his front door just as the phone began to ring. After rushing to the phone, he picked it up and heard the voice he expected.
“Garrett?” Theresa asked. “You sound out of breath.”
He smiled. “Oh, hey, Theresa. I just walked in. My father had me over at his house all day getting the place ready—he’s really looking forward to meeting you.”
There was an uncomfortable pause. “About tomorrow…,” she said finally.
He felt his throat tighten. “What about tomorrow?”
It took a moment for her to answer. “I’m really sorry, Garrett… I don’t know how to tell you this, but I’m not going to be able to make it down to Wilmington after all.”
“Is something wrong?”
“No, everything’s fine. It’s just that something came up at the last minute—a big conference that I’ve got to go to.”
“What kind of conference?”
“It’s for my job.” She paused again. “I know it sounds terrible, but I wouldn’t go unless it was really important.”
He closed his eyes. “What’s it for?”
“It’s for bigwig editors and media types—they’re meeting in Dallas this weekend. Deanna thinks it would be a good idea if I met some of them.”
“Did you just find out about it?”
“No… I mean, yes. Well—I knew there was going to be a meeting, but I wasn’t supposed to go. Usually, columnists aren’t invited, but Deanna pulled some strings and arranged for me to go with her.” She hesitated. “I’m really sorry, Garrett, but like I said, it would be wonderful exposure, and it’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”
He was silent for a moment. Then he said simply, “I understand.”
“You’re angry with me, aren’t you.”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
She knew by his tone that he wasn’t telling the truth, but she didn’t think there was anything she could say that would make him feel any better.
“Will you tell your father that I’m sorry?”
“Yeah, I’ll tell him.”
“Can I call you this weekend?”
“If you want to.”
The next day he ate dinner with his father, who did his best to play down the whole affair.
“If it’s like she said,” his father explained, “she had a good reason. It’s not like