Read Online Christopher and Jaime (Pianos and Promises #1) by Jennifer Peel - Free Book Online Page B

was not happy when Christopher and I decided to get married. I’m not sure any of my family was, except Bree. And she was more like supportive.
    “Grandma Karen.” Allie jumped off her seat to greet my mom at the door.
    I will say that my mom, for as unhappy as she was about my marriage, took to grandmothering Allie in no time at all.
    My mom picked her up and held her tight.
    “Thanks for coming, Mom.”
    She gave me a wry smile and set my daughter down.
    “Baby doll, why don’t you finish your card for Daddy. I’m going to leave in a minute.”
    She trotted off to the table.
    I turned back toward my mom. “Sorry everything is in disarray, but there’s plenty of food in the refrigerator and Allie’s bed is set up. I’ll be back either late tonight or early tomorrow morning, depending.”
    “Don’t worry about us. We’ll have a grand time.”
    “Thanks.” I turned to walk back toward my bedroom to get my bag and Chris’ briefcase for Beck.
    My mom followed me. “So how’s Chris?” she whispered.
    “It’s hard to know for sure, but the doctor is optimistic.”
    “I suppose this changes things.”
    I rubbed my forehead. “What do you mean?”
    “I guess you’ll be taking him back.”
    “No, but I wish you wouldn’t say it like that. I know how unhappy I made you by marrying him, but it’s over now, so everyone can say I told you so and move on.” I held on to my bedpost for strength. I didn’t have the time or the energy to break down.
    “Jaime Jo, we’re worried about you. We don’t want you to get hurt again.”
    “Nothing hurts more than losing Chris. I love him.”
    She reached over and touched my cheek. “You always have. We knew you would eventually end up together, but your daddy and I were hoping he would have matured more before that happened.”
    “Chris is plenty mature.”
    “Not in the ways that count. He’s always thought more about his own wants and needs.
    Why do you think we let you run off to Europe?”
    I raised my eyebrows. “Because you wanted me to see what the world had to offer.”
    “We wanted you to see what a world without Christopher offered.”
    “Now I know, so you and Dad can be happy. Mission accomplished.”
    “If you think this makes us happy, you’re sorely mistaken. We hoped it would work out. For a while there, we thought it might. We just want you to be careful. You’re in a vulnerable spot now.”
    “Don’t worry, I have no intention of taking him back. He doesn’t want me anyway.”
    “Oh honey, he does, but until he figures out what being a husband and father are really all about, he doesn’t deserve you.”
    “I know, Mom.”
    “I love you. I hope Chris gets better soon, and I don’t just mean physically.”
    I kissed her cheek. “Thanks for watching Allie.”
    She smiled. “Any time.”
    I felt like crying all the way to the hospital, but I held it in. My parents were rightly reserved when I announced I was marrying Chris. It didn’t help the situation that we married two weeks after our decision. My parents did their best to be gracious and even put together a lovely little wedding for me, their only daughter. We had married in front of the large magnolia tree in my parents’ backyard. It was perfect timing, the tree was in full bloom and I remembered everything with exact clarity.
    I had walked across the lawn barefoot in my, white, off-the-shoulder summer dress, toward a smiling Chris, who was dressed semi-casually in dark slacks and a white button-up shirt. Allie was standing in front of him, looking adorable in a white-cotton dress to match mine, holding a small bouquet of sunflowers. We thought at first it would be only my family and a few close friends, but we were surprised how many old friends and teachers wanted to come. Just like my mom said, they all knew we would eventually end up together. I’m glad someone did, because I sure didn’t.
    I don’t really remember what the preacher said that day, I was so taken by