Twice Upon a Time

“You’re sure you couldn’t just rent a church nearby?”

She gave him the look she often used to quell his sons’ rebellions.

“Weddings by Woodwards does not need to rent a church when we can offer our own little chapel. Churches sometimes intimidate people. But they don’t mind a chapel. It’s a perfect opening to have the kind of talks I want to have with my brides. Why are you asking me these things, Reese? What’s the problem?” Her hand trembled as she gripped his desk.

Reese dredged up the cocky grin he always used on her, unwilling to trash the dream she’d treasured for years or add to her anxiety.

“I’m the detail man. That’s why you hired me, remember? To cross every T and dot every I. That’s what I’m doing, making sure.”

“I see.” She sat with both feet on the floor, steadily watching him.

Reese heaved a sigh of relief when the phone rang.

“This is a call I’ve been waiting for. Do you mind if I take it privately?”

“I am the president of Weddings by Woodwards. Surely there aren’t any secrets from me?” Winifred said, but she rose and walked to the door as he asked his caller to wait. “When you’re ready to talk, Reese, I will listen.”

“Thank you, Grandmother.” He waited until she’d closed the door behind her. “Go ahead,” he said to the bank manager.

“I’m sorry to say this, Reese, but you wanted a second opinion and here it is. I’ve checked and rechecked the numbers. Weddings by Woodwards is not in a position at the current time to achieve the kind of loan you are considering, as well as pay for the in-store designs already drafted for Chicago. I’m sorry.”

“I see.” His heart dove to his toes.

“I know how much your grandmother is counting on this new store. I suggest you begin lease negotiations with the new buyer of the property as soon as possible.”

“But there’s no guarantee they will lease and if they up the square foot price—” Reese gulped. If none of Winifred’s ideas could come true, he’d have failed her. Failed the family. Proven that he wasn’t worth the trust they’d placed in him.

Unless he could figure out some way—

“I wish the news was better.”

“It’s not your fault. I appreciate your help, Tim.” Reese paused a moment, lowered his voice. “Please keep this discussion between us. I need time to sort things through.”

“Of course. I’ll add my prayers, too.”

“Great.” Reese swallowed his bitter response about his doubt that God would help. He hadn’t so far.

The full impact of the call hit home.

He’d messed up.

Him. Nobody else.

Because of his impossible demands. He’d refused to accept the lease they offered, revising points that already met most of Granny Winnie’s demands. And why? Because he wanted to prove himself to them.