Cadence of Cranberries - Valerie Comer Page 0,16
clan can fill as much of the sanctuary as you let them.”
“There are bigger churches.” Charlie leaned on his elbows. He’d driven by Bridgeview Bible, and it looked like it held two hundred, tops.
“But that’s ours.” Dominic glanced over with an unreadable expression.
Charlie wouldn’t argue now. Not about that. “It’s hard planning a wedding from clear across the state, though. You kind of need someone with boots on the ground.”
“That’s true.” Katri sighed. “I don’t want anything fancy, but it will be hard to find time to do everything. Not complaining, babe.” She kissed Dom’s cheek. “Just reality.”
Dominic looked over at his mom. “Want to help?”
Winnie hesitated for a second. “Sure. If that’s what Katri would like, we can talk about it.”
“Money no object. My baby girl is only getting married once.” Charlie hoped. “It’s the bride’s father’s right and privilege to pay for the wedding.”
Dominic met his gaze. “Oh, you don’t have to—”
“Sure, I do. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got free time over the winter with the coffee truck parked. I can give your mom a hand with anything she needs. You two pick the date, and we’ll do the rest. Right, Winnie?”
Why did the lady of the house look so perplexed? He wasn’t overstepping, was he? Nah, he was helping. Whole different thing, besides that it gave him the opportunity to spend time with the beautiful mother of the groom. Time to figure out if they could be anything besides in-laws.
Katri smiled at him. “Thanks, Daddy.”
“My privilege. Isn’t spending money the father of the bride’s job?” He looked back at Winnie. “What do you say?”
“Okay.” She still seemed a little dubious by the way she bit her lip. “We can give it a try and see how it goes.”
Chapter Seven
Winnie put her smile in place before tapping on Marietta’s door then letting herself in without waiting. “Good morning!”
Marietta would always be her mother-in-law, because she would always be Winnie’s kids’ nonna. Marietta had welcomed young Winnie into the fold way back when, right along with her other sons’ wives.
The old woman looked up from her wheelchair. “Winnie. Good to see you.” She raised her voice. “Kenna, Winnie is here. Can you make another coffee and bring the biscotti?”
“Sure can!”
Winnie’s head swiveled toward the kitchen. Since when was Marietta’s live-in nurse that cheerful? She hadn’t even managed that in October when Winnie had led her to Christ. She turned back to Marietta. “What’s going on?”
Her mother-in-law smirked. “Ask Kenna.”
“I will.” From the kitchen came the sound of running water. “But first, how was your weekend? Did you enjoy Matt and Connie’s visit and Peter and Sadie’s wedding? And how are your ribs today?”
Marietta had tripped over a planter back in August and sustained multiple injuries. She’d been recovering fairly well until last week when she’d choked on a cookie. Kenna had administered abdominal thrusts to save her life, but her freshly healed ribs had suffered.
“Sore. But my heart is happy.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Mine, too.” In more ways than one.
Kenna came into the room carrying a tray with three coffee mugs and a plate of biscotti. She offered Winnie the tray and a smile. “Hi, Winnie.”
“Hi... what happened to you?” That contented smile wasn’t something Winnie was used to seeing on the nurse’s face.
Kenna glanced at Marietta then back. “Is it that obvious?”
“Totally.”
“You know I had the weekend off because Matt and Connie came for the wedding and stayed with Marietta.”
Winnie nodded. And waited.
“I brought my friend Carol to church. She’s going to be seeing Juanita for counseling. And... Tony and I had a long talk over lunch.”
Winnie squealed. “You’re back together?” At Kenna’s nod, Winnie set her mug down and gave the other woman an impulsive hug. “I’m so happy for you. You two are so good for each other.”
Marietta chuckled. “Two hard-headed people deserve each other.”
“Oh, you know you’re happy for them.”
“Yes, yes. I am. It was a difficult time when the two people who live closest to me avoided each other. Now there will be more peace.”
Kenna patted Marietta’s hand. “I’m sorry you got in the middle of all that.”
“I miss praying on my knees.” Marietta stroked the arm of the wheelchair. “That may never be possible again.”
“God hears you just fine, Mamma, no matter whether you kneel, sit, stand, or lie down.”
“That’s what I tell her,” put in Kenna. “I’m thankful for her prayers.”
“Me, too.” Winnie smiled at both women. “Mamma, I’d like to add another request to your list. Dominic asked