Acceptance, The by Bernadette Marie Read Free Book Online Page B

have a guest. I’d like to invite her in if you don’t mind.” He moved in closer to his grandmother. “I think she could use a walk in your garden. Today was her brother’s funeral.”
    His grandmother looked around him and toward the SUV in the driveway.
    “You bring her in here. Of course you can walk in my garden.”
    Tyler kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you.”
    He walked back to the vehicle and opened the door for Courtney.
    “You brought me to your grandmother’s house? The creek? I hear the creek.”
    “You do.” He held his hand to her and she took it stepping out of the SUV.
    She took his elbow. “You’re very polite to people.”
    “That’s how I was raised.”
    “Yes, well we all should be raised that way, but you—you respect everyone and their story. You didn’t tell your grandmother I was blind.”
    “That doesn’t define you.”
    She moved her hand from his elbow to his hand. “Don’t forget me tomorrow.”
    “That’ll never happen,” he said as they approached the stairs. “There are four steps up to the door.”
    “Where did your grandmother go?”
    He laughed. “I assume she’s pouring us some iced tea and setting up a tray of cookies. This is what she does.”
    “I like her already.”
     
    Tyler guided Courtney down a hallway. The house was very clean. Wood was polished. The floors were mopped. There were no piles or messes here, she was sure.
    As they turned, Courtney could smell roses. These had been cut and arranged nearby. Perhaps more than one bouquet.
    She heard glasses being filled. Liquid over ice and then it stopped and a crystal pitcher was set on a metal tray.
    “Grandmother, this is my friend Courtney.”
    She heard the shoes on the stone floor as a breeze of perfume moved to her. “Oh, Courtney.” The woman took her hand. “It is so nice to meet you. I’m Audrey Benson. Tyler’s grandmother.”
    “It is very nice of you to have me in your home. Thank you.”
    “Oh, honey, Tyler tells me today was your brother’s funeral. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
    She sincerely felt as though the woman was sorry for her loss. She appreciated that. “Thank you.”
    “He was young?”
    “Twenty. He was a Marine.”
    She heard the sigh. “How brave.”
    Pride swelled in Courtney’s chest. “Yes, ma’am, he was.”
    “Tyler, why don’t you carry that tray out to the patio? I’ll bring Courtney out.”
    He left her side and she felt herself stiffen. A moment later, Audrey was by her side offering her elbow.
    Someone in this family had to be blind. How did they all know what she needed? Hopefully he wouldn’t forget about her tomorrow. He’d said he wouldn’t. She actually believed him.
    “Tell me, Courtney, are you from Nashville?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I was born here and then we lived all over the world. We moved back about ten years ago.”
    “You lived all over? How wonderful. Your father is military?” she asked as she stepped with Courtney through the patio doors.
    “Yes.”
    She heard the tray being set down on a glass table. Then she felt him. He was by her side.
    “Do you want a patio chair or a lounge chair?”
    “Where will you be?” she asked.
    “Let’s sit at the table. We’ll have a glass of tea and then I’ll show you around.”
    She tucked her hand into his and gave it a squeeze. “I’d like that.”
    As casually as could be, Courtney sat with Tyler and his grandmother in the afternoon sun. She quickly learned that Audrey Benson loved to talk. She loved to chat about the weather, the flowers, and how they were so much alike with their clothing choices. She’d learned that Tyler was named after his grandfather who had died before Tyler’s was born. And she learned that she’d missed Tyler terribly.
    Courtney had no idea how long they’d sat there, but her tea was gone, the sun had moved, and Audrey had yawned.
    “I’m going to walk Courtney around, if that’s okay. I’ll bring the drink tray in with us.”
    “Wonderful.