The Wedding Wish (Summer Grooms Series) by Ginny Baird Read Free Book Online Page B

over what could possibly be nothing?”
    But if it was nothing, then why did Kip’s gut tell him that
is was something ? Something not so
good… It was just as he’d suspected all along. Robert Reed wasn’t totally what
he said he was. Something was up with that boy, something that threatened to
upset his daughter. And Kip didn’t like it one bit.
    “Isabel will be here any moment. She said she’s coming with
some good news. So let’s be the loving, supportive parents and wait and hear
what she has to say, why don’t we?”
    He set his jaw.
    “Kip… Please
promise me, honey. Not a word.”
    Just then, Isabel’s sweet voice called from the foyer. “Mom?
Dad? Anybody home?”
    “We’re on the porch, dear!” Trudy called. She brought her
finger to her lips in a silencing motion, and Kip harrumphed.
    A few seconds later, Isabel pressed through the kitchen’s
screen door. “I have great news,” she said, her face full of sunshine. “My work’s
been accepted at the opening!”
    Trudy squealed and stood to hug her. “That’s wonderful, baby!”
    Kip stood, offering a congratulatory hug as well. “Is this
the art show you were after? The big one at the Smith Center?”
    “The biggest one in town,” Isabel said with a proud grin. “What’s
more, I get to curate the show!”
    “What’s that mean?” Kip asked Trudy in a whisper.
    “She gets to put it together,” Trudy answered back.
    “That sounds very impressive,” Kip said, his chest welling
with pride. “We’re so proud of you, sweetheart. When is the special day?”
    “Next Friday,” she said with a smile. “And it’s going to be
a really fancy affair. Cocktail dresses and wine. A caterer and everything.”
    Trudy oohed and ahhed, apparently liking the sound of this.
    “Of course, you’re both invited.”
    “Will Robert be there?” Kip asked.
    “Of course he will,” Trudy said, like that was the silliest
question.
    Isabel’s dainty face drooped in a frown. “Actually,” she
said, “he won’t.”
    “Why not?” Kip pressed.
    “Oh, that’s right,” Trudy butted in. “Friday’s his night at
the lab.”
    “It’s not that.” She met her parents’ expectant faces. “He’s
going out of town.”
    “ Out of town? ” Kip’s
deep tenor rose a decibel, and Trudy laid a hand on his forearm.
    “It seems he has some kind of business in New York.”
    Kip opened his mouth to speak, and Trudy tightened the grip
of her fingers. Kip winced and zipped his lip. Totally against his better
judgment, but to avoid fireworks with his wife later.
    “We’re very sorry about that, dear,” Trudy said. “We know
you must be disappointed.”
    “Yeah,” Isabel answered. “I am. But I guess the timing couldn’t
be helped.”

 
    Robert walked Isabel home after they’d shared a late lunch.
It was Thursday afternoon, and he’d be leaving for the airport soon. “I’m
really sorry about missing your opening. If there was any way in the world to
change the timing of my trip, I would.”
    “But you can’t.”
    “I’ve waited for this day forever. But, in all honesty, I
didn’t get to pick it.”
    “I wish you could tell me where you’re going.”
    “New York.”
    “I meant, why.”
    As they approached her building, Robert stopped, taking her
in his arms. “I hope you believe me when I say the why has a whole lot to do with you.”
    “I want to believe,” she said, looking up at him.
    “Then do.” He kissed her softly. “I’ve been through some stuff,
Isabel. But my whole world is about to change, and when it does, I want you in
it.”
    “Then why won’t you tell me?”
    “Because, Izzy.” He reached forward and thumbed her nose. “I
don’t want to jinx it. Don’t want to take any chance of things going wrong. But
when I turn them around, and everything’s right, you’ll be the first one to
know. I can promise you that.”
    “When are you coming home?”
    “Just as soon as I can,” he said, pulling her close.