Depending on You by Melissa Jagears

Author:Melissa Jagears [Jagears, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781948678070
Publisher: Utmost Publishing

The rhythmic sound of ax splitting wood led Bryant to the back of Ava’s house. He rubbed his arms briskly against the snow in the air. If he’d known Oliver would be outside, he’d have swung by the house and grabbed his warmer coat.

Around the corner, he caught sight of his burly son-in-law in a hat pulled low over his brow, the air around him heavy with the white puffs of his labored breathing.

He nodded when his son-in-law caught sight of him, then stood to the side with his arms crossed, waiting for Oliver to finish splitting the log.

When Oliver set down his ax, Bryant stepped closer. “Why aren’t you at the church? They’re going over the Christmas program now.”

His son-in-law leaned heavily on his ax and reached up to brush the perspiration from his face. “I’m not needed for that.”

“Yes, you are.”

Oliver didn’t look at him, just took out a handkerchief and dabbed at his neck. “The Hendrix kids wanted to be in it. Celia’s playing Joseph’s part.”

“Only because of you.”

Oliver eyed him.

Bryant moved toward the younger man. His past mistakes wouldn’t keep him from trying to stop his girls’ husbands from making their own. “Ever since our church started this nativity thing, Ava’s been looking forward to having a family and getting to be in it, and yet I’ve heard you’ve refused.”

Oliver looked away. “I’m not comfortable being up front.”

“Playing Joseph? If Celia can muster up the courage to hide behind that head cloth thing, so can you.”

Oliver shook his head. “I don’t think you have the right to lecture me—”

“My failures are a very good reason for listening to me.” Bryant stabbed the air with his finger. “But this isn’t about that. This comes down to you being selfish.”

“You’re reprimanding me for being selfish?”

Bryant stepped closer. “Judge me for protecting my pride all you want. But how’s it going to hurt you to fulfill Ava’s wishes? More importantly, what will you gain if you do? I promise you, it’ll be more than the pride you could lose. And if anyone looks down on you for making your wife’s Christmas wish come true—by portraying the true meaning of Christmas—then they aren’t worth impressing.”

Oliver’s face was hard, but he let his ax handle fall to the ground beside him. “Fine. I’ll ask her if she still wants me to do it.”

Bryant leaned down to toss Oliver’s last split log onto the pile. “I guarantee you she will—as long as she believes you’ve changed your mind out of love for her.”

Oliver huffed, but stuffed his hands into his pockets, and without another word, marched past Bryant and headed for the street.

Following, Bryant lengthened his stride to catch up with his taller son-in-law. Though Oliver had started in the right direction, he needed to be reminded of what was even more important. “You know, I wouldn’t have let you marry Ava if I hadn’t believed you when you told me she was the best thing that ever happened to you.”

Oliver scuffled along, not looking at him.

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