Page 5 of Serenading Reagan
“That sounds lovely,” Gammie replied. Then, being the intuitive woman she was, asked, “Is everything alright, Reagan? There’s something in your voice, you sound stressed.”
Reagan laughed lightly. “You know me too well, Gammie. I could use some advice; I’ll tell you about it when I get there.”
“Alright, my dear, see you soon.”
Shortly after hanging up, Reagan arrived at the retirement home where Gammie lived. She walked through the sliding doors, and smiled at the receptionist on her way to Gammie’s suite. In her hands she held a container with more of the leftover brownies from the wedding. Gammie couldn’t bake at the home, but still enjoyed the treats Reagan brought.
She knocked softly on Gammie’s door before she entered.
“Hi, Gammie,” she greeted the older woman who was seated on a recliner chair. Reagan walked over, bent down, and pressed a soft kiss to Gammie’s wrinkled cheek.
“Hello, my dear. I’ve just boiled the kettle if you would like to make some tea for us to enjoy. Did you bring any brownies?”
“Of course I did.” Reagan laughed as Gammie clapped her hands in happiness.
“Wonderful. Make a pot of tea and let’s chat.”
“Okay, Gammie.”
As Reagan went about the familiar motions of making the Earl Grey tea she knew Gammie favored, she felt her heart settle. It wasn’t the same kitchen that she had grown up visiting Gammie in, but the feeling was the same. The warmth, love, and unconditional support that Gammie had always given her, still infused every inch of the room. Reagan could feel it, like a warm blanket, settling over her spirit.
Once the tea was made, Reagan brought it over, along with the floral china teacups Gammie used, and a plate of brownies. She sat down on the couch, and the two women prepared their tea in silence. Reagan knew Gammie would ask her questions when she was ready. She would also only offer the advice that she felt would help Reagan make her own decisions. That was one of the things she loved about her grandmother, there was never a sense of pressure to agree with her, just a subtle giving of advice and guidance to support Reagan in finding her own way. Most of the time, Reagan found her way to whatever decision Gammie had hinted at. But sometimes, she went another direction, like when she decided not to open her bakery, but accept the job as an executive assistant. Gammie had not agreed with the choice, but remained supportive of the fact that it was Reagan’s decision.
After she took a sip of her tea, Gammie sat back in her chair and fixed Reagan with a curious gaze. “Alright, Reagan my dear, what has got your heart all twisted up?”
Reagan blinked in surprise. “How did you know it was my heart?”
“A grandmother can sense these things.”
Reagan sighed, and took another sip of tea as she tried to sort her thoughts into something coherent. “Well, you’re right, of course. There is a man who has got me so confused. He, well, he’s everything I’ve ever been attracted to. Now he is telling me he is attracted to me too, but I just don’t know if I can believe him.”
Gammie nodded and made a sound of understanding as she drank her tea and looked at Reagan to continue.
“It sounds crazy, Gammie, he’s so different from me. There is no way he could possibly, really want to be with me. But what if he does? What if I pass up the chance to be with the man who makes my whole body come alive?” Reagan shifted uncomfortably and hoped Gammie wouldn’t read too much into her last statement. Talking about how aroused she became around Chase was not her plan.
Gammie looked at her thoughtfully, then asked, “What is it that makes him different from you?”
It took Reagan a moment to come up with an answer, and even when she said it, it didn’t ring true. “He is handsome and confident, looks like he could be a bad boy, but I know he really isn’t. He could have any girl in the world I’m sure.”
“Alright, none of what you just said answers my question, my dear. He could have any girl, well from what you say he doesn’t want any girl, he wants you. He’s handsome and confident? You are also beautiful and confident. I fail to see the problem.”
Reagan stood up and began to walk aimlessly around the room, uncomfortable with how quickly Gammie had seen through her flimsy excuses.
“He wants me, but why. Why me, why would he want all of this?” she asked in frustration, as she gestured with her hands to her body.
Gammie smiled and nodded as if she was pleased that they had finally reached the heart of the problem.
“Reagan, are you telling me that you don’t think this man could be attracted to a woman with curves? Let me ask you this: Has he ever given you a reason to think he’s one of those horribly shallow men who judge women on their bodies?”
“No, of course not.” Reagan paused in her pacing and blushed. “He’s actually said that he finds my body very attractive.”
“And do you think he would lie to you?”
“No…”
“Then I still don’t see the problem. He is someone you are attracted to, greatly if I understand things right. He has voiced his attraction to you, and I assume he has also been enough of a gentleman to ask you on a date. What harm is there in going ahead with that?”
Reagan sat back down. Once again, Gammie had sorted through the jumble of thoughts in her head and pointed out the obvious. The only thing standing in the way of Reagan’s happiness, was Reagan.
