Team Bride (4 page)

That didn’t explain why she changed her outfit five times. Why she’d put her hair up, then down, then up again. Which would go better with the one-step-up-from-casual pants and cowl-neck sweater she’d finally decided on?

The doorbell rang. Her heart beat faster. She wiped her clammy hands on a towel, glanced at her reflection in the mirror one more time then tugged out the pins holding her up-do together. She swung her head a few times and her natural waves settled around her shoulders.

Out of time.
Please, Lord, help this evening not to be too horrible
.

“Hi, Corbin. Come on in.” Hopefully the smile on her face looked halfway genuine as she swung the door open.

She’d only seen him in shorts or a tux. He stood in front of her in dark wash jeans and a long-sleeved polo shirt the same intense blue of his eyes. The eyes that warmed as he looked at her.

“Don’t mind if I do.” He held out a casual bouquet with asters and wildflowers. “I couldn’t resist these, though they can’t rival your beauty.”

Sarah bit her lip and turned away. How far did this man think flattery would get him? “They’re pretty. Thanks.” She stepped into the kitchen just off the foyer and pulled a vase from a cupboard. A moment later she had the flowers in water and arranged.

“Nice vase.” He’d followed her into the kitchen.

“Thanks. It’s from a local potter. I really like her work.”

“I can see why.”

She angled her head at him. Man, he was close. “They didn’t make you sneeze?”

Corbin shook his head. “Most natural aromas don’t affect me that way. Just artificial ones.”

“Well, I left the perfume in its bottle tonight.”

He grinned, a bit sideways. “Thanks. For the record, you don’t need it. You smell terrific just the way you are.”

Sarah stepped back. He’d been sniffing her?

“Ready to go? We have a six o’clock reservation.”

She breathed. “Sure. Let me grab my purse. Where are we going?”

He escorted her down the steps to the parking lot and into a gleaming black pickup. “The Water Wheel.”

Oh boy. Only the most expensive place in Riverbend. At least their premier chef, Lindsey, was on her honeymoon and wouldn’t be peeking through the kitchen pass-through giving sly winks and thumbs-ups.

“Sounds nice,” Sarah ventured when Corbin had started the truck.

He glanced across at her, and his hands flexed on the steering wheel. If she didn’t know better, she’d suspect Mr. Flirt was nervous. Somehow that didn’t dissipate the butterflies in her own stomach. Could it be he was actually interested in her, not just because she was female, not ugly, and twenty-something?

Question was, if she weren’t a wee bit interested herself, why was she so nervous and tongue-tied? That line of internal thought could be an endless loop. “Tell me about your farm.”

He shot her a smile. “My lifelong dream, but it couldn’t have become reality so soon if I hadn’t inherited it from my grandfather.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“I miss him,” Corbin said simply. “He was the one person who always seemed to understand me.”

Sarah bit her lip so she wouldn’t admit how hard he was to figure out. No need to go there yet, or ever. This was the only date they’d have.

They crossed the bridge into Riverbend and Corbin signaled a right turn at the first traffic light. A few minutes later he shut off the truck beside Riverside Park. A glow from the early-evening sun warmed the gazebo, flowerbeds, and manicured lawn. So peaceful, even with several children riding bicycles and tossing Frisbees. She let out a sigh she hadn’t realized she was holding as she reached for the door handle.

Corbin touched her arm. “Allow me, please.” In no time he’d come around the truck and opened the passenger door. She slid out, thankful for the running board to make the big step more manageable. He smiled at her as he took her hand.

Should she allow him that familiarity? What did it matter? It was only a few steps to the Water Wheel Restaurant at the end of the park. Besides, his hand was warm and his grip firm but not possessive. Somewhere this evening he seemed to have lost his gift of gab. This date might not be so bad after all.

* * *

Corbin seated Sarah in the fireplace nook he’d reserved. A row of candles in assorted shapes and sizes of holders flickered from the mantle, and a soft glow warmed the space from a hidden light source.

The waiter presented them with menus and took their drink order. No surprise that Sarah ordered pop the way she’d guzzled it at rehearsal. He settled for unsweetened tea.

Sarah turned a page and glanced up at him.

He’d been staring. Watching her. No thoughts of what food to order had yet crossed his mind. He quirked a smile at her.

“What are you having?” she asked.

Corbin opened the menu. This wasn’t the sort of place a guy came with his buddies, so he had no idea what the options were. He glanced over the selections and pointed. “Steak, I think. Baked potato, vegetables in season, and a salad.” Hard to go wrong with steak in an upscale place like this. “How about you?”

“Maybe the cordon bleu. That comes with a rice pilaf.”

“Sounds good. Scallops for an appetizer?” Lindsey had once made those at Nick’s apartment for a few friends. They’d been to die for.

“Oh, I cou—” She bit off the words. “Thank you. That sounds nice.”

The waiter brought their drinks and Corbin ordered for both of them. Sarah seemed mesmerized by the flickering flames in the fireplace. For his part, he couldn’t help watching the shifting glow on her face and hair.

“Thanks for coming tonight,” he said at last.

She turned toward him, a question in her eyes.

“I’m glad you didn’t turn me down. I’m surprised, actually. What made you say
yes
?” He held his breath. What was he hoping she’d say, that she found him as attractive as he found her?

Sarah folded the linen napkin in half and ran her thumb down the crease. “Lindsey made me promise to give you a chance.”

Her words were so low he wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. “I have Lindsey to thank?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. You know she chucked that bouquet directly at me. She has her own agenda, that girl.”

“I guess I owe her one.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow. “You two didn’t plan it in advance?”

He grinned. “No, believe it or not.” He leaned across the table. “So I’m thankful for her help. But I guess it’s my job to make sure you have such a good time you’ll be happy enough at the end of the evening to agree when I ask you out again.”

His gaze held hers for a long moment. The firelight seemed to flicker in her brown eyes and add even more dimensions to the tones in her streaked hair. What was she thinking? That she’d like to smack her friend... or might she even be thankful already for the set-up? Whichever it was, Corbin was grateful for the reprieve.

* * *

She’d never have guessed he could be this gentlemanly and, well, nice. Though his quirky humor definitely peeked through a time or two, the dinner went well. Sarah was pretty sure the food had been good, too, but the memory that stayed with her would be more about the intensity in his blue eyes and the sexy grin that lifted one side of his mouth more than the other.

“Tell me about weddings,” he said unexpectedly.

Sarah frowned. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “You said you’d never been on Team Bride before?”

Team Bride. Did he have to keep saying that? “Never as a bridesmaid.”

“That’s crazy. You must have lots of friends.”

She let her eyebrows go up. “Are you saying I’m an old maid? That all my friends must be married by now?”

He blinked. “Not at all what I meant.”

“I have plenty of single friends.”

“I, uh...”

“I’m just not very fond of weddings.”

Corbin leaned back in his chair. “I thought women were all over weddings. The ultimate party to plan. To be the star of the show.”

“Women are individuals. One size does not fit all.”

“I have a few sisters, and they’re definitely not clones of each other. But they agree on parties.”

“That’s nice.” A desperate need to change the focus shot through her. “You seem to like them, too. Not all guys do.”

“Sure do. Parties are great, and weddings are the best of them all.”

Sarah shook her head. He was for real?

He grinned at her. “I’ve been a ring bearer twice. Groomsman twice.” He checked them off on his fingers. “Now best man twice. Team Groom six times.”

Wasn’t this backwards? If there had been any doubt she shouldn’t date Corbin Morrissey — and there hadn’t been any — there wasn’t anymore. She needed to find a guy who wanted to elope.

“You said you’d been a flower girl? I bet you were the cutest one ever. I bet you drove the ring bearer crazy.”

“Not as crazy as he drove me.” She shuddered. Some memories were better left untouched. “I barely escaped with my life.” Her dignity certainly hadn’t been intact.

He laughed. “Sounds serious. Whose wedding was it?”

Sarah shook her head. “I don’t remember their names. They were my parents’ friends, I think. We moved quite a few times back then after my parents split up, and before Mom moved my brother and me to Riverbend.”

Genuine regret slid into his gaze. “I’m sorry. My folks went through some rough patches, but they grew together. They’re a good example of a solid marriage now.”

“It’s kind of tough.” Sarah toyed with her napkin. “So many marriages end in divorce. One of my friends is divorced already after only three years. Another is really struggling.”

“Is that why you didn’t want to stand up for Lindsey and Nick?”

She pulled her eyebrows together. “Who told you that?”

“Lindsey was ecstatic when you said you would. She was afraid you’d say no, but she wouldn’t say why.”

Good thing her best friend had showed a bit of restraint. “I really hope they make it.”

“I know they will.” Corbin spoke with deep conviction.

“You can’t know that. You can’t even know it for yourself, let alone for someone else. Things happen.” She shrugged. “People change. Or maybe it’s their true colors coming out. Nick was a real jerk in high school. I’d like to think he’s changed, but what if he hasn’t? What if, deep down, he’s still the same guy? I don’t want Lindsey hurt. She’s already been through so much with her mom dying and all.”

Corbin leaned across the table and wrapped both his hands around hers. “Nick changed, Sarah. He repented of his old ways and asked God to forgive him. He became a new creature in Jesus. Don’t you believe that faith in Christ can change a person from the inside out?”

She opened her mouth and closed it again. Did she? Sure, she said she did, but she still guarded herself, just in case. What kind of faith was that? Faith. The evidence of things unseen. She pulled her hands away and laid them in her lap. “I do believe that. In theory. In reality, people are pretty messed up.”

He regarded her steadily. “When I get married, it will be for life. My parents taught me love is a choice. It doesn’t ultimately have a lot to do with fluttery feelings. Those can be fickle.”

This was getting mighty personal for a first date. Even a wedding-inspired one. But she couldn’t let his words go. “That’s great, but marriage is two people. What if your wife decides she doesn’t love you anymore? Leaves you? Has an affair?”

Corbin opened his mouth.
 

She held up a hand to forestall him. “You can’t deny it’s a possibility. People are human. Stuff happens.”

“I intend to love her so lavishly she’ll never be tempted to look elsewhere.”

Sarah laughed. She couldn’t help it. “I wish you all the best with that. Seriously. You’ll need it.”

She became aware of the waiter hovering just outside the alcove. “Can I interest you in dessert? We have a lovely turtle cheesecake this evening, or you might prefer a fall fruit compote with ice cream from Glacial Creamery.”

“No, thanks.” Sarah laid her napkin on the table. “I think we’re about done here.”

“Maybe next time,” Corbin told the waiter.

Right. Like they’d be back together. She bit her lip. But the thought of being that fervently loved was attracting. Could she be that woman? Did she have any desire to be?

 
A few minutes later they strolled the long way through the park back to the truck.

Corbin twined his fingers around hers, and she let him. “I have a question for you.”

“Isn’t it a bit too soon for that?” Oh, man, had she really said that out loud? He’d think she was flirting. Was she?

“Maybe.” He laughed. “So I’ll save the big one for a few weeks. We can build up to it. Where do you want to go with me next weekend?”

The quick answer would be nowhere, but it wasn’t strictly true. He’d been surprisingly good company and even had a serious streak. Intriguing. She caught herself nodding.

He bumped her shoulder. “That doesn’t answer my question, but I’ll take the affirmative. A movie? A picnic at the lake? A bike ride? Or we could catch the fall fair down at Arrowsmith.”

What happened to avoiding this clown at all cost? She couldn’t be so desperate for a date as to consider going out with him again. He’d probably take it as a sign they should be married or something.
Lavishly loved.
“Sure.”

Corbin laughed, swinging her hand. “Still not giving me much to go on, fair lady.”

“I’d like to see your farm.”

“We can do that sometime, but the fall fair is only next weekend. I can pick you up at nine. Dress comfy with good walking shoes.”

Had he actually just diverted her request? She hadn’t been asking to see someone else’s animals and produce, but a full day at the fair would be a real test. She’d know for sure by the end of it if he was as much a waste of her time as she’d thought at first.

Chapter 5

The clang of the Ferris wheel, the murmur and vibrant colors of the large crowd, and the aroma of hot buttered popcorn mingled with corn dogs welcomed Corbin as he slid out of the truck and rounded the front. He breathed in deeply. None of the odors twitched his nose. So far, so good.

Corbin opened the passenger door, and Sarah hopped down, her eyes wide. “Wow. I had no idea it was this big.”