Team Bride (8 page)

The hair on his arm strained the half-centimeter to hers. Okay, he couldn’t resist. He set the blade on the cutting board and gathered her into his arms. “You’re serious? You like it?”

“I’ve watched more HGTV than you’d believe. And if you followed me on Pinterest, you’d see my obsession with projects giving new life to antiques.”

“I’m not that old. And I resent being called a project.” Corbin kissed her forehead. “Also, what is Pinterest?”

“Silly.” She grinned up at him then tilted her head. “Seriously?”

He chuckled. “No, I know what it is. Looked around the site once and ran out screaming.”

“I have eighty-two pin boards.”

He didn’t even want to know. It sounded like an obsession. But maybe he could learn a lot about her by glancing over them. Hmm. Maybe later. “I’m ready to go out and grill the burgers. I’ll do some hash browns on the side burner, if that’s okay?”

“Sounds great. What can I do to help?”

“You can set the patio table if you like, and bring out the salad.”

“You’re on.”

* * *

Sarah, wearing one of Corbin’s over-sized hoodies, settled back into a lawn chair with a contented sigh. What a man of surprises. Between the farm-and-house tour, the spine-tingling kisses, and the delicious if simple meal, she felt like she’d entered a new dimension.

She glanced his way to catch his smoldering gaze on her. Gone immediately was the cool chill of an October evening. Who knew love was a heat source? Love. So unexpected.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, voice low and husky.

Good thing he didn’t have a swing for two out here. She needed the distance as much as she hated it. But what a loaded question. “I’m thinking... I’m thinking today has been full of surprises.”

Corbin nodded, his eyes fixed on her in the dusk. “It has, at that.”

He seemed to expect more. But what could she say that didn’t sound too presumptuous? “It will be interesting to see where God leads from here.”

“It will.” He reached across the span and caressed her hand. “Do you still want to bring your students out?”

“May I? On Friday. Next week. Is that okay for apple juice? I think they’ll like it.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see if I can get Heath or Nick to give me a hand.”

She opened her mouth to offer.

“You’ll be busy with your class, and I can’t expect the parents to know what to do on the technical side.”

“Of course. That makes sense.” Sarah turned her hand over so she could slide her fingers between his. “I’ll double check with the principal and confirm with you in the next day or two. I don’t see why it would be a problem, though. The day has already been set aside.”

His cell rang shrilly in the evening air. He glanced at the phone and grimaced. “It’s my aunt. I need to take this, if it’s okay.”

“Sure, go for it.”

“Hi, Aunt Deb ... Right ... Yes, I remember ... No, you don’t need to set me up with anyone, thanks anyway ... I know. You’ve mentioned it before ... Aunt Deb ... Let me get a word in edgewise here.”
 

Corbin grinned at Sarah, shaking his head.

“Listen, I have someone to invite ... I told you about her, didn’t I? I met a wonderful woman without your help. Hard to believe, I know ... I haven’t asked her yet, but I’ll let you know ... Uh, Aunt Deb? She’s right here. I’m not answering that.”

Sarah tipped her head, trying to catch his gaze. What did his aunt want to know?

“Saturday at four. Got it ... Aunt Deb, I need to go. I’ll call you tomorrow ... Yes, everything’s fine, but I gotta go ... Love you, too.” He rolled his eyes and thumbed the phone off.

Sarah raised her eyebrows and grinned at him. “What was all that about?”

“My aunt is constantly trying to set me up with someone. She’s sure I’m lonely and need a wife.”

“Do you?”

The words hung between them then Corbin scratched the back of his neck. “Anyway, it’s their twenty-fifth anniversary this weekend and they’re having a party. She said if I wasn’t bringing someone she’d find me a date.”

Sarah chomped back the grin. “She sounds serious.”

“Oh, yeah.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “I was going to ask you on my own time, but she pushed my hand. Are you free Saturday? Would you be my date to their anniversary party in Castlebrook?”

This was scarily easy to answer. She’d be his date anywhere, anytime. “I don’t have any other plans, so why not?”

“The
why not
might be Aunt Deb. No doubt she’ll be looking for a diamond ring and a wedding date by the end of the evening.”

“We don’t have to let her push us.”

“True.” He snuck another look. “My parents will be there from Calgary. Two of my sisters. But none of them can hold a candle to my overbearing Aunt Deb.”

So this would be the official meet-the-family date. Was she ready for that? Was Corbin? He didn’t seem like it, but then he’d been reluctant to have her out to the farm, too, and look how that had turned out. She sucked in her lip, planning on another kiss or two before she drove back to Riverbend.

Wait. What if she were reading him wrong? What if he wasn’t worried about what she’d think of his family? “Is it me?” Her heart thudded. “Am I not going to be good enough for them?”

He startled, his eyes finally holding hers. “No, Sarah. Never that. They will love you, I promise.” He swallowed hard. “As I do. It’s just you might not know how to take them. They tease a lot, and I know there’ll be pressure. I’d just as soon wait a bit longer to send you into the lions’ den, but...” He smiled at an angle. “I really don’t want my aunt to go hunting down a date for me, either. I want you by my side.”

“Then I’ll be there.”

“I hope you won’t regret it. Can I pick you up at two? Semi-formal is good. No bridesmaid dress.”

“So no tux for you?”

He chuckled. “Not this time. I’ll be in dress pants, a button-down shirt, and a sweater, if that helps.”

He’d be easy on the eyes. The man cleaned up nice.

Chapter 9

“Corbin!” Aunt Deb swung the door open wide and crushed him against her, casting his memory back to the wedding reception line a few weeks back. “You made it.” Then she seemed to notice Sarah. She looked from one to the other. “And who’s this? I know I told you to bring a date — and I certainly meant it — but this is the first time you’ve actually obeyed me.”

He reached for Sarah’s hand and tugged her forward. “This is Sarah. Sarah, my aunt Deb.”

Aunt Deb was an equal-opportunity hugger. Sarah disappeared into enfolded arms and came out a moment later looking dazed.

Corbin could sympathize.
 

“Aren’t you lovely?” gushed Aunt Deb, holding Sarah at arm’s length. “Where did you meet our Corbin?”

Sarah’s eyes cast a plea in his direction. “We were both in the wedding party of mutual friends in September.”

“Now there’s a romantic way to be introduced! I’m thrilled he’s finally met someone. I was about to take matters into my own hands, but I see I should have trusted him.”

Corbin stepped between them, forcing his aunt to release Sarah. He slid his arm around her and grinned at Deb. “Yes, you should have. Now be nice to Sarah, or you’ll scare her away. And trust me, I don’t want to lose her.”

“Oh, pshaw. I’m sure she doesn’t scare that easily. She’s put up with you for over a month already. Do come in.”

Sarah trembled under his arm, so he tightened his grip on her waist as he guided her into the house. “I don’t see my parents’ car here yet.”
 

“They’ll be here any minute, and dinner will be on the table shortly. Then on to the celebrations!”

That sounded ominous, but he put on a brave smile. “What do you have planned?”

Deb leaned closer to Sarah. “If you think that boy is cute now, just wait until you see him as a five-year-old!”

Sarah glanced helplessly between Corbin and his aunt.

“Oh, no, Aunt Deb. You don’t need to inflict your old wedding video on Sarah. Or on any of us, for that matter.” It hadn’t been his best day as a ring bearer.

She swatted at his arm. It would probably leave a mark. “Oh, you. It’s Uncle Don’s and my twenty-fifth anniversary party. Of course we’ll be looking at old photos and such. So many happy memories.”

There’d be no dissuading her. Corbin shrugged. “She’s right about one thing, Sarah. I was a cute little kid. And wait until you see the flower girl I was paired with at the Double D wedding. You’ll be jealous. She was all over me.”
 

He’d been all over the flower girl, too. Why hadn’t he remembered Aunt Deb would pull out all the stops? He only hoped his and Sarah’s relationship could handle the next few hours... and his parents hadn’t even arrived yet.

Sarah shook her head slightly as a little smile poked at her cheeks.

They followed Deb through to the kitchen at the back of the house.

“Corbin!” His sister flew at him, knocking him back a step. “Aunt Deb said you were bringing someone.” She beamed at Sarah. “I’m Corbin’s big sister, Amanda.”

“This is Sarah,” he managed to get into the half-second lull.

“I’m so excited to meet you!”

Sarah smiled. “Thank you.”
 

By the way she hung back and clung to his hand, she was finding this as overwhelming as he’d feared. Might as well get it over with, though. “Is Michelle here?”

“Yes. She just ran down to the basement for another jar of pickles.” Amanda turned back to Sarah. “Michelle’s my twin.”

“Th-that’s nice.”

Corbin leaned closer to Sarah. “I’m sure the only reason Aunt Deb invited them is because they were junior bridesmaids at the Double D wedding.”

Amanda laughed. Was he super-sensitive because of Sarah, or was everyone being really loud today? “Oh, you know how Aunt Deb is. She was looking for an excuse to get the family together. We convoyed down from Calgary with Michelle and Mark.”

“Corbin!” shrieked Michelle as she ran across the room. “And you must be Sarah. Welcome to the family.”

“Um, hi.”

“Sarah is a first grade teacher.” He beamed at his sisters.

“Oh, that’s wonderful. You must love kids.” She pointed at herself and Amanda. “We both have boys that age. What a handful.”

By the glazed look in Sarah’s eyes, he needed to get her out of there. “We’re heading out to the back deck for some air. Let me know when the parents arrive, will you?”

“No hanky-panky now.” Amanda winked broadly.

As though he were sixteen. “Not to worry.” He put his hand on the small of Sarah’s back and nudged her ahead of him through the dining room and out the French doors. “Whew. Sorry about that.”

She let out a long breath. “You did warn me.”

“The good news is they live in Calgary and we only get together two or three times a year. Also, they will want to be your best friends. Not sure whether that’s good news or bad.” He wrapped both arms around her and pulled her close to his chest.

Sarah’s laugh sounded weak. “I’m not sure, either. I only have one aunt, and she’s unmarried and lives in London. I’ve met her half a dozen times in my life. My brother lives in Toronto and my mom in Vancouver. This kind of thing—” she tipped her thumb back over her shoulder “—just doesn’t happen in my world.”

“I can see advantages both ways.”

“I’m sure.” She looked into his eyes. “Please don’t leave me alone for even two minutes.”

“I might have to go to the bathroom sometime.”

She shuddered. “Can’t you hold it for six hours? Please?”

Corbin chuckled. “For you, I’ll try.”

* * *

A kiss or two later, Sarah decided she might be able to survive this family gathering after all. Maybe.
 

“Corbin! Deb said I’d find you out here. And your lovely girlfriend.” Time held still for one frozen second then Sarah turned in Corbin’s arms.
 

“Hi, Mom. I’d like you to meet Sarah. Sarah, this is my mom, Lisa.”

What a way for Corbin’s mother to first see her, lip locked with her son. Sarah pulled up a smile as she met the middle-aged woman’s gaze. “I’m so pleased to meet you.”

“And I you.” Lisa gave her son a significant look. “Interesting I had to learn about this development from my sister.”

Corbin’s arm around Sarah’s waist didn’t falter. “Oops, sorry about that.”

He hadn’t told his parents about their dates? Oh, man. But how could Sarah fault him? When was the last time she’d called her own mother? Besides, the relationship was still pretty new.

If it was that new, why had she started a secret Pinterest board for wedding ideas? Flipped through the bridal magazine another teacher had left in the staff room? Paused in front of the mall’s lingerie shop?

None of it was anything to be ashamed of. She was twenty-eight and dating a handsome Christian man. Just because her parents had split up before they were her age didn’t mean she was flawed, or that marriage was.

“We’ve been so worried about Corbin, living away out there in the country,” Lisa was saying. “The life of the party turned into a monk.”

Corbin’s fingers twitched against Sarah’s waist. “Not exactly a monk, Mom. Just waiting for the right woman to come along.”

“Well, either way, welcome to the family, dear.” Lisa kissed both Sarah’s cheeks. “Deb says dinner is ready.”

* * *

Bringing Sarah to this party had been a mistake. He should have invited his parents down one weekend or taken Sarah to Calgary, so she could meet them on her own terms. He’d known she didn’t like crowds or a lot of attention.

There wasn’t anything quiet about a Morrisseey-Shawnigan get together, and it seemed everyone peppered Sarah with questions. No one but him seemed to notice as she withdrew behind a curtain while right beside him at the dinner table.

Even Amanda’s and Michelle’s tales of their children’s antics did nothing to restore the glint in Sarah’s eyes.

Was the whole thing a mistake? Any woman who loved him was going to have to put up with his family. Yeah, they were rather boisterous, but he’d never seen that as a negative before he’d thought of bringing Sarah into their midst. Their older sisters had moved farther east, and the twins’ husbands seemed to take it all in stride, though they disappeared to watch a hockey game often enough at family gatherings.