Free Team Bride by Valerie Comer

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