Free Team Bride by Valerie Comer Page B

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