Team Bride

by Valerie Comer

  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 fami
ly gatherings.

  Corbin’s wife would never have someone to disappear with like that. He was the only son, and the twins would always be a twosome.

  He slid his arm across the back of Sarah’s chair and leaned closer to her soft blond hair. “You okay?” he whispered.

  She flashed him a quick smile. “I’ll be fine.”

  Now why didn’t she sound convincing? “Want to make a quick getaway right after dinner? We don’t have to stay for the video or cake.”

  He felt her stiffen slightly. “I don’t want to ruin everyone’s evening.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  Sarah nodded slightly.

  She was right. The worst was likely over and, besides, he always got a chuckle out of the Double D wedding video.

  He cupped his hand on her shoulder. “You’ll see the first time I played on Team Groom. I was cute.”

  She sent him another small smile. “I can’t imagine anything else.”

  “I can borrow it from Aunt Deb and show you some other time if you’d rather.” The thought had merit. “We’ll pop up a big bag of popcorn and watch it out at my place. Or yours.”

  “Corbin.” She placed her hand on his leg. “Don’t worry. It’s all a bit overwhelming, but I’m an adult. It’s okay.”

  He stared at her tanned tapered fingers against the black of his dress pants. That one right there — he ran his thumb down the length of it — would look terrific with a diamond on it.

  The thought brought with it roiling emotions. Desire, protectiveness, and yes, a bit of fear.

  He covered her hand and squeezed as he leaned into her hair. “I love you,” he whispered.

  “Earth to Cory!” Laughter rang out around the table at Michelle’s jab.

  “Still true,” he murmured against Sarah’s hair before facing his sister. “Yes? Someone called from outer space?”

  “Nice one, Cory.” Amanda reached across the table for a high-five, but that would mean disconnecting from Sarah, and that wasn’t happening. He waggled his eyebrows at his sister instead.

  Amanda rolled her eyes and sank back to her seat.

  “Cory?” whispered Sarah.

  He shrugged. “Childhood nickname that reappears occasionally.”

  “Cute.”

  He couldn’t tell if she meant it or not. Unlike a Morrissey, she didn’t hang every thought out on the clothesline for the world to hear and see. That had advantages and disadvantages.

  Corbin rubbed that one special finger against his leg again. The Morrisseys and Shawnigans might be loud, but they were loyal, too. When they found love, they didn’t let go. He’d bet the Double D had their share of arguments. His own parents had certainly indulged in more than one shouting match behind closed doors. Yet here they were.

  Amanda had left Mark once and landed back on their parents’ doorstep. Mom had marched them down to the church for counseling, and they’d worked things out.

  Corbin was under no illusions. Marriage wouldn’t always be kisses and diamonds, sunshine and roses. But the rewards would be worth wading through the storms and thorns.

  Would Sarah agree?

  Chapter 10

  A wedding video would have to be easier to endure than that family dinner with everyone screeching like magpies. Corbin’s sisters were probably very nice, but did they have to amp up the volume every time one told a story over top of the other?

  The relative quiet of the basement family room soothed Sarah. Just a few more hours, and they could return to Riverbend. Corbin would have had his family outing, and she wouldn’t have embarrassed him. Well, that was likely impossible, but at least she wouldn’t have embarrassed herself. She wanted them to like her. Really, she did, but she’d never be able to fit in.

  The room was packed with bodies. Sarah sat on the fuzzy carpet beside Corbin, leaning against a padded ottoman. He held her hand in both of his, the length of his body pressed against hers. With his rock-steady comfort, she could survive.

  Don slid the disc into the player and fumbled around with the remote control until Amanda grabbed it from his hands and pressed a few buttons.

  Deb leaned over to Sarah. “We had the old video formatted onto a DVD several years ago, along with our favorite photos of our big day.”

  Sarah smiled back over her shoulder. “What a great idea.”

  The first snapshots projected, bigger than life, on a 60” TV screen. Sarah frowned. Something about the bride and groom looked vaguely familiar. Had Sarah seen that lacy white gown with poufy sleeves before? Corbin’s aunt hadn’t been a tiny woman even twenty-five years ago, and she liked her hair just as big now as she had then. Maybe it was just that she still looked like the same woman.

  A few photos later, shots of the entire wedding party came onscreen. Sarah caught her breath and stared. But when the beaming bride crouched beside the nervous flower girl, her gut clenched.

  “That’s me,” she whispered.

  Corbin leaned closer. “What did you say?”

  “I said that flower girl is me.” More photos flowed by. She’d never seen them before, but that didn’t keep her from being certain.

  He laughed. “No way.”

  “I’m serious.”

  Corbin leaned back. “Aunt Deb? Who was your flower girl?”

  “A little neighbor girl named Sarah. Why?”

  He stared at Sarah, questions in his eyes. “Did you keep in touch with her family?”

  “No, sadly. They moved away right after the wedding, and we lost track of them. I heard the parents split up. Wasn’t she sweet, though?”

  “Very.” Corbin slid his arm around Sarah’s shoulders and tugged her closer. “Are you sure?” he whispered, clasping her fingers with his free hand.

  The actual wedding ceremony came on the screen, now in video. Men in pink ruffled shirts, sparkling cumberbunds, and white tuxedos lined up at the front of the church.

  The basement family room seemed devoid of air. Sarah’s world narrowed to the déjà-vu on the screen.

  “Positive,” she whispered back as the first of three bridesmaids in pastel pink lace strolled down the aisle. Next, two junior bridesmaids pranced together.

  A loud smack off to the side could only be Amanda and Michelle high-fiving each other for the umpteenth time today. “Weren’t we the cutest ever?” asked Amanda.

  Sarah’s memories weren’t anywhere near the adorable meter. She tightened her grip on Corbin’s hand.

  Then the flower girl appeared, her blond ringlets wreathed in pink flowers that matched her dress. She marched beside the ring bearer and clutched the basket with one hand while scattering pink petals on the orange carpet with the other. The ring bearer bent down and scooped petals back into the basket.

  The wedding guests tittered, and he grinned at the attention. A few seconds later he grabbed the basket and swung around, flinging the flowers across the aisle and nearby guests, then waved at the videographer before dragging the flower girl toward the front.

  The girl jerked free and stomped her foot.

  Humiliation washed over Sarah along with the visual. She tried to pull her hand from Corbin’s, but he didn’t release it.

  With her face puckered up in tears, the flower girl ran back to the petals and knelt, scooping them in the basket. The two junior bridesmaids followed her more sedately, took her by both arms, and hauled her to the front. Crying.

  Everyone in Deb and Don’s family room chuckled. Tears stung Sarah’s eyes in pity for the little girl she’d been.

  Everything flooded back to her. All the humiliation. “That was the worst day of my life.” Her words seemed loud in the basement room. “I hated that Cory for years.”

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” He even sounded sincere.

  “Sarah, darling, was that really you? How could it be?” Deb patted her shoulder. “We all called him Cory back then. What a small world.”

  “I can’t believe this.” Emotion choked Sarah’s throat. “That was such a h
orrible day. No wonder I’ve avoided weddings.” She glared at Corbin.

  “I’m sorry, Sarah. I was only five.” He ducked his head.

  The DVD paused.

  “You’ve always been this way, haven’t you? Aw, shucks, look at me. I’m cute.”

  Corbin spread his hands and looked at her with a pleading expression. “I’m sorry. It’s who I am. I can’t undo the past, or I would.”

  Sarah envisioned a lifetime of being the brunt of his jokes. He was still the life of the party, as his mom had said. Sarah had been traumatized enough as a child. She didn’t need to keep going back for more.

  “I’m sorry.” From behind them, Deb sounded uncertain. “We don’t have to keep watching it.”

  Sarah surged to her feet. “It’s okay. It’s your tradition. Your anniversary.”

  “But—”

  “No, really. I’ll be fine.” Once she got over her shock, anyway. She stalked on wooden legs to the nearby powder room and splashed water on her face then stared at herself in the mirror. She wasn’t that little girl anymore. The little girl who’d been alone among strangers who laughed at her, and when someone finally delivered her back home, she’d discovered...

  Sarah burst into tears as memories poured over her.

  Dad had been gone. Mom had the van packed, waiting, and her brother was having a screaming fit in his car seat. Mom unceremoniously strapped Sarah in beside him, still in her fluffy pink dress, and drove all night. They ended up in a distant town where they knew no one then moved several more times before ending up in Riverbend when Sarah was eight.

  No one had mentioned Dad since Sarah had cried for him that night. Mom told her to shut up, that he was never coming back and good riddance.

  Yes, that horrid day had sucked her into her shell and made it difficult for her to carry on. Was it even why she’d decided to be a teacher? She’d always felt an affinity for little kids who didn’t quite fit in.

  She hadn’t fit in all through school. She still didn’t. Her life was a sham. She’d always be alone, a scared child looking in through the window at someone else’s Norman Rockwell life.