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He’d loveto know what she was thinking. “Princess.”
She shifted, studying a nearby blue spruce as if it were the most fascinating tree in the world. He followed her gaze. Nope, not even a squirrel.
“Dan, it’s too soon.”
He swallowed the pain wadding in his throat. “It’s never too soon for a friend.”
“Friend.” She seemed to consider that for a long moment, then sighed. “Friend it is, then.”
Friends. Only a shadow of what he really wanted, but still, better than nothing at all.
She offered a small smile. “I didn’t know your parents were here.”
“And my brother. He’s out fishing at the moment. Maybe you should all come for dinner tonight. You could meet my folks properly.”
Her smile turned wry. “Are you saying I didn’t make a good impression?”
“You don’t need to impress me.” His parents on the other hand…
Her head tilted. “You really want us to come tonight? All of us?”
“Yes. Come at six.”
“Okay. Can we bring anything?”
“Just yourselves.”
“Okay then.” She nodded, as if convincing herself. “Thanks.”
* * *
There wasnothing to be nervous about. Sarah swallowed against the butterflies threatening to escape. They were just people. But still…Jesus, give me some of Your strength. She took a deep breath, trying to smooth the previously unseen wrinkles out of her white cotton dress—another goodwill find—while balancing the plate in one hand as they waited for their host to admit them.
The door finally opened. “You’re here!” Dan welcomed her aunt and uncle, then gave her a warm smile. “Hey, friend.”
“Hello.” Caught in his smile, the nerves dropped away. Why did it matter anyway? As he’d just made very clear, she was his friend. And as much as she’d like to improve upon that first impression with Dan’s folks, her security was supposed to be based on what God thought of her, not anyone else. Her shoulders relaxed as she followed them into the spacious living room.
“Mom, Dad, you remember John and Angela McPherson from next door? And you met Sarah earlier. This is Andrew and Helen, my parents, and Sam, my younger brother.”
“Hello, Sam.” Sarah forced her lips to stay up. “Your brother didn’t tell me much about you.”
Sam shot Dan a look, then turned back to Sarah. “He didn’t tell me anything about you, so I guess that makes us even.” He winked. “But whatever you want to know, I’m your man.”
She snickered and the tension in the room dropped about a hundred watts. Sarah glanced across at Dan and smiled.
* * *
The ballof hurt Dan had been carrying in his chest since their date four days ago suddenly disappeared. “Come on. Let’s have dinner.”
God bless Sam—he knew how to break the ice. Much to Dan’s relief, Sarah continued to loosen up as the meal progressed, especially after the delicious lemon cheesecake she’d brought had been complimented by everyone—even his mother, who usually never ate dessert. But the warm vivacity Dan loved about Sarah really sparkled to life a little later, when they moved to the lounge for coffee, and his brother started asking her all sorts of questions about Australia.
“I saw a documentary years ago on the Great Barrier Reef, and I’ve always hoped to go.”
“Oh, Sam, you should!” Sarah’s face lit. “I went once with my parents. Queensland is definitely the place to go if you want sand and surf. Tasmania is great for colonial heritage. Then there’s the red center and Uluru.”
Even his parents, who’d looked at him askance when he’d returned from racing after Sarah earlier, seemed to be warming to her, interested in her answers. “You seem to have done a lot of traveling, Sarah.”
She nodded at his father. “My parents have worked with disadvantaged people for most of my life and taught me a lot about the need to understand and appreciate our world and the people in it.” She smiled affectionately at Ange. “It certainly helps to have family living overseas.”
