The Dating List (16 page)

"Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind. Oh…don't
forget our guest room is still under construction."

"You finished that weeks ago."

"I know."

"Colin has been staying there."

"I know. But if I told my mother it was ready, they'd
be camping out there for the next three months."

"Oh, my God. No way."

"Yes, way. They would."

"I need my privacy with you."

"Okay…how about a rule on how long guests can
stay?"

"How does fifteen minutes sound?" He grinned at
her.

She laughed.

"Seriously. How about five days?"

"Too long."

"Three days?"

"Still too long."

"Grey!"

"Okay, okay. Five days and not one minute, not one
second more. Can I help it if I want to be able to chase you around
the house naked?"

"Who's naked, me?"

"Sure…and me. More fun that way."

"Get this out of your system now because when my
parents arrive…"

"I'll be as straight laced as a banker with no
balls."

Carrie burst out laughing. He grinned as he
maneuvered the car deftly around the curves.

****

Beef stew was simmering on the stove when Grey popped
the cork in a large bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Wearing a frown
with her long teal velour dress, Carrie ran down the stairs, while
inserting an earring in her ear lobe.

"You look gorgeous," he said, bending down to kiss
her. "Smell great, too."

Before she could reply, the doorbell rang.

Carrie gave herself a shake before answering the
door, after a deep breath, she turned the knob.

A slim, woman in navy wool pants and a fur jacket
stepped into the house, immediately grabbing Carrie for a huge hug.
Janice's Tucker's silvery blonde hair was cut fashionably short,
and her makeup was perfect. She was followed by a tall, stouter man
wearing gray slacks, a sheepskin coat and a big grin.

Carrie introduced Grey. He kissed Janice's hand and
shook Harvey's. Carrie seated them by the blazing fire while Grey
poured the wine.

"Nice place here. This all yours?" Harvey asked.

"I bought it a while ago. Carrie's been fixing it
up."

Catching the panicked look in her eyes, he caught
himself then continued.

"It's slow going…hard to find a reliable contractor.
She's finished the first floor but upstairs is still under
construction."

"Must cost you a pretty penny to run this place,"
Harvey continued.

"I can afford it." Grey wandered over to the back
window, accompanied by Harvey.

Janice wasn't shy about looking Grey up and down,
then casting her gaze around. She smiled at her daughter.

"It's beautiful…very tasteful, Carrie. Good job,
dear…and he's a hunk."

"Mom!" Carrie could feel the blood rush to her
cheeks.

Fortunately Grey hadn't heard because he was
engrossed in conversation with Harvey.

When Janice stopped speaking, the men's voices
carried to the fireplace where the women were seated.

"Nonprofit, eh? How can you make money if it's a
'nonprofit' – pun intended!"

Grey chuckled but shot a look at Carrie. She
shrugged.

"We manage. I have good investments, and I own
several townhouses like this one that I rent out. You don't have to
worry, Harvey. Carrie will be well provided for, always. She'll
never want for anything."

"Glad to hear that. Good to know my little girl's
gonna have it easy. She's worked pretty hard in her life." Harvey
rejoined the women by the fire and took a sip of his wine.

"We're no strangers to hard work, Grey," Janice put
in. "Harvey and I worked seven days a week and always on holidays
when Carrie was growing up. I know it was hard on her. But the
money we made went to pay for her college education and a
comfortable apartment here."

"She's often spoken with pride about how hard you
worked. Think she's modeled herself after you," Grey said. "She
works hard now. Harder than I do."

Carrie could tell by the expression on her mother's
face, she was looking for something to criticize Grey about but he
was being his most charming self. Janice was left without
ammunition. Carrie blew out a breath as a smile crept across her
face.
He's an amazing man.

When the stew was served, made with her parent's
recipe, they showed proper appreciation.

"How are the plans for the wedding coming?" Janice
asked.

"Fine. We're having it at Delia's house. She's taking
care of most of the planning. I'm on deadline with a new book…so
I've left things to her."

"You can't do that! Delia's not even a real Tucker
now that she's a widow. Besides, she'll have pigs in blankets and
other low class food if you don't take control. Good thing I'm
here."

"Janice was the creative one…the foodie. I handled
the business aspects of our catering company. I always left food
decisions up to her, she's uncanny!" Harvey said, stabbing a carrot
with his fork.

"What about a dress?" Janice asked before putting a
piece of beef in her mouth.

"Delia and I found one At Bonnie's Bridal—"

"That awful place! Only second rate stuff there. You
need to go to Luigi's Bridal shop. He has the best gowns,
hand-beaded in Italy—"

"I don't want a beaded gown, Mom. We talked about
it."

"You talked about it with Delia, but I'm your mother.
I should be having a hand in this."

A blanket of silence fell on the four at the table.
The only sound was the clinking and scraping of knives and
forks.

"At least could you come to Luigi's with me and look.
Dad and I will pay for it."

"It's not a question of money…"

"Humor your mother, Carrie. This is the only wedding
she'll get to plan. After your elopement to that loser."

Carrie threw down her napkin and pushed away from the
table. Tears clouded her eyes, her mouth set in a grim line as she
stood up, marched upstairs and slammed the bedroom door.

Her parents sat with their mouths open.

"What did we say?" Janice asked.

Grey flashed his palm and followed his fiancée
upstairs. He knocked softly on the door.

"Go away," came the tearful reply.

"It's me, honey," Grey said, turning the knob
slowly.

He walked in to find her sitting on the bed, crying.
He took her in his arms and let her sob against his chest. Within a
few seconds she pushed away to reach for a tissue.

"They always do this. Dad has never let me forget
about my first marriage and Mom wants to voice her opinion even
when I don't want it. And she's never here when I might need her to
help…nothing I do is good enough…"

Grey stroked her back then her hair. She nestled her
head into his shoulder.

"You need to tell
them
, not me, honey. In a
nice way…"

She nodded, wiping her face and blowing her nose. He
took her hand and led her downstairs.

"I'm sorry if I upset you, Carrie," Janice said,
squeezing her daughter's hand.

"Me, too. I'm always putting my foot in it. That's
what your mother says, anyway."

"Can we not talk about wedding plans now? It's our
first night together in a long time."

"Did you buy the dress already?"

Carrie nodded casting her gaze down to her plate.

"Well then that's settled. Score one for Delia, zero
for Janice."

Carrie snapped her head up. "It's not a competition,
Mom. Delia is here. You're not. It's that simple."

"Couldn't you have waited for me?"

"Not and get it altered and ready in time. We bought
it three weeks ago."

"Oh. What about the food. You know I'm an
expert."

"Can we talk about this after dinner? Like, maybe
tomorrow?"

"Sure, sure, baby." Janice patted Carrie's hand.

"This one looks like a winner to me," Harvey said,
beaming at Grey.

The blood rushed out of Carrie's face.

"Dad…"

Grey laughed. "Thanks, Harvey. Nice to have your
blessing."

"Call me Harv. All my friends do." Harvey slapped
Grey on the back.

Carrie covered her face with her hands for a moment,
hoping this was a bad dream.

"Okay, Harv. Since we're friends now, do me a
favor…"

"Sure…anything, Grey. Name it."

"Please stop bringing up my fiancée's past marriage,
including the man she was married to."

"Oh." Harvey's face turned red. "Sure, sure, sorry
about that, Bunny. Won't do it again."

"Bunny?" Grey's eyes got wide.

"That's my little nickname for her. Cute as a bunny
she was when she was little."

Grey couldn't hold in a guffaw, though he did cover
his mouth. Carrie glared at him.

"Don't egg him on, Grey. He doesn't need any
encouragement."

"I don't see anything wrong with that nickname,"
Harvey sat up straighter.

"We're taking a cruise in March," Janice said,
putting down her fork.

"What?"

"You're mother's convinced me to go through Italy by
boat…then Spain and Greece. We'll be gone a month."

"A month? And you want to help with the wedding?"

"We have two weeks until we leave. Then we're back in
May. Plenty of time to help you make the important decisions."

"You think so?"

"I do. What color are the bridesmaid's wearing?"
Janice picked up her plate plus Harvey's and carried them to the
kitchen.

"You servin' dessert, Bunny?"

"Dad, I think you'd better stop calling me that."

Carrie eyed Grey, who smirked behind his hand, unable
to contain his laughter.

"I've been callin' you that all your life. Not
stopping now," Harvey said, getting out of his chair.

"Oohh, look at what I found! Apple cake. Is this my
recipe?" Janice turned to look at Carrie.

"Sure is." Carrie joined her mother.

"Why don't we sit by the fire, Harv? Would you like a
brandy?"

"Why not? What have you got?" Harvey joined Grey at
the bar.

"How about some Courvoisier? I've got the VSOP."

"Brandy sounds good."

Grey placed the bottle plus four glasses on a tray
then carried them to the fireplace.

While Grey poured the brandy, Carrie and Janice cut
up the cake and put it on plates.

"I know I wasn't around much when you were growing
up. Delia took you under her wing when you were twelve. But I'm
still your mother and I love you. I only want the best for you,
Carrie. The best wedding…the finest food…"

"I know, Mom. It's a bit of an…adjustment, having you
around to help with decisions. But I already have the best…the
finest man, so the rest doesn't matter that much."

"He does seem to be a fine man, but what do you
really know about him?"

"Plenty. He's amazing and he loves me. You have no
idea how happy he makes me."

"We'll see. On the surface he looks pretty good, but
time will tell."

Carrie turned her mother to face her and dropped her
sweet façade.

"If you screw this up, Mom, I'll never forgive
you."

"Those are harsh words for someone who only has your
best interest at heart, Carrie."

"Grey has my best interests at heart, Mom. I meant
what I said. Stay out of my relationship and away from Grey."

"I wouldn't dream of interfering. Simply looking out
for my daughter."

Janice patted her daughter on the shoulder, picked up
two plates with cake and walked over to join the men. With narrowed
eyes, Carrie watched her mother walk away.
This can't be
good.
She sighed, picked up the remaining two plates and joined
the others at the fire.

****

Saturday Night, February, Pine Grove

"You expected something wild on a Saturday night in
Pine Grove?" Colin chuckled as he toweled himself off.

Leah had to roll up the sleeves on his bathrobe
before she rubbed her thick hair dry.

"I didn't expect to be meeting your parents. Geez.
This sounds serious."

"Naw. A casual dinner at their house…no big
deal."

"Seems like a big deal to me. I don't know what to
wear."

"You'll look great in anything…or nothing." He
snickered, snaking an arm around her waist.

"Can't believe you're still horny after last night,
then this morning." Leah pulled out two tops and held them up to
the mirror.

"Can I help it if I can't get enough of you?" Colin
watched her while he slipped on his boxers.

"This one is too low cut," she said, putting it back
in her suitcase.

"Damn! I was hoping for that one. Love to look at
these across the table."

He cupped her breasts from behind. Leah eased her
head back, baring her throat to him. Her skin tingled as his lips
kissed up and down her neck. His fresh scent intoxicated her. She
drew a deep breath.
I love the way he smells.

"Before you…we get carried away. Let's get dressed
and get this dinner over with."

"Over with? It'll be fine. You'll like my parents,
you'll see."

But will they like me?

He let her go while he retrieved his clothes and
flipped on the radio. "Bad Romance" came on. Leah danced as she
dressed. Colin watched her in the mirror. Feeling his stare, she
became self-conscious and stopped.

"Why'd you stop?"

"Because you're staring at me."

"I like to watch you dress, watch you move." He
stepped closer to her, bending his head to capture her lips with
his in a sensuous kiss.

Pleasure brought color to her cheeks. She smiled
shyly at him. Colin buttoned up his brown and gold plaid flannel
shirt then stepped into his pants.

"Casual?"

He nodded. Leah pulled out a pair of dark blue
narrow-wale corduroy pants and a white cashmere sweater, simple and
elegant. When they were both dressed, she finished drying her hair
with the hair dryer. Colin held her fur coat for her then threw on
a down jacket before they headed for the car.