He shook his head. “I’m about to leave.”
Luke checked his watch. “So early? We’ve barely started.”
“He has a date.” Mom nudged her nephew. “I think it’s serious.”
“Is that right?” Luke, always the mischief maker, grinned. “Hey everyone, Aaron’s got a girlfriend. He might beat you to the altar Sammi.”
Every person fifteen and over stopped what they were doing and swarmed him. Questions bombarded him, and he put his hands up to signal a stop to them. Though Aaron had never been one to blush on the outside, his insides had to be red from embarrassment. “All I’ll say is that her name is Rachel, she loves animals, and yes, it might be serious.”
Oohs and ahhs circled the yard. Aaron suppressed his groan, but he couldn’t stop his eye roll. He shouldered his way out of the mob of well-meaning family members.
Sammi, his cousin and Luke’s sister, sat on the hood of his car. “You managed to escape?”
“Barely.” He searched her face for any reaction to Luke’s insensitive comment. “Did you hear all that was said?”
“My brother’s an oaf, but it’s okay.” She flicked her wrist, waving away Luke’s comment. “He doesn’t think before he speaks, but he doesn’t mean any harm.”
“Doesn’t make it right.”
“No, but nothing can bother me today.” She leaned forward. “Want to know a secret?”
“Is that a trick question?”
She laughed, then pulled the necklace from its hiding spot under her shirt. A glistening diamond ring hung on it. “I’m engaged.”
“What? Who? When?”
“Last Saturday. His name is Alton James and he’s a professor at the college.” Her smile spoke of her happiness. “My parents don’t know yet.”
“You have to tell them.”
“I know, and I will, but you’ve seen how they react.” She winked and hopped from the car. “I don’t want to scare Alton off.”
“With our family, fair enough.” He gave her a brotherly hug. “I’m happy for you.”
She crossed her arms. “I shared my secret, now give me your scoop.”
He should have seen that coming. “I met Rachel at the vet a few weeks ago. Her dog had the same cancer Chance did, and I’ve been helping her through it.”
“It’s more than that, isn’t it?” Sammi’s eyes held knowledge of the unsaid.
“Yes. I don’t know how else to describe it except we click.” He made a mental list of all Rachel’s positive qualities. He’d dated other girls with similar characteristics and virtues, but none had stirred his heart like Rachel.
“When you know, you know.” Her eyes spread wide. “I have an idea. Let’s do a double date. You can meet Alton, and I can meet Rachel.”
He grimaced. How could he explain he’d barely been on official date with Rachel yet? It seemed crazy, but he knew the quality of time they’d spent together was worth more than twenty dates. “I can ask.”
“Please do. We’d have so much fun, and I never get to hang out with my favorite cousin anymore.”
“I’ll let you know.” He unlocked the door with the key fob and looked back at her. “I thought Catelyn was your favorite cousin.”
She flipped her hands in the air. The carefree gesture was so typical of her. “Only on a technicality.”
He broke out in a full gut-busting laugh. “I’ll call you later with Rachel’s answer.”
Surrounded by his relatives, he hadn’t time to worry about meeting Rachel’s family. Alone in his car, driving to her house, doubts assaulted him. He hadn’t realized how much he wanted them to like him until the time came to meet.
What would they think about the short time he’d known their daughter? Rachel mentioned they hadn’t met any of her boyfriends since Josh.Talk about pressure. He had to get over the fact he and Rachel hadn’t known each other long.
