Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,48

me, I don’t want to pretend to the people I love that I’m not involved with somebody wonderful.”

“Then I accept the invitation and can’t wait, Erin. I’d consider it an honor.”

Their coffee abandoned, he opened his arms and she scooted closer, landing on his lap as he enveloped her in his embrace. Their kiss took on a life force of its own, and while they waited for their clothes to dry, they made love on his sofa using the condom he’d placed in the drawer of the coffee table. After all, he had a reputation as a Boy Scout to uphold.

14

It had been a long time since Torin had been to a family dinner other than with his sister and grandparents. It had been a long time since he’d had a family dinner with a woman he was in a relationship with. In fact, probably not since high school, he thought ruefully. He knew almost all of the McBrides and Kings, and yet as he and Erin walked around the side of the house toward the backyard where the massive gathering was being held, he tried to tamp down the nerves bouncing around his stomach. Christ, I can face down rowdies in the pub, wade into the middle of a pub fight, and have no problem ejecting someone much bigger than myself. But the idea of seeing all the pairs of eyes that would be staring at him walking in with her almost had his feet stuttering to a stop.

Glancing to the side, he watched Erin nervously chew on her bottom lip, and it hit him that she hadn’t brought anyone home to meet her family since before she joined the Army. With her nerves so evident, he wanted to wipe them all away. Reaching over, he linked hands with her, steeling himself for whatever reaction might come. If she pulled away, he’d let her, knowing that’s what she needed. Instead, at the touch of their fingers, the air rushed from her lungs, and she looked up at him, smiled widely, and squeezed his hand.

“I’m really glad you came with me,” she said, swinging their linked hands slightly.

“There’s no place I’d rather be than by your side,” he admitted freely, the nerves suddenly fleeing now that he was presented with her smile.

The sound of a multitude of voices met his ears as they rounded the back corner, and while he expected a crowd, seeing a full McBride and King gathering caused him to jerk, blinking in surprise. As they walked between two large brick homes with trees and plants offering shade, they now stood in a massive area that accommodated the two backyards where picnic tables had been set out, some already groaning under the quantities of food spread before them.

The conversations came to a halt, but before he had a chance to react, Sharon McBride set a platter of food onto the nearest table and rushed over, wiping her hands on the bottom of her apron. Her hair was silver, cut in a stylish bob, still looking much younger than she probably was, and the smile on her face was every bit as beautiful as the one he was graced with from Erin.

As soon as she reached them, she smiled at him but first turned her attention to her daughter. Reaching up, she gently touched Erin’s cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here, baby. So pretty. Pretty as a picture.” She then turned her attention, and it hit Torin what a perfect greeting that was for Erin. Not overblown. Nothing to make her feel self-conscious. Just a mother greeting her daughter, one she’d been worried about for a long time and loved without fail.

Now, she gifted her smile in his direction. “Torin, it’s so good of you to come.”

“Thank you for having me, Mrs. McBride.”

She waved her hand, her fingers fluttering in the air. “Please, call me Sharon.”

He nodded, then glanced beyond her shoulder, watching as Erin’s father approached, stopping just behind his wife. As though Sharon could feel his presence without actually turning to look behind her, she said, “And you know Erin’s father, Colm.”

He hated to let go of Erin’s hand but did so just long enough to lift his to shake Colm’s hand. The handshake was firm but not assertive, and staring at the older man, he could feel the assessing gaze without feeling the heat of disapproval. Colm then stepped around his wife and enveloped Erin into a hug, kissing the top of her head.

Hannah and