Claiming Colleen (Home to Harbor Town 3) - Page 65

Father Mike approached, greeting them enthusiastically. Everyone started talking. Colleen sighed in partial relief. She’d been dreading the moment, unsure of whether or not Deidre would turn a cold shoulder and cut Brigit completely. At least the initial greeting between mother and daughter had passed and gone tolerably well. Brendan and Jenny ran up to hug her. She’d missed them like crazy while she’d been in Tahoe and they’d stayed with their grandmother.

When she straightened, she realized that while everyone else conversed and made introductions, Eric was watching her with that dark-eyed, knowing look that always seemed to pierce right through her.

She licked her lower lip nervously. She should say hello, at least. No casual greeting seemed to fit the mixed anxiety, uncertainty and pleasure she experienced at seeing him again, though. He looked tense. Deidre had suggested—very delicately—while they’d been in Tahoe that Colleen may have been a tad defensive in not allowing Eric to fully explain himself. Was Deidre right? Was he angry? Concerned? Or was he completely immune to her now that he’d met his personal challenge of seducing her?

He took a step toward her, and her heart jumped into her throat.

“Okay, everyone, let’s get back to business!” Father Mike called out, herding them back toward the front of the church.

Unfortunately, there was no opportunity for the next forty-five minutes to find out what Eric had been planning to say to her as Father Mike led them through the wedding proceedings. She kept stealing glances at him and occasionally caught him looking at her, but his expression gave her no clues as to what he was thinking or feeling. After they’d finished with rehearsal, she saw Natalie draw her brother aside and speak to him. Liam joined them. Eric nodded and approached Deidre. She became distracted when Brendan asked for permission for he and Jenny to ride to the restaurant with Eric.

“Eric wants us to,” Brendan insisted when she demurred. “We’re giving Lucy to Uncle Liam and Natalie after dinner tonight.”

“Lucy is going to be in the parking lot, waiting for Natalie and Uncle Liam when they leave,” Jenny said, brimming over with enthusiasm. Between the excitement of giving Lucy and the thrill of her flower-girl duties tomorrow, Colleen seriously doubted her girl would sleep well tonight.

A little later, she watched Eric leave with Brendan and Jenny. Everyone was trickling out of the church, leaving for the rehearsal dinner at Bistro Campagne.

“Natalie wants me to be in the wedding,” Deidre said later as Colleen drove over to the restaurant.

“She does? That’s a wonderful idea.”

Deidre laughed. “I told her I couldn’t. I don’t have a dress to wear. But it was sweet of her to ask. I like her…and Eric, too. I can see what you meant about him. Tall, dark and smoldering. What eyes,” Deidre added, giving Colleen a sideways, significant glance from the passenger seat.

She frowned, ignoring Deidre’s mischievous expression.

“Is that what Eric was talking to you about? Being in the wedding?”

“In part,” Deidre said lightly. “He also asked about you.”

“He did?” she asked, nearly missing her turn. “What did he say?”

“He asked if you were doing all right. He said you looked pale. I told him he should ask you himself how you were. I said that all I knew was that you were up most nights in Tahoe, crying your eyes out.”

“You didn’t,” Colleen declared in an ominous tone.

“Okay, I didn’t,” Deidre said, smiling angelically. “I’d never, you know that. I’ve got your back. Still…you guys should talk. I saw the way he was staring at you. If you seriously believe he was just interested in you for a challenge, you’re n

uts.”

Colleen willed her breathing to calm and changed the subject. “Of course you should be in the wedding. You’re Liam’s sister. I have a dress you can wear. Mari and I chose our own dresses—we just made sure the colors and fabric matched in a general sense. I have another dark red dress you can borrow. I’ll do some alterations on it tomorrow.”

They chatted about the possibility until they entered Bistro Campagne and were shown to a reserved room. The wedding party was seated at the front of the room at a long table. Both Colleen and Natalie—who had also just arrived—insisted that Deidre sit at the head table. Colleen was chatting with Deidre and Mari when she noticed Eric enter the room with the kids. She waved at Jenny and Brendan as they sat down at a table with Brigit. Eric sat at the opposite end of the head table. Colleen watched him unobtrusively as he talked and joked with Marc.

“Colleen, did you have a chance to come up with something for your speech for the toast?” Mari asked her in a confidential tone.

She stared at Mari in horror. Oh my God, the toast. They’d agreed that Marc and Mari, as best man and matron of honor, would give the toast at the wedding reception, but Eric and Colleen were responsible for the rehearsal dinner traditional toasts to the bride and groom.

Deidre noticed her horrified expression. “What’s wrong?”

“I thought there was a chance you’d forgotten, with everything going on, and you being away.” Mari glanced at Deidre. “She’s supposed to give the toast tonight.”

Colleen took a large gulp of water. How could she have forgotten?

“Why don’t you let me do it?” Deidre offered blithely.

“You wouldn’t mind winging it?” Colleen asked in amazement as a waiter filled their champagne glasses. Most of the guests were seated now.

Deidre winked. “You’re talking to an army nurse, remember? Making do with what I’ve got and winging it are my specialties.”

Tags: Beth Kery Home to Harbor Town Billionaire Romance
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