Wolfe Wedding by Joan Hohl Page A

long eyelashes exaggeratedly at him. “I’m eating for two now, you know. I need hearty sustenance.”
    He fought a grin, but it defeated him. “Okay, I give up,” he agreed, releasing his hold on her and ushering her into the kitchen. “Chicken noodle soup it is.”
    “And toast bread.”
    “And toast.” Silent laughter laced his voice.
    “And a cinnamon bun.”
    Eric lost it; his laughter brightened the stormdimmed room.
    Thunder growled in the distance, rumbling a warning of the approach of the third storm in the clustered front moving rapidly from west to east.
    A bemused smile tilting his lips, Jake Wolfe hung up the phone. He had been minutes away fromleaving the split-level house he and Sarah had made settlement on two weeks ago, and into which he had moved the very next day, when the call came in from his brother Eric.
    Imagine that, Jake mused, staring at the now silent instrument. Eric and Tina requesting they make the upcoming nuptials a double affair.
    And Tina was also pregnant.
    What a hoot! He couldn’t wait to tell Sarah.
    Sarah! Jake shot a glance at his watch, then shot down the three steps into the family room, then through the door connecting the house to the garage; if he didn’t get his rump in gear, he’d be late.
    He was supposed to pick up Sarah to deliver her to Sprucewood College in time to conduct her first class, and he had exactly five minutes to get there.
    Fortunately, Sprucewood was a small town, and even more fortunately, the worst of the morning rush was over. Raindrops began pattering on the car roof as he turned onto Sarah’s street.
    She was waiting for him on the apartment’s front steps, huddled beneath a small umbrella, the toe of one foot beating an impatient tattoo on the cement. She made a dash for the car as he glided to a stop alongside the curb.
    “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming, and that I’d be late to class,” she gently scolded, sliding onto the seat beside him. “What kept you?”
    “Wait till you hear,” he said, breaking off for a moment to allow the laughter tickling his throat to escape. “You’re gonna love it.”
    As usually happened, the rich, full sound of his laughter brought a delighted smile to her eyes and mouth. “I can’t wait,” she said in a teasing voice. “So, suppose you tell me.”
    “I had a phone call from Eric, that’s what kept me,” he began, pausing for another chuckle. “Damned if the clown doesn’t want to get married with us.”
    Sarah blinked. Then she frowned her incomprehension. “What?”
    “Do you remember I mentioned that Mom told me Eric had brought a young woman home to meet her, not just once, but twice?” he asked, then rushed on without giving her time to respond. “And that her name was Tina, and she was very nice, and that she baked lemon meringue pie almost as good as Mom’s own?”
    “Yes, of course I remember,” Sarah answered when he finally paused to breathe. “How could I forget, when you made such a big deal out of it?”
    “Knowing Eric, it was a big deal.” Jake grinned. “Well, seems the ol’ love bug’s taken a big bite outta Eric’s heart, and he and Tina wanted to know if you and I would consider a double wedding ceremony.”
    “Why, that’s a wonderful idea!” Sarah exclaimed. “I hope you agreed.”
    “No.” Jake gave a quick shake of his head.
    “Why not?” Sarah frowned, and sent a quick glance to her watch.
    “I wouldn’t agree without talking to you first,” he said. “You should know that.”
    “Thank you.” Her smile was gentle, but fleeting. “I’ve got to go, or I’ll be late.” She groped for the release and swung the door open.
    “But I didn’t tell you the best part,” he objected. “Eric and—”
    She silenced him with a kiss, and then she slid across the seat and out of the car.
    “It’ll have to wait until lunchtime,” she said, pressing the button to open the umbrella. “And if you don’t get moving, you’ll be late.