Page 133 of Muskoka Blue

Joe laughed. “Not just any movie, my friend.”

Uh oh. “What movie?”

Sarah smiled. “Anne of Green Gables.”

“Seriously?”

Sarah nodded, a delighted smile on her face.

“I’ve been had.” He turned to Joe. “Help me out, man.”

“Sorry, mate, no can do. When I found out what Bek and Blue were planning, I made my own plans to catch up with some friends from uni.”

“I can’t believe you deliberately organized something to get out of this.” Rebekah’s friendly quarrel with her husband finished with Joe’s laughter as he exited the room.

Dan shifted his attention back to Sarah. “How long is this movie, Princess?”

She held up three fingers.

“You’re kidding me, right?” He groaned. “You know this will look really bad if the guys find out.”

“I won’t tell if you don’t.” She plopped down next to him, nuzzling his jaw with her lips. “But just think how proud your mum will be.”

He rolled his eyes, but as she snuggled next to him, yeah, well, okay, he’d put up with it. He’d put up with anything. The movie music began, and the girls, and even Sarah’s mother, who’d now joined them, were all entranced.

“Isn’t Prince Edward Island just beautiful?” Sarah sighed. “I’d love to go visit one day.”

He’d been to Nova Scotia a few times for hockey stuff, but never to PEI, so it was interesting to see settings that looked like they should be familiar. It was obviously very familiar to Sarah, who seemed to sparkle with anticipation during any scenes with the redheaded heroine and Gilbert, even mouthing along with the words. Watching her was even better than the movie. He tugged her closer. “I love this about you.”

She dragged her eyes away from the screen. “What?”

He shook his head, chuckled softly, kissing the back of her hand again before turning back to the screen. And as she burrowed closer, his smile grew.

“See? It’s not so bad, is it? Your masculinity isn’t being threatened too much.”

He snickered. “Yeah, I still love spittin’ and fightin’ and stuff.” He drew her closer as she laughed, looping a little curl at the base of her hair around his fingers.

She tensed, then slowly smiled again. “Well, that’s good to know. I don’t want Mr. Tough Hockey Man getting all soft and turning into a pushover. That wouldn’t be cool.”

He smiled back. Didn’t she realize? She’d pushed him over a long time ago.

Chapter 33

Dan sat across from Sarah at the modern waterfront restaurant, the last rays of sunset glowing through the large window causing the diamond at her throat to sparkle. These past two weeks had been awesome. It didn’t seem right he had to return home so soon. He’d loved visiting different places, checking out the sights, doing things like the Harbour Bridge climb, seeing the Opera House from the Manly ferry, and visiting Taronga Zoo.

But the best parts had involved getting to know Sarah and her parents more. The times spent in their home, at church, visiting some famous city sights, and then away for a few days in the Blue Mountains, had proved really good opportunities to appreciate James and Lindy, their down-to-earth nature and conversation. It still amazed him just how encouraging they were of his relationship with their daughter and how comfortable he felt with them, despite everything. They definitely were supportive. He smiled.

Sarah put her fork down and swallowed, a blissful look on her face. “These scallops are sensational.”

“So you’re not completely over seafood, then?”

“You’re obviously not.” The smile slid up her face as she eyed his plate of barramundi and salad. “Still Mr. Fit and Healthy, huh?”

“Sorry, Princess, that’s not gonna change in a hurry.”

“Maybe not. But have you seen the desserts?”

He laughed at her characteristic enthusiasm as she subtly motioned to the couple at the table nearby, who were being served decadent sweet creations.

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