I sat up when I discovered we were parked in a paved circle drive in front of a two-story house with a three-car garage. My heart pounded against my chest and I sent a panicked glance to Luke.
"I want you to meet my parents," he said. I shook my head frantically, making wide sweeps back and forth with my face. "I'm not ready." The smile he gave me almost looked sad. "You're not afraid of them, are you?"
I shook my head no, but the word that came out of my mouth was, "Yes."
Luke reached over and snagged my hand. "This is the final step, Carrie. You meet my parents and we'll officially be a couple."
I showed him my doubting look. "There are steps for that?"
He grinned. "Absolutely."
"You are such a liar. And besides, your parents already know who I am."
Luke sighed and briefly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he shot me the overly patient look my mother used to give me when I threw a temper tantrum. 229
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"They know who you are," he said, "but they've never actually met you." He shoved his door open. "I'm going to prove to you I'm not ashamed of you, OK? So you have to meet my parents."
And before I could reply, he jerked himself out of the driver's side and slammed the door. I continued to sit there and watched him stop halfway to his front door. Then he spun back to face the Mustang. From my seat, I stared at him through the windshield and read the words he mouthed. "Get out of the car."
I rolled my eyes and opened my door. "Fine," I said, slamming my own door. "Let's go meet your parents." When I caught up to him and was striding along beside him, I added,
"So I can prove to you that you should be ashamed of wanting to date me."
Luke only glared at me as he pushed open his front door. He let me in ahead of him, and I felt defiant enough to stride inside with my nose in the air. But once I cleared the threshold, the smell of lilacs drifted to greet me and I shrank back, running smack into Luke as he followed me in. The entrance made Aunt Kay's house look tiny. The floor was a mix of tan and mauve marble for a few feet and then it turned into a smoky gray carpet. Candles flickered in glass sconces on the wall. A huge silver-framed mirror hung next to them, reflecting their light.
"Mom," Luke called from behind me, making me jump out of my skin.
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I spun around, ready to retreat. But of course he was blocking the exit. I buried my face in the opening of his jacket. "Don't make me do this," I whispered.
"Shh." Warm fingers settled in my hair. They pressed onto either side of my skull and lightly lifted my head until I was forced to look up. "Will you relax?"
"I'll think about it when this is over." His blue eyes lit up, and he laughed.
I folded my arms over my chest and harrumphed. "I'm glad you're having so much fun." Then I spun around only to be startled once again.
Mrs. Carter was standing right there. I must've looked like I was watching a horror movie because my eyes bugged and my hand flew up to cover my heart. I could feel Luke's chest shake as if he was silently laughing at me. I stepped back far enough for the heel of my foot to land hard on the toe of his shoe.
The shaking stopped, and I was finally able to smile at his mother.
I saw an amused grin flicker across Mrs. Carter's face as if she knew what was going on. And that made my face heat a little. But then Luke stepped around me.
"Mom, I'd like you to meet Carrie." My face grew hotter. It felt corny to be so formally introduced to this woman since I'd known who she was my whole life. But Mrs. Carter stepped forward with a familiar smile, a smile that suddenly reminded me of Luke. She had a deep dimple and a bit of an overbite.
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The Stillburrow Crush
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"Carrie," she said, and used both her hands to clasp mine.
"It's nice to finally meet you, though from the way Luke talks about you, I feel like I've known you for years." I blinked. "He talks about me...to you?"
"Don't sound so shocked," Luke muttered beside me. I didn't have a chance to glare at him because his mother was leading me further into the house.
"How's your brother doing?" she asked, which surprised me even more.
"He's, uh...He's pretty upset," I said.
"Oh, I can imagine. The dear boy is simply too young to lose someone who was obviously so close to him." She led me into a sitting room where all the furniture had cherry legs and seated me on a chair with a fluffy cushion and high back. She sat in a matching chair next to me. Luke stood close to the door and watched us with a smirk in his eyes.
"Both of my parents have passed away," Mrs. Carter said,
"but they were older and I was prepared for their deaths. I just don't know what I'd do if it happened suddenly to someone I cared for. Your poor brother must be suffering."
"Well, he's...coping," I said. I hadn't expected this at all. I knew people would think about him and stare at him after Abby's death. But I'd expected accusations—not sympathy. I thought they would blame him for making her wild enough to go out drinking and driving.
I didn't know if I could take too much more of this unanticipated behavior from Mrs. Carter. So I looked up toward Luke for help. Could it be possible I'd been wrong all this time?
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"I think it's affecting the whole town," he said, coming in to aid me and changing the subject to a less personal tone. Mrs. Carter nodded, agreeing. "Yes, it's been quite an eyeopener." She took my hands again. "And I thank you so much, Carrie."
I glanced over, frowning. "For what?" She laughed. "You've completely changed my son." When my eyes widened, she patted my hand.
"For the better, of course. Before he got involved with you, he would've been at that party and could've been one of those kids in that wreck. But this time, he didn't go and I know it was because of you." Her fingers squeezed mine. "It's about time he found himself a good girl." When I caught Luke's expression, he rolled his eyes like he disagreed I was good. I frowned at him and then smiled at his mother.
"Thank you," I said, becoming fonder of the woman as the minutes stretched on.
That's when Luke's father found us in the sitting room. He came in stretching and rubbing his stomach.
"Isn't it about time to eat?" He stopped when he saw me.
"Well, hello there."
"Dear, this is Carrie Paxton," Mrs. Carter said, rising to her feet and bringing me with her. "Luke's friend."
"Paxton?" At my nod, Mr. Carter lifted a brow. "Why, you must be Dean's girl. I can see it in the eyes." I risked a quick look toward Luke, but he was no help. I faced the father again and swallowed. "Yes, sir," I said, and tried to brace myself for the worst.
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So when he came forward with an outstretched hand and eagerly pumped mine, my fingers were limp with shock.
"Well, it's an honor," he said, grinning. My eyes grew. "It is?"
Mr. Carter threw back his head and laughed, a laugh that was a lot like his son's. "Isn't she a firecracker?" he said to his son.
Luke beamed.
I jumped when Mr. Carter threw his long arm around my shoulder and led me from the room. "Of course it's an honor. I've always said your father's the most honest man in Stillburrow."