They may be keeping it quiet, but Carrie Underwood and Travis Stork are apparently indeed an item.

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The fourth-season American Idol champion and former The Bachelor: Paris star have reportedly been confirmed as a couple by one of Stork's relatives.

"They have been dating. They are a lovely couple," Martin Pavell, the father of Stork's brother-in-law, told Us Weekly in the magazine's November 17 issue. Pavell also stated that the two had made a point to keep their budding relationship "hush-hush" since its inception.

Us also reported that the couple have been seeing each other since August and have already earned themselves the nickname "Cork," according to an insider in Nashville, TN.

A second source told Us that Underwood had casually referred to Stork as her "boyfriend" during a dinner together at the Philadelphia bistro Park during an October 20 dinner together.

"It was obvious they were a couple," the source added.

The 36-year-old Stork -- who currently spends three days a week in L.A. serving as one of the medical experts on The Doctors, a new syndicated daytime series produced by Dr. Phil star Phil McGraw -- has also reportedly been visiting the 25-year-old Underwood during her current tour on a regular basis, Us reported.

Us' reports follow several recent public appearances by Underwood and Stork. In October, the New York Daily News had reported seeing the two "canoodling all over town" while Underwood was in Manhattan for the unveiling of a wax figure of her at Madame Tussauds.

Earlier that month the paper had also cited a Canadian blog report that Underwood and Stork had been spotted dining together at a Toronto restaurant. 

Stork, who had been working as emergency room doctor in Nashville, TN before his appearance on The Bachelor: Paris. He gave his final rose and a necklace containing a 2.2 karat diamond engagement ring (but no actual engagement) to fellow Nashville resident Sarah Stone during ABC's broadcast of The Bachelor: Paris' finale in 2006.

However one week after the show's pre-taped finale aired, the couple -- who had declined to do any post-finale press -- admitted that their romantic relationship was already over, with Stork citing The Bachelor's requirement that they remain apart until after the show's finale episode aired as a reason for their breakup.
Underwood had previously been linked with Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford as well as Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

With his new romance seemingly a reality, two of Stork's former connections to The Bachelor approved of his new relationship.

"They seem to share the same values. Them make a great couple. And not a bad-looking one, either," The Bachelor host Chris Harrison said of the two, who were both described as down to earth and not obsessed with the celebrity culture by their friends, according to Us.

"[Underwood] seems to be a laid-back girl. That's what he needs," Stone told Us.
About The Author: John Bracchitta

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