Andrew stops in front of me. “I’d be mad at missing the wedding, except Lillian and I eloped. It was the best decision we ever made. So, I’m proud of you guys for knowing what you wanted and going for it.”
And with that, he grabs my arms, pulls me out from under Miles, and wraps me in a big hug.
“Welcome to the family!”
I’m just smothered in this big bear of a man, who’s now my father-in-law.
“Thank you,” I manage. “I’ve been so excited to meet you all. Thank you for having me this weekend.”
He laughs and lets me go. “Well, if you hadn’t come, we probably would’ve all shown up in Miles’s backyard. Camped there. I don’t think our curiosity could take it anymore.”
“Well, here I am to dash all your hopes and dreams,” I say with a grin.
He just chuckles. “No, I don’t think so. I think you’ll fit right in. I’m just sorry I couldn’t get home sooner.”
Miles looks down at me. “Remember how I told you about Dad pitching the line to the company in Italy?”
“Oh, that’s right. You did say that the other night.” Actually, he was filling me in on all the family trivia on the drive over here, but I can’t exactly say that to my father-in-law.
“Otherwise, I would have been on that FaceTime call when you told your mom,” Andrew says with a laugh.
“Well, it’s great to meet you finally.”
“I hope you know you’re always welcome at our house. Anytime. If this guy does something stupid”—he grins good-naturedly at Miles—“you just come on over, and we’ll straighten him out for you.”
Lillian walks over just then and rests a hand on Andrew’s arm. “Honey, we’re having a hard time getting the grill going. Would you mind helping Ainsley figure it out?”
“Sure thing.” He presses a quick kiss to her cheek and walks toward the picnic tables.
“I hope you don’t mind that I put your wedding present in the tent already,” Lillian says with an eager smile.
“Wedding present?” I squeak out.
She nods, and Miles is the only one brave enough to glance inside the tent.
He clears his throat. “A double sleeping bag? Mom, you shouldn’t have.”
She laughs. “Of course I should! I know you haven’t had time to get new camping gear since getting married, and I wanted you to be comfortable.”
“You really shouldn’t have,” Miles says dryly.
“You know I love giving gifts,” Lillian replies, not picking up on his sarcasm.
I stand there, staring at the double sleeping bag that’s lying on top of one of the queen air mattresses that Miles had packed. He had assured me that his big tent could have fit three queen mattresses in it, so we would each have plenty of room. And now we’re having to share one.
“Wow,” I manage to squeak out. “That’s so nice of you.”
She smiles back and lays a hand on my arm. “We just really want you to have a good camping experience. Miles told me that you haven’t been before, and I want you to have a lot of fun,” she says with an eyebrow waggle.
I summon up my brightest grin that makes my dimples pop. How can I tell this sweet lady that nothing could make me more miserable than having to climb into the same sleeping bag as Miles? How could I tell her that I don’t trust myself in close proximity to my husband because I find him so attractive? She’d laugh her head off. She’s trying to be so sweet and caring, and here I am, hyperventilating.
“I’m just so excited to meet you all and get to enjoy this weekend with you. I really appreciate you welcoming me.”
“Well, everyone should be getting here tomorrow, so tonight, you’ll get to hang out with a smaller group of us. Hopefully, it won’t be as overwhelming. We can sometimes be…” She pauses and looks at Miles, waiting for him to fill in the blank.
He chuckles. “A bit much?”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” I say.
