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“Of course I do, dear, but it got you to stop, didn’t it?” Mom winks as if she got me.
“Yeah, I guess it did,” I tell her, just as I hear gravel crunching under tires. I look up and see Lacey’s van rolling down the dirt road and pulling to a stop next to my truck. I take off in a jog, making my way to the parking area just as she turns off the engine. The doors pop open, sliding back into place.
“Garrett!” Benjamin calls my name when he sees me. “Can we play baseball again?” he asks.
“Maybe in a little bit. I want to introduce you to a few people, first, is that okay?” I ask him as I open Lacey’s door for her. “Hi,” I say just above a whisper so only she can hear me. “Glad you made it.”
She smiles up at me, and I wish so badly I could lean down and kiss her right here, right now.
“We made it.” She sighs.
“Was the drive okay?” I ask, concerned after hearing her sigh.
“Oh, yes, everything was fine. I’m just glad to be here, even if I’m a little nervous.”
“There’s nothing to be nervous about, I promise. Everyone is excited to meet you and the kids,” I tell her as I step aside so she can help Hope out of her car seat.
“Make sure you’re careful around the edges of the water. You don’t want to fall in, especially without a life jacket on.” She directs her words to Benjamin and Hope. I’m not so worried about Hope, since she tends to be a little more on the shy side and sticks near Lacey, but Benjamin, on the other hand, has a little more of a wild side and might be willing to jump in without warning.
I wait for Lacey to get Hope out, then grab a bag. I take it from her and sling it over my shoulder. “Anything else you need brought down?” I ask. She reaches inside the van and pulls out one more bag, and I take that one from her, as well.
“I also have a cooler with some drinks and snacks for the kids. I know you said I didn’t need to bring anything, but I didn’t want to show up completely empty handed.”
“We can get it later; the cooler is already down at the gazebo and is stocked full of drinks and snacks. I think we’ll fire up the grill around noon to cook up some hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch.”
“Sounds perfect to me,” she agrees. I lead the way down the boardwalk and toward my family.
“Lacey, this is my sister Miranda, and her daughter Ivy, and son Noah. Her husband Josh will be here around lunchtime. This, here, is my mom, Debbie, and her husband Allen. Everyone, this is Lacey and her kids, Benjamin and Hope,” I state quickly, getting the introductions out of the way.
“It’s so nice to meet all of you,” my mother says, coming up to pull Lacey into a hug. She crouches down to Hope’s level. “It’s so nice to meet you, Hope, are you excited to go swimming today?” she asks her.
Hope doesn’t answer right away, she hides behind Lacey’s legs.
“I think so. Maybe after she warms up to everyone,” Lacey tells Mom.
“Of course, dear, take your time.”
“Nice seeing you again,” Lacey says to Miranda. I don’t miss the slight tinge of pink to the top of my sister’s ears. I might have forgotten to tell her I told Lacey about her little trip to the bakery to try and snoop.
“Likewise,” Miranda tells her.
“I brought a box of goodies for dessert, they’re just still in the van,” she says.
“Can it be dessert time yet?” Miranda asks, causing all of us to laugh at her excitement.
“Not yet,” Mom chides. “You don’t want to spoil your lunch, now.”
“Such a mom thing to say,” Miranda muses.
“I can go get the box and everyone can dig in as they please,” Lacey offers.
“Yes, please!” Miranda states, and Lacey laughs at her excitement.
“I’ll be right back.” She goes to turn but stops and drops down to Hope’s level. “Do you want to come with Mommy or stay here while I run to the van?”
Hope looks around curiously but lifts her arms up for Lacey to pick her up. “All right, I guess it’s with me you go,” she says before picking her up and placing her on her hip. They walk back up the boardwalk and to her van. I never take my eyes off of them until they return, a large bakery box in Lacey’s hand.
“You are the best!” Miranda tells her as she takes the box and sets it down on the folding table Mom set up when we got here. She opens the top and takes in the selection of items filling it.
