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“Oh, I have,” she said. “I’m glad you understand the craziness of it all.”
“I do, I just didn’t think everyone would be here. I thought it was just your mom and dad.”
She flinched. “Sorry, I guess I should have been clearer.”
I squeezed her hand. “It’s okay. Like you said, I can understand the craziness.”
“I just hope my dad and brothers don’t go too hard on you.”
“Why would they?” I asked, and she gave me a look I didn’t understand as we took our seats.
It didn’t take long to figure out what she meant, however. As soon as we were seated and the food wasn’t even fully passed around, Anna’s dad turned to me and asked, “So Levi, you run a business with your brothers?”
“I do, yes. We run a camper business and–”
“Campers? Is there money in campers?” her dad asked, his brow furrowed.
“Why yes, there is. We’re actually very successful. With the tourists we see in the area each year, it’s actually a pretty big business.” Anna handed me the mashed potatoes and I put some on my plate.
“I just can’t imagine a camper business being successful,” her dad commented. “Can you, TJ?”
TJ looked at me and smiled. “I mean, if he says the business is successful, I believe him, Dad.”
“That wasn’t what I was asking,” his dad said. “You see, Levi, we’re in the financial sector and I see a lot of businesses that look successful on paper, but the reality is–”
“Dad.” TJ cleared his throat. “Maybe this isn’t the time to get into a business discussion.”
Rose cut in. “TJ is right, Thomas. Don’t interrogate the boy. If he says his business is successful, it is. Besides, I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Callaghan camper business.” She smiled sweetly as she handed Anna the plate of meatloaf.
“I just don’t see it being sustainable long-term, that’s all. I’m just looking out for Anna.”
Anna sighed as she handed me the meatloaf. “Dad, I don’t need anyone to look after me. I’m a big girl. And besides, I have my own career. It doesn’t matter what my partner does.”
“Your own career? Working at the reserve? I’m sure that won’t last long,” her father said.
Anna’s jaw clenched, but she took a few deep breaths. “Can we talk about something else? Anything else, please. I would rather not get into an argument over dinner.”
“Yes, of course,” Rose said, cutting in. “So, Levi, are you excited to be back in Sunville?”
“I am. I’ve always loved it here. It’s always been my home.”
“I wish Anna felt the same way,” Rose said.
Her brother, Noah, cut in, “Do you want kids, Levi?”
“What?” both Anna and I said at the same time.
“I’m just wondering if you plan to settle down and have a family here,” Noah said. His daughter threw a spoonful of mashed potatoes at her sister, who started crying, distracting Noah long enough to avoid the question entirely.
But his wife stepped up where he left off as Noah cleaned up the mess and tried to calm Sophia down.
“Sunville is an amazing place to raise children,” she offered with a smile. “We have some of the best school districts in Utah. Sophia has been accepted into Oxford Preparatory School.
“Is that elementary school or…”
“No, preschool,” Candace said. “A private preschool, but the waitlist is long, so if you would like to have children, Levi, you might want to add your name now.”
“But, uh, I don’t even have a child on the way.”
