She took Reno’s leash and immediately reached down to pet him.
Dash put his hand on her back. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m nervous, too.”
“Why? It’s your family.”
“I’m meeting my mother’s boyfriend, and I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off you all evening.” He lowered his lips to hers, kissing her one last time.
“Are you going to smooch Amber all day, or let the rest of us meet her?” Dawn’s voice startled them apart.
They looked up and saw her heading across the yard toward them, her golden hair flouncing over the shoulders of her forest-green sweater.
“Great first impression,” Amber whispered.
Andi appeared in the doorway, “Mom, they’re here!” and ran after Dawn.
Dash took Amber’s face in his hands, relieved to see her smiling. “We’re coming off twelve long, lonely days, and we have fourteen more to endure after Sunday, so buckle up, sweetheart. We’re just getting started.”
He kissed her softly as his mother hurried down the porch steps, pretty in jeans and a black-and-white sweater, holding the hand of a dark-haired man who had to be her boyfriend. Dash had expected to feel strange seeing his mother with a man, but even from that distance, he saw a difference in his mother. She looked happier, younger even, leaving no room for him to feel anything but happy for her.
“I see how tonight’s gonna go,” Dawn teased as she hugged Dash. “Between Mom and Mitch and you two, I’m going to need a cold shower.”
Amber’s cheeks pinked up.
“Ignore her. We’re really glad you’re here.” Andi embraced Amber.
“I’m glad she’s here,” Dawn said, swapping places with Andi to hug Amber. “We’re going to have so much fun tonight.”
His animal-loving sisters looked longingly at Reno. Hawk had mentioned Amber’s seizure to their family, and when they’d called Dash to check on her, he’d given them the rundown on Reno, too.
“This must be Reno,” Andi said. “He’s beautiful. I know we’re not supposed to pet him, but I wish we could.”
“It’s okay. You can,” Amber said. “Reno, visit.”
Reno’s tail wagged, and the girls loved him up as their mother came to Dash’s side and hugged him, bringing with her the scents of home. “It’s good to see you, honey.”
“Hi, Mom.” He reached for Amber’s hand. “Mom, you remember Amber.”
“Of course I do. It’s lovely to see you again.” She embraced Amber.
“You, too,” Amber said. “Thanks for letting me join your family today.”
“We’re glad you could make it,” his mother said. “When Dash told me he was seeing you, it brought back lots of good memories.”
“Yeah, Mom’s been acting like you’re her long-lost daughter.” Dawn leaned closer and lowered her voice. “She’s jealous that you were an LWW girl.”
“She tried to get us to join,” Andi added. “But Dawn was too rowdy and despises writing anything longer than a tweet, and I’m not much for group activities. But I think Mom would have fit right in.”
“Thanks, sweetie,” his mother said. “I would have loved to have been part of that group. But before we get into that conversation, I want to introduce Amber and Dash to Mitch.” His mother gazed warmly at the man beside her. “Mitch, this is my son Dash and his girlfriend, Amber.”
Mitch extended his hand to Dash. “Your mother has told me a lot about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He was a handsome man with a kind face and dark hair that was graying at the temples, like an older Clark Kent. His black-framed glasses and blue-and-white checked dress shirt buttoned all the way up gave him a professorial look.
Dash shook his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you, too. I look forward to getting to know you.”
“Likewise.” Mitch smiled familiarly at Amber. “Amber Montgomery, it is a joy to see you again.”
“Thank you, Professor. I miss our talks. What a small world.”
“Indeed. Call me Mitch, please.”
“Okay.” Amber looked at Dash. “Prof—Mitch—was my favorite English teacher. I never wanted his classes to end.”
“I guess that means you have Amber’s stamp of approval.” Dash took her hand as his mother and Mitch greeted Reno.
“That’s faster than I got your mother’s.” Mitch reached for their mother’s hand. “It took me about twenty coffee dates before she agreed to go on a real date with me.”
Their mother looked adoringly at him. “That’s because we’d become such good friends, and you were so supportive when I took on the teaching position, I didn’t want to take a chance of ruining it.”
“I, on the other hand, never had any doubt that we’d be great together.”
“That’s it,” Dawn said. “I need a boyfriend.”
As they all laughed, Dash spotted his grandmother coming down the porch steps. She’d worn her hair short and layered for as long as he could remember, and she exuded an air of ladylike elegance, which showed in her smart white blouse beneath a charcoal cardigan and dark slacks. Dash waved to her, and noticed Hawk standing by the side of the house, taking pictures of them. “There’s Hawk and Grandma.”
Hawk lowered his camera, waved, and went to take their grandmother’s arm.
“Why don’t we finish introducing Amber to the family,” his mother suggested. “Damon and Grandpa are out back, probably arguing over the barbecue.”
“Reno, come,” Amber said, and Reno trotted to her side as they made their way across the lawn.
“Can you train a guy like that for me?” Dawn asked.
“I bet my mother could,” Amber said. “She trains service dogs, and she trained Reno.”
Dawn smirked. “I need to get her number.”
Dash shook his head.
“I got some great pictures,” Hawk said as they met in the yard. “Great to see you again, Amber.” He embraced her.
“You, too,” Amber said. “I’m sorry we missed dinner with you and Shea after the signing.”
“No worries,” Hawk said. “I’m glad you were okay. Your sisters and their husbands were great company.”
Dash put his hand on Amber’s back. “Babe, this is my grandmother, Harriet. Grandma, this is my girlfriend, Amber.”
Amber’s expression softened. “I’m so happy to meet you. I understand we share a love of acorns.”
“It’s even more lovely to meet you now that I know that.” His grandmother embraced her, eyeing Dash. “You didn’t tell me she was a fan of acorns.”
Dash hugged her. “Actually, Gram, if it weren’t for acorns, I might never have gotten a first date with Amber.”
“Really?” Andi asked.
“It’s true. I thought Dash was very different from who he turned out to be.” Amber reached for his hand, holding his gaze with no pink cheeks in sight. “The acorns might have opened the door, but it was his big ol’ heart that won him the first date, and every date thereafter.”