Angel peered anxiously at Adam as they drove to his parents’ house. “Are you sure your mother will like me?”

He smiled. “You wondered the same thing about your aunt and she adores you. Don’t worry. Mom and Dad are going to love you.”

“I hope so.” She’d never been in a serious enough relationship before to meet her boyfriend’s parents, so this was all new to her. And for her first time meeting them to be at a Sunday family dinner—well, that just wasn’t fair. “Maybe we could do this a different day.”

He reached across the center console and covered her hands with his right hand. “It will be fine, stop worrying so much.”

She sat back in the passenger seat. He drove down a street not too far away from where her Aunt Rilla lived and parallel parked outside a green rambler.

“This is it.” He came around to her side and opened the door. “They don’t bite.”

She took his hand and he led her up the cement walkway.

A woman came to the door before they’d even had a chance to ring the doorbell.

“You must be Angel!” She enveloped Angel in a big hug.

Angel’s limbs felt like they were made of wood, hanging awkwardly down by her sides. The woman, who had hair the same carrot-red as Adam’s, didn’t seem to notice.

“I’m Sally,” she said after she released Angel. “Adam’s mother. “Come in, come in. Everyone’s here—well, except Sarah.” She motioned for them to follow her down the hall. A child’s shriek echoed down the hallway. “They’re all excited to meet you,” she called over her shoulder.

Angel exchanged a glance with Adam and he shrugged.

“You’re the first girl I’ve ever brought home.” He flashed her a grin, holding her hand as they walked down the hallway.

She took a deep breath and tried to focus on him and how much he meant to her. Meeting his family was big. No pressure, Angel.

In the living room, a woman and man in their thirties sat next to each other on the couch. Two small children ran around the room, the little girl chasing the older boy. An older man rose from his chair and held out his hand to Angel.

“I’m Del, Adam’s father. It’s good to meet you.” He leaned in closer and whispered, “And don’t let us intimidate you. Sally will probably be full of questions.”

Angel nodded. “Thanks,” she whispered back.

After Adam introduced her to Jenny and Rick and the kids, his mother announced dinner was ready.

“Are we waiting for Sarah?” Jenny asked, glancing out the living room window.

“No, she said she’d be a little late and to start without us.” Sally came out of the kitchen holding a large roasted chicken in a pan. She set it down on a trivet on the table and removed the potholders from her hands. “Sit, everyone, sit.” She exited to the kitchen to get the rest of the food. As soon as his mother was out of the room, Adam disobeyed her and went into the kitchen to help her carry out the food.

Angel sat near one end of the table, next to where Adam had been sitting. After everyone was seated and ready to eat, a woman in her late twenties came in.

“Sorry I’m late, everyone.” She noticed Angel and introduced herself as she slid into the empty chair. “You must be Angel. I’m Sarah.”

“Nice to meet you, Sarah.”

Angel looked down at her full plate. Around her everyone was chattering about things that had happened during the week. For someone unused to big families, it was a little overwhelming.

“Are you okay?” Adam asked, nudging her with his shoulder.

“Yes.” She smiled weakly. “Just getting used to everyone.” She lifted her head to look at everyone. Across the table, Sarah grinned at her, and Angel could instantly tell that they’d be friends.

“So, Angel. Adam tells me you’re from California. Have you been in Candle Beach for long?” Sally asked.

“Oh, about two months.” She ate a bite of chicken.

“Have you and Adam been dating long?” Sally leaned forward to hear her answer. “Adam doesn’t tell us much about his personal life.”

“We’ve been together about a month.”

“A month?” Sally stared accusingly at her son.

“Yes, Mom.” Adam wiped his mouth. “I didn’t want to scare her off earlier by telling her all about you guys.”

“Hey.” Sarah smiled at Angel again. “Let’s give them a break. Adam brought her to dinner to meet you now.”

“Thanks, Sarah,” Adam said.

Del cleared his throat. “Adam, how is your story on the logging industry going? Your mother said you’d made some progress lately.”

Adam smiled at Angel. “Yes, thanks to Angel, I was able to secure an interview with John Nichols about his plans to sell the timber rights for some of his acreage. The article will be out in next week’s edition of the Candle Beach Weekly.”

“That’s wonderful,” Jenny said. “I’m looking forward to reading it.”

They all started chattering again, and this time Angel did her best to follow the conversation, which ranged from school to work to the logging industry’s effects on the town. It amazed her how much they all knew about each other’s lives. No wonder they were upset that Adam had kept her a secret. It was hard to imagine living in a family like this where everyone shared things. Would she ever have that with her grandmother and aunt?

She’d enjoyed getting to know Rilla and her cousins. Eventually, she hoped to have a real relationship with all of her family in Candle Beach. For now, she wasn’t going to push it. She looked over at Adam. She planned to stay in Candle Beach for the foreseeable future, and there would be time to get to know the members of her mother’s family.

After they finished eating, Sally invited everyone to stay for a game of Pictionary. Adam demurred, saying Angel needed to get home. Angel was about to protest that she didn’t have to work the next day, but then thought better of it. As great as his family was, she wasn’t used to being around so many people at once and she needed some down time.

Outside the house, Adam squeezed her hand. “See, I told you they’d love you.”

“I really liked them too. Your sisters are great.”

He made a face. “Yeah, most of the time.”

She laughed. Seeing the gentle jesting between him and his sisters had made her wish even more than before that she’d had a sibling.

He looked into her eyes. “Do you want to grab Otis and go for a walk on the beach?”

“Yes,” she said. “That sounds perfect.” Somehow, he’d known exactly what she needed—a quiet walk on the beach.

They drove back to his apartment and parked. Otis heard them coming up the stairs in the newspaper office and barked a few times.

“Yeah, yeah. We’re here to spring you,” Adam said as he ruffled the dog’s fur and attached his leash.

When they got to the beach, there were a few people out for a post-dinner stroll. They held hands, walking together on the sand with Otis running out in front of them.

“This is nice. A perfect way to spend a Sunday evening.” She gazed out at the ocean. The sun was a ball of fire, slipping behind the horizon and leaving a trail of oranges and pinks behind it.

“You mean you didn’t like dinner at my parents’ house?” Adam asked.

Her eyes widened. “No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that…”

“They can be a bit much.” He finished her sentence. “I often feel the same way. But they’re my family and I wouldn’t change them for anything.”

“I’m sure I’ll get used to them.”

“You’d better,” he teased. “I plan for you to be at many more Sunday dinners in the future.”

“I’d like that.” She turned and put her hands on his chest, looking into his eyes. “Thank you again for finding my family. It means a lot to me.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Me too. I want Candle Beach to feel like home to you.”

She moved her hands up to his neck and kissed his lips. “It already does, because you’re here.”

His eyes met hers. “I never thought I’d say this to anyone so soon, but it feels like I’ve known you forever. Angel Bennett, I love you.”

“I love you too,” she said softly.

He smiled and pulled her snugly against him. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest, feeling safe and loved. Family, friends, and a new love. Candle Beach was home.