“Why should it? I’m planning to stay just as feisty in my advanced years. Old dicks need an occasional tune up, too.”

“Somehow, I’m not surprised you’d say something like that.”

“Good, then you’re getting to know me.”

“Better than I’d like.”

I gave Pearl a playful little nudge and she smiled, then rammed me with her shoulder in retaliation.

The woman with perfect posture spotted us before we reached the group and rushed up to hug Pearl tight. “Ohh, my little Sugar Muffin! My Baby!”

“Mom, please,” Pearl said, voice muffled by her mom’s considerable bosom pressing into her face. It looked like the short genes came from her dad, because her mom was a few inches taller.

“Nonsense! I haven’t seen you in months! Months! Video calls? You think a video call is going to be enough for your momma bear?”

“Mooom,” Pearl groaned, finally managing to peel herself out of the hug.

“And this must be him. Dean! My, you really are something, aren’t you?”

I gave my best smile, then I was being squeezed in one of those motherly hugs. I hugged Pearl’s mom back a little tentatively at first. “Nice to meet you,” I said over her shoulder.

“I’m Darla, Pearl’s mom,” she said, still not pulling away from the hug. “And if you’re with our Pearlie, that means you’re family, too. Understand that? You’re family”

I couldn’t help grinning and hugging her back a little tighter at that. Call me sentimental if you wanted, but I grew up without a mom for most of my life and a dad who never had time for sharing feelings. Sue me if I wanted to enjoy a motherly hug for a minute.

“Thanks,” I said.

She pulled back and gave my chin a little knock with her knuckle, smiling up at me. “Oh, I’m just so glad you two found each other. Pearl has had the worst luck with men. The worst. I’m sure you’re going to be so good for her. You already have been, actually. I mean, she told us about how amazing you are with your hands.”

I choked a little, eyebrows going up. “She did?” I asked.

“Massages,” Pearl said quickly. “I told her how great the massages you give are.”

“Ohh, right. Yeah. Absolutely.”

“You’ll have to help me and Earl later. We’re both sore and could really use a good massage after the drive up here. He refuses to get the seats in his SUV fixed, but they won’t adjust. They just won’t move an inch!” she bopped her forehead with her palm, smiling even wider. “You could help us with that! Pearl told us how handy you are with cars. Like the time you left work to help get her old junker started when it was giving her trouble. You’re just going to be so helpful to have in the family!”

She rushed off to get the attention of her husband, Earl, and left me with a brief moment to bulge my eyes at Pearl.