It was dark by the time Tyler and I drove up the gravel road to the house. Ben was standing on the porch, arms crossed. Was he trying to look forbidding? Maybe this was what it was like to meet the parents when you brought a date to dinner. I rolled my eyes as I got out of the car.
“Ben likes to act tough, but he’s got a good heart. Take whatever he says or does with a grain of salt,” I offered, once Tyler had grabbed our things and stood beside me. “And, if he’s gruff with you, that means he likes you. If he smiles at you, though, look out.”
“Nice,” Tyler said, appearing nervous. “Thanks for the warning, I think.”
I patted him on the back. “Let’s go.”
I led the way to the house and walked up the porch to greet Uncle Ben with a gentle embrace, like I always did.
“You’re late,” he said
