Page 108 of Fierce-Baker

Of course it did. Just adding more nerves to her already unsettled stomach.

This was ridiculous. She knew it. But her parents could say any number of things and always had. Always things that putpressure on her, and it was the last thing she wanted in front of Baker.

She knew her parents were excited, but good lord, they weren’t helping her any.

Then she had to ask herself why they needed to help relax her?

How many years had she kept them in the dark on her personal life? So it stood to reason they were thrilled to be let in now.

“No, Mama. Baker,” Micah said when she went to get him out of the back.

“You heard him,” he said, laughing, and nudged her out of the way to get her son.

Yep, there was her mother’s grin watching the show and just loving the fact her son chose her boyfriend over her.

“Hi. I’m Gillian. It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“The same,” he said, putting his hand out to shake, holding Micah when he started to squirm.

Micah at least went to his grandmother shouting, “Nana!” So Baker released him.

“Hey there, little man.”

“Papa!”

She rolled her eyes. “As you can see, Micah loves spending time with his grandparents.”

“There isn’t anything wrong with that,” he said.

They made their way into the house, Micah taking off running toward her father who was standing in the center of the living room, his arms crossed, ready to hold the fort down against the new man in her life.

Oh my God. Her father had never done this before. What was happening?

“Dad, this is Baker Hansen. Baker, my father, Ron.”

Baker moved forward and put his hand out to shake once Micah was lifted by his grandfather.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“The same,” her father said, but he wasn’t smiling like he normally did. He wasn’t as open or as friendly either.

This was crazy.

“Dad,” she said. “Is everything okay?”

Her father nodded his head to go outside. “I’ve got something new for Micah.”

“Okayyyy,” she said, dragging the word out. It wasn’t like that should be a reason for his grumpiness.

The only thing saving her from freaking out was the fact her mother was smiling and offering a drink to Baker.

The minute they were outside, her father said, “Am I supposed to give him a hard time or what?”

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“You haven’t brought someone home in years. Your mother said you love him and he loves you. I could see out the window how easily Micah wants to be with him.”

“All of those things,” she said, smiling. “Are you trying to protect me?” Was that what this was all about?