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I waved him off. “No worries on my end. Jai sent me a report this morning. My son’s struggling, but did some canoeing yesterday. At least the boy knows how to swim. His mom was good about preparing them for life.”

“But not you?” He cocked his head.

“What? Oh, right. I didn’t get involved with the kids until they were five and three. Just an honorary uncle at first. Then I married their mom.” I shrugged. “Then she passed.”

“I’m so sorry. Must’ve been really tough, raising kids on your own.”

“Yeah, had its moments. Especially when some fine folk saw me out with two little white kids.”

“I get that.” He winced. “Mission City is still primarily white folk. The East Asian population is next in size with Indigenous after that. Not so many Black people, although that’s changing. I’ve met a bunch of people in my time here. My dentist is Black. The harbormaster is. The arborist my company contracts. Two lawyers Arnav is forever fighting in court…” He grinned. “And others as well.” He scrunched his nose. “And most of the guys I just mentioned are gay and married.”

“And all from Mission City?”

“Not one of the lawyers. Oh, nor the harbormaster. I’m not, as I said. Despite Cedar Valley being very conservative—and very religious—I’ve encountered plenty of accepting people.Live and let live.”

“That’s great. I’ll admit I was surprised to find Pride Camp in Cedar Valley. But I read about the founders, and they sound like great people. I hope to meet them before the two weeks is up.”

Arnav opened the screen door and stepped inside. “Okay, you’re not going to believe this.”

Jai followed him, carrying a plate piled high with sizzling steak and chicken.

“What?” Foster opened the fridge, grabbed a bunch of bottles of salad dressing, and put them on the counter. “Serve yourselves.”

“I totally forgot that Minal said Parvan is at Pride Camp.” Arnav grinned. “Jai didn’t mention him by name, but I suddenly realized…” He met my gaze. “Minal is the youngest of my many sisters. Her husband’s nephew is at Jai’s camp. Isn’t that cool?”

I met Jai’s gaze. I wasn’t reading ease—nor was he as uncomfortable as he’d been initially. I didn’t see a conflict of interest—he clearly wasn’t sharing anything personal about my kid—or the other kids. We weren’t dating.

Hell, I wasn’t even sure if he knew who I was. Much of the time, I thought not. But then he’d look at me a certain way, and I was sure he remembered.

“What kinds of dressing do you have?” I meandered over, eyeing the green salad with lettuce, tomato slices, green peppers, and shredded cheese.

“Ranch, Caesar, Italian, Thousand Island, and Blue Cheese.”

Jai and I both winced.

“Blue cheese?” My gaze shot between Foster and Arnav.

Foster pointed to Arnav who shrugged. “In my defense, I don’tloveit. But eating it pisses Rashmi off, and that alone is worth the price of admission.”

At my frown, Jai actually smiled. “Rashmi is the…least strident of the sisters.”

“Oh really.” Foster’s eyes widened.

Jai cocked his head.

Arnav hooted, then threw his arm around him. “My friend, has the world changed since you’ve been gone.”

“Oh.” For a moment, Jai appeared…disconcerted.

“It’s all good.” Foster grinned. “I only know her as…” He winced. “I’m trying to think of an adjective that’s not going to get me into trouble…”

“Friendly? Courteous? Kind.” I didn’t know Rashmi, but surely she could be one or more of those things.

“Right. All of the above.” Foster’s brow unknit—clearly from relief. “And honest. Rashmi is nothing if not honest.”

Another hoot from Arnav. “Oh, that’s so true.” He grinned at Jai. “You’re coming for dinner one Saturday night with the family.” He pivoted to me. “You too.”

I blinked.