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I shoot Rhett a look and he shrugs like, I don’t know any more than you.

“Guests, would you please come out?”

A line of people enter the tent, and at first I’m confused until I see—“Mom and Dad!”

My dad and mom wave, grinning from ear to ear as they walk in with what looks like other people’s loved ones.

“Some of your families have traveled far to get here. Contestants, please take a moment to greet them. The challenge will begin in fifteen minutes.”

I grab Rhett’s cuff. “Come on. I want you to meet my parents.”

“My sister’s here, too.”

“Where?”

He points to a tall woman with long, dark hair. I blink—her nose, lips, and eyes match Rhett’s. “She looks just like you.”

“But I’m cuter, right?”

I swat him. “Go greet her and then bring her over to meet my folks.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

All ten of us scurry to say hello to our visitors. I throw my arms around my parents and squeal, “I can’t believe you’re here and not sunning yourselves on the beach.”

Mom puts me at arm’s length and gives me a good once-over. “Trust me, it was hard to get your father away from the golf course, but I did it.”

“Don’t believe her, kiddo. We wanted to come and meet Rhett.” Dad places one hand to the side of his mouth and stage-whispers, “All I’ve been hearing about is grandkids. It was driving me crazy.”

I laugh, a big belly laugh that feels so good. Oh, my parents! My heart soars. They’re still dressed like they’re in Florida—pastels and lighter fabrics, their skin golden, their eyes twinkling like retirement feels good.

“Come on and meet Rhett.”

“Honey, I thought you’d never ask,” Mom says before she bulldozes through the crowd.

I rock back. “Wow, Dad. You weren’t kidding. She really is excited.”

He swings an arm over my shoulder. “You have no idea what she’s been like these past few weeks. All she says is, Do you think Rhett’s the one? Do you think he likes crab? Is our house too small to host him? Should we buy a bigger one? A bedroom for each grandchild?”

I laugh. “Don’t worry—first off, you’re going to love him. He fishes, too.”

“You don’t say. Does he golf?”

“That, I’m not sure of, but we can find out.”

By the time we reach Rhett and Jessie, Mom’s already introduced herself, hugged him, and is turning to me, beaming so big there’s practically sunlight shooting from her mouth.

“Dad, this is Rhett Maddox.”

They shake hands and Rhett says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“Same here. Thank you for not letting our daughter fall through the trust bridge.”

Tears fill my mom’s eyes when Dad says that, and my rib cage tightens around my heart. I hadn’t realized they’d been so affected by that challenge.

Rhett’s eyes dart to me before he looks back to my dad. “Sir, the last thing I wanted was for your daughter to fall.”

Dad squeezes Rhett’s shoulder. “Thank you.”