Page 48 of Fourteen of a Kind

“I do,” Graham said.

“Excellent. You can be on my team when we play.”

The sliding door opened again, and Grandma Barb stepped in. She stopped when she saw Graham standing there.

“Henry?” She stared at him.

Nicholas and I looked at each other.

“Grandma, this is Dr. Graham Malone,” I said. “Graham, this is my Grandma Barb.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Barb.” Graham smiled.

“Dr. Malone, I apologize. It’s just—never mind. It’s a pleasure to meet you. What kind of doctor are you?”

“Pediatrics. I’m in the fellowship program at Cedars for pediatric surgery.”

“You’re a good man.” She smiled, patting his chest. “Much better than that last fool my granddaughter dated.”

“Grandma,” I said.

“I apologize. Anyway, I just stopped by—I can’t remember why.” She laughed. “I’ll see you two outside. Come on, Nicholas. Let’s leave these two alone.” She hooked her arm around his.

After they left, I looked at Graham. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. She seems really nice.” He smiled.

I opened the refrigerator, grabbed a six-pack of beer, and handed it to him.

“Can you hold this while I grab my guitar case?”

“Of course.” A handsome smile crossed his lips.

We walked out the sliding door and over to where my family gathered. When we approached Stefan’s house, all eyes were on us.

“Mom, this is Dr. Graham Malone. Graham, my mom, Sofia.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Kind.” Graham extended his hand.

“I’m a hugger.” She hugged him. “It’s nice to meet you, Graham. You can call me Sofia.”

“Dr. Malone.” My dad and Simon walked over.

“Dr. Kind, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Detective Simon Kind.” Simon extended his hand.

“It’s nice to meet you, detective.” Graham shook his hand.

“Come on, Graham. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the family.”

“You have one big family,” he said.

“I know.” I laughed. “Are you overwhelmed?”

“Not at all.” He took hold of my hand. “Everyone seems great.”

“Ella, I need you.” Lily and Adrien walked over.

---