“You’re cold. Come on, my family is waiting. Let’s get you inside and out of the cold.” He placed his gloved hand on the small of her back and urged her forward. Something about the simple move made him feel protective and masculine. Not that he ever felt emasculated … this was different and new; like they were connected on a deeper level; on more than the physical plane. He liked it enough that he kept his hand there all the way to his grandmother’s front door.
Reluctant to lose the simple contact, he opened the door and gestured for her to enter. A wave of happy noise and the mouthwatering scent of roasting chicken washed over them.
“You don’t knock?” She hesitated in the doorway behind him.
“Never. I’m family.”
“It’s so loud,” she whispered.
“Don’t be nervous. Come in,” he urged. “It’s always loud around here. Grammie loves company.” He paused to listen. When a man’s deep booming laugh rang out, he said, “That’s Dad.”
“Oh, stop, John,” a woman said. Her protest was filled with laughter.
“And that’ll be Mom. Dad teases her a lot. She protests but loves it.”
His sister skipped into the front entry. “You’re here. Finally! We can eat now. I’m starved.”
“And that is my annoying baby sister Micki.”
The blonde bounded forward and punched him square in the chest. “Bro, that’s rude. I’m not annoying. I’m awesome.” She whirled and thrust her hand toward Drinda.
Drinda jerked back.
“Oops. Sorry,” Micki grinned. “I’m Micki.”
“Hi. I’m Drinda.”
“Cool. You run the coffee shop. I haven’t been in yet, but I heard it’s awesome.” She spun round and went back the way she came from.
“Wow,”Drinda whispered.
“I forgot to warn you about her. She has way too much energy. But she’s enthusiastic.”
“She seems nice.”
“She’s totally overwhelming sometimes. And you don’t have to keep your opinion to yourself. It’s okay to say she’s a bit much.” He smiled to take any possible sting out of his words.
“I won’t insult your family,” she disagreed. “She seems nice and is very pretty.”
“Forget Micki. Let’s go meet everyone.” He hung up their coats and placed his hand on the small of her back once again. She inhaled deeply and blew it out slowly. Was she affected by his touch, or by the idea of meeting everyone?
“Are you okay?”
She nodded but a tiny wrinkle in her forehead showed the fib.
“They’re good people. They’ll love you. Grammie sure does.” He was finding himself rather attracted to her as well. Not just physically, that was a no brainer. Her shyness toward groups and new situations was sweet. She was upbeat and open at work and in private. He liked the dichotomy.
“Hey, everyone,” he called as they entered the bustling kitchen. “We’re here.” He waited until he had everyone’s attention. “This is Drinda from The Coffee Loft. She’s my friend and neighbor.”
“And my dear friend,” Franny piped in. “Do come in. Can I get you a drink? Wine? Coffee or tea?”
“Water would be nice.” She moistened her lips, and something tightened in his chest.
“Mom, Dad, this is Drinda. Drinda, this is my mom, Kate, and my dad Ernest. You’ve already met Micki.” He introduced her to his family first, then to Reverend Smith from Grammie’s church, two ladies from the hospital’s ladies’ auxiliary, and the new veterinarian. They were what Grammie called heradopted family.
Ford watched her shy interactions. Maybe this dinner was too much for her. “Let’s get out of the kitchen,” he whispered. “We can sneak into the living room for some quiet.”
“Where are you two off to?” Grammie asked before they’d taken three steps. “No hanky-panky in my house.”
