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Sharon’s gaze landed on Erin, still seated on the sleeper sofa, and studied her for a few seconds. “Who are you?” She paused between each word.
“This is Erin. The woman I’m seeing,” Graham introduced her.
Erin got up. “Hi. It’s—”
“Seeing? Like dating? Megan didn’t mention that. Does she know that you’re dating already?” Sharon talked over Erin before she got out more than two words.
“Yes.” Graham kept his voice even. Why else would Erin be here?
“It’ll take a few minutes for me to process that.”
“Take all the time you need.” Graham kept his cool despite his sister-in-law’s tone.
“It was Jace and Megan who encouraged him to start dating. And Erin is the one who connected us with the surgeon here. Without her, we’d be waiting a few more months toseea neurosurgeon. The surgery went well.” Reece smoothly shifted Sharon’s focus to the reason she was here.
“That is a relief.” Sharon scanned the room.
“You can take my seat. I’m going to stretch my legs for a bit,” Erin offered. “Would anyone like a coffee or snack?”
Graham started to say he needed to walk around, too, before Erin’s likely strategy dawned on him. Bethann’s family would all know he was dating by the end of the week—if not tonight—and he needed to make Sharon an ally rather than have her sabotage his relationship with his in-laws.
Erin returned armed with snacks for everyone and promptly began winning Sharon over by asking her about her work, travels, and interest in genealogy. Graham admired how Erin skillfully handled Sharon’s inquiry about how they’d met, sticking mostly to the truth though leaving out a few details.
“Did I survive?” Megan’s eyes flickered open.
Reece surged to his feet and took hold of her hand. “You most definitely did.” He kissed her forehead.
“Hey, honey.” Graham moved in and squeezed her hand.
“Did they shave my head?” she mumbled.
“Just the one side,” Reece deadpanned.
“Noooo.” Megan touched the hair on her right side.
“Don’t tease her like that,” Sharon scolded and went to the side of the bed. “They didn’t shave your hair off.”
“Aunt Sharon? You’re here?” Megan’s face scrunched.
“Of course, I am.”
“Oh. Where’s Erin?” Megan tried to look around the room, but her head fell back into the pillow.
“I’m right here.” Erin edged up to Graham’s side.
“We have to shop for our dresses for the military ball.” She gave a loopy smile. “You can’t dress slutty when you’re an officer’s wife. Or his date,” Megan amended.
“So, no thigh-high slits or plunging necklines.” Erin winked at Graham, clearly not offended by inferences made while Megan was drugged up on painkillers.
“I can show some cleavage.” Megan dropped her head to stare at her breasts. “But, since I’m his daughter”—she waved a finger in his direction—“I have to keep it pretty classy.”
“You always do, babe.” Reece couldn’t quite keep from laughing.
“I always loved buying you cute outfits. I’ll help you find the perfect dress,” Sharon offered.
A minute later, Reece had Jace and Alex on a video call. “Her surgery went fine. She’s awake, and I guarantee they didn’t cut the bossy part out of her brain. She’s already giving orders.”
“I am not,” she protested, drawing the words out in a whine. “You all have to be nice to me.”
