Page 116 of Her Last Whisper

John from forensics greeted her next: “Lovely day for a barbecue.”

“I thought you’d be working this weekend?”

“I’m on call. Point me to the grill.” He smiled and then joined the others.

“Go on in,” she said.

As happy as Katie was about her friends surprising her, she smiled even more when she saw Nick with his brother, James, and Nadine at his side. They looked happy.

Katie hugged Nick. “I’m so happy for you guys.”

He kissed her on the cheek. “Things have a way of working out.”

“I’m so glad that you’re here. All of you. Please come in.”

James said, “We haven’t been formally introduced. I’m James, Jimmy to most, and this is Nadine.”

“It’s really nice to meet you both.”

“Nice to meet you too,” said Nadine.

Chad yelled from the kitchen, “Your grill still out back?” He opened the sliding door followed by Cisco.

“Yes,” she said.

Katie was still stunned: She had thought that her only family was her aunt and uncle, when in fact, this was her family. She had a lump in her throat as she watched everyone talk and laugh as they readied the meat for the grill. Denise and Nadine unwrapped vegetables, salads, and pies.

“Alright, who’s the grill master?” Chad announced.

Raising his hand, Nick responded, “That would be me.”

“Who seconds that?” Chad said.

Several “Ayes,” resonated in the crowd.

Katie watched McGaven and John heap ice in the sink and put bottles of beer, waters, and soda in.

McGaven walked up to Katie and handed her a beer. “Here you go, Detective.”

“Thanks.”

“You doing okay?” he asked.

Someone must’ve told a joke as loud laughter broke out in the kitchen.

“Yeah, I’m doing okay,” she said.

“Well, c’mon,” he said, making sure Katie followed him.

Katie and Chadstood in her kitchen watching out the back window as Nick and his brother Jimmy talked. They seemed to have much to talk about and old issues to straighten out. She wasn’t sure what they were saying, but it was the first step to mending the past and to moving forward with their lives. There was no doubt in her mind that they needed each other.

Nadine sat at the picnic table and smiled every so often. She was now a part of the family and would be bringing another Haines into the family.

Katie watched as the brothers laughed at something that Nick had said. It was clear that the years apart were beginning to melt away. She hoped that it would only bring more happiness and a family closeness that they desperately needed and deserved.

McGaven, Denise, and John were eating dessert at the picnic table, McGaven taking a break from enjoying his dessert every now and again to throw a ball for Cisco.

“What do you think?” Chad asked.