Page 41 of Promise Me, Katie (Bennett Sisters #1)

“There you are!” Ginny Bennett exclaimed, effectively silencing the room and drawing everyone’s attention to Matthew and Katherine standing just inside the front door of her parents’ house.

Side by side, with their palms pressed together and their fingers interlocked, they nearly let go until they looked at each other, then held on even tighter.

“Hey, everyone!” Katherine waved to her family with her free hand. “This is Matthew.”

As the crush of people descended on them, there were hugs, handshakes, and hellos. Mia, Katherine’s youngest niece, asked if she was married to Matthew.

“No, sweet pea,” she whispered, kissing the four-year-old on the cheek. “But he is my Prince Charming.”

“You’re siwwy, Auntie Kafwhin!” Mia giggled and ran off to play.

Over all the conversation and commotion, Katherine noticed her father hanging back and observing the room. When he turned his attention to Matthew, a slight smile confirmed his approval, and Katherine realized that he had never once looked at Max like that.

“My goodness, this Matthew sure won Daddy over in record time,” Ellie whispered in her ear. “Cameron would’ve given his right arm for such a miracle.”

“Poor Cam,” Katherine said, remembering her brother-in-law’s face when he stood in Ellie’s hospital room after their daughter was born.

He’d been blindsided by Jerome’s words of congratulations, followed by a hearty bear hug.

“What do you think made him the happiest that day: the birth of Jenny or the Jerome Bennett seal of approval?”

When they laughed, it caught the attention of Katherine’s other sisters, and they came over to join the conversation.

“So,thisis what you were being so secretive about,” Andie said, causing Maddie to turn on their big sister.

“You knew about this and didn’t say anything?”

“No, because someone refused to tell me anything.”

“Well, she’s gonna spill all the details now,” Georgie said as the sisters pushed in closer.

“How long have you two known each other?”

“Isn’t he that new cop?”

“Did I hear his kid call you Mama?”

Before Katherine could think of what to say and what not to say, Matthew walked up with Libby. “Do you mind taking her for a few minutes? Your dad wants to talk to me.”

“Uh-oh… someone’s in trouble ,” Andie whispered to her sisters, making them snicker.

“Sure,” Katherine said, holding her hands out to Libby, who leaned away from Matthew’s arms to fall into Katherine’s as the Bennett sisters watched the easy, familiar interaction between them. “Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine.” Matthew pressed a kiss to Katherine’s cheek and another to Libby’s forehead. “I’ll be right back,” he said before disappearing with her father.

“Do you think it’s about work or you?” Andie asked.

“I’m sure it’s just work stuff.”

“Hmm… I’m not convinced.” Ellie craned her neck in the direction they disappeared. “Seems like an odd time to talk shop.”

“Who cares,” Georgie whispered back. “Am I the only one paying attention? Wake up, you dummies. Our baby sister isn’t dressed like a goth kid, and she’s getting smooched by Mr. Hot Cop while his mom and dad are here to meet the family, and his kid’s calling her Mama.”

Ellie smacked Georgie on the arm. “Not in front of the b-a-b-y.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t call him Mr. Hot Cop,” Andie added.

“Why not? He is hot,” Maddie argued.

Ellie shook her head. “That’s not the point, Mads. What if he’s your brother-in-law one day?”

“Eeew.” Maddie frowned. “I didn’t think of it like that.”

“Me neither,” Georgie said, rubbing her arm. “Gross.”

As they continued to talk amongst themselves, Mrs. Bennett noticed her daughters huddled together. “Alright, everyone, you’ve got about ten minutes to get your hands washed and get into the dining room so the girls and I can serve dinner.”

Katherine’s stomach tightened at the thought of being trapped with her mother and sisters. There were bound to be more questions, and in the confines of the kitchen, there’d be no holding back.

“Katherine, take Libby to her grandmother so Sarah can get her buckled up while you help,” her mother told her. “Your father picked up a new high chair. Apparently, it folds easily, so you can take it with you. But if you do, you’ll need to bring it back for next time.”

“So, there is going to be a next time with Mr. Hot Cop,” Maddie teased just before Ellie hit her on the arm. “Dang it, Ells! You hit hard for a nerd.”

“Bookworm,” Ellie corrected.

“Same difference!” Maddie snapped, rubbing the sore spot on her arm before turning to Georgie. “She must get strong from lugging all those books around.”

Katherine laughed as tears of happiness filled her eyes. She loved her family and loved that they were genuinely happy for her.

“Sweetie, are youcrying?” Andie asked.

“No,” Katherine insisted, dashing off to find Sarah.

“You girls need to be happy for your sister,” Ginny scolded them. “And if she feels the need to cry, then it’s a good thing.”

“Because crying is natural for girls to do,” they chorused together, having heard it countless times before.

“Well, it’s true. Now, get to the kitchen and make yourselves useful.”

As they turned to head in that direction, the doorbell rang.

“Oh good,” Mrs. Bennett said. “There’s our other guest. You girls go ahead, and I’ll get the door.”

“Other guest?” Maddie asked.

“You’ll see,” Ginny insisted. “Now go.”

“But everyone’s here,” Andie said. “Unless Matthew’s got a cute brother.”

“Alexandra Bennett-Anderson, you’re a married woman!” Ellie scolded, shaking her head. “It’s like you’re just begging me to put you in the corner for your bad behavior.”

“You do know I’m the big sister, right?” Andie asked. “Besides, I was thinking about someone for Georgie.”

“Go, girls, go!” Ginny interrupted their squabbling before hurrying to answer the door.

After greeting their final guest, Mrs. Bennett introduced the latest arrival to Sarah and Matt Brandon, her three sons-in-law, and her grandchildren sitting around the folding kids’ table.

“Katherine? Can you join us in the kitchen?”

“Sure, Mom,” Katherine said, leaving Libby with her grandparents.

In the kitchen, Ginny went around the room again, introducing her daughters. “Girls, this is Haven Harper. Haven’s the niece of Frank and Isabella Vaughn.”

“I thought you looked familiar,” Andie said, stepping forward to shake her hand. “I think we played together as kids when you came to visit your aunt and uncle.”

“I remember that.” Haven smiled. “It’s nice to see you.”

Then Haven shook hands with Maddie, Ellie, Georgie, and finally, a reluctant Katherine.

“Any plans to visit your aunt and uncle in Florida?” Georgie asked.

“I’m waiting for Christmas, but they’re planning on coming back here for Thanksgiving.”

“Oh good, I’m glad you’ll have family to spend the holidays with, although you’re welcome here too,” Ginny said, handing Haven a small soup tureen and ladle before leading her to the stove to fill it with homemade noodles.

“I’ve never seen a serving bowl this small,” Haven marveled, and the sisters laughed.

“Everyone says that,” Katherine explained. “Our mom made a set of small serving dishes in a pottery class back when we were little. It was her way of teaching us how to eat family style. Now the grandkids use them.”

Haven smiled. “You’re lucky to have such a thoughtful mother.”

When the serving dishes were filled and taken to the dining room, Katherine was relieved to see Matthew sitting next to Libby. As she studied her dad and Matthew with a skeptical eye, her mother introduced Matthew to Haven.

“Ginny and I are real glad you could all join us,” Jerome said, then led everyone in grace.

When a round of “amens” followed, the serving dishes were passed from person to person around the table as everyone filled their plates. Nearby, the kids’ table had come alive with chatter, while the adult table was uncommonly quieter than normal.

“So, Haven, how are Frank and Isabella doing?” Jerome asked to break the ice.

After Haven answered, other conversations followed. Including talk about the weather in Florida, the differences between big cities and small towns, and finally, football. Much to the dismay of every female in the room, it was the one topic that seemed to linger.

“Is it just me, or do you think Haven Harper might be the infamous Shrinky Dink?” Matthew leaned in and whispered to Katherine. “She’s a perfect match for the description Peter gave us. Also, she did mention to Peter that she works in the medical field.”

“Did Haven just say that?” Katherine whispered back. “I must’ve missed it.”

“No, but I remember her name from the list I received so I could get cleared to return to work.”

“Oh no.” Katherine suddenly paled. “You remember what I told you about Bella Vaughn, right? Well, she’s Bella’s niece,” Katherine added. “I hope she’s nicer than Bella.”

“I’m sure she is.”

“I don’t know.” Katherine shot a worried glance down the table at Haven.

“Stop worrying. Peter can take care of himself. Besides, we don’t know for sure if she really is Shrinky Dink. It was just a hunch.”

“I guess…”

“Katie, focus on us,” Matthew whispered. “How are you doing?”

“I’m okay,” she whispered back. “How about you?”

“I’m good, and the food’s great. Although I am disappointed there’s no Yorkshire pudding.”

“We can come back for that another time.” Katherine grinned. “By the way, what do you think of my nan’s homemade noodles? They’re another family tradition.”

“I like them a lot. Can you make them?”

“Maybe even better than my mom. But don’t tell her I said that.”

Matthew chuckled softly. “My lips are sealed.”

As Katherine looked into Matthew’s smiling face, she had to ask the question plaguing her. “So, are things cool between you and my dad?”

“Sure.”

“That’s what you said before you disappeared with him. How about now?”