Page 36 of Twelve of a Kind

“How exciting.” I smiled as I glanced at Carter.

“Hello.” An older woman walked over. “I don’t believe we’ve met.” She extended her hand.

“Aunt Barb, this is Zoey Morgan. Zoey, my Aunt Barb.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Barb.” I smiled as I shook her hand.

“Likewise, darling. So, are the two of you dating?”

“No, Aunt Barb,” Carter spoke. “Zoey is doing some work for Shaun and opening a bakery next to Julia’s coffee shop.”

“A Bakery? How wonderful. I can’t wait to stop in and try some of your baked goods. You look very well, Carter.” She placed her hand on his cheek. “Are you keeping up with your doctor’s appointments?”

“Yes, Aunt Barb. All is good.” He smiled.

“What’s going on over here?” Simon walked over. “Is my mother interrogating you?” He looked at me.

“Simon, darling. I’m so happy for you and Grace. I can’t wait to have another grandson. Let’s hope he doesn’t turn out like your father.” She smiled as she patted his chest and walked away.

“Mom, I swear to—can you believe she just said that?”

Carter and I both laughed. I couldn’t help but wonder what she meant when she told Carter he looked well and asked if he was keeping up with his doctor’s appointments. I wanted to ask him about it but felt this wasn’t the appropriate time or place.

Carter and I grabbed some food from the buffet and took a seat in a booth. A little girl walked over and sat next to me.

“Hi, I’m Ella.” She smiled brightly.

“Hi, Ella. I’m Zoey. It’s nice to meet you.” I lightly shook her small hand.

“Ella is Nathan’s daughter, and she’s a genius.”

“You are?” I smiled at her.

“Yeah. I’m going to be a doctor like my dad and uncles.”

“What kind of doctor do you want to be?”

“I’ve narrowed it down to a cardiothoracic surgeon and neurosurgeon.” She grinned.

“Wow. Those are incredible doctors. Which one interests you the most?” I asked.

“I’m getting my Ph.D. in both.”

“Oh. That’s amazing.” I smiled.

“Ella, Zoey is smart like you,” Carter said. “Not only does she have a photographic memory, but numbers are her thing like science is your thing.”

“Really?” Ella stared at me.

“Yes.” I laughed.

“What is 5,250,346 x 10,758,654?” she asked.

“Let’s see.” I looked up for a second. “5.64867e13.” I smiled.

“Carter, your phone, please.” She held out her hand.

Carter pulled out his phone, unlocked it, and handed it to her. After punching the numbers in the calculator, she looked at me with wide eyes.

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