Howie pulled Samantha up next to him and dropped her hand. "Pollyanna" he said gesturing to Samantha "I would like to introduce you to Samantha Danner." He turned his gaze to Samantha and reversed the introductions. "Samantha" he gestured to Pollyanna "This is my sister Pollyanna Dorough."

"Hi Samantha." She said pulling Samantha into a hug. "It is so nice to have a face to go with the name I have been hearing all week." She stepped back and took a good look at the girl her younger brother was so enamored with. 'She is adorable!' Pollyanna said to herself as she surveyed Samantha's appearance. Howie was correct when he had said she was petite. He was a good 3 or 4 inches taller than she was, which meant Sam was definitely not a tall person. She had on a pair of mid-calf, jean shorts and a grey T-shirt with the familiar red, white and navy Tommy Hilfiger logo across the chest. She wore plain white socks and white Tommy sneakers. 'She looks so young!' Pollyanna mused. Her loose, slightly curly, shoulder length hair was held back from her face by a bandanna tied into a headband. Samantha's hair was the most amazing shade of strawberry blonde Pollyanna had ever seen. It was more like blonde with a strawberry blonde overcast to it. Pollyanna's eyes locked onto Samantha's. 'I have never seen someone with such dark green eyes before!'

Samantha broke eye contact and looked at the ground trying to control the beating of her heart by taking deep breaths.

"Forgive me for staring Samantha." Pollyanna apologized "I didn't mean to scare you." she said reaching out and putting her hand on Sam's arm. "It is just that I have never met anyone with eyes the color of yours! They are gorgeous."

Samantha smiled and quietly said "Thank you Pollyanna." She tried to think of something else to say. "I have been looking forward to meeting you as well. Howie has told so much about you." she added wringing her hands together nervously.

Pollyanna laughed "I'm not sure if I should be happy or scared by that thought!" She folded up the paper she had been reading and placed her cup in the sink. She turned to Howie and asked "What time are you teeing off?"

"11:15" Howie replied.

Pollyanna nodded to Samantha "OK Samantha. Since I know the men in my family, I can easily say the first thought they will have after their game is of food! That means you and I have at least 4 hours we can kill shopping. Are ready?" she asked.

Samantha suppressed a giggle and relaxed a bit. "I am always ready to shop!" she replied.

"Now I see why Howard said I would love you right away!" Pollyanna said kissing her brother on the cheek. "Shopping is my favorite past time!" She picked up her keys and her purse. "I promise to have her back in one piece on time to get ready for tonight. Let's get going Samantha!" Pollyanna said heading for the front door.

"Just remember what we talked about Pollyanna!" Howie called after her quickly grabbing Samantha's hand before she could get away. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly. "Have a good time sweetie! Don't let Pollyanna talk you into buying out the mall OK?" he added with a grin.

"Don't worry. I am an impulsive person when it comes to picking up things to potentially buy but I think hard before I actually purchase anything!" she said returning his kiss. "What did you mean when you told Pollyanna to remember what you had talked about?" she asked wrinkling her brow.

Howie smiled "It is a surprise hun. Something that might happen but I can't tell you for sure!"

Samantha giggled "OOOOKKKK. I love a good mystery."

Pollyanna appeared in the kitchen doorway. "Howard will you please take your hands off of Samantha so we can leave?" she asked in a joking tone that put Sam more at ease.

Samantha smiled as Howie kissed her one last time and pushed her toward Pollyanna. "Have a great time!" he said with a wink walking them to the door.

"Oh we will little brother! We will!" Pollyanna said with a laugh. "I'm going to tell Samantha all of your deep, dark secrets so she will know EVERYTHING there is to know about you!"

"Pollyanna wait!" Howie cried opening the door in mock terror "Maybe I should come with you!" He laughed.

Samantha laughed out loud. 'Something tells me Pollyanna and I are going to be great friends!' she thought as she fastened her seatbelt.