"You never have been able to make a quiet entrance have you Samantha?" Her mom smiled hugging her stiffly. She separated from Samantha's embrace and approached Howie. "You must be Howard. I am Lisette Danner."

"It is nice to meet you Mrs. Danner." Howie said offering her his hand. He was surprised to see Samantha looked nothing like her mother either. The only remote resemblance was their height or lack there of. Samantha's mom was pretty but she didn't have her daughter's beauty. Her hair was dyed a deep brown, she was very tan, her eyes were dark and not nearly as warm as Samantha's.

Lisette's eyes roamed subtly up and down Howie's body. 'Samantha described him right down to his eyelashes.' She thought as she shook his hand. "Samantha please finish the introductions and then take Howard to your father's study so he can meet him as well. The kids went to the park but they should be back soon."

"Yes Mom." Samantha turned to Howie. "Please let me introduce you to three more Danner women. This is Cindy" she said pointing to the shortest of the women and the only one with light brown hair. "Cindy is Christopher's wife. Next is Jill." A woman with shoulder length dark brown hair and pale green eyes waved in his direction. "Jill is Peter's wife. And last but not least is Lauren." Howie was taken aback by Lauren's looks but tried not to show it. She was a stunning woman with jet-black hair that hung almost to her waist and eyes that were such a light shade of gray they were almost translucent. She had to be close to 6'. Samantha finished the introductions. "Lauren is married to Nicholas."

"Don't worry about remembering everyone's name right now Howie." Cindy said. "With kids added in I think we number close to thirty people." Everyone laughed.

"You will learn our names eventually." Jill added. "The important thing is to have fun while you are here."

"Thank you Jill!" Howie sounded somewhat relieved.

Samantha took a noticeably deep breath as she picked up Howie's hand again. "Well," she turned toward him, hesitating. "I guess it is time for you to meet my father."

Howie could feel Samantha's hand tremble in his. 'Holy cow!' he thought 'Why does her dad terrify her so much?' He squeezed her hand tightly in his as if trying to transfer his strength to her. "I am ready when you are Sam."

Samantha closed her eyes and took another calming breath. "Right this way then." She said as she pulled Howie to a door at the end of the hall.