Page 115 of Eleven of a Kind

“Fifteen?” His brows raised.

“Yeah.” I breathed out a laugh. “I’ve only known about her for months since she showed up at the medical center and told me I was her father.”

“Kind of like I just did.” He brought the glass to his lips.

“Yeah.” I smiled. “Let’s sit down and wait for Grayson.”

The sliding door opened, and Ella walked in. “Hi, Gabriel. Is Riley here?” she asked as she stopped and stared at Carter.

“No, sweetheart. She and Piper went out to dinner.”

“Who are you?” She walked over to Carter.

“My name is Carter. Who might you be?” His lips formed a smile.

“Ella Kind. I’m Dr. Nathan Kind’s daughter.” She cocked her head as she brought her hands up and placed them on each side of his face. “You’re a Kind,” she said, and Carter looked at me.

“How do you know that, Ella?” I asked.

“I can tell by his eyes. Just like I knew my Uncle Christian was my dad’s brother, and I knew you and Grayson were related to us before any of you did. I’m never wrong.”

“You’re a very smart girl, Ella Kind.” Carter smiled.

“I can tell by looking at you that you’re not well. What’s wrong?”

Carter looked at me.

“Our little Ella is a genius,” I said. “A literal genius. She’s already studying to be a doctor.”

“Is that so?” Carter asked.

“Yeah. So, what’s wrong with you?”

“Well, I have a rare disease called aplastic anemia.”

“Oh.” Her little brows furrowed. “That’s not good. Only two out of one million people are diagnosed yearly with that.”

“You’re right. I guess I wasn’t so lucky.”

“I’m sorry, Carter. The only cure for that is a bone marrow transplant. Is that why you’re here?”

“How do you know so much?” he asked.

“I’m a genius.” She smiled.

“Ella, we—”

“I know, Gabriel. You adults need to talk. I’ll go now.”

“Do me a favor, and please don’t mention this to anyone in the family yet.”

“I won’t. I’ll let you tell the family that you and Grayson have another brother. Welcome to the family, Carter.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Thanks, little one. I appreciate it.”

Just as Ella left, Grayson walked in.

“Hey.” His brows furrowed when he saw us sitting in the living room. “What’s going on?”