Chapter Five

      Joelle pushed her feet against the floorboard of Tyler’s truck, wishing he could navigate the bumpy road at a faster pace. She’d been finishing up with William when her cell phone rang with Alaina’s call. Her sisters had forgotten to call when they left New Orleans and had lost cell service not far outside of the city. By the time she’d gotten a signal again, Alaina was only ten minutes from Calais.

      Instant panic set in with Joelle. She hadn’t had time to assess supplies at the house, much less get to the general store to fill in the gaps. And what about the sleeping arrangements? Were the linens clean or was that one other job she’d already fallen down on? She assumed at least one bedroom was suitable for habitation but they needed more than one.

      William had immediately clued in to her distress and calmed her down by assuring her that her sisters were well aware of the living conditions and their only requirement was seeing her. Joelle appreciated William’s kind approach to her crisis, but that didn’t solve the problem of upbringing, and Joelle’s adoptive mother had been a real stickler for manners. No way could she allow people in her home—or what would be her home for the next two weeks—without attempting to be a good host.

      They’d left the café and headed to the general store to see if Tyler was ready to leave. Even though William had already assured her she didn’t need to provide anything for Alaina and Danae, Joelle picked up the best bottle of wine they had before hurrying out to jump in Tyler’s truck.

      Now she wished she would have bought crackers and dip—something to pick at while drinking the wine. Something to keep her hands busy while she had her first conversation with her sisters since they were all children.

      Tyler looked over at her and frowned. “Are you nervous?”

      Surprised that he’d even spoken, much less at the question, Joelle had to think a couple of seconds before responding.

      “Yes,” she finally admitted. “It’s all a bit overwhelming and surreal. Not just that I will finally be reunited with my sisters—which I thought would never happen—but with everything that’s happened surrounding our stepfather’s death.”

      “I guess Dad filled you in on everything at lunch?”

      “Probably not every detail, but I got the overview. As a social worker, I always think I’ve heard everything. Then occasionally, I’m still blown away at the things human beings will do to one another.”

      “I know exactly what you mean.”

      The sadness in his voice had her studying him for a moment, then she remembered—marine. “I guess you saw your share of horror overseas.”

      “We all did.”

      His speech was slightly abrupt, leaving her no doubt that his military service was something he didn’t wish to talk about. Another piece of her softened toward him, because she understood that on a level that people who didn’t deal every day with the horror of human behavior would never understand.

      “I don’t know why I’m so nervous about seeing my sisters again. I mean, I’m excited but also nervous.”

      He was silent for several seconds, and Joelle wondered if he’d even heard what she said. Or maybe he decided the conversation had gotten too girlie or too psychological.

      “Maybe because you’re afraid you won’t fit with them,” he said finally.

      She stared at him, surprised at his intuitiveness. “Yes, I think you’re right.”

      “Everyone needs to be where they belong—whether that’s the place they live or a person they’re with. But I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

      “No? Why is that? Have you met my sisters?”

      “I haven’t yet had the pleasure, but I’ve heard plenty about them from my dad. He thinks they’re the best things since cable television came to Calais. My dad likes most people, but he admires few. No one has said anything yet, but I’m going to guess that he’s planning on having Alaina take over his practice in Calais. She’s already doing some work for him.”

      “Your dad is very sweet, but he also knew our mother, so it might make him a bit biased.”

      “Maybe, but Carter Trahan didn’t know your mother. He’s marrying Alaina and vouches for Danae. Carter and I have been friends since the crib, and trust me when I say a more shrewd human being has not been invented.”

      “I wish I would have gotten to the general store before he left. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

      “He’ll be keeping tabs on you for the estate, so I suppose you will soon enough.”

      Joelle held in a smile. Tyler was so direct and practical. On a normal day, she dealt with so much fabrication and drama that his what-you-see-is-what-you-get style was refreshing.

      “So what do you plan on doing while we’re conducting our Sisterhood Reunion?” she asked.

      He frowned. “Staying out of the way.”

      His dismay was so comical that she couldn’t hold in the laugh, but as he rounded the tree line and turned onto the circular drive in front of the house, she froze. The SUV in the driveway had a bumper sticker for a New England university. It had to be Alaina’s car.

      “They’re here already,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

      Tyler parked next to Alaina’s vehicle. “I’m going to take a walk around the perimeter. I’ll be around if you need me.”

      He jumped out of the truck and took off at a decent clip around the side of the house. Joelle’s nervousness ticked up another notch as the only person she had any connection with fled. Not that she blamed him. It was an uncomfortable situation for her and she was one of the parties involved. Anyone else would feel even more uncomfortable, especially men, who, in her experience, tended to avoid questionable social situations anyway.

      Grabbing the bottle of wine and her purse, she took a deep breath, then climbed out of the truck. The front door was open a crack, and she pushed it the rest of the way and stepped inside. Voices echoed down the kitchen hallway and she started that way. The voices sounded happy and excited, which helped her nerves a bit, but when she reached the threshold of the kitchen, she paused.

      What if they hate me? What if I hate them?

      She said a silent prayer, then stepped around the corner into the kitchen.

      A tall, thin woman with long black hair pulled back in a ponytail stood in front of the refrigerator, her back to Joelle. A shorter, curvier woman with shoulder-length black hair stood at the counter, arranging cheese and crackers on a tray.

      They were so busy chatting, they didn’t hear her enter.

      “Hello,” she managed.

      Immediately, all activity ceased and they both whirled around to stare at her. Joelle sucked in a breath as she looked at the tall woman.

      Alaina.

      She’d always looked like their mother. Joelle could remember that now. For a split second, all three of them held in that position, then they rushed over to her.

      “Joelle,” Alaina said as she stopped in front of Joelle, studying her face. “I remember now. You look like our father.”

      Alaina teared up and threw her arms around Joelle.

      “I never thought I’d find you two,” Alaina said. “It’s a dream come true.”

      All