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Peter had made himself comfortable in Ashton’s lap.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Evan wasted no time, speaking as soon as he and Bailey had taken a seat.
    â€œJeff has been called away. He has to leave on Sunday. He’ll be gone for eight weeks.”
    â€œBut Lily just arrived,” 24-year-old Ashton said; he was the youngest of the family.
    â€œYes, she did, that’s why I’ve told Jeff that Lily can stay with us.”
    â€œGood,” Evan said, and then remembered to look at his wife. She was also nodding her head but still had questions.
    â€œHow does Lily feel about that?”
    â€œJeff was headed home to tell her. He came here first because he was so upset.”
    â€œTell us the whole story.”
    Gabe did just that, and for a moment they all sat and thought about the horrible disappointment. Jeff was like family. They all knew how excited he was when his father had finally given Lily permission to come to him. They also knew that this had to come as quite a shock.
    â€œSo, what’s the plan?” Ashton asked.
    â€œJeff will bring Lily over on Sunday afternoon. I think he’ll stay a little while to see that she’s settled and then head to the airport.”
    â€œAnd how many weeks are we talking about?” Bailey asked.
    â€œAbout eight. I think there’s a possibility that things could wrap up sooner for Jeff, but I don’t think he is counting on that.”
    â€œCould it take longer?” This came from Bailey again, and all Gabe could do was shrug. Jeff’s finishing early had been more of a hunch on his part, so he kept his mouth shut.
    â€œIs the guest room made up, Ash?” Evan wondered aloud. Ashton had been the last one to have company—a friend visiting from college—and that made the room his responsibility.
    â€œThe bed is fresh, but I don’t know if it needs vacuuming or dusting. I can check that today.”
    â€œThank you,” Evan said as he turned back to Gabe. “Is she allergic to anything—foods and such?”
    â€œNot that Jeff has ever mentioned. I can ask him.”
    With that settled, the meeting broke up, and each person went his or her own way.
    â€œCome here,” Bailey invited her son, and Peter moved close; Celia had been in her lap for the whole meeting.
    â€œDid you understand all of that?”
    â€œI think so. Is Jeff coming to stay?”
    â€œNot Jeff—his sister, Lily.”
    â€œOh. How come?”
    Bailey looked into his huge black eyes and melted a little over his sweetness.
    â€œWell, Jeff has to work out of town, and she needs someone to be with her.”
    â€œWhat’s her name?”
    â€œLily.”
    The little boy nodded, and Bailey was filled with a fierce protectiveness. She asked him to bring several books from the loaded shelf in the living room and decided to stay right where she was and read to her children.

    Lily moved around the corner of the kitchen wall when she heard the front door open. Trying not to drop her eyes, she found herself smiling, so glad was she to see her brother. She had not wanted to call him, but he had been gone for hours, and she had started to wonder if something was wrong.
    Forcing her eyes up, she saw from his face that something was wrong. Feeling compelled to ask but knowing she must not, Lily remained quiet, wanting to drop her eyes in the worst way.
    â€œIt smells good in here. Have you been baking?”
    â€œI made cookies,” Lily said simply, not going into detail about all she had learned in the process. “I hope I didn’t use something you need.”
    â€œI’m sure not. Have you got some coming out now?”
    â€œNo. They’re done.”
    â€œGood. Come in here and sit down. I’ve got news that neither one of us will like.”
    Lily did as she was told and sat in stunned silence as her dream trip fell to pieces around her feet. This was Thursday, which meant they would