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welcoming. She loved her home and the hard-earned peace she found there.
    She met Airiana in the hallway and gave her a quick hug.
    “I was worried,” Airiana admitted, her deep blue eyes searching Judith’s face for hidden shadows. “You only go into that studio when you’re really upset, Judith. You haven’t been there for a few weeks.”
    That wasn’t strictly true. In the last few days leading up to the anniversary of Paul’s murder Judith hadn’t been able to sleep and she’d spent several nights in the studio surrounded by her anger and sorrow.
    “I know it’s distressing to you,” Judith said gently. Just the sight of Airiana restored her inner balance. She wasn’t alone, dealing with the mass of emotions she was forced to suppress. She had her sisters. They loved her in spite of her reckless past and they would stand by her.
    “What happened to your hand?” Airiana demanded. “Should I call Lexi?”
    Their youngest sister worked with healing herbs, among other things. Judith forced a smile, holding up her hand. “A scratch. Nothing more. I’m dying for a cup of tea. Did you put the kettle on?”
    “Before I came downstairs,” Airiana said, her gaze flicking once more to Judith’s hand before she sighed and let it go.
    “Good. Should be near boiling by now.”
    Together they went up the stairs leading to the main living quarters. Judith loved looking at Airiana, always calm in the face of any crisis. She was quite a bit shorter than Judith, slim, with an almost boyish figure, small breasts, a narrow waist and slim legs. Her hair was natural platinum, streaked with silver and gold, amazing in the sun. Her eyes were enormous, a deep blue, fringed with golden lashes. Small specks of gold dusted her nose.
    Airiana was one of the smartest people Judith knew, and that included Damon Wilder, Sarah Drake’s husband, who worked on defense systems for the United States. No one would ever guess looking at the little pixie who was Airiana. She looked more like a dancer than a think tank. Airiana simply made people feel good with her presence and on days like this one, Judith welcomed her company.
    “You always pick the perfect day to come and see me,” Judith said, meaning it. “I suppose you already chose the tea and put it in the teapot as well.” Airiana always seemed to know when Judith—or anyone—needed cheering up.
    Airiana laughed. “Of course. You know I’m not shy about making myself at home. When you have a husband and a dozen kids running around, I’ll still just let myself in and be the favorite, wonderful auntie. And we’re having black tea. I needed a boost.”
    Judith shook her head, smiling wider and keeping her eyes bright and sunny when deep inside, she wept continuously. She was trapped by her own gifts, terrified to ever take such a chance again, to feel for a man, to trust. She wouldn’t be the one having children, when she’d always so desperately wanted a family.
    The hardest aspect to control wasn’t her facial expression; it was holding a happy aura in place. Thankfully, she was truly overjoyed to see Airiana, so the blossoming color was there, spreading across the deep sorrow, shame and guilt she hid from the world. She tended to guard her energy around Airiana, which resulted in a muddy gray surrounding her and always raised Airiana’s eyebrow, but other than asking her if she was okay or needed anything, Airiana held to their code of not prying.
    The upper story was spacious, the living room large, opening into the dining room and kitchen area, so anyone visiting would feel welcome in any room. Banks of windows provided amazing sunlight and gorgeous views of the surrounding gardens below.
    “There is nothing in the world like a good cup of tea at the right moment,” Judith pointed out. “Thanks for putting on the kettle.” She stretched. “I spend far too much time sitting on my butt. I think it’s growing significantly.”
    Airiana turned her finger in a