Page 75 of Then Came You

They’d just finished the pancakes and were enjoying a second cup of coffee when the doorbell rang.

Gillian jumped. “Are you expecting company?”

He shook his head. “No. Especially not this early on a Sunday morning.”

The doorbell rang again, and Gillian saw the dogs take off around the corner of the house. “Oh no.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll get rid of whoever it is.”

He pushed back his chair and left her there while he went to answer the door. Suddenly she felt a prickle of fear. What if it was someone from the station who’d known Owen?

She remained still and strained to listen. She heard Sam open the door and then a woman’s voice.

“Good morning! I brought you some cinnamon rolls.”

From where she was sitting, she couldn’t see the woman, but she stiffened, wondering if it was Eden attempting to woo him with bakery treats.

“I just ate breakfast,” Sam said, sounding annoyed.

“They’re from the Holly Bakery.”

Gillian perked up at that since Holly Bakery was her favorite.

“I’m kind of busy right now.”

“Busy doing what?”

“Um…”

“And whose dog is running around in the yard with Rocky?”

Whoever this woman was, she was quite nosy. She reminded Gillian of Stella, only with a younger-sounding voice.

“You never called me back yesterday,” the mystery woman accused.

“I forgot.”

“Likely story. You were avoiding me.”

“Look, sis, now is kind of a bad time.”

Gillian didn’t wait to hear the rest. She was so relieved to hear that his sister was there and not Eden that she scraped her chair back and stood up.

“What’s that sound? Do you have company?” his sister asked.

Gillian came into the living room right on cue. “Good morning.” She gave his sister a little wave, hoping she hadn’t jumped the gun. Maybe Sam wasn’t ready for her to know about them yet.

“Oh boy. Here we go,” he said, shaking his head.

“Gillian, right?” Kristina pushed past Sam and stepped inside. “I’m Kristina, Sam’s wonderful, caring, not-at-all-annoying sister.”

Gillian laughed, liking Kristina instantly. The two women shook hands while Sam remained at the door, watching them. His expression was a cross between irritated and amused.

“Sure. Come on in!” he said as he shut the door.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Gillian said, smiling at his charming sibling.

“You too.” Then Kristina sniffed the air. “Are those pancakes I smell?”