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As they continued to talk amongst themselves, Mrs. Bennett noticed her daughters huddled together. “Alright, everyone, you’ve got about ten minutes to get your hands washed and get into the dining room so the girls and I can serve dinner.”

Katherine’s stomach tightened at the thought of being trapped with her mother and sisters. There were bound to be more questions, and in the confines of the kitchen, there’d be no holding back.

“Katherine, take Libby to her grandmother so Sarah can get her buckled up while you help,” her mother told her. “Your father picked up a new high chair. Apparently, it folds easily, soyou can take it with you. But if you do, you’ll need to bring it back for next time.”

“So, thereisgoing to be a next time with Mr. Hot Cop,” Maddie teased just before Ellie hit her on the arm. “Dang it, Ells! You hit hard for a nerd.”

“Bookworm,” Ellie corrected.

“Same difference!” Maddie snapped, rubbing the sore spot on her arm before turning to Georgie. “She must get strong from lugging all those books around.”

Katherine laughed as tears of happiness filled her eyes. She loved her family and loved that they were genuinely happy for her.

“Sweetie, are youcrying?” Andie asked.

“No,” Katherine insisted, dashing off to find Sarah.

“You girls need to be happy for your sister,” Ginny scolded them. “And if she feels the need to cry, then it’s a good thing.”

“Because crying is natural for girls to do,” they chorused together, having heard it countless times before.

“Well, it’s true. Now, get to the kitchen and make yourselves useful.”

As they turned to head in that direction, the doorbell rang.

“Oh good,” Mrs. Bennett said. “There’s our other guest. You girls go ahead, and I’ll get the door.”

“Other guest?” Maddie asked.

“You’ll see,” Ginny insisted. “Now go.”

“But everyone’s here,” Andie said. “Unless Matthew’s got a cute brother.”

“Alexandra Bennett-Anderson, you’re a married woman!” Ellie scolded, shaking her head. “It’s like you’re just begging me to put you in the corner for your bad behavior.”

“You do know I’m the big sister, right?” Andie asked. “Besides, I was thinking about someone for Georgie.”

“Go, girls, go!” Ginny interrupted their squabbling before hurrying to answer the door.

After greeting their final guest, Mrs. Bennett introduced the latest arrival to Sarah and Matt Brandon, her three sons-in-law, and her grandchildren sitting around the folding kids’ table.

“Katherine? Can you join us in the kitchen?”

“Sure, Mom,” Katherine said, leaving Libby with her grandparents.

In the kitchen, Ginny went around the room again, introducing her daughters. “Girls, this is Haven Harper. Haven’s the niece of Frank and Isabella Vaughn.”

“I thought you looked familiar,” Andie said, stepping forward to shake her hand. “I think we played together as kids when you came to visit your aunt and uncle.”

“I remember that.” Haven smiled. “It’s nice to see you.”

Then Haven shook hands with Maddie, Ellie, Georgie, and finally, a reluctant Katherine.

“Any plans to visit your aunt and uncle in Florida?” Georgie asked.

“I’m waiting for Christmas, but they’re planning on coming back here for Thanksgiving.”

“Oh good, I’m glad you’ll have family to spend the holidays with, although you’re welcome here too,” Ginny said, handing Haven a small soup tureen and ladle before leading her to the stove to fill it with homemade noodles.