Page 20 of The Lake House (Southern Charm #2)

Chapter Twenty

It was Friday — Julie had been looking forward to, and dreading, this day since the plane landed on the Gold Coast. She’d arranged to meet her sister and two brothers for dinner nearby at a restaurant she’d plugged into her GPS about fifteen times today already.

She was nervous. Actually, that was an understatement.

She was terrified. What if they didn’t like her?

What if they were angry about the revelation that she was their sister?

What if they were just truly awful people?

She had to admit that Stella seemed likeable enough over the phone, but things could be different in person.

For the past few days, James had attended his conference during the day and Julie had explored the Gold Coast. She’d gone to the beach once.

Although it wasn’t quite warm enough to swim for long, she had paddled in the water a while and then lay on the sand in the sunshine to warm up again.

Thankfully, she still had a bathing suit that fit her, even though she hadn’t worn one in months—she couldn’t quite remember the last time.

Then she’d gone to SeaWorld for a day. She’d loved the dolphin show and had ridden a number of roller coasters and other rides.

She wasn’t one for super scary rollercoasters, but she’d done okay.

Of course, it wasn’t nearly as much fun on your own as it was with someone else, which was too bad.

Still, she’d decided to make the most of her trip anyway, and that’s what she’d done.

She and James went to the Outback Spectacular the previous evening.

It’d been her favourite thing so far, with an incredible show of horse riding, acrobatics, tricks and a delicious meal served to them in their seats.

Then this morning, she’d strolled through the city and done some shopping—she’d found several lovely outfits, a dress, some pants and a couple of blouses.

And everywhere she went, people were very friendly.

They’d strike up a conversation out of nowhere, chatting about almost anything.

And she lost count of how many said hello or dipped their head in greeting.

There was a knock at her hotel door. She took one last look in the mirror, noting that the beach waves she’d added to her hair suited her.

Behind her black-rimmed glasses, her dark eyes were accentuated by a soft brown eyeshadow that complemented her new red dress.

She wore a shawl around her shoulders to keep warm.

After checking her reflection, she strode to open the door.

“Wow. You look incredible,” James said with a whistle.

Her cheeks flamed. “Thank you. You look handsome too.” Ever since they’d held hands on the beach, she’d wondered how he felt about her.

Did he want more than a friendship? She couldn’t tell.

Since that day, he’d held her hand a couple more times, but he hadn’t done or said anything else that suggested a deeper interest. Even so, they’d had such a great time together over the past few days.

She never grew tired of his company. And truly, the more time she spent with him, the more she liked him and wanted to be with him.

“Are you sure you want me to come with you?” he asked. “Because I don’t want to make it awkward for you.”

“Awkward? I think that ship has already sailed.”

He laughed. “I suppose you’re right. But I don’t want to intrude. This is a private family moment…”

“Please come,” she replied. “I don’t think I can face it alone.”

He nodded. “Right, that does it. I’m coming.”

His blond hair was loosely combed, and he wore a pair of blue jeans with a navy knit sweater that fit snugly on his athletic frame.

He reached for her hand, and she let him have it before pulling the hotel door shut behind her.

She was so grateful to have him with her.

It made meeting her family a little less daunting, knowing he was by her side.

He was gentle, yet strong, forthright but kind.

And she knew that if things went badly tonight, he’d rescue her.

He was the rescuing type. No doubt that was why he’d gone into medicine.

They walked down the hallway to the elevator together and she inhaled a deep breath to calm her nerves.

This dinner would change her life forever.

She was meeting her biological siblings for the first time.

She’d always wanted brothers and sisters and now she finally had three.

She only hoped she’d make a good impression.

The restaurant was busy. There was a line of people waiting to put their names down, but Stella had booked ahead.

At least, that’s what she’d told Julie she’d do, and Julie hoped she had, since otherwise they’d be here all night.

Finally, the hostess led them to a table where three adults sat—a woman and two men.

All three looked almost exactly like Julie. So much that it took her breath away.

She stopped still, gaping, then hurried forward on her high heels to meet them. She felt the immediate urge to cry as Stella pulled her into a strong hug.

“You must be Stella,” she said, doing her best to hold it together.

Stella nodded against her shoulder, but didn’t respond. She was probably experiencing a similar emotion, since she didn’t seem to be able to speak. Then Julie took a step back and noticed that Stella had tears in her red-rimmed eyes, just like Julie did.

Stella dabbed her eyes with a napkin as Julie went around the table.

The two men hugged her as well, a little less forcefully than Stella had done, and introduced themselves as Todd and Bryce.

Julie still couldn’t get past the family resemblance.

If she’d had any doubts about where she came from, she didn’t any longer.

All those years of people teasing her about the way she stood out at family gatherings—them all blonde-haired and blue-eyed, and Julie with her dark hair and eyes, her slightly prominent front teeth, and her fair skin with the smattering of freckles.

She knew where she came from now. She belonged to this small group of people looking awkwardly at her around a restaurant table.

She introduced them to James, and then they all sat. It was hard to know what to say. Where to start? There was so much unknown between them. How can one have immediate intimacy with someone they’ve never met? It would take time, most likely.

“What do you each do for a living?” she asked as they browsed their menus. It was a starting point. Admittedly, not a very creative one, but she had to say something.

“I’m staying home with the kids right now,” Stella said. “But usually I’m a solicitor—or lawyer, as you probably call them.”

“Oh, right. You have kids? How many?”

“Three of them. And they keep me busy.”

“I bet they do.”

“I’m a doctor,” Todd said with a serious look on his face. “I specialise in paediatrics.”

“How wonderful. I bet it’s great to work with kids.”

He frowned. “It can be.”

Bryce laughed, looking far less serious than his brother. “Don’t worry—he’s always like that. I’m a PE teacher. So, I guess in a way, we all work with children.”

Stella laughed. Todd looked annoyed at Bryce’s teasing, and Julie nodded empathically. “That’s so great. I love kids.”

“We’re big into kids in this family, so you’ll fit right in,” Stella replied with a wink. “Mum and Dad were both teachers for part of their careers. Dad went into real estate later, since he said there was no money in teaching, and he couldn’t bear to put up with any more of their awful behaviour.”

“He was right on both points, unfortunately,” Bryce added with a shrug. “But what can you do? I still love it. And what about you, Julie? What do you do?”

“I’m studying psychology. I’m more than halfway through my doctorate, but I’ve taken a little break at the moment.”

“Sometimes a break is exactly what you need,” Stella said.

Julie shrugged. “With everything that’s happened…I couldn’t seem to focus.”

Stella, Bryce and Todd exchanged a knowing look.

“I’m sure it’s been a shock to you,” Todd said in a gentle voice.

Julie felt her throat constrict and tears threaten. She nodded.

“It was a surprise for all of us,” Stella said. She reached for Julie’s hand and squeezed it. “But a good surprise because we got you out of the deal.”

“Thanks for saying that.” Julie pushed back the emotion.

She looked at James, who dipped his head encouragingly.

“Honestly, I’ve been struggling. Trying to figure out who I am now.

My parents…” Her voice broke. “They both died—my dad before I was born, and my mom when I was a teenager. I’d clung on to the idea that they loved me and we were still connected.

I know it probably doesn’t really matter, but finding out that they weren’t my parents…

” She couldn’t hold the tears back any longer and buried her face in her hands to hide her pain.

Stella’s voice was soft. “They were your parents. In every way that mattered. Their love for you wouldn’t have changed even if they knew. You’re still connected to them.”

Julie drew a deep breath and pulled herself together. “Do you think they knew?”

“We can’t say for sure, but I think so.”

“Really?” Julie sniffled into her napkin.

“Dad gave us all DNA test kits for Christmas right before he died. I think he wanted Tilly to find out the truth. Which means, he knew. And if he knew, then your mum probably knew as well.”

“But for how long? That’s the question,” Bryce said, leaning back in his chair. None of them had an answer.

Their food arrived, and for a few minutes, they ate and chatted about their lives. Julie learned that all three of them were very different in personality, even if they looked so similar. The mood lightened, and Julie felt as though a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

Her siblings were fun. Bryce had a great sense of humour.

Todd’s was dry, and he was mostly very serious.

She could see why he made a good doctor.

Stella was warm and friendly, full of life and laughter.

Julie could imagine the two of them becoming very good friends over time.

And James fit in with all of them seamlessly, cracking jokes, laughing and soon teasing along with Bryce as though they’d known each other for years.

By the time James and Julie got back to the hotel, she was giddy with excitement.

Before she’d met James and now her bio siblings, the whole situation had left her feeling bleak and as though there was no hope.

She was destined to be alone all her life.

But after meeting and getting to know them, it was as though something deep inside had shifted and she could see a future for herself.

One filled with possibilities—perhaps even happiness.