Page 105 of When Love Is Unexpected

My sister's guest room welcomes me with the familiarity of home and the soothing scent of vanilla and lavender.

I step into the shower, wishing the hot water could wash away all memory of the last twenty-four hours. I slip into the soft, thick bathrobe hanging from a hook next to the shower, inhaling the scent of fabric softener as I pull up the collar to warm my cold skin.

I sit on the bed and take inventory of my surroundings. The room is beautifully decorated. The queen-sized bed has a cottage-style wrought iron headboard and footboard. The bedspread is dusted with pastel-colored flowers. There are pale pink roses in a vase on top of the dresser, framed pictures of my nieces and nephew on the nightstands, and a large picture window with light, flowy drapes that let the sunlight in.

On the wall across from the bed is a large shadow box with an array of dried flowers inside and a small handwritten note on the corner. I remember Adam giving it to my sister for her eighteenth birthday. I was two when we met Adam, and he became like part of the family. Loren was four, and Katherine was six. Whenever he visited, Loren would give him a flower from our garden as soon as he walked in the door. He collected and saved most of them for fourteen years and then put them in a beautiful arrangement inside the shadow box with the note addressed to my sister. I stand and walk across the room to read the note I've read dozens of times before.

Loren -

You were the first one to greet me.

The first one to hug me.

The first one to give me something beautiful.

The first one to love me.

The first one to call me brother.

Always remember that love will find you

no matter where life takes you.

You are and always will be my little sister.

Love,

Adam

Adam is a protective brother to Loren and me, and to my sister Katherine, he is the love of her life. I thought I had found the love of my life, but I was wrong. I open one of the drawers on the dresser and find new underwear, bras, and socks. In another, there are T-shirts, shorts, leggings, and pajamas. There are some slippers in the closet next to some canvas shoes.

My sister went shopping for me and got this room ready for my arrival. I change into pajamas and slip under the covers, hoping I won't wake up until tomorrow.

***

When sunlight streams through the window, I realize it's morning—late morning. I look at the clock, and it reads eight o'clock. I slept for ten hours.

After showering, I put on shorts and a T-shirt. My hair is a curly mess, and I don't want to deal with it, so I run my fingers through it and call it good.

Walking into the kitchen, I find Aaron drinking coffee. "Where's Loren?" I ask.

"She's getting ready," he says. "We have a doctor's appointment at ten."

"Is she feeling okay?" I ask.

"Yes," he smiles. "She's doing great. The baby is, too."

"Good," I say, pouring myself a cup of coffee. "Do you want me to make us some breakfast?"

"I was about to do that," he says.

"I got it," I say, looking through the fridge, "Ham and eggs, okay?"

"That sounds great."

"I have to talk to Mom and Dad today," I say, knowing I can't put it off much longer."

"I'm sure they'll hear from Sam soon," he says. "If they haven't already."

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