Page 36 of Key West Promises

Chelsea watched as Leah spread grant paperwork across a table, Jack beside her offering guidance. Their heads bent close together as they worked, and Chelsea didn’t miss the way their hands brushed “accidentally” as they reached for the same document.

“Your sisters have become integral parts of our community,” Elena said, following her gaze. “Sometimes the right people find us exactly when we need them.”

Chelsea marveled at how much her sisters had changed in such a short time. The self-absorbed women she had once known were long gone. She had always believed that Gretchen was the stable, responsible sibling, stuck in a marriage with a husband who didn’t appreciate her. But now, Chelsea wasn’t so sure which of her siblings were truly the stable ones.

At Harbor Lights, Carla stood in the gleaming kitchen, taking in the professional equipment with wide eyes. Jamie moved around the space with practiced ease, explaining procedures and safety protocols while Will filmed discreetly from the corner.

"We'll start you on prep work," he said, "then move on to basic cooking techniques. The hours work around your kids' schedules, and there's room for advancement if you're interested."

Carla nodded, her fingers twisting the edge of her apron. "I've never…I mean, I cook for my family, but nothing like this."

"Everyone starts somewhere," Jamie said kindly. "And you've got something that can't be taught—determination."

Tess appeared in the doorway then, and Chelsea noticed how Jamie's whole demeanor brightened. Another piece of the puzzle clicking into place.

"Thought we’d stop by and see how everything's going," Tess said, though her eyes were fixed on Jamie.

"Perfect timing," Jamie replied. "We're about to start Carla's training with the world's most important kitchen skill—organizing everything before you begin preparations."

"Everything in its place," Tess translated, smiling at Carla.

Will finished taking photos of Carla at Harbor Lights and walked back toward Kaitlyn’s place. He’d parked there earlier hoping he’d have some quiet time with her. So much was going on around them, unless they escaped to the beach, they weren’t getting much time to spend, just the two of them.

When he reached her house, he packed up his equipment and then spent a few minutes cleaning the inside of his car before knocking on her door.

Kaitlyn and her aunts were gathered around the kitchen table with takeout from Harbor Lights. The day's events had left them all quietly contemplative.

"I've been thinking," Chelsea said finally, setting down her fork. "About Sarah."

Kaitlyn tensed slightly but nodded for her aunt to continue.

"She deserves to know about you, Kaitlyn. I think after all this time, your mother won’t fight you on that.”

"I know," Kaitlyn said softly. "But how? How do you just appear in someone's life and say, 'Surprise, I'm your secret sister'?"

"First of all, what makes you so sure she doesn’t know about you? Just because your mother kept this from all of us doesn’t mean your father or his new wife kept you a secret from Sarah.”

“That’s right, Kaitlyn. It’s possible she already knows about you,” Leah added.

“I don’t know,” Kaitlyn said. “I don’t know how to…”

“Carefully," Chelsea replied. "With support. With understanding that her world is about to shift just as much as yours did." She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "And maybe with the help of someone who knows how to tell difficult stories with sensitivity."

They all looked toward the window where Will was hanging around his car looking like a lost puppy. His camera gear packed away after a day of documenting other people's journeys toward truth and healing, Chelsea could tell he was waiting for the right time to come inside.

"He'd help," Tess said quietly. "If you asked."

Kaitlyn nodded, tears gathering in her eyes. "I'm just…I'm scared. What if she hates me? What if she blames me somehow?"

"Then we'll deal with that together," Leah said firmly. "That's what family does—the real kind, not the Instagram perfect version."

Through the window, they could see Ernest settling in for the night, his silhouette regal against the darkening sky.

Chelsea's phone buzzed again—Gretchen, still trying to reach them. She silenced it, knowing she’d answer her sister soon.

"You know what else family does?" she said, reaching for her niece's hand. "Family shows up. Even when it's hard. Even when it's scary. Even when the timing isn't perfect."

"Even when you're not sure you're ready?" Kaitlyn asked softly.

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