Page 71 of Key West Promises

Chelsea took Gretchen’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go take care of our girls.”

The women marched down Duval Street as if they were going to war. When they entered The Gardens Hotel, their determination dampened with the elegant surroundings.

“This place is gorgeous,” Tess whispered to Leah. “Why haven’t we ever been here before?”

“Because we were busy failing at several business startups, now shh,” Leah whispered back.

Robert looked up from the front desk, immediately recognizing the situation from their expressions.

"Mrs. Thompson," he greeted Chelsea. "Your nieces are in the garden area. Shall I show you the way?"

"Please," Chelsea said. "And Robert? When Mr. Miller arrives?—"

"I'll alert you immediately," he assured her.

They found Kaitlyn and Sarah sitting together on a bench near the fountain, their matching profiles highlighted by the setting sun. Both girls looked up at their approach, and Kaitlyn's eyes immediately found her mother's.

"Dad's close, isn't he?"

"I’m guessing about fifteen minutes out," Gretchen confirmed. "We thought you might want some backup."

Sarah's fingers twisted in her lap. "Is Joanna with him?"

"No, honey," Gretchen said gently. "Just your father."

"We can leave if you want privacy," Tess offered, but Kaitlyn shook her head.

"Stay. Please." She reached for Sarah's hand. "My mom and aunts are pretty amazing at handling difficult situations. We could use the support."

Before Sarah could respond, Robert appeared in the garden entrance. "Mr. Miller has arrived," he announced quietly. "He's in the lobby."

The sisters exchanged glances and arranged themselves casually but strategically around the garden space. Chelsea near the entrance, Tess and Leah flanking the outer edges, Gretchen close enough to intervene but far enough to give the girls space.

Jeffrey's voice carried ahead of him, Robert following closely behind. "Where are they? Sarah? Kaitlyn?"

He appeared in the garden entrance, stopping abruptly at the sight before him. His daughters sat together, their similarity unmistakable, their united front clear. His former sisters-in-law surrounded them like a protective barrier, and Gretchen stood nearby making her presence known.

Robert slowly slipped away to return inside.

"Sarah," he said, his voice losing its edge. "Thank goodness you’re all right. You can't just run away like that. Your mother and I were worried sick."

"Don't," Sarah said quietly. "Don't make this about Mom. This is about Kaitlyn and me, and the years we didn’t get to spend together."

Jeffrey took a step forward, but Chelsea's subtle shift blocked his path.

"Sarah, get your things. We're going home,” he insisted.

"No," Sarah said, gripping Kaitlyn's hand tighter. "I'm not leaving. Not until Kaitlyn and I have some time together."

"This isn't up for discussion. You're sixteen years old."

"Old enough to know when I'm being lied to," Sarah interrupted, her voice stronger now. "Old enough to know that when you were deciding what was best for me, you missed the mark by a long shot."

Jeffrey's gaze shifted to Kaitlyn, who had remained silent, her shoulder pressed protectively against her sister's. "Kaitlyn, surely you understand?—"

"What I understand," Kaitlyn said quietly, "is that Sarah was brave enough to do what none of the adults did. She chose truth over comfort. She chose family over fear. She chose to confront the mistakes in an effort to change her future."

"It's not that simple," Jeffrey protested.

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