Page 76 of Key West Promises

"I didn't pack anything fancy," Sarah worried, but Chelsea waved off her concern.

"That's what aunts are for. We'll find you something perfect. Besides, Kaitlyn needs a new dress too."

"I do?"

"Trust me," Chelsea said with authority. "You both do. Consider it your first official sister shopping trip."

Sarah's face lit up. "Really? Can we?"

"After lunch," Gretchen said firmly. "Eat first, then shopping."

As they finished their meal, more locals stopped to chat. The mystery novelist from Max's brought them fresh coconut water. Rick the fisherman passed by with his granddaughter, who was about Sarah's age. Even Jack paused on his morning walk to say hello.

"See what I mean?" Kaitlyn nudged her sister. "Key West family."

Sarah watched another group of locals wave as they passed. "It's nice," she said softly. "Belonging somewhere."

Kaitlyn squeezed her hand. "You belong here too now. With all of us. You’ll have to come down often for a visit."

Sarah smiled. “I’d love that.

After lunch, they packed up their beach gear and headed to Duval Street. Chelsea led the way, steering them past the tourist shops toward the boutiques she trusted. Sarah's eyes grew wide at the window displays.

"I usually just shop at the mall," she admitted, following Kaitlyn into a store filled with flowing sundresses and elegant resort wear.

"Welcome to Chelsea's version of education," Leah teased. "Fashion first, everything else second."

"I heard that," Chelsea called from a rack of dresses. "And I'll have you know that proper attire is very educational. Sarah, honey, what's your favorite color?"

"Blue," Sarah and Kaitlyn said simultaneously, then looked at each other and laughed.

"Of course it is," Gretchen smiled. "You're definitely sisters."

Chelsea emerged with an armful of dresses. "Try these. Both of you. Latitudes at sunset calls for something special."

The next hour passed in a whirl of fabric and laughter. Sarah discovered she loved the way silk felt against her skin. The sisters took turns modeling outfits, their natural similarity making them look like before-and-after photos in different styles of the same color.

"What about this one?" Sarah twirled in a pale blue dress that floated around her knees.

"Perfect," Kaitlyn declared. "You look beautiful."

"You both do," Gretchen said softly, watching them admire each other in the mirror.

A text from Jeffrey buzzed on Gretchen’s phone:Boat to Sunset Key leaves at 6:30. Don't be late.

"Speaking of time," Chelsea checked her watch, "we should head back to get ready. Sarah, have you ever been on a boat?"

"Just once, on a school trip," Sarah said, carefully handling her new dress as they left the store. "Is it scary?"

"Not at all," Kaitlyn assured her. "The water's usually calm this time of day. And the sunset will be amazing."

They walked back toward The Gardens Hotel, the sisters in the middle of their protective aunt formation, carrying shopping bags and chatting about dinner plans. Sarah's happiness was infectious, her excitement about their evening plans making everyone smile.

"I can't wait to tell Alex about all this," Sarah said, then blushed when everyone turned to look at her. "He's…um…sort of my boyfriend."

"Sort of?" Tess raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, this we need to hear about." Leah grinned.

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