The Sometimes Sisters(96)

He put the ring on her finger, and she fell to her knees beside him. “Who says that happily ever after only happens in romance books?”

“Whoever did is downright crazy.” He cupped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her long, hard, and with so much love that it made her go weak.



Brook was alone in the laundry when Johnny arrived from the doorway into the store. He picked up a sheet and together they folded it wrinkle-free and neatly. Then she shoved a basket of towels his way and he started on them.

“You want to go with me to the end-of-school dance?”

“You mean as a date?”

“Yep,” Johnny said. “It’s gettin’ to be more than friends, right? At least with me.”

Well, praise the Lord! You are finally getting to the place where I’ve been since Christmas, she thought. I’ve given you all kinds of hints and clues and I thought you’d never wake up and listen.

“Sure,” she said.

“That mean you kind of like me for more than a friend, too?”

“Yep, it does, but I’ve felt like that for a long time. Boys are slower than girls.” She smiled at him.

“That mean I might even get a good-night kiss after the dance?”

“Maybe. We’ll have to wait and see.”

“Fair enough. Gives me something to look forward to,” Johnny said.



That evening they all gathered on the rock. Harper laid a dozen red roses on the water, and they all watched them float away. Maybe next year there would be another baby to carry to the memorial.

Siblings can double the joy and halve the sorrow. Granny’s voice popped into Harper’s head.

She kissed Clancy on the top of his dark hair and whispered, “We’ve had our ups and downs this year, but we’re doing our best to be more than just sometimes sisters, Granny.”





ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Dear Readers,

When I started writing The Sometimes Sisters, I knew all the sisters’ stories and I could see the whole book playing out in my head like a movie. But when Zed started telling me his and Annie’s story, the book took on a whole new layer. The more we visited, the more I could see why Annie had loved him all those years. He was patient, loving, and he wasn’t at all judgmental. I’m so happy to introduce you to all the sisters, Dana, Harper, and Tawny, but just as excited to let you meet Brook, Dana’s daughter, and, of course, Zed.

It’s summertime in southern Oklahoma as I finish this book, but you’ll be reading it just as spring begins to bring new life to the whole world. So grab a glass of sweet tea and settle into your favorite reading chair and enjoy the story.

You’ve all probably heard that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, producing a book like you have in your hands takes a lot of talented people to get it from an idea to a full-fledged novel. So I’d like to thank a few people for working with me to make The Sometimes Sisters happen.

My deepest appreciation to my publisher, Montlake Romance, and to my editor, Anh Schluep, who continue to believe in me; to my developmental editor, Krista Stroever—you do such an amazing job; to everyone on the team at Montlake who work so hard behind the curtains, from the awesome folks who make the covers to the folks who promote my books. Please know that every one of you is appreciated!

Special gratitude to my agent, Erin Niumata, and my agency, Folio Management Inc. Thank you for every single thing and for always being there for me.

I’d also like to thank Mr. B, my husband, who doesn’t complain on the days when I listen to the voices in my head more than I do to him. It takes a special person to live with an author and he does a fine job.

And once again, a big, hearty thank-you to my fans, friends, and family who buy and read my books and take time to leave reviews. Don’t put away your reading glasses—there’s more on the way this year!

Until next time,

Carolyn Brown