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Six months later
“Wait!”
Charley spun as the front door crashed open behind her, heart pounding, hand to her throat. “Alex...”
“Am I too late?”
“For?”
Alex held up a camera. “This is a big night for all of us. I wanted some pictures.”
“Good grief, you scared me to death. No, you aren’t too late. Melissa is putting the finishing touches on her hair.” She peered around Alex. “Where is Benjamin?”
“I told him to stay in the car until we were ready. I want pictures of the look on his face when he sees her. They are going to be the most beautiful couple at the Sweetheart Ball.”
Charley smirked. “You haven’t even seen her yet.”
“Don’t need to. My son, your daughter. A match made in heaven. Thanks, by the way.”
Charley sent her a look. “For what?”
“For breaking your no dates ‘til she’s sixteen rule. It means a lot to Benjamin that you trust him with Kinsley’s first date.”
“Yeah, well... He was so sweet and nervous when he came to talk to us, we couldn’t say no. I wouldn’t have done it for anyone but Benjamin.”
A door opened down the hall, and Melissa poked her head out. “We’re ready. Oh, hey, Alex.”
“Hey back.”
Melissa disappeared back into the room.
“Is it time?”
Charley jumped again, but this time it was Jason behind her. “You guys have got to stop sneaking up on me. I’m frazzled enough as it is.”
“Easy, Mama,” he whispered. He flinched when Charley gave him the look. “Sorry.”
Soft rustling sounded from the doorway down the hall and drew everyone’s attention. Kinsley stepped into the hall, and Charley and Alex gasped as they raised their cameras and started snapping pictures. The softly pleated skirt of Kinsley’s ice blue satin dress just brushed the tops of her shoes, and the lacey overlay of the sleeveless bodice hugged all her fifteen-and-a half-year-old curves in just the right places.
Melissa put a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Wait right here. I want pictures too.” She hurried down the hall and squeezed in between Charley and Alex.
“OK, sweetheart, walk this way,” Charley told her. “Jason, go get the boy.”
The adults stood in a half circle around the young couple, taking more pictures as Benjamin fastened a corsage around Kinsley’s wrist.
Charley’s throat clogged when he added a light kiss to her fingers. How could this be her baby?
They posed for a couple more minutes before Benjamin looked at his watch. “We have to go if we’re going to make our dinner reservation.” He looked at Jason. “Thank you for your trust, sir. I’ll have her home by midnight.” He settled Kinsley’s wrap around her shoulders and swept her out the door.
Charley sighed. “Your son sure does clean up nice.”
Alex grinned. “So does your daughter.”
Charley slipped an arm around Melissa’s shoulders and gave her a little hip bump. “Ours,” she corrected. “Our daughter is turning into quite the young woman.”
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HERE’S LOOK INTO JESSE, SISTERS BY DESIGN, BOOK 4: