Rachel looked over the happy chaos of Morgan and Brian’s new home, not far from the Walker house, with its view over the waterfront and its small garden, already full of aromatic plants. There were still moving boxes everywhere, but Morgan clearly was far more interested in putting the finishing touches on the makeovers of a couple of high school girls in her makeshift studio than she was with finishing her unpacking. Hanna was moving around the studio with a handheld video camera so that she could shoot Morgan and the teenagers with the backdrop of the ocean behind them.
Automatically, Rachel slipped into mentally working out the risks the way she did every day at the insurance firm she worked for. She tried not to wince at the thought of all the accidents caused each year by trailing wires when she knew she should be simply enjoying having Morgan and Hanna home again, instead.
Morgan had changed the entire feel of her new show to real people getting real makeovers in their hometowns. She was no longer focused on glitz and perfection, but on showing people just how beautiful they already were. And based on the viewer reaction and enthusiasm from the pilot Hanna had helped Morgan shoot, the show was a hit.
Rachel was so proud of her sisters. They were both so talented, and they’d worked so hard. Working in insurance, Rachel knew all about long odds. It was amazing—and incredibly gratifying—that two of her sisters had beaten them. They deserved all the success that they got and more.
Charlotte tugged on her hand. “Mommy, I want to play dress-up with Aunt Morgan and her makeup.”
“As soon as she’s done filming, I’m sure she’d love to play with you,” Rachel whispered to her daughter. Morgan always had time for her little niece, no matter how long and busy her workdays were, and it made Rachel love her sister even more.
The wind had picked up as Hanna moved one of her cameras outside, and just as she turned her back on the heavy camera and stand, it started to tumble. Thankfully, Joel was there like a shot, catching it and setting it back on its tripod, taking the opportunity to kiss his wife once everything was safely back into place. Brian was there, too, as he’d been carrying bites of French toast to Morgan between shots.
“Everything looks like it’s going great,” Michael said as he came out of the house, where he was helping with some repairs. Emily was only a few steps behind him, looking as pleased as the rest of them and carrying a plate of fragrant cinnamon buns that she’d been making in the nearby kitchen for the cast and crew.
Paige snagged one as she finally arrived from the dance studio and sat down under the shade of an oak tree to watch the filming. “Thanks, Em. I haven’t eaten since early this morning. Isn’t this amazing what Morgan and Hanna are doing?”
It really was amazing, Rachel thought, having her sisters all in one place again and knowing that they were happy. One day soon, all of the Walker sisters would be paired up the way Morgan and Hanna were with men they loved. Everyone but her.
And she was fine with that. She really was. She didn’t need anybody else. They didn’t need anybody else. After Charlotte’s father had left, Rachel had vowed never to let another man get close enough to hurt either of them again. Her precious daughter was better off without someone in her life who would only walk away once things got tough. They both were.
Which was why, instead of focusing on what she would never have, Rachel would always remember how she’d been lucky enough to beat the odds by having the most beautiful daughter, family and place to live in the entire world.