Chapter 1

Liliana Maxwell watches as the kids start piling out of school as she waits for her sister to emerge. She's not going to be surprised if Lacey will be the last to exit school. Lacey is exactly like Liliana in that way. Of course, when Liliana was nine years old, her mother might have had a fit had she been late getting out of school. So she's not at all surprised Donna sends her when she's available to get Lacey.

Just as she though, Lacey is the last to emerge from the building. Unlike the other times, however, she's with another young girl. It's something that brings a smile to Liliana's face. Her little sister had never been one to have a lot of friends. Her shyness has caused many problems in that field. Something Liliana knows all too well herself. She herself had grown up a very shy girl, with very few friends.

Liliana smiles when Lacey climbs into the front seat of the Ford Fusion. "Hey little sister," she says.

"Hey big sister," Lacey replies. "I'm glad it's you picking me up."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"Mom would have thrown a fit for me being so late."

Liliana laughs softly. "Very true." Liliana pulls away from the curb and makes her way toward her parent's house. "So who was the girl you walked out with?"

"That's Rachel. She's who I'm going to be sharing a cabin with on the Girl Scout trip. It's going to be a little weird."

"Why is that?"

"Her dad is coming with."

Liliana glances at Lacey. "Her dad? Why him and not her mom?"

"She lives with her dad and doesn't see her mom much."

"I guess that makes sense. Does Mom know this?"

"Yes. Lily, do you think Mom is actually going to go with me?"

"I have my bags packed already just in case." Liliana wouldn't be surprised if Donna informed her she wouldn't be going. It wouldn't be the first time. She just feels bad for Lacey.

"At least I know I can always count on you," Lacey says.

"Lace, you know Mom loves you, right?" Liliana asks.

"I know. Was it like this when you were my age?"

"Oh yes. But I didn't have a cool older sister like you do."

"I'm glad I have that."

"Me too."

Liliana follows Lacey into the large house and lets out a soft breath. She can hear her mom moving around in the kitchen. Making her way through the front hall, she knows Lacey would follow suit.

"I'm glad you come in," Donna says when she turns around to see Liliana standing there. "I just got off the phone with Steve."

Liliana simply rolls her eyes. She knows exactly where this is headed. When anything starts with Steve, Liliana always knows where it leads.

"We have a big project coming up. So I won't be able to go with Lacey on the trip. I need you to go with her. I will call Missy and let her know. I think it works better this way because this is more you anyway."

"Okay," Liliana says. Lucky for her, Liliana works from home and has a pretty flexible schedule. She knows she won't have any trouble getting ten days off for Lacey's trip.

"I'm sure Lacey would rather have you on this one anyway."

Liliana nods. "I'm happy to take her."

"Good. I'll pick you up to drop you off. They're meeting up at school."

"Are they taking a bus?"

"No. But Rachel's dad said he would drive. They said it's a seven hour drive so they wanted everyone comfortable. So the cabin mates are riding together. Make sure you bring some nice clothes for the dinners they have planned at the lodge."

"I will."

"Lacey, go get the guide they gave you so Liliana can read over what they suggest to bring."

"Okay," Lacey says before walking out.

Liliana watches as Donna flips through the mail. "Have you met Rachel and her dad?"

"Yes. He's young. Too young if you ask me."

"Is that why you decided not to go?"

"I have a project at work. I can't…"

"If they knew about this, they would let you out. And don't tell me they wouldn't. I worked thee in high school. It has everything to do with the type of trip and having to share a cabin."

"If you don't want to go…"

"I want to go. I said that when she told me about it."

"Here Liliana," Lacey says walking in again.

"Thank you." Liliana takes the paper from Lacey. "I have to go. I'll see you Friday." Liliana kisses her sister's cheek before walking out.

******

Hearing a horn honk, Liliana lets out a heavy breath. Its' times like this she wonders where she got her patience. She knows it's definitely not from her mom. And her dad isn't a while lot better, although he's nothing compared to Donna. Maybe living with her step-dad helped. Bill has always been a patient man.

Liliana lifts her bags and walks out of her condo. She checks to make sure the door is locked before walking down to the driveway. Climbing inside her mother's car after putting her bags in the trunk, Liliana's not surprised to find Donna giving her the eye.

"If you make me late, I swear…" Donna trails off.

Liliana rolls her eyes and looks in the back seat. "Are you ready for this?" she asks when Lacey smiles at her.

"Yes," Lacey answers.

"You couldn't wear jeans?" Donna asks.

"I'm going to be in a car for seven hours, I prefer to be comfortable."

"What will they think of you?"

"I doubt I'll be the only one wearing something comfortable Mother."

Liliana winks at Lacey before turning back around. This isn't the first time Donna's questioned the way she dresses. And she knows it won't be the last. She's just glad she didn't inherit her mother's stuck up attitude.

It's a short drive to school before Liliana is climbing out of the front seat and making her way to the back of the car. She smiles at Lacey as she lifts open the trunk. There is little surprise when Donna just stays behind the wheel. And it's definitely not a surprise when she says a quick goodbye before driving off.

"You don't have to wear jeans for the trip," Liliana says. "We can find some place to change."

"No need," Lacey says. "I have my grey pants on under my jeans."

Liliana laughs softly. "That's my sister. All right, I'll follow you." Liliana pulls the handle up on her suitcase and walks with Lacey.

"There's Rachel over there."

"Is that her dad?"

"I think so. I've only met him once."

Liliana watches as Rachel waves the moment she sees Lacey. Then she sees her dad turn around. She can't help but stare at him for a moment. The man is definitely gorgeous.

"Hi Rachel," Lacey says with a big smile on her face.

Liliana can't help but smile herself. She's so glad to finally see her sister happy. "Hi," she says looking at the man.

"Hi," he replies. "You aren't who I met last week."

"Definitely not her. I'm Liliana Maxwell, Lacey's sister." Liliana holds her hand out.

"Ted DiBiase, Rachel's dad." Ted shakes Liliana's outstretched hand.

"Junior," Rachel says.

"Right, Junior. My mistake." Ted smiles down at Rachel before looking at Liliana once again. "What happened to…? I don't remember her name."

"Donna," Liliana says. "And she had some project with work or something."

"She wouldn't like this trip anyway," Lacey says. "Mom's not an outdoor kind of person."

"Well then maybe it's a good thing she's not here," Ted says.

"Probably."

"Oh, here, let me take your bags."

"Thank you," Liliana says as Ted lifts her bags. She watches as he takes Lacey's before turning to the Toyota Sequoia. "Lacey, why won't you get your jeans off before Mr. DiBiase gets everything in?"

"Call me Ted," Ted intervenes as he puts Liliana's bags into the back of the SUV. After getting the bags in, Ted closes the lift gate. "Oh, I'm going to apologize ahead of time. I have a phone interview while we're driving up. It was supposed to be yesterday, but never happened."

"Not a problem."

"It won't last long. At the longest fifteen minutes, but it's doubtful."

Liliana nods. "We shall keep our lips sealed."

"Thank you."

"All right, if I can have everyone come on over here," Missy Hartman says loud enough for everyone to hear.

Liliana turns to make her way over to the group that's forming. She glances beside her to see Ted fall into stride with her while the girls run ahead. "I don't think I've ever seen Rachel before the other day."

"She's been in the Girl Scouts for four months. She's been in school since the beginning. This is the first year her and Lacey have been in the same class and just hit it off. I think it helps that they're both shy."

"Probably does help. That was always my problem. I was probably the shiest person ever."

"That's Rachel."

"Were you that shy?"

"I wasn't shy at all."

They stop when they reach the group, standing behind the girls.

"All right," Missy says. "We do have a seven hour drive ahead of us, so I'll keep this short. I have here directions to the lodge because I'm sure at some point we'll lose someone. Today is mostly a traveling day, so feel free to stop and grab some lunch. We are meeting for dinner at the lodge tonight. Nothing fancy, we're just going to have pizza. We'll be eating around six. When you get there, all you have to do is go to the office and they'll give you your information. Both adults are going to have to go in because you both will need to sign. Any questions? All right, then let's get going. Have a good trip and we'll see you in Blue Ridge."