It was six in the evening. It was time for dinner at the Milton residence.
Mary knocked on the door and led Nina downstairs to the dining room on the first floor.
The large rectangular table was already filled with stew, steak, and bread.
"Today's desserts are cookies? Thank you, Mary. I love it."
Nina had just arrived at the dining room on the first floor when she heard a bright, upbeat female voice. It sounded like a cheerful girl.
Nina knew it had to be Boris and his ex-wife's daughter—Cathy.
Her mother, Molly, had introduced Nina to the Milton family in the car today.
Boris had a son, Claude, from his previous marriage. He was two years older than Nina. He also had a daughter, Cathy, who was the same age as Nina.
Molly had been married to Boris for eight years. They also had a son, Nina's half-brother, named Billy, who was seven years old.
"You're welcome, Miss Milton." Mary led Nina into the dining room, smiling and responding politely to Cathy.
Mary turned to face Nina and stopped smiling. She then pointed to Nina's seat, indicating that she could sit there.
The black-haired, skinny girl across Nina initiated a conversation with her. "Hey! I'm Cathy Milton. Call me Cathy."
"Nina Jowett," replied Nina.
Cathy leaned in, and Nina could see the freckles on her face. "I heard from Molly that you were found in Maine? That's a remote place, isn't it? Did you feel any different coming all the way to Boston?"
Nina didn't even bat an eyelid as she stirred the stew in her bowl with her spoon. "Boston's richer."
Cathy laughed. "That's for sure. But you don't have to be afraid. I can teach you anything you're not used to."
"You could teach her how to dress up. Or at least, help her look like she's not telling the whole world that she came from the countryside." A man's voice echoed as a muscular figure walked into the dining room.
Nina glanced over and saw a handsome man with black hair and fair skin. He had a well-proportioned body and a very stunning face. He was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt and a pair of jeans. His brown rivet belt hung slightly outside, making him look unruly.
Cathy said, "Who pissed you off again, Claude? What? Did your interview fall through again?"
Claude lolled in his seat. "That Henry guy is too hard to deal with. I can't convince him."
He kept his eyes on Nina as he spoke. It was obvious that Claude was curious about this new family member.
Cathy said to Nina, "Claude is the ace reporter for a magazine in Boston. Henry is the person he wants to interview."
Claude rubbed his face and said, "These gangsters think they're superior to everyone else! Yet, Peter wants me to do a feature story on them. What a joke. Don't think I don't know what his purpose is. He wants to kick me out of the magazine!"
Nina glanced at Claude from the corner of her eye. I can't believe this guy has been assigned to do a feature story on gangs, and he wants to interview a gang manager.
"There's a party tonight," Cathy told Nina. "I was hoping you'd join me. You'll come, won't you?"
Before Nina could say anything, Molly's voice sounded from the doorway of the dining room. "Of course, darling. Nina wouldn't mind adjusting to life here as soon as possible. Would you, Nina?"
Nina turned and saw Molly standing arm in arm with Boris in the doorway, winking playfully at her.
The corner of Nina's lips lifted as she stretched her body gently. "I don't mind, actually."
She noticed that Molly was holding onto a little boy who was about seven or eight years old.
He had inherited Boris's black hair and Molly's blue eyes. His face was fair and clear, his nose bridge was high, and his lips were pink and tender. He looked like a model in a pictorial.
This was Billy Milton, who shared a mother with her.