"Are they home?"
Rose gulped, nervous from the voice she assumed belonged to one of her aunts or grandmother. She turned around, searching for Zayne. As long as Zayne was near the attention would always go to him and she could avoid it.
Zayne was too far back for him to reach her side in time.
"Anna dear, you've grown a little since the last time I saw you. You must stop or you will be ridiculously tall when you wear any shoes with heels. Come here to hug me."
Rose let go of Anna's hand, patiently waiting for her turn. Her aunts came out one by one going straight to Anna and then they looked at her.
Andrea, the oldest of the two sisters, was the first to acknowledge Rose. "Well, you certainly are Madeline's daughter. One look at you and I see your mother. You must have been so afraid all on your own. We have all missed you."
