“You’re welcome.” She turned toward Angela and Kiara, her eyes suddenly growing wide. “Annie?”
“Uh.” Angela sent Jude a worried look.
Jude had forgotten that one of Cole’s sisters worked at the resort. He hadn’t thought they’d run into anyone that knew Annie.
“No,” Jude said. “This isn’t Annie. Rather than explain here, perhaps you should call Cole. Tell him that Jude says it’s okay to tell you what’s going on.”
“Okay. I willcertainlybe doing that.” Kayleigh gave Angela a smile and a wink. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you, whoever you are.”
Angela returned her smile. “You too.”
“I’m sure you’ll meet again,” Jude said. “Maybe once you’ve spoken with Cole and Annie.”
“That would be lovely.” Stepping toward a hallway, Kayleigh said, “In the meantime, let me show you to the room we’ve reserved for you.”
They followed her down the hallway to a room that had a cozy vibe to it. There was a gas fireplace at one end of the room that had flames dancing in it. Instead of a large table dominating the room, there was comfortable furniture clustered around the fireplace.
It definitely was better suited for the meeting to come than a space set up as a boardroom.
“Beverages have been set up,” Kayleigh said, gesturing to a buffet against the wall. “And there are some snacks as well.”
“Thank you,” Jude said. “It’s more than I expected.”
“We try to make sure people feel comfortable here.”
“We appreciate it.”
She handed Jude a business card. “Give me a call if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
When Kayleigh left the room, Angela asked, “She knows Annie?”
“Definitely,” Jude said. “That’s Cole’s older sister.”
“Oooh. So he didn’t tell his family about me and Annie being twins?”
“I guess not,” Jude said. “Or if he did, he didn’t tell them all.”
“Is that going to be a problem?” Angela asked. “If they know?”
Jude shook his head. “They’re a trustworthy family. I feel confident that they would keep the secret until your dad decides to go public with it.”
He hoped that she might follow that rabbit hole while they waited so that she wouldn’t get too nervous. Unfortunately, she didn’t. Instead, she just nodded and let the subject drop.
When the door to the room opened, all three of them turned toward it. Julian stepped in first, then held the door for his mother.
Jill stepped through the doorway, her gaze sweeping the room before landing on Angela. Her arms went wide as she headed toward her. Whether Angela wanted a hug or not, she was getting one.
“Oh, look at you,” Jill said as she cupped Angela’s face after giving her a tight hug. “You’re just absolutely adorable.”
Jude frowned.Adorable?He would have thought she’d say that Angela was beautiful, or even pretty. Isn’t that what mothers usually said about their children? That they were beautiful or handsome?
“Mom,” Julian said after he’d closed the door. “This is Kiara.”
Jill let go of Angela’s face and turned toward Kiara. “You’re the adopted sister.”
“She’s my sister,” Angela said, moving to Kiara’s side.
