All My Sisters and Me

Prologue

Giselle Bradley slowly emerged from the car and stared up at the massive lakefront wood-and-stone cabin. With its wraparound

porch and balcony that spanned the entire second level, amazing was the only word to describe it. She’d been to Big Bear Lake a few times but had never stayed anywhere other than a hotel.

She glanced over at her husband, Shawn, who stood at the front of the vehicle.

“When Mom said she wanted something large enough for the entire family, I guess she meant it.” Shawn chuckled and went to

get their bags.

Giselle followed. “No lie. How many bedrooms did she say it had?” Her in-laws had decided they wanted the entire family to

spend a week together in celebration of their fortieth wedding anniversary. Giselle would have preferred a nice dinner instead,

but when Yvonne Bradley made up her mind about something, it was hard to say no. While the outside looked huge, Giselle still

had some misgivings about so many people being under one roof for seven days. While she didn’t have any issues with her other

sisters-in-law, Kamryn, who could do no wrong in her in-laws’ eyes, was an entirely different story.

“I think she mentioned nine. It also has five or six full bathrooms and a couple of half baths. That should be enough for all you women,” he added, slanting her an amused glance.

“Oh, hush.” She rolled her eyes and grabbed her rolling tote. She turned at the sound of cars coming up the driveway. The

rest of the family members pulled in behind them. Her mother-in-law was out of the car almost before it stopped.

“Oh my goodness. Look at this place. It’s fabulous and much bigger than I thought. Everybody should have plenty of room to

spread out. I’m so looking forward to this week.”

Giselle sighed inwardly and headed inside. I’m glad someone’s excited.

It took a good hour to bring everything in and get settled. They’d opted to bring food for the first night’s dinner and breakfast

the next morning. Later, they’d get a menu together, make a list, and shop for everything else at the local grocery store

tomorrow.

After the children had gone to bed, the adults sat around one of the large kitchen tables that seated ten comfortably and

discussed the menu.

“We’ll do the shopping in the morning,” Shawn said. He and his brothers often shopped for the family functions.

“You boys always bring a smile to my face,” Mama Yvonne said, standing. “I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing week.”

“Me too” and “Same here” sounded around the table.

“Actually,” Giselle started, “since we’re going to be here for an entire week, I took the liberty of planning several activities.”

“Here we go again,” Kamryn muttered. “Didn’t you just hear Mama Yvonne say a nice relaxing week?”

Of course it would have to be Kamryn who said something. “I also decided to divvy up the kitchen duties,” she continued. “And

since you’re supposed to be the cooking queen, Kamryn, you can take care of organizing all the food.”

“Absolutely not! This is exactly why I didn’t want to come. I’m sick and tired of you always trying to take over every family get-together, then telling everybody

else what to do.”

“I’m not the one taking over. You’ve done that from the first day Tariq brought you to meet the family.”

“Take over how? By bringing someone’s favorite dessert or pitching in to help with the dishes or cleanup? At least I’m not the one sitting

down like she’s a queen on somebody’s throne. And don’t get me started about you needing to keep your hands to yourself.”

Shawn raised his hands. “All right, all right. Let’s calm down.”

“I don’t think so.” Kamryn stood and pointed a finger at Giselle. “Every single time we have some kind of family function,

you’re always trying to start something. I’ve put up with your crap from the moment we met, and I’m tired of always being

the bigger person and letting things slide. But today I’m done! It’s not happening this time.”

I’m sick of her and have been for a long time, Giselle thought. Well, she wasn’t going to let things slide either.