Fated by Carly Phillips

kitchen. When he was a kid, he’d thought she had a sixth sense that told her which child walked in the door, but as an adult he realized they each had their own arrival time and his mother intuitively knew their routine.
    “It’s me,” he yelled back, bending to give his parents’ new dog, a small white fluffball that resembled a dust mop, a pat on the head, still marveling that they’d named the furry thing Kojak.
    “Well, come give me a hug,” Ella called out, as if she hadn’t seen him in ages. In reality, she’d stopped by the police station yesterday to say hello.
    He grinned and his shoulders eased downward. The insecurities that always followed thoughts of perfection fled at the warmth in his mother’s voice and the comforting smells of home.
    “Come on, little man. Let’s go say hi to Mom.” He headed for the kitchen, Kojak by his side.
    Along the way he passed the family room, where his father lay snoring in his recliner, football game on the big-screen television he and his siblings had bought them for Christmas last year. Knowing Simon needed his rest, Mike let him sleep.
    “Hey, Mom,” Mike said, entering the kitchen and giving her the requested hug before turning to the oversized pot on the stove. “Smells delicious.” He lifted the lid only to have his mother smack his hand with her wooden spoon.
    “Hey! No sampling.” She waved her weapon in front of his face, a knowing smile lifting her lips.
    Despite his father’s illness, she’d managed to retain her cheery disposition, and if a few more lines creased her beautiful skin, it didn’t affect her good looks at all. Wavy auburn hair curled naturally around her face, adding to her youthful appearance.
    “Hey, family!” His sister Erin’s voice sounded from the entryway.
    “In here,” Mike called back, then winced because his father was sleeping.
    “Dad’s snoring,” Erin said, striding into the kitchen with a box in hand. “A hurricane couldn’t wake him.”
    “That’s because I gave him a painkiller a little while ago. His back was hurting,” Ella said.
    Mike pushed past the fear in his throat. The old man was strong. He would pull through. “What kind of cake did you bring?”
    “Angel food. Dad’s favorite.”
    Of course. Erin was always the good girl, doing the right thing without being asked. Mike could barely remember to get himself someplace on time, let alone bring something with him.
    His sister placed the white bakery box on the counter. “Hi, Mom,” she said, pecking her cheek. “Big brother.” She grinned and pulled him into a hug.
    “Hey, pest.”
    She nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. “Jerk.”
    “Squirt.”
    “Enough!” Ella yelled at them like they were naughty kids, and Erin laughed.
    “It’s just so easy to fall back into it.” She shook her head and grinned. Erin was a true mixture of both parents. Their mother’s once-dark hair was now auburn with reddish highlights, and Erin’s was naturally so with Simon’s hazel eyes. Eyes that now danced with laughter. “So where’s Sam?” she asked.
    “Your brother isn’t here yet.” Ella glanced at the clock on the oven and frowned. “He’s late, and that’s not like him. Is he working a shift today? Maybe he got held up.” She looked to Mike for the answer, since he was now his brother’s boss.
    “Not that I know of, unless he switched with someone.”
    “Well, let’s sit down in here for a little while and wait. Give your father some more time to sleep.” Ella gestured to the Formica table and they all grabbed a seat, same chairs they’d each eaten in growing up.
    “How’s Dad doing?” Erin asked. “You mentioned back pain?”
    Ella nodded. “The doctor said he might try radiation this week instead of waiting until later on. It’s supposed to shrink the tumor and help with the pain. But he’s handling the chemo well enough. And his spirit is amazing,” she said with obvious pride.
    “What about you?” Mike asked his