Sisters by Danielle Steel Page B

at everyone. She was on the floor for all of two seconds before she ripped Zoe's bow out, and had Beulah cowering under a chair. Her personality did not reflect Tammy's, but she was definitely the fiercest dog in the pack, although the smallest. Tammy picked her up and scolded her, but the minute she set her down again, she had both dogs on the run.
    “She's hopeless,” Tammy apologized, and then looked her sisters over carefully. “God, you all look great. I missed you so much.” Tammy put her arms around her mother and hugged her, and a few minutes later Jane stood up. Her job was done. She had welcomed them all home and could leave them to their own devices now. She knew they'd sit up for hours, catching up, and exchanging secrets and stories about their respective lives. It was time for her to retire and leave them alone.
    “I'll see you in the morning,” she said with a yawn, as she left the kitchen. It was so good to have them home. These moments were the high point of her year.
    “Sleep tight, Mom, see you tomorrow,” they all said, and kissed her goodnight, just as they had as children.
    They helped themselves to a bottle of wine after she left, and sat and talked until after four in the morning, and then they walked upstairs. Their home had been unusual in that each of the girls had had her own room as a kid. They all commented on how strange it felt at times to be back here, and in their old beds, where they had grown up. It made them feel like children again, and brought back so many memories. They all said that they thought their mom looked well, and they promised to discuss the anniversary party the next day, to make a plan. They had so much to talk about, and share, and whatever tensions had existed between them over the years had vanished when they met as adults. The only one who still seemed childlike to them was Candy, but she was still very young. The others felt very grown up, and however young she was, Candy led a very grown-up life. Money and success had come to her early, and in some ways it made her seem more mature than she really was. Sabrina and Tammy worried about her, and talked about it sometimes. Candy was exposed to some pretty scary stuff, in the course of her career as a supermodel. They just hoped she could handle it. Her eating issues were a serious concern to them. Annie was more relaxed about it, and always said she thought she was fine. But in some ways, she was less aware of the challenges that Candy faced on a daily basis, and the dangers in her world. Annie's life was so simple and arty, she couldn't really conceive of the life that Candy led. It was life on another planet to her. Her older sisters were far more aware of the dangers and risks, and the toll they could take on her.
    They kissed each other goodnight and went to their own rooms, and a few minutes later Sabrina walked back into Tammy's room and told her how happy she was to see her. Tammy was sitting in bed, wearing a pink nightgown, with her halo of red curls.
    “I wish you didn't live so far away,” Sabrina said to Tammy sadly.
    “So do I,” Tammy said. “I miss you guys so much. It comes back to me in a rush every time I see you. But there's no decent work for me here. All the big shows are done out of L.A.”
    “I know,” Sabrina said, nodding. “I should come out to see you more often. I get so bogged down here,” she said with regret.
    “We all do,” Tammy said, nodding. “It all goes by so fast. I hate waiting six months to see you. Sometimes I wish we all still lived here, with Mom and Dad, and we weren't all grown up.”
    “Yeah, me too,” Sabrina said, and hugged her again. “I'm glad we still come home like this. At least that's something. Maybe we should organize a trip and all go over to see Annie in Florence. That would be fun. Maybe Mom and Dad would come too.”
    “I'm not sure he would, but Mom might. He always thinks they won't survive without him in the office.” And then Tammy