When You Were Mine (Adams Sisters) by Adrianne Byrd Page A

room into the kitchen.  “You know, take a vacation from mass producing.”
                  “She’ll do no such thing,” Marlin piped up, scooting from the chair and then plucking his grandson from the stroller.  “Did you forget your mother and I had six children back to back?”
                  Sheldon and Lincoln beamed.
                  Frankie and Peyton rolled their eyes.
                  And Flex simply shrugged.
                  “That’s what I thought.” Marlin harrumphed and then returned his attention back to his grandson.
                  “So!” Frankie turned attention back to Flex.  “Are you seeing anyone new?”
                  “Just my husband,” Peyton chuckled.
                  “Peyton!” Lincoln colored.  “That’s not funny!”
                  “Did I miss something?” Frankie asked.
                  “Yeah.  Whatever it is, it sounds pretty good.” Sheldon gaze bounced around the table.
                  “It’s nothing.” Lincoln shot his wife and brother-in-law a lethal glare of warning.
                  Frankie leaned over and planted a comforting hand against Lincoln’s shoulder.  “When are you going to learn?   Nothing stays a secret in this family?”
                  Before Lincoln could protest any further, Peyton brought the two sisters up to speed on this morning’s shenanigans.
                  “I swear, I thought he was Peyton,” Lincoln kept protesting.
                  Peyton jabbed her hands against her hips.  “You keep saying that like it’s a compliment or something.”
                  Lincoln tried to respond, but only managed to open and close his mouth.
                  Flex enjoyed ribbing Linc and was relieved the subject and focus has been shifted from him.
                  “So, Flex.  You didn’t answer my question.  Who are you dating now?” 
    Frankie turned her dark, smiling eyes toward him.  His luck had run out.  “I, uh...” He glanced around the room to see all eyes on him¾including his father’s.  He cleared his throat.  “I’m single at the moment.”
    “Fabulous!” Frankie clapped her hands.  “My hairdresser is a wonderful man and I’ve been telling him all about you.”
    Flex drew a deep breath and rolled his eyes.
    “Wait, wait.”  Sheldon held up a finger.  “I have the perfect man for him.”
    Peyton laid a comforting hand against his shoulder.  It wasn’t really necessary.  He’d prepared for this moment ever since he’d decided to come home.  And he would likely have to go through it all over again once he traveled up to L.A. to visit Joey and Michael.
    “Actually,” Lincoln cleared his throat and drew everyone’s attention.  “I actually know someone.”
    The kitchen fell silent.
    “You know someone for what?” Flex asked cautiously.
    Lincoln’s face reddened as he shifted in his chair.  “I, sort of, told a friend, er...this dude about you.”
    The room went silent again for a spell, and then Frankie laughed.  “Let me get this straight.  You found a date for Francis?”
    Lincoln continued to darken as he nodded.
    Sheldon joined her sister laughing, and Peyton and then Marlin.
    “Well, Lincoln,” Frankie said, admiringly.  “You are now an honorary member of The Nosey Sisters’ Network.”
    “Hear!  Hear!”  Peyton and Sheldon exclaimed.
    Flex slumped back in his chair.  “Great.  That’s all I needed¾another sister .”

                  First thing Monday morning, Joey bolted into Rodeo Drive Cosmetics Surgery Center.  As always, the moment she entered the spacious and elegant center she felt like a wart on an extremely large nose.
                  She rushed down to the long, polished wooden floor toward the receptionist area, hoping