Love Makes the Difference (Sully Point Book 1) by Nicole Smith Page A

"Oh you are
the big sister, aren't you? Shocked to hear that the baby chick is leaving the
nest? It's time for her to leave home."
    "Wow, things really are changing around here. Are you
okay with it? You'll be all alone here."
    "I'll be fine. Might be nice to have the house to
myself. Besides, it makes me proud when I see how you all are doing."
    Holly put down her coffee and crossed the room to stand next
to Frank and give him a hug. "I miss you, Daddy," she said softly.
    "I miss you too, sweetie. But now I'd better get on
down to the store. When are you meeting Anna?"
    "Right now. I'd better go too."
    "Good luck today. Shopping with Anna is bound to be
interesting."
    "Hey, at least she wants to go this time. And anything
will be an improvement over the last time I tried to get her to shop."
    They looked at each other and both started laughing.
    "Yep," Frank said. "Ought to be interesting."
    * * * *
    Anna was smiling at Sam as she handed him a box of coconut
donuts, when Holly entered the bakery. She felt the smile freeze on her face as
she waited for Sam to notice her sister. Holly came behind the counter and gave
her a hug while Sam looked on quizzically.
    "Holly, this is Sam Carter. Sam, this is my sister Holly."
    She watched as Sam shook hands with Holly. And was stunned
when his attention came right back to focus on her face, not Holly's. Why
isn't he looking at her like everyone else does? Why is he looking at me? Then
she realized Sam had asked her a question she hadn't heard.
    "Uh, what?"
    Sam gave her a gentle smile. "I was just telling Holly
how we're going to Alberto's tonight and then I thought to ask if you like
Italian food."
    "Oh, yes. I do."
    "I'll see you tonight then. Pick you up at seven, all
right?"
    "That's fine. I'll be ready."
    He smiled again, and said, "Nice to meet you Holly,"
as he walked out of the bakery.
    "Well! He's gorgeous, Anna."
    "I know," she replied glumly. "I can't figure
out what he could possibly see in me."
    "Maybe he's drawn to you for yourself ."
    "Come on, really?"
    "Really. You're something special, Anna, if you'd just
let yourself see it."
    Anna stared at her sister.
    Holly nodded. "Okay then, let's get going. Is Kayla
subbing for you?"
    "Yes, she's in the back. Kayla!" Kayla came to the
front and greeted Holly.
    "Now Holly, before we go, I want you to look at Kayla
and at me and be honest. Are these uniforms in any way attractive?"
    Holly stared at them for a minute and then gave a little
laugh. "Oh dear, those may have been a mistake. You look a little like
those pastel cupcakes."
    "Exactly. There would be nothing wrong with wearing
something like nice blue jeans and the same color shirt--white or a color, I
don't care. I'm sick of polyester. So what do you say?"
    "You too, Kayla?" Holly asked.
    Kayla nodded vigorously.
    "All right, Anna. Do it whatever way you want. Just
make sure you guys sort of match. Come on, we've got to get to the mall."
    Anna paled. "The mall? That's a half hour away. I
thought we'd shop here."
    "Anna, no. There are only two dress shops here in town
and they are a few seasons behind. You go change out of that horrid uniform so
we can leave."
    Anna walked away shaking her head and muttering. "The mall ."
    * * * *
    Sam settled at his computer after he finished eating coconut
donuts. A run on the beach would definitely be happening after that treat. He
felt good. Seeing Anna in the morning gave a lift to the start of his day. His
smile faded as he thought about yesterday evening and how upset she'd been. The
Tom Anders' photos--he never would have imagined they might cause Anna pain.
But she was right, he had to own them as his own photos. Tom wasn't a separate
person from him. And what he did in that persona reflected back on him as Sam.
    It made him think about the use of the pen name in his work.
He'd always hidden out, even from the very beginning. At first it was because
he didn't think he was any good. He didn't want badly reviewed books to