Three Down the Aisle by Sherryl Woods

looker, isn’t she? At least, that’s what everyone is saying. I remember Cornelia bringing all those girls in when they were young. Can’t say I recall which was which, but all four of them were real beauties. It’s Melanie who’s here, is that right?”
    Mike had only caught a glimpse of the others this afternoon, but it had been enough to know that Lena was exactly right. Each one was gorgeous. “Actually they’re all here. The others arrived this afternoon for a visit.”
    “Well, isn’t that nice?” Lena said. “I imagine they’ll be in before too long. This was the first place they came whenever they hit town to visit their grandmother. It was a tradition I doubt they’ll break.”
    Mike bit back a groan. He hoped she was wrong about that. Melanie would not be pleased to find him here.
    “Daddy, are we gonna eat? I’m hungry.”
    He glanced down into Jessie’s upturned face. All traces of her moodiness had vanished. “Lena, you can forget about the menus. Put in an order for a dozen steamed crabs for us, one soda and a beer. It’s a nice night. We’ll find our way to a table on the deck.”
    “I’ll get the order in right now,” Lena said. “You’re in luck. It’s still early in the season, so supplies are low, but we got in some beauties this morning.”
    Mike and Jessie made their way to the outdoor deck and chose a table with a good view of the mallards and gulls on the water. In another hour or two, the deck would be packed with locals and tourists, here for the excellent food and the spectacular sunset reflected off the inlet from the bay.
    For now, though, Mike and Jessie had it to themselves. Lena brought their drinks, then hurried back to greet the next batch of customers.
    “Daddy, do you think that duck is lonely?” Jessie asked plaintively, pointing to a female mallard drifting on the water apart from the others.
    Mike gave the question the serious consideration Jessie expected before shaking his head. “No, I figure she’sjust taking a break. She’s probably been pestered all day long and needs some time to herself.”
    Jessie nodded, her expression thoughtful. “That’s what I think, too.”
    Mike studied his daughter closely and realized that she still wasn’t entirely satisfied. Something else was clearly on her mind. “Something bothering you, kiddo?”
    “I was thinking,” she began, regarding him earnestly, “it would be fun to have sisters.”
    Mike gulped. “Really? What on earth put that idea into your head?”
    “Melanie has sisters. You and Miss Lena said so. And my friends at school have sisters and brothers, too. Sometimes they’re pests, but sometimes a pest is better than not having anybody around.”
    “Are you lonely?” he asked, his heart in his throat. He’d convinced himself that they didn’t need anything more than what they had—each other. “I thought Lyssa Clayborne was your best friend. You two arguing or something?”
    “Friends are different. They don’t live with you,” his daughter explained.
    “Then you are lonely,” Mike concluded.
    As if she sensed that she had somehow hurt his feelings, Jessie shook her head. “I’m just saying sisters would be fun—better than brothers, probably, but brothers would be okay, too.”
    He grinned at her. “You think there’s a store where we can pick out a few?”
    “No, Daddy!” she protested, giggling. “You can’t buy sisters.”
    “Oh, right,” Mike said. “I forgot.”
    “No, you didn’t. You were teasing me.”
    “Only because I like hearing you laugh,” he said. “Sorry I can’t be more help when it comes to the sister thing.”
    “That’s okay,” Jessie said, sounding resigned. “Maybe someday we’ll get a mom and some sisters.”
    Eyes stinging, Mike turned away. It was thoroughly frustrating to discover that he couldn’t give his child one of the few things she really wanted. Feeling inadequate, he looked up just in time to spot Melanie and her sisters emerging