they saw her and waved back.
The twenty-hour flight, including a stopover in Zurich, had exhausted her, but seeing their faces gave her a second wind. At seventeen, Ryan towered over their mom and even Philip was an inch or so taller than the last time she’d seen him. And at fourteen, he still had some growing to do. Hope was a beautiful sight with her bright smile and kind eyes. She wore the orange, floral-print scarf that Maddie had sent her for her birthday, and dangling coral earrings to match. Hope wasn’t blood-related, but she was their mother to the core, just as Philip was their brother. Blood had nothing to do with how much they loved each other or how family was defined.
“Mom, guys! It’s so good to see you.” Maddie collapsed into Hope’s arms first. She clung on a few seconds longer and let herself feel welcome.
“Mmm, you smell so good,” Maddie said. Hope hadn’t changed her perfume for as long as she could remember and there was something so comforting about a mother’s scent. Maddie and her brothers used to love it when Hope dabbed her perfume on their pillows at night if they were afraid of bad dreams. Somehow, it had helped lull them to sleep, a reminder that they were safe and being watched over.
“Maybe you’re smelling mandazi. I asked Delila to make them as a special dessert tonight.”
“Are you sure you weren’t just using me as an excuse, Mom?” The donuts had been her mother’s favorite treat since she was little. Delila, their housekeeper, had told Maddie so. She’d been the family housekeeper since Hope was a baby, born with a heart defect. Hope’s parents—both doctors with demanding schedules—needed help at the time. They’d also hired Delila’s husband, Jamal, as the family driver. The two had been part of the family every since. After Hope married Ben and the entire family moved to Kenya, Hope’s parents had insisted that it was time for Delila and Jamal to help the next generation. They began splitting their time between the two homes and were loved dearly by everyone.
“She made us come along out of fear that we’d eat them all before you guys got home,” Philip said.
“You mean you didn’t come because you missed me?” Maddie gave him a big hug and then reached up to hug Ryan.
“What have you been eating? I’m supposed to be your big sister.”
Ryan grinned and patted the top of her head.
“Karma, for all the times you bossed me around.”
“Right.” Maddie chuckled. “I only have one suitcase and I’m ready to get out of here. I’ve had enough of airports. I was barely able to sleep on the flight over. Here, Mr. Karma. How about carrying the heavier one?”
He easily lifted the bag she’d broken her back carrying and then grabbed the second one Philip was reaching for.
“Hey! I was taking that one,” Philip said. “You’re such a show-off.”
“These, heavy? They feel empty,” Ryan told Maddie, ignoring Philip’s complaint.
“Here, Philip. Can you take this for me? My shoulder is aching.”
She slipped her laptop case off of her shoulder and held it out. She could have handled carrying it, but having your ego bruised at his age wasn’t fun. Philip took the bag from her and followed Ryan through the crowd.
“Let’s go before those boys challenge each other to a duel,” Hope said. “Jamal is waiting with the car.”
“How’s Chad?” Maddie asked as she and Hope followed the boys out.
“We heard from him last week. He’s okay. Sounded tired, but okay.” Hope put her arm around Maddie as they walked. “I worry. They have him in Afghanistan right now. I know your father is proud that his oldest son followed in his footsteps and joined the marines, but he worries, too. I’m more willing to say so out loud.”
“When will he get to visit?”
“Not for months. And soon, Ryan will be off to college and I’ll only have Philip around.”
“But you’re busy seeing patients. You won’t feel the empty nest.”
“A mother always feels it when her nest is empty. I feel your absence, too, my dear.” She gave Maddie a squeeze. “I’m so glad you’re here. Your father will be home by the time we get there. He was called out for work.”
“How’s he doing?”
“Good. He’s excited that you’ll be here awhile.”
A subtle pang of guilt made her stomach twinge. Here she was, nervous about staying in her parents’ house for so long, while her dad was excited about it. She smiled rather than lying in agreement. Maddie hated lying.
“I expect I’ll be pretty busy this trip. I’m supposed to stop by the law office tomorrow. I have the address. If Jamal is busy, I can always call a taxi.”
“Nonsense. Jamal already plans to help you out as needed. I’d rather you not drive here. It has been too long since you last did.”
Hope had never liked driving in Nairobi. It was nothing like driving in America and she’d always had Jamal take them to school or anywhere else they needed to go. Which wasn’t to say that Maddie hadn’t done it. Once, at sixteen, she’d taken the family car without permission. It hadn’t ended well and Jamal had taken the blame for the fender bender, not wanting her to get in trouble. He’d also told her parents that he’d forgotten the time and had, thus, picked up her brothers from school late, when in fact, he’d found the car missing. Halfway through that night, Maddie had woken her parents up and confessed. The guilt alone had been keeping her awake. Truth and justice. Probably why she’d ended up in law.
Jamal stood waiting by the same old black sedan he’d been driving for years. His salt-and-pepper hair was more salt than the last time she’d seen him, but he looked as tall, dark and handsome as ever. He and Delila were like having extra grandparents around. His face creased with a wide grin.
“Maddie. You’ve brightened the skies over Kenya already.”
Maddie gave him a big hug, then stood back as the guys loaded her bags into the car.
“I missed you, Jamal. How’s Delila?”
“She can’t wait to see you, but you’d think there were ten of you coming. She’s cooking for an army. From the looks of you, you could use some home-cooked meals.”
“Well, you know. I figure why bother eating if Delila hasn’t cooked it,” Maddie teased.
“I thought all that food was because we’re having company,” Philip said.
Ryan elbowed him and Hope scrunched her face.
“That was supposed to be a surprise,” Ryan said.
“No one told me it—”
“It’s all right, Philip. I forgot to remind you,” Hope said.
“He forgets everything. No wonder you’re not allowed to get a pet. Mom and Dad would have to remind you to feed it,” Ryan said.
“That’s not true.” Philip scowled at his brother as they climbed into the car.
“Remember what happened to Mad’s fish when she left for college?”
So that was how Barracuda died? Philip’s face turned red.
“That was years ago. I was like...five...and you were supposed to help feed it.”
“Boys,” Hope warned. This was going to be a long ride.
“Who’s coming over?” Maddie asked, trying to help break up the argument. Her first thought was Simba and Chuki. Her uncle Simba was Hope’s brother. His actual name was Dr. David Alwanga, but Hope had always called him Simba, so when Maddie and her brothers moved to Kenya, they’d insisted on calling him Uncle Simba, too. It was so much more fun. “Dr. Alwanga” was a well-known scientist at the university and