Something else that just plain wasn’t right, Kayleen thought. How could she be a part of a sheik’s life? Make that a sheik prince?

“Not a happy part,” she murmured. “He didn’t want to help.”

“But he did and isn’t that what matters?”

Kayleen nodded, but her head was spinning. There was too much to think about. Too much had happened too quickly.

“Our bags! Kayleen, hurry! Our bags are here.”

Kayleen and Lina returned to the main room to watch as their suitcases were unloaded. The pile had looked so huge at the orphanage, but here it seemed small and shabby.

Lina lightly touched her arm. “Get settled. I’ll have dinner sent up. Things will look better in the morning.”

“They look fine now,” Kayleen told her, almost meaning it. “We live in a palace. What’s not to like?”

Lina laughed. “Good attitude.” She held out her arms and the sisters rushed to her for a hug. “I will see all of you in the morning. Welcome to the palace.”

With that, she was gone. As the door to their suite closed behind her, Kayleen felt a whisper of unease. A palace? How could that be home?

She glanced at the girls and saw fear and apprehension in their eyes. It was one thing for her to worry, but they shouldn’t have to. They’d already been through so much.

She glanced at her watch, then looked back at the girls. “I think we need to give the new TV a test drive. Here’s the deal. Whoever gets unpacked first, and that means putting things neatly in the armoire, not just throwing them, gets to pick the movie. Start in five, four, three, two, one. Go!”

All three sisters shrieked and raced for their bedroom.

“I can go fastest,” Pepper yelled as she crouched down in front of her suitcase and opened it.

“No way,” Dana told her. “I’m going to win because you’ll pick a stupid cartoon. I’m too old for that.”

Kayleen smiled at the familiar argument, then her smile faded. Dana was all of eleven and in such a hurry to grow up. Kayleen suspected the reason had a whole lot to do with being able to take care of her sisters.