Prologue

Ava was bubbling with happiness about her upcoming wedding with Cameron. But now she had to go back and face reality again. The tumultuous day had swung from extreme sadness to joy as Cameron had given her the strength to bear the terrible news. She drew in a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and opened the door of her small home, ready to share with her sisters her happiness about the first good thing that had happened to them in years.

Rona and Janet looked up as she entered. Ava saw her sisters exchanging glances and felt a brief moment of unease, then she brushed it aside, and her face broke into a beaming smile. "Why are you too looking sad?" she cried. "Cameron and I are going to be married. Things are goin" to change. You wait an" see!" She looked at Rona, then at Janet. She had expected some positive reaction, even under their present tragic circumstances, but she did not get the one she had anticipated.

Janet stepped forward and took Ava"s hands in hers, and her eyes began to shed tears uncontrollably. "Ava," she said gently, "we have somethin" to tell ye."

Ava looked at Janet, baffled. She did not like the look on her sister"s face at all. What could have possibly gone wrong again? "Tell me," she said fearfully.

Janet left Ava"s hands and took a breath, calming herself down. She placed her hands on Ava"s shoulders this time and looked tenderly into her sister"s eyes. "I am sorry to have to tell you this, Ava, but Cameron is no" goin" to marry ye."