Nile stood up when we walked in. Woods squeezed my hand to reassure me.
"Hello, Nile," I said in greeting, then turned to Woods. "Woods, this is Nile Andrews. Nile, this is Woods Kerrington."
Woods and Nile shook hands and I heard Nile thanking him for the accommodations, which I had no doubt were extremely impressive, knowing Woods. I looked over at the three girls sitting at the table, studying me. Each one had a different expression. They ranged from nervous to curious.
"Della, I'd like you to meet, Jillian, my wife."
Jillian was tall and slender with long, dark red hair. Her skin was a creamy ivory color and her eyes were hazel. "It's so nice to meet you, Della. Nile has told me all about your visit. I'm anxious to talk to you myself, as are the girls." She had kind eyes. The high cheekbones and excellent bone structure made me think of an uppity elitist woman but Jillian was very nice and down-to-earth. She was what I would have expected Nile to be married to. I couldn't picture him with Glenda. They were nothing alike.
"I'm glad y'all could come visit," I said, glancing down at the girls again. All three of them had their mother's hair color and eyes.
"Della, this is Jasmine, Jocelyn, and July. Girls, this is your sister Della," Nile said, standing to my left. I hadn't expected him to call me their sister. That was surprising. I also wasn't sure how I felt about that yet.
"It's nice to meet the three of you," I said.
"I love your dress. Is it a Marc Jacobs? I swear, I saw one in the new Marc Jacobs line just like it."
"You have Daddy's eyes. I've always wanted Daddy's eyes."
"Do you live on this beach?"
All three of them began talking at once. I was a little overwhelmed but I liked that they wanted to talk to me. I started with Jasmine. "I have no idea who Marc Jacobs is. I bought this dress on a shopping spree with my best friend at a thrift store in Atlanta." I could see the fascination in her face at the idea that I'd shopped in a thrift store.
"I do have your dad's eyes. It was a pleasant surprise but yours are equally beautiful. You have your mother's fantastic hair." Jocelyn blushed prettily and I wondered if she was the shy one.
"And yes, I do live on this beach. It's a wonderful place to live," I told July.
"Do you always shop in thrift stores? I've always wondered what they were like inside."
"I can play the piano. Do you play the piano?"
"Do you know how to surf? I've always wanted to surf."
Again all three of them asked me a question at once.
"Girls, let Della sit down and breathe. You will have plenty of time to drill her with questions, but don't scare her away just yet," Jillian said before I could start answering their questions again.
Woods pulled out my chair and I took a seat. He then took the one next to me. I was seated across from Jillian and he had taken the seat across from Nile. July sat to my right. Jimmy came up and put my napkin in my lap.
"Sweet tea, Miss Sloane," he said as he set the glass down in front of me. I could see the impressed gleam in Nile's eyes as he watched Jimmy deliver our drinks and appetizers without our having ordered.
"Thank you, Jimmy," I said, smiling up at him.
He shot me a quick grin before leaving the room.
"He is swoony. I saw him when we came in and he winked at me," Jasmine said from across the table.
I bit back a smile. Jimmy was beautiful and he knew how to make women of all ages drool over him. And while they were checking him out, he was checking out their men. I'd caught him appreciating Woods's backside on more than one occasion.
"Jasmine, please," Nile said, frowning down at her.
"Sorry," she mumbled.
"July just kicked me. I was just asking her to pass the bread and she kicked me," Jocelyn said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"All right, girls. That's enough," Jillian said, then looked over at me apologetically. "They were in the car all day and now they're overly excited about being here and meeting you."
"I'm fascinated. I've never been around little girls like this. Or sisters. It's very entertaining."