She was tying her apron around her waist when there was a knock on the door. She answered, expecting Marley popping down for coffee. But no. It was Saira.

Damnit. So much for brushing her sister off. Saira was looking altogether too chipper for nine a.m. on a Saturday, and was carrying a large plastic container.

“I’m on my way to work,” she said, dropping the container on the kitchen counter. She approached and put her hand on Reena’s forehead. “You said you had the flu.”

“I had a cold. I’m feeling better.”

Saira raised one brow, looking at the ingredients laid out on the counter, eyeing the jar of yeast especially. “What are you making?”

“Challah bread.”

She picked up the jar of instant yeast. “You know, long-fermented breads are much better for you. I read an article about the molecular changes wheat flour undergoes during sourdough fermentation.”

Now Saira approved of Reena’s starters? “You didn’t seem to like sourdough when you threw Bob out the window.”

“I apologized for that. And you made new ones. No harm done.” Saira smiled, white teeth gleaming under the kitchen lights.

Saira honestly looked amazing these days. A few inches taller than Reena, she had brown skin a shade lighter, and brown hair a shade darker. She’d been a cute, chubby child and continued to carry more weight in her teens, but her healthy-living kick and career as a dietician left Saira strong with toned muscles. After Joran’s cheating, though, Saira had started to lose weight rapidly. Lately, she seemed to be more into healthy balance than depriving herself. And she looked so much better now that she was back to herself.

Saira opened the container she had deposited on the counter. An overwhelming scent of black pepper wafted over. “I woke up early to make you bone broth in the pressure cooker. This is like super-food when you have a cold. Do you know how many minerals and nutrients are in bones? The broth is rich in amino acids, and all that collagen will do wonders for your skin. I put extra black pepper to help loosen all the phlegm in your throat.”

“You cooked. For me?” Reena was skeptical. Was this to weaken her resolve over the eggplant dip?

But Saira just smiled. “Don’t put it in the microwave. The radiation will zap out all the antioxidants. A gentle heat on the stove is good. This is still warm, but the natural gelatin might thicken it when it’s cold. Do you know how good that gelatin is for your joints? It’s never too early to start preventing arthritis.” Saira patted Reena’s shoulder before plopping herself on a dining chair. “I have a few minutes before I need to leave for work. What’s new, sis?”

Reena raised a brow. Was Saira expecting … small talk?

“Um, nothing interesting. You know, same old. What’s going on with you?” This was weird.

“Things are great. Ashraf and I are thinking of going south for Christmas. You should come.”