Anna glanced down at her cell phone for what seemed like the millionth time, staring at the time. The estimated time of arrival was two-thirty, as the driver had said, and it was two-fourteen.

It had been a long morning filled with taxi rides, two flights and a Greyhound ride. Oddly enough, tired was the complete opposite of what she was feeling. She was excited and maybe even a little anxious. While the sights thus far hadn't seemed promising, she remained hopeful.

Rain started to coat the window, just before the 'Welcome to Bozeman!' sign that very obviously needed updating. She wasn't sure if it was a sign of good luck, or a bad omen of things to come. Slowly, the rain came to a halt, just as they pulled into the bus station. It made her land on the decision that it was good luck.

Anna searched the busy little building for a familiar face, before finding Abigail and Carson. "Abby, Carson!" She called, waving her arms." Their heads turned in her direction and Abigail made a dash her way with Carson not too far behind her.

For the last ten or so months, the three of them talked and made plans to meet, until it all came to fruition. Joseph and Sarah slowly had become incorporated in her life, as well. They were cautious, as to not overwhelm her, but they voiced their disappointment when they realized they would both be working when Anna's bus arrived.

"I can't believe you're finally here!" Abigail wrapped her in a huge hug, which Anna didn't hesitate to reciprocate. "This is so unreal. How was the flight? Are you hungry? We've got an awesome diner about a mile from here that has burgers that are out of this world-,"

"Why don't you let the girl breathe for a second, Abby," Carson teased. He took his turn to hug their sister, before stepping back and adjusting the black cowboy hat on his head. "Those burgers are pretty good, though...and their shakes? Don't even get me started."

Anna smiled at them, more than happy to just be there. "I could go for a burger," she agreed. "Honestly, I'm starving."

Abigail pumped her fist in the air in victory, while Carson led them out to his beat up white truck. For the short trip, Abigail went on and on about all of the things she couldn't wait to show Anna.

The town and especially the buildings were a lot smaller than she was used to. The streets were less crowded and the air didn't reek of garbage that had collected over years. It actually smelled good. It smelled of fresh air and flowers that were being sold on sidewalks, and fresh bread from the bakery they passed.

Carson pulled into a parking spot right in front of a building that read Delta's Diner. It had freshly planted flowers out front, along with a few tables for outdoor seating. They walked inside and Anna was in awe of the rustic setup of the place. The three of them walked to a set of barstools at the counter and took a seat. "This place looks incredible," Anna thought aloud.

"Well aren't you just the sweetest," a woman walked through a set of saloon-style doors that let back to where Anna assumed was the kitchen. "This must be the sister you two've been talking non-stop about. I'm Delta Iverson." She outstretched her hand to meet Anna's.

"Anna Baker," she introduced back, accepting the handshake with a smile.

"Pleasure to meet you, sweetheart," she beamed. "Well. I've got two out of three son's here, you can meet. "Levi, Wyatt, c'mere, boys," she called.

One of the boys came from the kitchen, like Delta had. "This is my middle son, Levi. He's the same age as your sister," she introduced him. "And this," she wrapped her arms around the younger boy that had run up excitedly from one of the tables. "This is Wyatt, he's six." She squeezed him tight. "Boys, this is Anna."

Wyatt ran back around the counter and gave her a big hug. "Hi, Anna."

Anna's smile only widened at the little boy that was gripping onto her waist. "Hi, Wyatt."

"Nice to meet you, Anna," Levi regained her attention. "I've got to get back to these burgers. Carson," he dipped his head in his direction, in greeting. "Abby..." his eyes lingered a little longer on hers than the others, before disappearing back into the kitchen.

When Anna turned to look at Abigail, her face was as red as a tomato, but she wasn't going to push for answers- especially not in front of the guy's mother.

"Where's Scott off to?" Carson asked. Anna assumed that was the third son that was missing from the group.

"Getting the cattle ready for tomorrow," she shook her head. "All that boy knows is cattle and horses. I keep telling him he needs to live a little. Get out there, meet a pretty girl." As soon as the words fell from her mouth, her eyes landed on Anna. "Say, will you be helping at the rodeo tomorrow?"

Carson knocked on the mahogany in front of him, shaking his head in amusement at what Delta was getting at. "Can't put her to work her first full day in town."

"She may want to want to see her brother barrel race," Delta objected innocently. "Carson, here, is one of the best I've ever seen," she told Anna. "Maybe you can meet my boy Scott. He'll be there early to help out with the juniors events, too—it's Wyatt's first year, so it's a big deal to 'em." Worry flashed in her eyes as she glanced to her son, but she masked it fairly well.

"Ms. Delta, rodeos might not be Anna's thing," Abigail reminded her timidly.

"Don't underestimate a city girl," Anna countered with a playful smile. "I want to get the full Bozeman experience. If you guys are going, I'm going."

The three of them finally decided on something to eat and finished up with some milkshakes. "You guys were right," Anna nodded, after drinking down half of her milkshakes. "I have never had a burger this good."

Carson grinned at her seal of approval and looked down at his watch. "Mom and Dad will be home soon," he spoke aloud. "We'll probably meet them there if we leave now." He took his wallet out and threw some cash on the table. "Thanks, Ms. Delta."

"My pleasure, sweetie," she beamed, grabbing the plates from the counter. "Anna, it was a pleasure to meet you, don't be a stranger, okay?"

As they started towards the small ranch that the Collins' owned, Anna felt her stomach beginning to knot. Seeing Anna and Carson for the first time in person was comparable to meeting friends from over the internet. It was something Anna had experienced several times, which made it an easy transition. But meeting her biological parents was something that couldn't be prepared for.

The crying stage was bypassed early on. All of the 'why them and not me' questions were answered the same. 'We weren't ready and wanted you to have a life we couldn't have given you'. They were eighteen when she was conceived and just shy of nineteen when she was born. Joseph was working as a mechanic and Sarah was a waitress. They had just moved into their own house- nothing special, just a one bedroom one bath house that needed plenty of TLC. The decision to give Anna up wasn't an easy one, or at least that's how they described it. Anna couldn't even say she was mad at them. She had a pretty amazing life in New York with anything she could have possibly wanted. She would be lying if she said she'd felt entirely whole, though.

They started down the dirt road that led to a decent sized house just outside of a fenced in area where horses ran amuck. There was another truck in the driveway and two other cars. 'Change is good,' Anna reminded herself, yet again.

"Jo! They're here!" Sarah called inside, as she saw the truck appear at the end of the driveway. "Jo!"

Just as Carson put the car in park, Joseph joined Sarah on the porch. He appeared more nervous than she did, but just as nervous as Anna, who could feel her heart drumming in her chest with each step taken towards them.

Her breath hitched in her throat as she looked them both over. It felt surreal, for her to be meeting them. All of the excited conversations and the planning of when and how was leading up to that moment and she was still trying to believe it. "Hi," she breathed, matching both of their teary eyes and grins. She took a step towards them and wrapped her arms around the both of them and they did the same.

Anna knew she'd had her time to be mad, but she also knew that there was nothing that could be done to change it. Them giving her up led her to live the best possible life and now she was getting to experience another life- what would've been, if you will.

Sarah kissed the top of her head, trying her best to control the tears that were flowing freely. She waved for Carson and Abigail to join them and they did. For the first time in her life, Anna felt whole.

The rest of the evening was spent helping Anna settle in. They bought another bed to fit inside of Abigail's room. The girls unpacked Anna's things, all while laughing and joking about close to anything.

"So..." Anna plopped down onto her bed, once they finished unpacking her clothes. "Sister to sister...what's the deal with you and Levi? I saw the way you got all red when he looked at you. Are you two like, a thing?"

Abigail's eyes widened at the inquiry. "I-what? No. No!" She shook her head vigorously, but the same crimson color was taking over her cheeks, just as it had before. "Me and Levi are just friends."

Anna put her hands up in surrender. "If you say so," she sighed, not buying it at all. She picked at the lacing on her pillow. "I'm just saying that it looked like he was really into you, is all."

Abigail sat straight up on her own bed. "What? Really?"

A cheeky grin spread across Anna's face. "Duh!" She laughed at her sister's reaction. "I knew you liked him. Why don't you just ask him to hang out. We're all adults."

"I know," she sighed. "I just don't know what we would even talk about. I never really had anyone to give me guy advice. I'm twenty-one years old and I've only ever had one boyfriend. How pathetic is that?" She threw her head back on her pillow, unable to help laughing at herself.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'm almost twenty-four and I've only had one boyfriend," Anna countered. "Dating wasn't really my thing, if you know what I mean." Before Abigail could press her further for information, or even just advice, Anna's phone chimed a single time with a text from her mother.

I hope you made it well. We love you very much.

Anna shot back a quick I love you text and slid her phone under her pillow. Everything from the day was beginning to catch up with her in one swift kick of exhaustion. A knock came from the door and it opened right after. "We just wanted to come and say goodnight," Sarah said softly. "Let us know if you need anything."

"Sleep tight, busy day tomorrow," Joseph added in. "Goodnight, girls."

"Goodnight," Anna and Abigail chorused.

Anna slid under her blanket on her bed and stared out of the window that was next to her. The view was a lot different from a typical night in the city. It almost made her homesick. She squeezed her eyes shut and focused on the sounds around her until she finally drifted to sleep.