Fantastic. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

Sierra pumped her fist and let out a little shout of exultation as she ended the call. She glanced at Bennie whose nose was buried in the script for Macbeth. “That makes three appointments set up with tourist companies tomorrow.”

“That’s nice,” Bennie said absently, pushing her glasses higher up on her nose.

“One would think you’d be a little happier, since I’m saving your bacon,” Sierra muttered.

“The mansion, dear. You’re saving it, not my bacon,” Bennie retorted.

Sierra rolled her eyes. “Same thing.” She was making progress. Next, she needed to head outside and snap a few pictures of the outdoor theater. Then she’d write some copy and compile everything into a PowerPoint presentation. “Do you have bios of all the actors in the play?”

Bennie looked over her glasses. “Yes, I do. Would you like for me to make you a copy?”

She was thinking it would be nice to have it in electronic form so she wouldn’t have to retype it, but that was a stretch for Bennie. “A copy would be nice,” she finally said.

After she’d come back from Clydedale’s she lay down and slept for a couple of hours, then felt much better. Parker called her right after she woke up. He complimented her design idea for Pristine Pizza, then he asked if she was doing okay.

“I’m fine. Why?”

“I dunno. You just seem a little distant. Is your aunt okay?”

“Yeah, she’s a tough old bird.” She didn’t go into the details of all that had happened the night before with the hospital and Dalton.

“How much longer do you think you’ll be there?”

“I’m not sure,” she hedged. She’d have to find a way to tell Parker the truth. But four weeks … that seemed so freaking long, even to her. How was she supposed to explain it to Parker? She hated the strain coming between them, even after two days. What would it be like several weeks from now? She’d believed that she and Parker had a strong relationship, but now? Now, she wasn’t sure of anything. How could everything fall apart in two measly days?

She was still smarting from seeing Dalton with Ivie Jane. And then there were Clyde’s strange comments. He meant well, but he couldn’t know how much he’d shaken her. Was she still in love with Dalton? She trembled at the thought, partly out of fear and partly out of desire. No, it was just fear!

The doorbell rang once before the door burst open. “Hello,” Nadine boomed, stepping into the office. “It’s just me. I made you some turtles.” She smiled at Sierra. “I know how much you love them.”

She took the white box from Nadine. “Thank you. That was so nice of you.” She did love Nadine’s turtles. It was an interesting feeling to be surrounded by people who knew her so well, even though she’d been away from them for years. She thought she’d changed so much, but maybe at the core she was still the same uncertain girl she’d always been. Had she built Parker up to be more than he was? Overlooked his flaws so she could make him into the perfect guy she’d been seeking since youth? She wasn’t sure of anything anymore.

Nadine waved a hand. “Oh, it wasn’t any trouble.”

She sat down in a chair and primly crossed her legs, adjusting her pants so the crease was straight. Her black eyes flickered over Sierra and Bennie. “What’re you girls up to?”

“Sierra’s working on promotion for the play, and I’m going over blocking for the script. Landon asked for my help. I’ve got a few music students coming this afternoon, starting at three.” She paused. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

“I took the day off.”

“That’s nice.” Bennie placed the script on the desk, turning her full attention to Nadine.

Nadine looked a little older than Sierra remembered, but not much. Her short black hair had a few more streaks of gray and the lines around her eyes were more pronounced. But that was about it. Nadine was a sharp dresser and well educated. She spoke French. And when she wasn’t working at the bank, traveled overseas with her husband, Hal. Now that Sierra had been exposed to the glamour of the city, Nadine didn’t seem larger than life like she did when Sierra was a kid. But still, she was a very classy lady.

“What’re you doing on your day off? Besides making candy and visiting us?” Bennie asked.

Nadine’s eyes sparkled. “Hal and I are heading into Charleston to see the symphony.”

Sierra had a hard time picturing Hal at the symphony. He was a country boy through and through, much more comfortable watching a football game on TV while popping open a cold beer. But he dearly loved Nadine and was happy to take her wherever she wanted to go.

Nadine gave Sierra a speculative look.

“What?” Sierra tugged at her shirt, wishing she’d taken the time to fix herself up a little more today.

“So, I spoke to Phyllis Watson.”

Crap! Not good. She braced herself for what was sure to come.

“She said you and Dalton had a fender bender yesterday.”

Bennie peered over her glasses. “What? Is that the accident you and Dalton were talking about last night?”

“Yes,” Sierra admitted, feeling like she was ten years old again and had just gotten in trouble for tracking mud over the carpet. “I ran into the back of Dalton’s truck.”

Bennie gave her a censuring look. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Your friends were here, and I didn’t want to worry you …” she pointed to Bennie’s knee “… under the circumstances.”

Bennie clucked her tongue, shaking her head. “I’m glad you are both okay.”

“Yeah, me too.” They were paranoid about car accidents after what happened to Sierra’s mother.

Nadine gave Sierra a pointed look. “How are things with Dalton?”

Sierra tensed. “What do you mean?”

“Well, Bennie said he came over for dinner last night.” Nadine tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing gold, coin-shaped earrings.

“To discuss the set design,” Sierra countered. Nadine’s hawk-eyes scoped her for any sign of weakness. Be strong, she commanded herself.

“And then you rode home from the hospital together,” Nadine continued.

Sierra saw the spark of interest in Bennie’s eyes. “What is this? The Spanish Inquisition?” she mumbled, her face going hot. She felt like the two of them could see right through her and knew she still had feelings for Dalton.

“Don’t get your panties in a wad,” Bennie laughed. “Nadine’s just asking a simple question. How did it go?” she repeated.

Sierra rolled her eyes. “All right, I guess.” Geez. “We were thrown together due to circumstance. We got along okay, I guess … considering that we’re both dating other people.” She smiled inwardly when Bennie’s face fell. Yep, she was still playing matchmaker, refusing to give up on the idea of Sierra and Dalton getting back together. “By the way, I didn’t realize Dalton and Ivie Jane were dating.” The words cut leaving her mouth.

Nadine waved a hand, her expression going sour. “Yeah, I don’t see that lasting. Ivie Jane’s a talented woman, and her restaurant’s outstanding. But Dalton’s way out of her league.”

Sierra jerked like she’d been slapped. Then she pinned Nadine with a look. “What did you say?”

Nadine squirmed in her seat. “Only that I don’t think Dalton and Ivie Jane are well suited for each other.”

She leaned forward. “Don’t you mean that Dalton isn’t good enough for Ivie Jane? Or me? That’s what you said shortly before I left for New York, remember?” Nadine told her that if she remained in this town with Dalton that she’d end up just like her mother, a drunk. When Sierra said that Dalton could change—had promised profusely that he would change, Nadine argued that a zebra couldn’t change his stripes. “He’ll promise you the world and leave you in ruin,” Nadine finished. Those words had seared into Sierra’s soul, were the impetus for her transformation.

“Um …” Nadine’s face drained as she moistened her lips. “About that.” She laughed hesitantly. “Those things I said … I may have been wrong.”

Sierra’s head burned like it was splitting in two. “‘May have been wrong?’” She gritted her teeth. “What’re you saying?”

“Dalton’s not the man I assumed he was.” She clenched her hands. “He’s a much better man than I realized.” Her voice trailed off.

Sierra clutched her neck, an incredulous laugh building in her throat. “How can you sit there and say that to me?” The room started to spin. What the heck was happening to her? She couldn’t believe Nadine would have the audacity to sing such a different tune. “No!” She shook her head. “I took your advice and left Dalton. I built a new life.” The walls closed in on her. “I’m happy with my life in New York. I love Parker.” An icy fear trickled down her spine as she clutched the arms of the chair. Even in her own ears, the words came out sounding like a lie. She detested the looks of pity on Nadine and Bennie’s faces. “What about the alcohol?” she half shouted.

Nadine looked at Bennie who nodded for her to continue. “He no longer drinks. Hasn’t touched a drop for several years now.”

Tears stung Sierra’s eyes. “Really?” she squeaked. She shook her head. “Even if I wanted to get back together with Dalton …” she held up a hand “…and I’m not saying that I do. But at any rate, it’s too late. Dalton and I live in different worlds. He’s with someone else.” The words fell like daggers from her lips as she scowled. “Ivie Jane Compton. Of all people,” she muttered. “The one person who made my life a living nightmare.”

“Ivie Jane’s mixed up,” Bennie said. “She had no right to treat you the way she did. She was hurt and took it out on you. The whole thing’s just so unfortunate. If Claire only knew all the trouble she caused.”

Sierra’s mind was spinning out of control. Dalton no longer drank? He’d built a good life for himself—was a good person. She didn’t know what to do with this. She couldn’t deny that she still had feelings for Dalton. And now she knew she’d made a terrible mistake by leaving him. She should’ve never listened to Nadine. Regret pumped poison through her veins, squeezing her heart to the size of a marble. What was done was done. Even if she wanted to start over with Dalton, she couldn’t. Dalton was glad Sierra had left him. He told her that point blank. He was with Ivie Jane now. And her life was in New York with Parker. Not here.

Suddenly, she had to leave. She stood. “Excuse me,” she mumbled, fleeing the room.