You know, it’d be so much easier if you’d just swallow your pride and go talk to Dalton.” Bennie shook her head remorsefully. “I can’t stand to see you moping around. You’ve been like this for days.”

Sierra ground her teeth together, her eyes narrowing to slits. “I have not been moping around.” She drew herself up. “I’ll have you know, I’m perfectly fine.” She wasn’t fine. She hadn’t slept well in days, and she kept replaying that kiss—could still feel the burn from it on her lips, could still smell Dalton’s clean masculine scent with a hint of musk and mint.

Bennie let out a long sigh. “Well, you certainly don’t look fine.” She was sitting at the kitchen table playing Solitaire. Sierra was at the sink loading the dishes from breakfast into the dishwasher. It had been a week and a day since she and Dalton had kissed and then everything fell apart. She’d not seen hide nor hair of him since.

According to Bennie, he’d been coming every evening to work on the set, but Sierra wasn’t about to go out there. If Dalton Chandler wanted to talk, he knew where to find her. She still couldn’t believe he’d pushed her away like that, just because she wasn’t ready that instant to flush her life and career down the drain and put down roots in Sugar Pines. He was an egotistical jerk who was way too good looking for his own good. Well, she hoped he had a long and happy life with Ivie Jane Compton. Her insides shriveled at the thought.

“Your foolish pride’s gonna be the death of you.”

She threw down the dish towel and spun around. “What?” An unreasonable anger seized her. “My foolish pride?” She belted out a hard laugh. “I’m not the one who put the mansion in jeopardy to finance a stupid theater.”

Bennie pulled the tie on her robe tighter, her eyes sparking. “You’re out of line.”

A raucous laugh scratched Sierra’s throat. “Seriously? Do you know what a difficult situation you’ve put us in?” Her voice rose. “Do you? I’ve tried everything I can think of to boost ticket sales for the second round of performances and we’re only at thirty percent capacity.” Her voice went shrill. “Do you know what that means, Bennie?”

Her jaw went slack. “I thought you’d worked out something with the tourist companies.”

“Yeah, one gave me the brush-off. One sounded fairly interested, and the third is on board … six months from now. That’s how far in advance they book their events.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

A deep weariness settled over Sierra as she folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t want to cause you anymore stress.” She looked at Bennie’s knee. “And have you end up in the hospital again.”

Bennie let out a long sigh. “You know what? You should stop worrying about the mansion and take some time for yourself. Go shopping for a dress to wear tonight at Boyd Compton’s party.”

An incredulous laugh rose in Sierra’s throat. Had she really just heard her aunt correctly? “I have to worry about the mansion. Otherwise, we’ll lose it.”

“It’ll work out. You’ll see. I’ll make an appointment with Leo Farnsworth at the bank the first of next week. I’m sure the two of us can work something out.”

Sierra’s hand flew to her hip. “Well, according to Nadine, unless you can produce twenty-two thousand dollars, the bank’s going to foreclose.”

She clucked her tongue. “Nadine’s a worry wart. She’s exaggerating.”

“And you’re like an ostrich, burying your head in the sand. But it won’t work this time, Bennie. You can’t just close your eyes and hope the problem will go away. We have to face it.”

“Yes, you’re right. That’s why I’ll go and talk to Leo next week. Okay?”

Sierra blew out a breath. “Okay.” She and Bennie ripping each other apart wasn’t going to solve anything.

Bennie’s eyes lit up. “All right it’s settled then.”

“What’s settled?” Sierra smelled a trap.

“You’re going to get something nice to wear for Boyd Compton’s party tonight. Oh, and while you’re out, maybe you could pick up some milk and bread. And ham and cheese.”

A sense of horror trickled down her spine. “I’m not going to that party,” she spat. The thought of being there with Dalton and Ivie Jane churned her gut sour.

Bennie peered over her glasses. “I promised Dalton and Boyd that I’d be there tonight.” She punched the table with her finger, enunciating every word. “And I can’t go alone.”

Sierra felt the noose closing in around her as she touched her neck. “What about Nadine and Hal? Can’t they take you?”

“Nope. They’re having their kids and grandkids over for dinner tonight.”

She waved her hand. “Well, what about Wesley? Can’t he take you?”

“He has to work tonight.” She flashed a checkmate smile. “So, it’s you and me, kiddo. Are you going shopping?”

“No, I’m not,” she huffed. She might be getting roped into going to the stupid party, but she was drawing the line at going shopping for it.

Bennie’s eyebrows went down in a V. “Well, what’re you wearing then?”

“Something that I already have.” Geez Louise. The woman could pester the horns off a goat.

“What?” Bennie pressed.

“A dress.” Her voice took on a spiteful edge. “Don’t worry. It’ll be something nice. I won’t embarrass you.”

“We’ll see.” Bennie rolled her eyes.

Sierra’s phone buzzed. She reached in her pocket to retrieve it. Parker. Was he calling about work? No, that wasn’t it. Everything was on schedule for the Pristine Pizza account. Ross Snyder, the owner, went gaga over the old-fashioned soda shop idea. All was good with the team. This had to be a personal call. She’d been dodging Parker’s calls all week. And when she couldn’t avoid talking to him, she’d kept the conversation short and relegated to surface items. She was sure Parker knew that something was wrong, but it would have to ride for a while because she wasn’t ready to talk to him yet. First, she had to get this thing with Dalton sorted through.

It was scary how much Dalton dominated her thoughts the past week. And what was even worse, she actually missed him. How was that even possible? Was she losing her mind? Probably. Yesterday, she’d called Harley, her best friend from Camp Wallakee. She’d hoped the conversation would help her get back on track, but it did just the opposite. Harley was falling for some cowboy, the antithesis of a Jane Austen hero. It was like Harley was throwing everything they’d planned and worked for right out the window. And Harley even had the audacity to suggest that Sierra give Dalton a second chance. Had the whole world gone nuts?

Yes, it had gone nuts … including her, because she was thinking of taking Harley’s advice. Despite her best efforts to steer away from Dalton, all roads kept leading back to him. Heaven help her!

Bennie put down her cards. “Have a seat.”

For a second Sierra thought about refusing, but then sighed irritably as she pulled out a chair and slumped down.

Bennie looked her in the eye. “Okay, it’s time for the two of us to talk turkey.”

Uh, oh. She didn’t know if she was up to having a heart-to-heart with Bennie. She felt haggard and defeated and so dang unsure about everything. Before coming home, everything was clicking. Sure, she was disappointed that Parker didn’t propose, but it would come … eventually. She scrunched her brows. At this point, she wasn’t sure that she even wanted Parker to propose.

“How are you doing?”

The tenderness in Bennie’s voice brought tears to Sierra’s eyes. She hiccuped a laugh. “Not too good,” she admitted.

Bennie nodded. Then she took a deep breath, her lips forming a straight line. “I’m going to ask you a simple question, and I want you to give me a truthful answer.”

“Okay,” she said wariness trickling over her.

“Are you still in love with Dalton?”

She laughed in surprise, balling her fist. “What?”

Bennie sat back and folded her arms over her chest, eyeing her.

Her mind ran through a dozen answers, creative ways to dodge the question. But then she experienced a blip of clarity. Just like that, Bennie had pulled away the superfluous and gotten to the root of the problem. “Yes,” she heard herself say. It was actually a relief to admit it out loud. Her pulse cranked up a notch. She was in love with him now as much as she’d ever been. All the time apart, the goals she’d set for herself, the Jane Austen Pact, her bright future in New York … None of it could withstand a handful of days with Dalton.

“He loves you. You love him. What’s the problem?”

“Well, for starters, he’s a jerk!” She bunched her eyebrows together, the anger resurfacing. “He doesn’t understand that I might need a few days to shift gears before throwing my life away.”

Bennie cocked her head. “Is that what you think? That you’d be throwing your life away by staying here and choosing Dalton?”

Crap! Every time she turned around she was offending someone. She pulled at the collar of her t-shirt. “I’m not trying to come across as a snot,” she mumbled. “Only trying to express how I feel.” If she couldn’t say these things to Bennie, then who could she tell?

A tiny smile curved Bennie’s lips. “Believe it or not, I totally get where you’re coming from.”

She jerked, her eyes going to Bennie’s. “You do?”

“Yeah.” She laughed dryly. “I know it’s hard to believe from looking at me now, but I was young once. I always dreamed of going to New York and performing on Broadway.”

“Why didn’t you?” The answer came the instant she voiced the question. “It was because of me, wasn’t it?” A pit settled in her stomach. Bennie got saddled with a twelve-year-old kid to raise. Of course she couldn’t go anywhere. She’d been stuck here her entire life. No wonder she was determined to put on those plays, build her outdoor theater. As she looked across the table at her aging aunt, it hit her that Bennie was still a beautiful woman with her silver hair, bright eyes, and porcelain skin. All in all, the two of them really weren’t that different.

Bennie reached across the table for Sierra’s hand, her eyes going moist. “Raising you has been the greatest blessing of my life.”

Tears brimmed in Sierra’s eyes. “Really?”

“Really. You’re my daughter, and I love you with my whole heart. I want you to be happy. You have a good man who loves you, and you love him.”

Could she and Dalton make it work? The notion sent hope rising in her breast. But could she give up her career? Then again, she wouldn’t have to. There were advertising agencies in Charleston. Eventually, she could start her own agency, if she wanted.

Bennie quirked a smile as she removed her hand from Sierra’s. “That little mind’s going a mile a minute. What’re you thinking about?”

A grin spilled over her lips. “I was thinking that you’re a wonderful aunt … mother.” The word landed softly on her lips, a proclamation of the heart. “Thank you.”

“No thanks necessary, love. That’s what mom’s do.” A tear rolled down her cheek as she laughed and swiped it away like it was a pesky insect. “Okay, enough of the mushy stuff. What’re you going to do about Dalton?”

“I’m not sure.” Her mouth tightened. “I’m still ticked at him.”

Bennie chuckled. “The more things change …”

“The more they stay the same,” Sierra finished with a laugh. She and Dalton had always fought and loved hard. He was so intense that fighting was often the only thing he understood.

“I’ve got one more bit of advice,” Bennie said, looking thoughtful.

“Okay.”

“You’ve had some hard knocks, gone through things that no person should ever have to experience. But it has made you strong. Much stronger than you realize.”

Was she strong? She didn’t feel strong.

“Life is giving you another chance to find real happiness. Not the New York version that comes wrapped in a fancy bow with a hefty price tag. But lasting happiness with a man you’ve loved since practically birth.”

She gulped, trying to swallow back the tidal wave of emotion rising in her throat.

A smile played on Bennie’s lips, her voice growing practical. “Here’s how I see it. You’re beautiful …” her eyes twinkled “… somewhat intelligent, part of the time.”

“Hey,” Sierra countered.

Bennie laughed. “The point is, dear, that you’ve got the world at your feet. And even better, you’re not married to Parker or even engaged. You have the wonderful ability to do what you want. The choice is yours.” Her eyes burned into Sierra’s as she leaned forward. “Sierra McCain. The question that you need to ask yourself is this … What is it that you truly want?”