Three months later …

Sierra gripped the steering wheel tighter and looked up at the darkening sky.

“Looks like a storm’s coming in,” Bennie said as if reading her mind. “But I think it’ll move in and out fast.”

“I don’t know about that. It looks like this front’s settling in for the long haul. Are you sure you still want to stop by Huntington Island? We can wait and go later.” Bennie had asked Sierra to take her to Charleston to shop for clothes, but insisted on taking a detour first.

“No, I want to go today.”

“Okay.” Sierra sighed heavily when she saw the stubborn set of Bennie’s chin. “I mean, who doesn’t love going to the beach during a torrential down pour?” she pouted. “Makes perfect sense.”

Bennie grunted in response.

There was no use in wasting her breath to argue because Bennie would do what she wanted anyway. A smile slid over her lips as she glanced at her strong-willed aunt. Bennie was just Bennie. There was no other way to describe her. She and Sierra would always disagree, but they’d gotten really close during the three months Sierra had been back at the mansion.

She looked at the road in front of her, her thoughts flitting over everything that had happened since she moved back to Sugar Pines. Macbeth was a marginal success. The production, itself, went well. They just didn’t sell as many tickets as Sierra hoped. Then again, the pressure was off because Bennie really didn’t need the money. As it turned out, Bennie had funded the outdoor theater using private donations, proving she was a lot sharper in business than she’d let on. Sierra was still networking with the tourist companies in the hope they could boost sales for the next production. The situation was looking promising.

True to her word, she was overseeing the Pristine Pizza account through to the end. She’d spoken to Parker a couple of times over the phone about business matters, and he was the consummate professional, cordial and reserved. Which was fine with her. The less she had to talk to him the better. She wished him well and was glad their relationship had ended amicably.

Sierra had a few interviews set up in the coming weeks with advertising agencies in Charleston. Things looked optimistic, especially with a major account like Pristine Pizza on her résumé. Dalton was worried about the commute, but it was only thirty minutes each way. He’d offered Sierra seed money to start her own agency, but she wasn’t ready for that yet. Maybe in a couple of years, but not now. Too many other things were commanding her attention. Well, one thing, actually … Dalton.

A dart of warmth pinged her heart and spread through her body. Things were so wonderful with Dalton that she often had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. They’d taken the best parts of their relationship from before and made it into so much more. She was so in love with Dalton Chandler that she could hardly form a clear thought. He knew the effect he had on her and often teased her about it. She’d dish it right back. And around and around they went.

The night before, Dalton surprised her by showing up outside her bedroom window a little after eleven p.m. She’d opened her window to question what he was doing.

“This couldn’t wait until morning,” he said in a husky tone that sent delicious shivers circling down her spine. His eyes took on a smolder, then he pulled her into his arms and gave her a series of tender kisses that melted her bones and sent her heart into flips.

Afterwards, they’d climbed on her bed and watched a movie on her laptop until they drifted off to sleep. As attracted to Dalton as she was, Sierra promised herself a long time ago that she’d never again make the same mistake. She would wait until marriage to take their relationship to the next level. Dalton applauded her decision and said he had no problem taking things slow.

She frowned. How long was Dalton going to wait before proposing? At this rate, she was destined to be an old maid. Then again, it had only been three months, but she was ready—readier than she’d ever been. She wanted to start a life with Dalton … eventually wanted children.

They turned into the entrance of the state park. Sierra pulled up to the guard station and offered a polite smile. “Hello.”

The young guy looked at her and Bennie. “Just the two of you?”

“Yep.”

He glanced at the sky. “It looks like rain.”

Sierra arched an eyebrow, cutting her eyes at Bennie. “Sure does.”

“I get the senior discount,” Bennie piped in.

“Will you be going into the lighthouse?” the guard asked.

Sierra shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“Yes,” Bennie nearly shouted, right in her ear. Geez. The woman was going to burst her eardrum. She turned to Bennie. “Are you sure? There are lots of steps and with the impending rain—”

Bennie leaned over, practically laying on top of Sierra as she looked at the guard. “Yes, we’ll be going to the lighthouse.”

He smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “That’ll be $12.25. Y’all have a nice day.”

Sierra paid the money and they drove through. “Are you sure you want to go to the lighthouse today?” She just had to ask once more for the record.

“Absolutely.” The skin under Bennie’s chin jiggled as she clamped her jaw.

“Okay.” It wasn’t just the rain that made Sierra hesitant to go to the lighthouse. This was her and Dalton’s special spot, and she wanted her first time back to be with him. They’d been talking about going but hadn’t set a time yet.

Oh, well. She’d have to just get over it because Bennie was determined to go.

They pulled into a parking space. Sierra opened the door and got out. The wind flapped against her clothes. She pushed her hair out of her eyes and waited for Bennie, but she just sat there. Sierra raised her hands. “Aren’t you getting out?” Bennie was acting even stranger than usual.

Bennie opened the passenger door and stuck her head out. “It’s a little windier than I realized. You go on out to the beach. I’ll be right behind you.” She held up her phone. “I need to call Wesley back. He’s been trying to reach me all morning.”

Sierra’s eyes rounded. “Seriously?”

“Go on,” Bennie said, shooing with her hands.

“Okay, whatever.” Maybe her aunt was losing it. She looked at the beach and white-capped waves thrashing against the shore in anticipation of the approaching storm. She walked across the parking lot and through the grass. When she reached the beach, she took off her sandals. The minute her bare feet touched the sand, a thrill ran through her. She squished her toes in the grainy sand, then took a deep breath, letting the briny taste of the ocean envelope her. She’d forgotten how much she loved this place. Suddenly, she was glad Bennie insisted on coming.

Sierra felt like a kid again, her steps light and nimble, as she half-walked, half-skipped along the shore. She was the only one here. It was liberating to have the beach all to herself! She looked up at the imposing lighthouse, the bottom third white and the top black. Memories from her childhood swirled around her like a kaleidoscope. She and Dalton running on the sand, playing in the waves, exploring the shoreline, hunting for crabs. It had been right over there by those rocks in the distance where Dalton first told her he loved her.

A laugh escaped her throat as she held out her hands and twirled. She looked out at the frothy ocean that was calling her name. Storm or not, she had to get out in it, craved being one with nature. She tossed her sandals on the sand and rolled up her jeans as high as they’d go.

She went to the edge. The water was warm and bubbly as she waded in. She leaned over and trailed her fingertips through the water, the motion of the waves swaying her body. She felt small amid all this water, stretching out to the horizon infinitely further than the eye could see. And yet at the same time, she felt large and fearless, like there was nothing she couldn’t accomplish.

“They have swimsuits for that.”

She gulped then spun around, her mind registering that she knew that voice as well as she knew her own. She let out a half-laugh. “Dalton? What’re you doing here?”

He was standing beside the shore in a black t-shirt and rolled up jeans, barefoot. His hair was blowing in the wind. She’d never seen a better-looking man. His physique was so chiseled he could’ve passed for a Greek statue. An easy smile stole over his lips. “Hey, Sie.”

Just like that, she was bathed in warmth. She let out a giggle, suddenly understanding why Bennie was acting so strange. “You and Bennie planned this whole thing, didn’t you?”

Dalton stepped into the water, moving next to her. “I might’ve had a little help,” he winked. He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. Sierra peered into his eyes which picked up the color of the ocean. The familiar spark of desire flamed as she moistened her lips, assuming he’d kiss her. But amusement touched his features. “You were having so much fun, I hated to interrupt.”

She chuckled, her cheeks going warm. “Well, I thought I was alone.”

“No,” he said, his voice going fierce. “I’ll never leave you alone. I love you, Sierra McCain. You and only you. Body and soul.”

She swallowed, emotion flowing like warm rays of blessed sunshine over her heart. “I love you too.”

“The past three months have been wonderful.”

“Yes, they have.”

“I want you to know that I swear I’ll do everything in my power to earn your trust … every day, every moment for the rest of our lives.”

Tears glistened in her eyes. “You already have.”

He nodded like he was internalizing what she’d said. Then a grin tugged at his lips. “Here’s how this is gonna go down. We’re gonna make a wager.”

She rested the palms of her hands on his muscular pecs, loving the feel of his arms around her. “What’s the wager?”

He looked at the restless sky. “I say the rain’ll fall in ten minutes.”

She pursed her lips. “Five.”

His eyes twinkled. “You’re on.”

“Wait, you forgot to name the prize.”

He cocked his head. “If I win, we get married two months from now.”

She laughed, her heart doing a dance. This was really happening! She was happy, so gloriously happy!

His eyes searched hers and in them she could see the culmination of a lifetime of love. “You game, Sie?”

A smile tugged at her lips. “Let’s see … what do I want.” She feigned thinking even though the answer came instantly. “I know. If I win, we get married next month instead.”

He broke into a large grin. “You’re on.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the first drops of rain dotted over them. A minute later, the bottom gave way as buckets came down.

“Looks like I’m the winner,” she chimed over the rain.

“No, I’m the real winner because I get you,” he murmured as his lips claimed hers.

Amidst the commotion around them, the bashing waves and rain, Sierra’s heart found peace. Forever was now. Forever was here. She’d gone around the world on a journey to find her heart and ended up right back where she started, in the arms of her best friend.

The one she would never forget.