It was hard to believe Sierra was back in town. Dalton reached in the fridge and grabbed a water bottle, downing it in a few swigs before tossing it into the trash. He wondered if Sierra would be at Bennie’s house for dinner tonight or if she’d find a way to weasel out of it, the way she’d up and left town two months after he joined the Marines. The only reason he even knew Sierra had left was because he called and her phone was disconnected. Then he got in touch with Bennie and she told him that Sierra had moved to New York. Bennie gave him Sierra’s new number, which he called and texted a few times, but no response. He even tried emailing her, but got nothing back.

Sure, things had been a little tense between him and Sierra before he went into the military, but they were working through it. Things were coming to a head with Dalton’s dad. The old man’s drinking had gotten out of control and Dalton was tired of being used as a punching bag. It was during that time he started fighting back, not only defending himself against his dad but fighting against society in general. Dalton was drinking too much, and Sierra feared he was following in his father’s footsteps—something Sierra wouldn’t tolerate considering her own mother was an alcoholic.

Dalton plopped down on the couch and propped his feet on the coffee table, turning on the TV to a game show. How could Sierra leave him like she did, without a single word? Maybe he should’ve demanded answers today. No, then she would know how much she’d hurt him. It was better to let her think he didn’t care. She obviously didn’t care. She had her rich boyfriend and posh life in New York. It was better to let sleeping dogs lie.

Maybe he should cancel dinner tonight. No, he couldn’t do that to Bennie. With the play coming up in two weeks, Bennie was desperate for his help. Also, he wanted to find out about her knee. Dalton’s mom had left when he was a baby, abandoning him and his dad. Dalton had no memory of his mom, but he suspected his dad had been madly in love with her, one reason he’d turned to the bottle. Or was alcohol the reason his mother left? It was hard to know which came first because Dalton didn’t remember a time when his dad wasn’t drinking.

Bennie was the closest thing to a mother that Dalton had, partly because he and Sierra had been inseparable growing up and Dalton spent a lot of time at her home. That was one of the reasons why Dalton purchased the Drexel mansion when it came available. It felt like home to be here next door to Bennie. And aside from all that, he’d told Sierra that he would purchase it one day, proving that he’d kept his promises even though she hadn’t.

Work had gotten crazy this afternoon. The electrical work at the new construction project failed, the inspector saying it wasn’t up to code. Now Dalton had to get the subcontractors back out to fix the problems. Setbacks were a normal part of the construction process. Normally, Dalton let it roll off his back; but today it had gotten to him—probably because he was on edge due to Sierra.

Luckily, the damage to his truck wasn’t too bad. Sierra’s rental car had taken the brunt of the impact. When Eddie showed up on the scene, he asked the usual police officer questions, one of which was, “At what point did you put on your brakes?”

“Brakes?” Sierra asked, her face draining, letting Dalton and Eddie know that she’d not hit her brakes. In addition to having to pay for the accident, Sierra also got a ticket. Eddie apologized for giving an old friend a ticket but explained that the law was the law. He told her she could avoid having it go on her insurance by taking an online driving course. Sierra explained that she didn’t have auto insurance because she either walked or took the subway in New York.

What kind of person didn’t even have auto insurance? Sierra lived in a different world. She was no longer the girl he’d fallen in love with. Then again, it had been seven years since he’d last seen her. Plenty of time for a person to change.

His phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket and saw the familiar number. “Hey, Janie.”

“Hey, how was your day?”

“Crazy, busy. How about yours?”

“Good. I picked up a new job.”

“Congratulations.”

“Yeah, I’m excited. It’ll give my business a big boost.” She hesitated and then her voice grew rushed, like she was nervous. “Hey, the reason I’m calling is because I was wondering if you’d like to come over. I’m making fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits.”

Dalton’s mouth watered just thinking about it. “I wish I could,” he said regretfully. “But I promised Bennie I’d have dinner with her tonight. We’re going over plans for the set design of her play.”

“Oh, yeah. I’d forgotten that you committed to that. It’s too bad,” she pouted. “Would you like for me to go with you?”

“No,” he said a little too quickly. “I’d better go alone this time. Bennie hurt her knee, and I wanna make sure she’s okay.” He realized at that moment that a small part of him hoped Sierra would be there. Maybe he was a glutton for punishment, but he couldn’t seem to help himself.

Her voice sounded hurt. “Okay.” Then she brightened. “But you’re coming to the party a week from Saturday, right?”

“Right,” he said dully, a weight settling in his stomach. Janie was putting together a huge birthday bash for her dad.

She laughed. “You sound about as excited as a man going to the electric chair.”

He frowned. “You know I’m not big on those events.”

“I know, but it’ll mean a lot to Daddy and me if you come.”

“I’ll be there, but I won’t be happy about it,” he grumbled.

She let out a wicked giggle. “The silent brooding type. Love it!” There was a slight pause. “Hey, I’ve got another call coming in. I’d better get it.”

“No problem.” He was ready to get off the phone anyway.

“I’ll see you tomorrow for an early lunch.”

“Okay, I’ll meet you at Clydedale’s.”

She made a kissing sound into the phone. “Ciao.”

“Ciao,” he said mechanically, feeling like he was talking about a dog. He scratched his head, wondering again how it was that he’d started dating Janie when the two of them were so different. Oh, yeah, because she pursued him relentlessly and because it was better to have someone to go out with rather than sit home alone.

Other than Sierra, there had only been one other girl that Dalton had gotten serious with. He met Miranda in Seattle. She was the office manager at the construction company where he worked. Dalton and Miranda got along well. One thing led to another until eventually she wanted to get married. He thought he could do it, had hoped he could forget the past and commit wholly to someone else. But at the last minute, he couldn’t. So, he came back to Sugar Pines and started over. It felt good to be home, and he was enjoying running his business.

With Sierra back, Dalton was glad he was dating someone because she’d know beyond a doubt that he’d officially gotten over her. If Sierra was there tonight, it would be a good thing. He could get closure on her and finally move on.

* * *

Sierra felt like she was on one of those shows where someone kept tossing her another thing to juggle. After her conversation with Parker, Sierra holed up in her old bedroom and used her phone as a hotspot to answer the thirty or so emails she’d received from her team members about the Pristine Pizza account in preparation for tomorrow’s brainstorming session. She outlined some preliminary ideas for the marketing plan and sent them to everyone. The ideas were mediocre at best, but at least it was a start. It was hard to come up with ideas on the spot. Her brain needed time to mull it over. Hopefully, by tomorrow, her tired brain would be able to summon a few golden nuggets, because she had nothing now. She closed her computer, switching her brain to dinner.

Luckily, by the time Sierra got back downstairs Bennie’s friends were gone. She breathed a sigh of relief. “Bennie,” she called. She went through the rooms, and found Bennie sitting at the kitchen table, talking on the phone, her crutches leaning against the chair beside her.

The kitchen was still a mess, but at least someone had put away the sandwich items. Sierra pulled out a chair and sat down. Bennie talked for a couple more minutes, then ended the call with a smile.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” Sierra responded.

“Did you get your work done?”

Sierra cocked her head. “How’d you know that’s what I was doing?” She looked at the crutches. “You didn’t come up the stairs, did you?”

Bennie chuckled. “Heaven’s no. I couldn’t go up those stairs in this condition if my life depended on it. I asked Nadine to check on you. She told me.”

Sierra had been so involved with her work that she hadn’t realized Nadine was even there. “What time is Dalton coming?”

Bennie glanced at the clock on the wall. “In about two hours.”

Yikes! She was about to jump into action until Bennie held up a hand. “I was hoping we could catch up.”

Yes, Sierra was hoping so too and then she came home to all of Bennie’s friends. “But the dinner—”

“I pulled some steaks out of the freezer and put potatoes in the oven.”

Sierra glanced over, just now noticing the platter of steaks on the counter.

“We’ll make a salad and garlic bread.”

The surprised look on Sierra’s face must’ve spoken volumes because Bennie laughed. “Yes, I do have enough sense to manage on my own when you’re not here, dear.”

Heat crept up Sierra’s collar. Evidently, she didn’t or Nadine wouldn’t have called and Sierra wouldn’t have had to leave New York to save the day, but she didn’t want to point that out and rub Bennie’s nose in it. “What’s the prognosis on your knee?”

“A torn ligament.”

“Will it require surgery?”

“Doctor Clarke thinks it’ll heal on its own if I take it easy.”

“That’s a relief.”

Sierra shook her head. “I’m glad you’re okay. I still can’t believe you climbed up a ladder.”

“Well, somebody had to fix those blasted stage lights.” Her eyes narrowed. “I would’ve been just fine, but I leaned over too far and lost my balance.”

A shudder ran down Sierra’s spine. “You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck. You know better than to pull a stunt like that … especially at your age.”

Bennie arched an eyebrow. “Careful,” she warned.

“You’re not a spring chicken anymore.”

“I’m not Methuselah either,” she countered, jutting out her chin, causing the loose skin underneath to jiggle.

Sierra leveled a stern look at Bennie. “What about the outdoor theater?”

She folded her arms over her chest. “We discussed this already over the phone.”

“Yes, we did, but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about it now.” Sierra’s body tensed as she balled her fists. “How could you overextend yourself like that?”

Bennie waved a hand. “It’ll be all right.” She smiled in dismissal. “Now that you’re here. The play will go great and I’ll have more than enough money to get caught up.”

The hair on the back of Sierra’s neck stood. “You don’t know that. What if something goes wrong? You could lose the mansion.” Her voice caught. “Does this place not mean anything to you?”

Bennie blinked rapidly, touching her glasses. “Of course it does.” She shot Sierra a hard look. “Don’t forget I’m the one who’s been here these last few years while you’ve been off gallivanting in New York.”

She rocked back. “That’s not fair. You know why I left. You even told me you thought it was a good idea.”

“Yeah, I told you that you needed to find yourself. But I didn’t think you’d just desert us all and start living another life.”

“I didn’t desert you, Bennie. We talk all the freaking time.” Blood was pumping so furiously through Sierra’s head it felt like it might explode.

“What about Dalton?”

She let out an incredulous laugh. “What business is that of yours?”

“Everything about you is my business,” she said stiffly. “Don’t forget who raised you.”

Sierra drew in a breath, trying to gain control of her emotions. She and Bennie ripping each other to shreds wouldn’t accomplish anything. Anytime Bennie got backed into a corner she’d pull the look-who-raised-you card. “I’m grateful to you Bennie, for everything you’ve done for me. I know it wasn’t easy losing Mom the way we did, and then you had to step in.” Her words came out flat, devoid of emotion.

Bennie chuckled. “I didn’t say that because I was expecting gratitude. I said it to remind you that as far as I’m concerned, you’re my daughter.”

Unexpected tears welled in Sierra’s eyes. She couldn’t stop one from spilling over and dribbling down her cheek. Hurriedly she wiped it away.

“I just want you to be happy,” Bennie said, a tender look in her eyes.

“I am happy,” Sierra countered. “Very happy. Parker’s a great guy—the catch of the century.”

“Yes, he may be the perfect guy, but is he the right guy for you? There’s a difference, you know.”

“Of course he’s the right guy for me,” she shot back. “We’ve been dating for two years.”

Bennie looked thoughtful. “What happened to the engagement?”

“We decided to wait a while, give it more time.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Two years isn’t long enough?”

Sierra chuckled darkly. “Evidently not enough for Parker.” Oops, she probably shouldn’t have said that out loud. The last thing she wanted was to give Bennie ammunition to use against her.

“I see. Interesting.”

The comment hit too close to home, she flinched. Sierra didn’t know what mind game Bennie was playing, but it wouldn’t work.

“I know you’ve got your head set on trying to find a hero like those in the Jane Austen novels you spent your childhood pouring over.” Before Sierra could protest, Bennie held up a hand. “Not saying that’s a bad thing because I love immersing myself in a good book. But you have to know the difference between fact and fiction.”

She scratched out a laugh. “Really? You’re telling me this? The woman who parades around town in crazy costumes …” she made air quotes with her fingers “… to get into character. I don’t think you have any room to talk.” She folded her arms over her chest, leveling a death-glare at Bennie.

“Well, at least I know the difference between fantasy and reality.”

Sierra jerked, her mind racing to articulate a comeback, but none came.

Bennie let out a sigh. “Look, I’m not trying to beat you up.”

“That’s exactly what you’re doing.” She’d been ripped to shreds by various people in Sugar Pines from the moment she drove into town, and she was getting sick of it.

Bennie gave her a tender smile. “Life doesn’t come wrapped up in a neat bow. And heroes rarely come riding in on a white horse to sweep you across an English countryside.” She let out a heavy breath, her keen eyes assessing Sierra. “You know, when I agreed to let you go to Camp Wallakee, I thought it would be a good diversion from the accident.” She shuddered. “No twelve-year-old should have to go through what you did.”

Emotion clogged Sierra’s throat as she thought about those dark times. Her mother Claire was driving drunk. She weaved into the oncoming lane and hit a car head-on. Claire was killed instantly, while the other driver was hospitalized and died a few days later. As fate would have it, the other woman killed was the mother of Ivie Jane Compton, Sierra’s best friend.

From that moment on, Ivie Jane hated Sierra’s guts. She persuaded all the other girls to turn against Sierra too.

Bennie interrupted her thoughts. “When I sent you to Camp Wallakee, I never dreamt that you’d come home fixated on some silly pact that would shape the rest of your life.”

Really? Bennie was going there? After Sierra came home from camp, she’d made the mistake of telling Bennie about the Jane Austen Pact that she’d made with her new friends. Bennie had laughed until tears dripped from her eyes. “Honey, that’s the biggest load of crap I’ve ever heard. You don’t need some stiff-shirted Mr. Darcy sitting around sipping tea in a necktie, but a down-to-earth guy who loves you with all his heart. You’re not a prim and proper girl. What makes you think you’d even like a guy like that? Or that he’d like you? You need someone you can relate with.” Sierra could relate to Parker just fine. Maybe he was a little too consumed with the agency at times, but that would change when they got married … if he ever got around to proposing, that is.

“I don’t want to fight with you,” Bennie said.

Sierra barked out a laugh. “Well, you could’ve fooled me.” She sucked in a breath, clutching her hands.

“I’m glad you’re happy.”

“What?” she spouted reflexively, then blinked a few times when the words sank in. “Really?” she gulped, studying Bennie to see if she was telling the truth.

Bennie nodded. “Really. And I really appreciate you dropping everything and coming here to help.” Her eyes went misty. “It means the world.”

Sierra swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat as she nodded.

They sat quietly for a minute or two, lost in their own thoughts until Bennie brought her hands together. “Okay!” She smiled brightly. “We’d better get busy. Dinner won’t cook itself.”

“No, it won’t,” Sierra agreed with a chuckle. No matter how much she and Bennie argued, Sierra couldn’t deny that they loved each other. With Bennie, you wanted to wring her neck one minute and hug her the next.

It was okay that Bennie didn’t understand Sierra’s insistence about holding to the Jane Austen Pact. Harley her best friend and fellow Camp Wallakee member understood. Harley was going to Cambridge for her master’s program and had met the perfect Englishman, her very own Mr. Darcy in Wyoming of all places, where Harley was from. Harley just met him, but it looked promising.

Of course, all wasn’t perfect for Harley. She was home in Wyoming to spend time with her dad, who was dying of cancer. It had pierced Sierra’s heart when Harley talked about her dad and how she couldn’t imagine life without him.

Unfortunately, Sierra knew all too well the pain of losing a parent. Both parents, actually. Sierra’s mother Claire became pregnant when she had a summer fling with a man passing through Sugar Pines. Claire never divulged his identity, and Sierra suspected he never even knew he had a daughter.

Her thoughts went back to her conversation with Harley. Sierra admitted how disappointed she was that Parker hadn’t proposed and how it had thrown her into a tailspin. Surprisingly, both she and Harley had been forced to rush home at the same time to attend to dire problems. Sierra let out a long sigh. Despite the uphill battle, she knew everything would turn out well in the end. It had to! And when she and Harley ended up with their dream guys, people would have to eat their words. Speaking of eating, they really did need to get cracking if they were going to get everything done before Dalton arrived.

Dalton’s coming to dinner. The thought sent tingles shooting through Sierra, despite her best effort to quell them. She had to remain calm and collected.

No matter what happened, she wouldn’t let Dalton hound her into telling him why she’d left Sugar Pines. And she certainly wouldn’t tell him why she’d left him.