Love Enough For Two (Love Inspired) (4 page)

Sierra raised an eyebrow. “Why would she say something like that?”

“None of my business?” Libby’s voice rose and she continued as if Sierra hadn’t even spoken. “If it’s not my business, then whose is it? And why is she being so secretive?”

Sierra lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. She shared Libby’s confusion. Secretive had never been Stella’s style.

They sat in silence for several minutes, sipping tea and munching cookies, each lost in their own thoughts.

“The only thing I can figure,” Libby said finally, “is that maybe she’s getting some great tax write-off.”

“And maybe she doesn’t want to admit it, thinking it makes her look bad,” Sierra added.

Libby nodded. “It’s logical. Otherwise the decision to donate seems to come from left field.” She paused for a second. “And, before I forget, the attorney was right.”

“About what?” Sierra took a small bite of vanilla wafer.

“She doesn’t want any updates.” Libby lifted her cup of Chai but didn’t bring it to her lips. “Says she trusts me to make all the decisions regarding the project. Which is interesting considering she doesn’t trust me enough to tell me the reason behind the donation.”

“You’re going to do it, aren’t you?” Sierra leaned forward. “You’ve got to make sure this project is successful.”

“Are you crazy?” Libby laughed as if the thought was ridiculous. “I have my hands full working at the Waterfront and helping your mother with her catering. Besides you have to remember I’m not me this summer.”

Suddenly Libby tilted her head and stared at Sierra. An uneasy feeling coursed through Sierra at the look in Libby’s eye.

“You’ll oversee the project,” Libby said, her lips turning up in a satisfied smile.

“Me?” Sierra’s heart picked up speed and her hand rose to her throat. “You’re the one with the business background.”

“You don’t need an MBA to give input,” Libby said with a dismissive flutter of her fingers. “You’ve had firsthand experience. You’ve gone through the process. This will be your chance to give some good input.”

“But—”

“Sierra.” The look in Libby’s eyes said she understood Sierra’s hesitation, but her voice was surprisingly hard and unyielding. “Remember when Maddie had to be examined and questioned? You were so frustrated with the system. There were a lot of things you wished could have been done differently, little things that would have made it easier on Maddie and on you. Now, for whatever reason, you have the opportunity to make a difference.”

Sierra carefully considered Libby’s words. The crazy switch had seemed like such a game but maybe it was all part of God’s plan. Maybe He’d put her in this position for a reason. Maybe it was so she could make a difference. There was only one drawback.

“I’ll have to work closely with Matt Dixon,” Sierra said finally.

“I’ve seen Dix on television and for an old guy he’s pretty hot.” Libby’s lips turned up in a teasing smile. “If this Matt looks as much like his father as you say, working closely shouldn’t be much of a hardship.”

“You know how I feel about lawyers,” Sierra protested.

“What’s that old saying?” Libby lifted a perfectly arched eyebrow. “We all have our cross to bear?”

Sierra sighed. It was clear she wasn’t going to get any sympathy from Libby. And though Libby was partially teasing, what she’d said was true. Spending time with an attorney was a small price to pay for the opportunity to make changes that could affect children for years to come.

Yes, Matthew Dixon would be her cross to bear.

But only for the summer.

And only until the project was complete.

S
ierra leisurely swung Libby’s BMW Roadster into the secured parking lot down the street from The Hope Chest. It was nearly eleven—almost time for lunch. Though her workday was just beginning, Sierra didn’t feel bad coming in at such a late hour.

Dottie managed the early-morning shoppers with ease. After all, she’d been handling them alone ever since Libby had bought the store several years ago. Morning hours weren’t Libby’s favorite and she’d rarely made it to the shop before noon.

The thought of her friend now having to be at work by eight brought a smile to Sierra’s lips. Libby had thought it would be “fun” to be poor for the summer but she was quickly discovering there was nothing even remotely enjoyable about rising at the crack of dawn and working two jobs to make ends meet.

While the switch in positions had condemned Libby to a summer of hard labor, Sierra had been sentenced to one of leisure and she was determined to savor every moment.

There was no “early to bed and early to rise” for her and Maddie this summer. Instead of rushing around in the morning hurriedly downing cold cereal and juice from a box, Sierra cooked waffles, pancakes or eggs and bacon. She hand squeezed Maddie’s orange juice and enjoyed coffee made from fresh-ground beans.

After eating, they’d dress and head for the park to play on the swings until it was time for Maddie to go to preschool. Then while Maddie socialized with her friends, Sierra would work for three or four hours before heading back to the Wee Kids Preschool and Child Care Center.

Last week, Sierra had skipped work one day and she and Libby had gone on a shopping spree. Libby had insisted if Sierra was going to play the part of a rich young woman, she had to look the part.

Her frayed jeans and discount-store cotton tops had been replaced by trendy casual clothes purchased from stores without price tags. And playing the part didn’t stop with the clothes. Though Sierra had insisted on keeping her apartment
and
her daughter, she’d willingly given up her late-eighties Olds for Libby’s new sports car.

Sierra opened the shiny red door and stepped out onto the asphalt, giving the car an appreciative pat. The sky overhead was a brilliant blue and only a hint of a breeze ruffled her hair.

She shut and locked the car but didn’t immediately start toward the store. Instead she stood and stretched, inhaling deeply.

It was hard to remember the last time she’d felt so content. Thanks to Libby’s scheme, this summer promised to be the best one ever. And the fall was looking just as good. Only one more quarter of classes and she’d graduate. With a college degree she’d be able to snag a good job and that would hopefully translate into a little house, one with a backyard where Maddie and her friends could play.

A fleeting image of the large home on Las Palmas that she and Jerry had shared flashed through her mind. When she’d married her college sweetheart at the end of her junior year, everyone told her she’d hit the jackpot. After all, she was the daughter of a housekeeper while his father was a wealthy land developer. But that wasn’t why Sierra had married him. She’d been head-over-heels in love and convinced their marriage would last forever.

The memories of their ill-fated union threatened to steal her good mood, but Sierra shook them from her head. Jerry was in the past. She hadn’t kept his name or his money or his house. She hadn’t wanted any of it. All she’d wanted was Maddie.

Sierra headed toward the sidewalk, her smile returning as she remembered her daughter’s excited chatter this morning. It was her teacher’s birthday and the preschool staff had organized a party. The children had all made cards and they were going to have cake and ice cream for snack. Maddie had been so eager to get through the doors she’d almost forgotten to wave goodbye.

My little girl is growing up.

At one time Sierra had wanted a whole houseful of children, but that was before her marriage had started to fall apart, before she knew what Jerry was really like, before…

Sierra blew out a harsh breath and pushed open the door to The Hope Chest. A melodious tinkle of bells announced her arrival. She scanned the eclectic interior, seeing only vases, furniture and baubles. “Dottie?”

“We’re here.” The older woman’s voice sang out from the back of the building.

A brief smile tipped Sierra’s lips as she made her way through the crowded aisles. A small round ice-cream table, circa 1920, sat at the back of the store and she and Dottie often migrated there for a cup of tea and conversation when business was slow.

A deep voice murmured something and Dottie laughed.

The masculine tone came as no surprise. The minute Dottie had indicated she wasn’t alone, Sierra had immediately known who was keeping her employee company. Mr. Harlow, from the convenience store two doors down, frequently stopped by on his break. Though Dottie insisted they were just friends, the look in the elderly gentleman’s eyes told Sierra that John Harlow was clearly smitten with the vivacious redhead.

Though Sierra sometimes got tired of him being underfoot, she knew Dottie enjoyed the attention. Rounding an Edwardian oak bookcase, Sierra lifted her lips in a welcoming smile.

She stopped short and her breath caught in her throat. An involuntary shiver raced up her spine.

“I see you finally decided to come to work.” Matt rose to his feet, amusement lacing his deep voice. A corner of his mouth twitched with a hint of a smile.

It was obvious he was only teasing, but the words still stung. Sierra had been a hard worker all her life and taking it easy didn’t come naturally. Sierra could feel her face warm. She started to explain her actions and to justify her late arrival. But at the last minute she shut her mouth and reminded herself that she was the boss for the summer and she didn’t need to answer to anyone.

Sierra drew herself up straight and met his gaze with a disdainful haughtiness she didn’t even know she possessed. “What can I do for you, Mr. Dixon?”

Though she caught a flash of surprise in Dottie’s eyes at her brisk tone, Sierra only lifted her chin higher.

Matt chuckled and grinned. “Did someone get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?”

He looked so boyishly handsome that she had to smile back.

“Actually, I’ve been up for hours,” Sierra said. Why it was important for him to know she wasn’t lazy, she wasn’t sure. Maybe it had something to do with the grudging admiration she’d seen in his eyes yesterday when he’d talked about the waitress working two jobs.

“Mr. Dixon brought you something,” Dottie said, smiling warmly at the younger man.

“Matt,” he reminded Dottie, a dimple flashing in his cheek.

“Matt,” Dottie concurred and something that sounded suspiciously like a giggle slipped past her lips.

Sierra resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the shameless flirting.

Still, she could see how the older woman could be captivated. After all, the guy had only looked at her yesterday and she’d practically melted. If the waitress hadn’t stopped by when she did, Sierra might have kissed him.

There was just something about the man….

He’d risen when she’d walked up and he still stood next to the table. She glanced over to find him watching her. He radiated a vitality that drew her like a magnet and she found herself extremely conscious of his virile appeal.

Sierra tried to throttle the dizzying current racing through her. She met Matt’s gaze and lifted an eyebrow. “You have something for me?”

He smiled and held out a manila envelope. “I was on my way to meet with some accountants about the Center and I thought I’d drop this additional information off on my way.”

Sierra took the envelope from his hands, her fingers brushing against his, causing her skin to tingle.

Her breath caught in her throat and she looked up to find him staring with a steady gaze.

“You’re meeting with the accountants?” Sierra masked her inner turmoil with a deceptive calmness.

He nodded. “Just ironing out some last-minute financials.”

“Why wasn’t I invited?” Sierra asked.

Matt seemed surprised by the question.

“I didn’t think you’d be interested,” he said with a shrug. “We’re not going to be discussing anything earth-shattering. It’ll just be some boring, financial stuff.”

Normally boring, financial stuff wasn’t something Sierra sought out. In fact when it did cross her path, she usually backed up and ran the other way. But this particular boring, financial stuff related to the Center so she figured she should be interested. And she’d promised Libby she’d be involved.

“I’d like to hear what they have to say,” Sierra said. “How about if I tag along?”

The beginning of a smile tipped the corners of Matt’s lips. “I’d love to have you come with me.”

The door jingled and Dottie rose to her feet with a regretful sigh. “Duty calls.”

The older woman cast one last regretful glance at Matt and Sierra before heading toward the front of the shop. There was nothing Dottie liked more than a good drama and this interchange had all the key components.

Sierra swallowed hard, pleased that when she spoke her voice was steady. “What time are you meeting them?”

“Eleven-thirty,” he said. “At Crane River.”

Sierra recognized the name. The restaurant was popular and well-known for its seafood. Even if the topic was boring, the food should be good. There was only one detail she had to cover. “Who all is going to be there?”

“Dick Johanns, Roger Kirk and myself,” Matt said. Pausing, he gazed at her speculatively. “Is there some problem?”

“No problem.” Sierra didn’t know either of the men so she decided she’d be safe attending. “One more shouldn’t make a difference on the lunch reservation, right?”

“There’s always room for you,” Matt said with a smile. He reached down and picked up his briefcase. “We can ride together if you like. My car is—”

Sierra held up a hand. “It’d be better if we drove separately.”

She had to pick up Maddie from preschool at three and though she couldn’t imagine the meeting running that long, she didn’t want to take the chance.

“Do you know where the restaurant is located?” he asked.

“Actually, Carl, er, a friend and I just met there for lunch last week,” Sierra said.

He raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask and Sierra saw no reason to mention that Carl Stieve was her church’s “family” minister and that he’d spent the entire lunch hour trying to convince her to spear-head First Christian’s new outreach program to singles.

Matt’s gaze dropped to his watch. “We’d better get going. We don’t want to be late.”

Sierra glanced down at her sleeveless silk georgette dress with its scoop neck. The color was a golden honey that normally made her look washed-out. But when Libby had seen it, she’d made Sierra try it on then pronounced it “absolutely stunning.” The outfit might be a bit too casual for a Los Angeles boardroom, but this was Santa Barbara and everything was more relaxed.

“I’m ready,” she said. “Unless you think I’ll be underdressed?”

His gaze shifted from the mother-of-pearl and semiprecious-stone necklace that circled her neck to the formfitting bodice that hugged her ample curves.

“You’re perfect,” he said. “I wouldn’t change a thing.”