“Sure.” Sierra wasn’t sure why he would say such a thing except maybe Vicki was beginning to be interested in Randy, and he didn’t want her to be jealous of Sierra. “See you tomorrow at school.”
“See you,” he echoed, and he was out the door.
Sierra began her afternoon cleanup chores, starting with wiping down the counters. Two weeks from tomorrow night, she repeated to herself. Maybe I can find a black dress and wear my ivory lace vest. Or something from the vintage shop in a sheer fabric with a full skirt. I should have told him white roses. White flowers would be easier to match than peach. Why did I ever tell him peach?
A few more customers found their way into the shop during the next hour and a half. A few minutes before closing, the door opened, and Sierra looked up to see that her last customer of the day was her mom.
“Hi, honey.” Mom wore jogging clothes, and her blond hair was pulled back in what Tawni called a nub of a ponytail. Tawni’s hair was long and silky and hung past her shoulders, where it curled naturally on the ends. Tawni had little sympathy for Sierra’s wild mane or Mom’s thin, straight hair, which took a fair amount of effort to work into a presentable style. “I thought you might like some company on your walk home.”
“Wait till you hear my news!” Sierra locked up the cash register and put her apron in the back. She said good night to Andy and left the shop, her arm linked in her mom’s.
“Randy came in, and he asked me out to a formal dinner two weeks from tomorrow! It’s a benefit for the music center downtown or something. He asked what kind of flowers I liked, and guess what I told him?”
“I can’t imagine,” her mom said as they marched up the street toward home.
“Peach-colored tea roses. Where in the world did I come up with that?”
“I don’t know. And what are you going to wear?”
“I think I need something new.”
“Do you mean new, new? Or new to you, from a thrift store?”
“Either. Whatever. Something nice. I know I shouldn’t be so excited since it’s just Randy,” Sierra confessed, “but this is really fun! I can’t believe he asked me.”
“I can.” She gave Sierra’s arm a squeeze. “You just wait, Sierra Mae Jensen. Once the word is out, there will be standing room only as the eligible young men of Portland line up, waiting to ask you out.”
“Yeah,” Sierra said dryly, “don’t I wish.”
Sierra imagined what that line would look like. There would be half a dozen surfer-type guys from Christy’s beach crowd, a few guys from school, including Randy at the front of the line, and way at the back would be a lone figure in a brown leather jacket, wearing an Indiana Jones-style hat, just like the one Paul had on when she met him.
It was only a dream, but an intriguing one, and one Sierra decided to carry around with her for a while.
five
FRIDAY AT SCHOOL, all Sierra had were her dreams—her dreams and a headache. She had stayed up late packing for the trip, much to Tawni’s disgust, and Randy said only five words to her the whole day: “ ‘Bye. Have a nice vacation.”
Everyone was a bit frenzied, though, turning in reports and homework before the week off. Sierra planned to tell Amy about Randy coming to Mama Bear’s and asking her out, but there was never a convenient moment when they were far enough away from listening ears.
Mom and Tawni picked Sierra up from school the minute classes were dismissed. They drove to the airport in less than twenty minutes and Mom dropped them off. Everything went as smooth as could be, and Sierra and Tawni’s flight left on time, which was a relief.
“Look how green everything is,” Tawni said from her window seat. “I got tired of the rain this winter, but when you see the results from this view, it seems worth it.”
Sierra didn’t answer. She was lost in a memory of her flight home from England when she sat next to Paul and they had discussed life. She had been her usual blunt self, which hadn’t scared Paul. Her relationship with Randy was different. She didn’t feel as if she had to prove anything with him—but then again, it didn’t matter as much if he liked her or not.
Christy’s words from the other day returned to her, and Sierra thought about what it would be like if she met someone this week. Long walks on the beach. Shared jokes and goofing off with her friends. Good-byes and promises to write. Mom had always encouraged her to dream, and dream she did. Only, none of her dreams for this week included Tawni.
They exited the plane and made their way to baggage claim. Sierra began to scan the faces at the crowded airport as they waited for their luggage to appear on the designated carousel.
“Which of your friends has the red hair?” Tawni asked.
“Katie. Christy’s hair is more like yours. Long, brown, and sort of straight.”
“My hair isn’t straight.”
“Okay, long, brown, and sort of whatever.”
“They’re not here,” Tawni said, looking around. “This is just great, Sierra. What are we going to do now?”
“Relax, will you? She said they would be here. Keep looking.”
They stood together in the middle of the growing crowd, Sierra clutching her backpack and Tawni holding her vanity kit with both hands. The noise of the terminal began to close in on Sierra.
“I could call her,” Sierra suggested.
“Do you have her cell phone number?”
“No.”
“Sierra!”
“What?”
“How can you be so disorganized about everything?”
“I have her home phone number.”
Just then, Sierra heard a loud, “Hey, Sierra! Over here.”
They both looked and saw a tall, blond surfer dodging his way toward them. As he neared, Sierra noticed his screaming silver-blue eyes.
“Todd!” Sierra opened her arms to receive his breathless hug. The back of his T-shirt was wet with perspiration.
“How’s it going? Hey, Tawni,” he said, turning to Sierra’s surprised yet obviously impressed sister. He gave her a quick, welcoming hug and said, “I’m Todd.”
“Hello,” Tawni said, all her best manners and posture coming to the fore. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Let me carry that for you,” he said, reaching for Tawni’s makeup case. Sierra had teased Tawni about it, saying it looked like a little girl’s play suitcase and should have the words “Going to Grandma’s” printed across the side.
“That’s okay,” Tawni said, unwilling to surrender the case. “I’ve got it.”
“I take it you have more luggage, though.”
“Slightly,” Sierra said with a laugh. “It hasn’t come through on the carousel yet. Is Christy with you?”
“No, but she should be at Bob and Marti’s by the time we get there. She was running too late with the Friday afternoon traffic, so she called and asked me to pick you up. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Tawni said, stepping next to Todd. “We didn’t wait long. We really appreciate your going out of the way like this. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
A loud buzzer sounded, and the luggage carousel clanged into motion.
“It’s too crowded right here,” Todd said. “Let’s go around to the side. It’ll be easier to grab your stuff.”
He took off, leading the way. Sierra reached for Tawni, pulling her back by the elbow. “He’s taken,” Sierra whispered, making a face.
Tawni made a face back. A cloud of dread moved in and hung over Sierra’s head. What if her sister went after Todd in a big way this week, and what if Todd fell for her charms? Tawni was, by far, more gorgeous than Christy, more refined, and much more aggressive. Was it possible that Sierra would be responsible for assisting the breakup of Todd and Christy by introducing her sister to him? The thought was too horrible to dwell on. She walked to the edge of the moving carousel and reached for her bag as it came around.
Behind her, she could hear Tawni’s silky voice questioning T
odd, “So, is this your senior year in college? Then what do you plan to do?”
“Not sure yet,” Todd said.
“I have mine,” Sierra said, breaking into their conversation and dropping her bag on the ground. “How many did you have, Tawni?”
“Only three,” she answered with a veiled dark look at Sierra.
“I’ll help you,” Todd offered.
“Oh, would you? Thanks.” Tawni’s smile at Todd was warmer than any Sierra had ever seen on her sister’s face.
Oh brother! So this is how my nightmare begins. Christy is never going to forgive me for bringing Tawni.
They waited until the last piece of luggage had come through the opening and the carousel had stopped moving. They stood there for a few minutes more, expecting the conveyor belt to kick back on and pump out Tawni’s three bags. It never did.
“This is awful,” Tawni said. “Nothing like this has ever happened to me.”
“Come on.” Todd led them to a service representative at a nearby counter and explained the situation. After nearly an hour, Todd finally convinced Tawni that all they could do was fill out forms and leave Bob and Marti’s address. The airport would deliver the missing luggage once it showed up.
“I can’t believe this,” Tawni said, clutching her makeup kit even tighter. “I’ll have to go shopping right away.”
“You can borrow some of my stuff,” Sierra said sweetly, enjoying the irony of the situation. She couldn’t imagine Tawni ever wearing her baggy jeans or gauze peasant skirts.
“Why don’t we go to Bob and Marti’s first?” Todd suggested. “You can make plans from there.”
Tawni was silent as they walked to the parking lot. Todd led them to a Mercedes and unlocked it with a security pad on his key chain. The expression Tawni flashed at Sierra said, “Not only is he gorgeous, he’s rich, too!” Tawni slid into the front passenger seat, and Sierra, without bothering to comment, climbed into the backseat.
“Nice car,” Tawni said as they pulled out of the parking place.
“Yeah, it is,” Todd said.
“Have you had it long?” Sierra asked.
“It’s not mine. It’s Bob’s. He’s had this one quite a few years. My mode of transportation is undergoing a transplant this week. We’re all hoping the old guy makes it through.”
As they pulled out of the airport into the heavy traffic, Tawni rolled down her window and stuck out her arm. “It’s sure a lot warmer here than what we left this afternoon. So tell me, Todd, what are our plans for the week?”
“You’ll have to ask Christy that. I’m just along for the ride.”
“Oh, I am too,” Tawni said. Sierra watched from the backseat as Tawni looked over at Todd and examined his profile. “I haven’t been here since I was a kid. You’ll have to show me all the hot spots.”
Todd didn’t respond. He looked straight ahead, speeding a little to make it through a yellow light. Sierra wondered if he would have acted any differently if Tawni weren’t there. Certainly not. Certainly, Todd was as in love with Christy as she obviously was with him. At least he had seemed that way in England when Sierra first met him. But then, Tawni hadn’t been there to mix things up.
six
“WELCOME, WELCOME! Come on in.” The dark-haired, middle-aged man in a white golf shirt and shorts showed them into his impressive beachfront home. “Which one of you is Sierra?”
“Me.”
“And this must be your sister.”
“Tawni. I’m pleased to meet you, Mr.—” Tawni held out her hand to shake his.
“Call me Bob. Please. Come on in. How was your flight?”
“They lost my luggage,” Tawni said, stepping into the wide entryway. The house was decorated in a modern motif. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Save all the praise for my wife,” Bob said. “She eats it up. Marti? They’re here!” he called into the living room. “I think she’s out on the patio with the girls.”
“Christy’s here?” Todd asked.
Sierra thought his expression brightened. Before Bob could answer, Todd had deserted them, taking long strides through the living room.
“Shall we join him?” Bob asked. He led the way through the living room, with its picture windows looking out onto the inviting stretch of sand and endless blue ocean beyond. Early evening sunlight flooded the area, illuminating the white furniture and white baby grand piano in the corner.
Sierra peered through the sliding glass door that opened to the cement patio facing the beach, and saw Todd and Christy in a tight embrace. Good, she thought with a sense of relief. Now Tawni will see that her efforts are wasted on this guy.
They joined the small group on the patio, but before Bob could begin the introductions, Katie let out a squeal, hopped up from the chaise lounge, and gave Sierra a whopping hug. Christy hugged her next and then introduced her to Aunt Marti, which is where the hugging stopped cold.
The woman gave Sierra the shivers. It wasn’t her appearance. She was very nice-looking—petite, trim, with dark hair and flawless makeup. She wore casual pants and a long, flowing top that looked like silk and was the color of persimmon. She wore a lot of jewelry, all gold. “Well maintained,” her dad would have called her. It seemed to Sierra an invisible wall of ice surrounded this woman. She was not at all what Sierra had expected.
“Please,” Marti said, taking command of the chatter. “Sierra, Tawni, help yourselves to the beverages over there on the tray. Then do come join us.”
Sierra reminded herself that this woman, no matter how cold, was their hostess. “Thank you,” Sierra said, forcing her warmest smile.
Beyond the small patio where they had gathered ran a wide sidewalk along the front of the house. The houses along the stretch of beach seemed to be built right next to each other, and almost all of them were two stories. Some homes down the way appeared older and considerably smaller in size. However, Bob and Marti’s and the two next door were large, and their patios were well stocked with expensive patio furniture.
Marti showed the two sisters to the beverage cart a few feet away. Her glance rested only a moment on Sierra before landing soundly on Tawni. “Tell me, Tawni, how long have you been modeling for Nordstrom’s?”
“Modeling? I don’t model for them. I work at a fragrance counter at one of the stores in Portland.”
“No!” Marti pressed her manicured hand to her chest. “You don’t do any modeling?”
Tawni’s laugh sounded innocent and sincere to Sierra. “No, I don’t model.”
Sierra dropped several melting ice cubes into a glass and reached for a bottle of kiwi-strawberry Snapple. Tawni stood right behind her and selected a bottle of mineral water. Her choice seemed to please Marti, who said, “What a terrible waste of such a face and figure. You really should consider modeling, Tawni.”
“I never thought of it.”
“Oh, come now, never?”
Tawni shook her head.
“It just so happens,” Marti said, “that I know a few people in the industry, and well, that is, if you would be interested, I could make a few calls on your behalf.”
“Interested in what?”
“In putting together a portfolio. Meeting with an agent. Starting your modeling career. That is, if you’re interested.”
Tawni looked as if her fairy godmother had just arrived and showered her with wish dust. “I … I don’t know. I never thought of it before.”
“Oh, come now. I have a hard time believing that. Surely you’ve looked in the mirror.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Sierra caught Katie making a face to Christy. Christy only pursed her lips together and swallowed whatever her true reaction was.
“If you all will kindly excuse us,” Marti said, aligning herself with Tawni, “we’ll be in my office for a bit.” With a grand, gracious gesture, she invited Tawni back inside.
Sierra sat at one of the chairs pulled out from around the patio table. Todd and Christy were seated a few feet aw
ay on the low, cement-block wall, holding hands and looking as if they should have their picture taken.
Katie had returned to her lounge chair, and Bob sat down next to Sierra at the table.
“What was that all about?” Sierra asked.
“Well, you did it, Sierra!” Katie said with a hearty laugh. “You made Marti’s wish come true! You brought her the perfect Barbie doll. Something Christy could never be, and someone none of Christy’s friends turned out to be.”
Sierra turned to Bob, expecting him to be offended by Katie’s outburst. His grin was subtle, but it was there, all right. A twinkle in his eyes tipped off Sierra that, although he would never admit it or join in the conversation, he agreed with Katie.
“I can’t believe this,” Sierra said, shaking her head. “What an introduction to Southern California!”
“It’s only the beginning,” Todd said. “We might not see too much of your sister the rest of the week.”
Sierra wanted to blurt out that that would be fine with her, but she held her tongue.
“Something tells me your sister can hold her own against my aunt,” Christy said. “Marti means well. It’s just that she …”
“She needs Jesus,” Todd said, filling in the blank for Christy.
“Definitely,” Katie echoed.
Sierra turned to Bob and said, “It must be hard being married to a non-Christian.”
There was an awkward silence. Then Bob said slowly, “That would depend. Do you mean, is it hard for me being married to Marti or for Marti being married to me, since neither of us is what you would probably classify as a Christian?”
Sierra realized she had put her foot in her mouth bigtime. “I didn’t mean to say that,” she stammered. Her cheeks turned red.
“Doesn’t bother me,” he said. “I firmly believe that everyone should believe in something. And right now I believe that I should start the barbeque.” He rose and gave Sierra a wink. “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “I like it when a woman learns early on to speak her mind.” Then, looking over Sierra’s head at Katie, he said, “That’s why I like Katie so much.”
“The admiration is mutual,” Katie replied. “Now if you would just get saved!”
Sierra Jensen Collection, Vol 1 Page 25