Seeking Mr. Perfect (The Jane Austen Pact)

by Jennifer Youngblood

  Bennie studied her closely. “Really?”

  She pushed a strained smile over her lips. “Absolutely. It would be better to use a local vendor to generate support from the townsfolk of Sugar Pines. The reason I brought it up is because it would be good to hire Ivie Jane, or someone like her, to run a deluxe concession stand. Then we can pitch it to tourist companies in Charleston as a dinner and play combo.”

  Nadine brought her hands together. “That’s a splendid idea.”

  Sierra gave Nadine a direct look. “Would you mind contacting Ivie Jane and see if we can work something out? The easiest way would be for Ivie Jane to pay us a commission on her proceeds … maybe thirty percent.”

  “Sure, I’ll be happy to do that,” Nadine said eagerly. “What type of food are you thinking?”

  “Appetizers, deli sandwiches, soups, some upscale desserts.” Sierra waved a hand. “That’s not really my department. Find out if Ivie Jane wants to do it and then ask her to submit a menu.”

  Something about the conversation earlier was nagging at Sierra. Her mind went back to the worried look that passed between Bennie and Landon when she asked about the percentage of tickets they’d sold thus far. “We talked about what we’d bring in if we sold eighty percent of all tickets. On average, what is your typical sell rate for plays you’ve done in the past?”

  There it was, that uncomfortable feeling that settled over the group.

  Landon cleared his throat and looked at Bennie like he wasn’t sure how to answer. “Um, we sold about thirty percent when we did Newsies.”

  Sierra’s heart lurched. She should’ve known those numbers were too good to be true. Hot prickles covered her and then she went cold. She wanted to flee back to New York—go back to her stable, predictable life. What was she even doing here? Did she really have it in her to save the mansion? Losing it was unthinkable, but orchestrating a play was way out of her comfort zone.

  No, she couldn’t think this way. Marketing was her game. Given the right set of tools, Sierra was sure she could pack the seats. But they’d have to go outside of Sugar Pines to do it. “You said you’ve been selling the tickets through word of mouth and your website?”

  “Yes,” Landon said.

  “Okay, we’ll have to expand to reach our target. Let me see your website.” She’d left her computer in the van with her luggage. She looked at Bennie. “Do you have a laptop?”

  Bennie wrinkled her nose like Sierra had asked her something distasteful. “You know I don’t, but the desktop’s still in the library though.”

  That’s right. Bennie only used computers when she absolutely had to. Sierra had forgotten that little tidbit. She’d been gone from Sugar Pines longer than she’d realized. “I’ll just run out to the car and get my laptop. I mean, I could check it on my phone, but it’ll be easier on the computer. I’ll just need to know the name of your Internet account and get your password.”

  Bennie chuckled. “Yeah, about that. I don’t have Internet.”

  Sierra’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”

  “I figured it’s one extra expense that I don’t need,” Bennie said.

  It was all Sierra could do not to burst out laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Bennie had put herself in hock to fund a stupid outdoor theater and didn’t have Internet because she didn’t want the expense. Who in the heck could even live without Internet these days? Her aunt, obviously.

  Crapola! Sierra was planning on taking care of her agency work through the Internet. She had a lot to do to get ready for the meeting tomorrow morning. She’d have to use her phone as a hotspot, but that could be clunky, and it would use a ton of data. She sighed, feeling the weight of the world pressing on her. She threw up her hands, pinning Bennie with a look. “Is there any place in Sugar Pines that has Internet? Or is everyone here as behind the times as you?” The moment the words left Sierra’s mouth, she knew she’d made a huge mistake as a stunned silence froze over the group. Normally, she made a point of thinking before blurting the first thing that came to her mind, but she was tired and not thinking straight from all the stress.

  Nadine’s jaw tightened as she gave Sierra a steely look. “What kind of half-baked question is that? I have Internet, which you’re welcome to come over and use anytime you need it. And you’ll be happy to know we traded in our outhouses for bathrooms … our horses and buggies for cars.”

  Yikes! She’d stuck her foot so far down her throat this time that there was little hope of getting it out. Also, she’d offended the only person she was semi-friends with. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” She flashed an apologetic smile, which seemed to thaw some of the chill from the room. “It’s been a rough day,” she explained.

  Bennie eyed her with concern. “What happened?”

  “Nothing that needs to be discussed right now,” Sierra said evasively, flashing a wan smile. Everything was coming to a head, as emotion lodged thick in her throat. She swallowed, pushing it away, as she turned to Nadine. “Thanks for offering to let me use your Internet.” Hopefully, Nadine would accept her token of apology.

  There was a frosty look in Nadine’s eyes as she nodded curtly. “You’re welcome.”

  A feeling of complete desperation settled like a dense fog over Sierra. She’d managed to alienate the entire room in a matter of minutes. At this rate, she was bound to offend the whole blasted town by the end of the day. Sierra had no intention of hanging out at Nadine’s house, especially not now that there was friction between them. “I hate to be a burden on Nadine and Hal. Is there any place public? A coffee shop, maybe?”

  “The library has Internet,” Landon said.

  “Oh, I think Judy’s café has it too,” the man beside Landon said.

  Sierra searched her brain, trying to remember the man’s name. She hated to ask him now and let him know she couldn’t remember. She’d have to ask Bennie later.

  “Clydedale’s Pizza has it too,” Bennie said.

  When Sierra drove by it downtown, she’d made a mental note to go there while she was in town. Now she had a good excuse. “What’s the name of your website?”

  “Sugarpinestheater.com,” Landon said. “Would you like for me to write it down for you?”

  “No, I think I can remember that.” She thought of something else. “What about the set design?” The set could eat away much of the profit, especially if it were too elaborate.

  “I was overseeing the set design …” Bennie frowned, motioning to her knee “… until this.”

  “Is there anyone else who can help?” Sierra asked.

  They all had deer-in-the-headlights expressions as they looked at each other. Finally, Bennie shook her head remorsefully. “I don’t think so. Everyone’s pretty tied up with their responsibilities. I can still make phone calls to coordinate things.” Hope shone in her eyes as she looked at Sierra. “Maybe you could help? I’d need you to meet with the set builder on site to make sure everything’s going according to plan.”

  Sierra made a face. “Me? But I don’t know the first thing about set design.” She shook her head. “I don’t know that I’ll have time to do that and work on the marketing.” Especially while trying to manage her job at same time.

  She could feel disappointment from everyone in the room, as they sat as silently as stones, watching her. Sheesh. This was a tough crowd. She’d come here to help Bennie and save the mansion, not to get thrown into all this extra stuff.

  “I’m here to help any way I can,” Bennie said.

  “Okay,” Sierra said, knowing Bennie would keep on until she agreed.

  Bennie smiled brightly. “Good. Hank Trenton was building the set, but then his wife got put on bed rest.” She shook her head, the corners of her mouth turning down. “Poor Mandy. She’s had a rough go of it this pregnancy. Anyway, we were fortunate to find another builder. He’s coming over this evening for dinner. You’ll have plenty of time to talk to him.”

  “What?” Sierra’s face fell. The l
ast thing she wanted to do was to entertain someone at dinner. And the kitchen was a freaking mess. Sierra would be mortified if anyone saw it, much less ate dinner there. It wasn’t like Bennie could get up and around, which meant she’d be doing the lion’s share of the cooking. “I don’t think dinner tonight’s a good idea,” she began. She looked at Bennie, trying to convey silently all that she didn’t want to say out loud with everyone here. “I was hoping the two of us could catch up.”

  “Don’t worry. We will,” Bennie said smoothly. She cocked her head. “Normally, I’d just reschedule with the builder.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Sierra inserted quickly.

  Bennie pursed her lips. “But we’re way behind schedule. This dinner has been planned for a couple of weeks, mainly because the set builder’s so busy running his business that it was hard to find a time that worked for him.”

  This just kept getting better and better! Trying to navigate Bennie was as impossible as pinning Jell-O to the wall. “Who’s the set builder?”

  “Dalton Chandler’s been kind enough to donate his time,” Landon said.

  Sierra coughed, clutching her throat. “W—what? Why’d you get him?” A noose had been placed around her neck the moment she drove into Sugar Pines, and it was getting tighter and tighter as the day wore on. “No!” she blurted. “You’ll have to get someone else! I won’t work with him.” She squared her jaw, ready to field any argument anyone could put forth.

  Bennie tugged at her blouse, giving Sierra a frustrated look. “Dalton’s a great builder,” she blustered. “We’re lucky to have him.” She arched an eyebrow. “Regardless of your personal feelings on the subject.”

  Heat blotched up Sierra’s neck. “This has nothing to do with my personal feelings,” she shot back. Then caught herself. She wouldn’t get into a tit for tat with Bennie over Dalton. Forcing her voice to sound calm, she pushed out the first thing that came to her mind. “I’m sure Dalton does a great job.” There. She’d defused the situation, told everyone what they wanted to hear.

  Bennie brought her hands together. “Good. Then it’s all settled.”

  No, it’s not settled … not by a long shot, Sierra’s mind screamed. She wasn’t about to work with Dalton on the set design.

  No way. No how.

  Was this some twisted game Bennie was playing to get her back together with Dalton? Surely not! Then again, she wouldn’t put anything past Bennie. She walked to the beat of her own drum … be it good or bad. Sierra had agreed to let Nadine ask Ivie Jane Compton to do the catering, but this was too much. She lifted her chin, eyeing them. “If you want to get Dalton to build the set, that’s your prerogative. But you’ll have to get someone other than me to work with him.”

  The air got sucked out of the room in a big whoosh, then everyone got these uncomfortable, constipated looks … except for Bennie, who laughed lightly. “Oh, so you still do having feelings for Dalton.”

  Sierra jerked. “No, I do not,” she huffed. Sheesh. Her stupid face was boiling hot.

  Bennie wagged a finger, her eyes dancing with amusement as she put on a thick British accent. “Me thinks thou doth protest too loudly.”

  Nadine half-sniggered, then placed a hand over her mouth to stifle the sound.

  This whole situation was ludicrous. Sierra squared her jaw. “I have a boyfriend in New York. An influential, handsome boyfriend. His name’s Parker.” She glared at Bennie and Nadine. “Contrary to what you think, any feelings I had for Dalton Chandler are long gone.”

  A faint amusement trickled into Bennie’s eyes. “If that’s actually true, then it won’t be a problem for you to work with Dalton. Now will it?”

  Bennie had thrown down the gauntlet. “Fine,” she huffed. “I’ll work with him.” She gave Bennie a sharp look. “But don’t get any crazy ideas about trying to fix me up with Dalton because it’s not gonna happen.”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Bennie said sweetly, then stopped. “You called Parker your boyfriend instead of your fiancé.”

  Hot needles pelted Sierra. She’d not even thought to tell Bennie that Parker hadn’t proposed. She could feel all eyes zoned in on her like lasers, knew her face was flashing like a neon sign. “No, we’re not engaged,” she said nonchalantly. “We’ve got plenty of time.” She cringed at the look of relief in Bennie’s eyes.

  Sierra’s phone buzzed. She leaned over and fished it out of her purse, which was resting on the floor by her feet. “Excuse me, I need to take this.” She flashed a saccharine smile. “It’s Parker.”

  “Her influential, rich boyfriend,” Bennie added, a note of irony in her voice.

  “Yes, that’s right,” Sierra said firmly, daring Bennie to say otherwise. “If you’ll excuse me.” She stood and walked into the other room for privacy. “Hey, babe,” she gushed loudly. “I’ve missed you so much.” She tensed at Parker’s surprised laugh.

  “We just saw each other yesterday and spoke a couple of hours ago, but okay,” Parker said. “I’ll go with that. For what it’s worth, I miss you too.”

  “I know. It feels like it has been forever,” Sierra said dreamily, then shot a scathing glare towards the parlor. Take that, Bennie!

  Chapter 5

  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.”