“Are you still looking for a property manager?”
“I’ve done several interviews and have someone in mind. I plan to make the offer this afternoon. Why?”
Thank God. He was just in time. “I would like you to consider one more candidate.”
“Of course. What’s her name?”
He smiled, trying not to let on that this was indeed very personal. “Sierra Silva.” He didn’t use Wallace. He wasn’t sure she’d gone back to her maiden name, but he didn’t like tying David’s last name to her. Not when he thought—
“Does she at least have experience?” Marissa cut into his thoughts.
“Yes. She worked at a property management company in Napa. Her home and place of business burned to the ground in the wildfire.”
Marissa lost the knowing smile and turned solemn. “I’m so sorry to hear that. It must have been devastating.”
“Her husband passed away almost a year ago. After the fire took everything, she moved back here where she’s got family to rebuild her life. She’s got two sons to support. They’ll be attending the same school as your kids.”
Marissa shook her head. “So much tragedy.”
“She needs a break, something to go her way. I’m hoping you’ll give her a chance.”
“Yes. Of course. Ask her to please give me a call. We’ll chat, but if you’re recommending her, I’m sure we can work something out.”
Relief washed through him. “You don’t know how much I appreciate this.”
Marissa gave him another smile, filled with more understanding than teasing. “You want to make sure she stays.”
“I want her and the boys to be happy again.”
“You’re a good man, Mason. But I know this means something to you.”
He tried to play it cool. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you could have simply called me about this. Instead, you came down here to plead your case if need be.”
He sat back and spilled the truth. “She’s the one that got away.”
A romantic at heart, Marissa simply said, “Then we will give her a reason to stay so you can make her happy.”
His plan, exactly. Mason stood. “Thank you, Marissa, for doing this favor for me. I owe you.”
She waved that away. “We aren’t even even, Mason. You helped me keep my business and everything I worked for during the marriage. I may have started with my husband’s money, but I made this.” She held her hands up to encompass the realtor office. “He never liked me working. But I needed this to fill the hole our awful marriage left inside me.”
“Even without his money, I know you would have been a huge success all on your own. He knows it, too.”
“If your lady friend has even half the skills I’m looking for, she’s got the job, and I’ll make it worth her while.”
“She’s smart, kind, spunky, and driven. She won’t disappoint. In fact, I think she’ll surprise you.” He was really going out on a limb here. He’d taken the safe route in the past, though, and ended up without Sierra. This time he’d put it all out there.
“This side of you surprises me.”
“I’m not just a cutthroat lawyer, you know. I have a soft side.” He used it to be sure the kids involved in the divorces were taken care of properly and got equal time with their parents, so long as those parents deserved it, too.
“Don’t let my ex or anyone else’s you represent know that.”
“Never.” He held up his phone. “Expect a call from Sierra shortly. I can’t wait to tell her.”
Marissa gave him another of those knowing smiles and waved good-bye as he hit the speed dial for Sierra and walked out of the office and onto the sidewalk as the phone rang for the third time and he suspected he’d have to leave Sierra a message instead of talking to her.
“You better have some refrigerator magnets.”
He didn’t expect that answer. “Um. I have a couple, I think. Why?”
“Oliver wants to thank you for inviting him to go horseback riding by giving you a dozen pictures of horses he drew for you.”
The smile hit him with the outburst of laughter that bubbled up from his gut. “Awesome. I don’t have enough horse pictures.”
Sierra’s soft chuckle made his gut tighten. “Well, good, because he’ll probably draw you some more when he gets home from school.”
“The more the better.” He added stopping at the store to pick up some magnets to his mental to-do list. He didn’t want to disappoint Oliver by not displaying them.
“Aren’t you supposed to be working or something?”
He felt Sierra’s nervous energy through the phone. “I’ve been working on something for you. Get a pen and paper and take down this name and number.”
“What for?”
“Write this down.” He rattled off Marissa’s full name and her office number. “She’s expecting your call. She’s got a job for you.”
“What? She’s the biggest realtor in the county, like major successful. Multimillion-dollar listings and famous clients.”
“And she needs a property manager. Call her now. She’s ready to make an offer to someone else if you don’t want the job.”
It took Sierra a full ten seconds to say something. “You’re not kidding.”
He couldn’t help the smile on his face. He loved shocking her. “Why would I joke about this?”
“I don’t know. But she’s . . . huge.”
“You need a job, she’s got one. Call her.”
Another long five seconds passed. “Is she doing this just because you know her? Is she your girlfriend or something and this is a pity job?”
“No. No. And hell no. It is not a pity job. You’re exactly what she’s looking for. Yes, she’s a client. I helped her with her divorce. I knew she needed someone and I’m hooking her up with the best candidate.”
“Mason, that’s sweet, but you don’t know that I’m the right fit.”
Yeah, I do.
“I know you’re smart, meticulous, good with people, and able to multitask and handle a crisis with a steady hand and level head. You will rock this job, Sierra. I know you will.”
Dead silence.
“Sierra?”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence.” Her voice was soft and filled with gratitude.
“It’s the truth, Sierra.”
“It may be difficult to get ahold of references right now.”
“The only reference you needed was me. Trust me, Sierra. You deserve this opportunity.” Nothing but silence, but he had her full attention. “Did I mention it comes with a huge salary?”
“I’ll call her right now.” No delay this time.
“Good.” He breathed out a huge sigh of relief. “It’s going to be okay. The boys are back in school and you’ve got a job.”
“If she likes me.”
“She’s going to love you.” His phone alarm went off. “Listen, I’m late for a meeting.”
“Go. I’ll make the call and let you know how it goes.”
“Promise.” He knew she’d get it, he just wanted to hear her tell him all about it.
“Yes. And thank you, Mason. It means a lot that you’d do this for me and put your reputation on the line for it.”
“You’re a safe bet, Sierra. You’re going to do great.” He hung up and spent the rest of the day going from one meeting to the next waiting to hear from her. When he didn’t by the end of the day, he almost called Marissa to demand she tell him what happened but restrained himself.
* * *
Tired and annoyed Sierra hadn’t called him to tell him how it went, Mason drove home, parked in front of his dark and lonely house, dragged his tired self out of the car and up the porch steps. When the automatic light came on and spotlighted the bottle of wine with the bow and card in front of the door, he stopped in his tracks, stared at it, and smiled for the first time since he’d spoken to Sierra on the phone today.
He picked up the bottle, tucked it under hi
s arm, and pulled the card off it. He opened the white envelope, swore he could smell her on the paper, and pulled out the note.
I got the job! Thank you so much!
I owe you one.
Sierra
Smiling, he unlocked the front door, went in through the foyer and back to the kitchen, turning on lights along the way. He set the bottle of wine on the counter, dropped his briefcase on a barstool, and pulled out his phone and typed with his thumb as he tugged the knot on his tie loose.
Mason: Any chance you can come over and share this bottle of wine with me? We’ll toast to your new job!
He set the phone on the island counter and shrugged off his suit jacket.
When his phone dinged with a text, butterflies took flight in his stomach. He felt like a teenager waiting on a girl to call.
Sierra: I wish! Bedtime stories with the kids. And I have to be up early for my new job!
Disappointment sent those butterflies dropping dead.
Sierra: Rain check?
And they were resurrected.
Mason: Anytime.
Sierra: Thank you again.
Mason: My pleasure. Good luck tomorrow. I know you’ll kill it.
Sierra: You have no idea what this means to me.
Mason: You deserve everything good in this world.
Sierra: I appreciate that. And I mean it. I owe you one.
Mason: I will collect! ☺
Sierra: Gotta go. Boys are waiting. Story time.
Mason: Say hi from me.
Sierra: I will. ☺
Mason sighed, set the phone back on the counter, and went to the fridge. He opened the door and stared at the leftover takeout, decided to pull a frozen pizza out instead, and flipped on the oven to heat while he went and changed into sweats and a tee. He’d save the wine for when Sierra came over and crack open a beer to go with the pizza and his lonely night in front of the TV.
He settled on the couch half an hour later with his pizza, beer, and thoughts of Sierra sitting around a table with her kids and mom having a family meal. He’d like to be included in that homey scene.
He couldn’t wait to see her and the boys on Saturday.
Chapter Nine
At the end of a very long second day at work, Sierra fell into the couch, and put her feet up on the coffee table. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. At last she could take a break, hang out with the kids, maybe watch a TV show after dinner.
“Long day?” Amusement filled her mother’s voice.
She opened her eyes and stared up at her mom. “It’s only been two days and I’m exhausted.” She never expected Mason’s phone call to lead to an hour-long phone interview with Marissa feeling out her strengths, weaknesses, and whether or not she was up for the demanding job. She hadn’t sugarcoated the workload or sheer number of clients she represented, but Sierra hadn’t been prepared for the unrelenting pace. Of course, she had a learning curve. Once she mastered her duties things would be easier. Until then, though, trying to do everything perfectly without making any major mistakes or making Mason look bad for recommending her was exhausting.
“You’ll settle in and learn the routine,” Dede said.
“I know, it’s just I don’t want to screw this up. It’s a great job. A dream job. And the pay . . . Wow!” She never expected to find anything that paid so well. Not to start. And now she wouldn’t have to rely on her mom to bail her out. She had some financial breathing room.
Sierra didn’t mind working her way up, but starting at this level, it came with an expectation that you were the best. She hoped she was up to it.
She already loved Marissa. She didn’t want to disappoint her, either.
“How were the boys this afternoon?” Her mother had agreed to pick them up after school for now. They both wanted to give the boys stability and familiarity.
“They were great. I love having them to myself for a couple hours. I get to spoil them.”
“If it’s too much . . .”
“Nonsense. They’re my grandkids. This is why I got old.” Her mother chuckled.
So did Sierra. “Thanks, Mom. It makes me feel better to know they’re with you.”
“Don’t forget Heather is expecting you tonight for dinner. You better get a move on.”
She forgot her mom had a thing at the country club and Heather wanted the kids to come over to play with Hallee so they could get to know each other better.
“I can’t wait to see her place.”
“It’s really cute. You’ll love it.”
“Don’t forget the boys and I are going over to Mason’s place tomorrow.”
Her mother’s eyes twinkled. “I heard he went down and spoke to Marissa personally about that job for you.”
Sierra hadn’t known that until Marissa mentioned it, saying how out of character it was for Mason to see her in person instead of making a phone call. “I appreciate that he went out of his way to help me. I really needed the job and the income.” When Marissa told her the base salary, plus the size of the bonus she could earn for bringing in new clients, Sierra thought it was a joke. But no. The money would allow her to pay off her debt and hopefully buy a small house for her and the boys. Not just yet, but sooner than she thought possible. Of course, her mom would help with the down payment if she needed it, but she hoped to settle the Napa property and avoid having to ask her mom for help.
Dede patted her leg. “I’m just saying he obviously likes you.”
“We’ve been friends for years.”
“Timing is everything.”
She played dumb. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re single. He’s single. One and one makes two.” Her mom was having too much fun with this. The sparkle in her eyes made Sierra smile.
A romantic at heart, her mother couldn’t help herself.
“You’re always looking for love.”
Mirth turned to a serious look in her mother’s eyes. “You deserve to be loved, Sierra. Don’t forget that while you’re raising your children and working to make a good life for them. You want them to have everything. Don’t leave yourself out.”
“I’ve got a lot on my plate right now.” She thought about Mason inviting them over for horseback riding and a football game. She deserved to have some fun, something good in her life when for so long it felt like she’d been treading water, just trying to stay afloat in her life instead of really living it.
“This is your chance to reinvent your life. Take it, Sierra. Figure out what you want, what really makes you happy. Leave the past behind.”
“I’m trying.” She really was, but David’s odd behavior and that damn loan still haunted her. Maybe once she figured out what he needed that money for, she’d let it go, no matter if it was good or bad. At least, she’d know the truth and be able to move on.
Chapter Ten
“Sierra is having dinner at Heather’s place tonight.” Amy waited for her husband to look up from his phone.
He didn’t. “Are you going over there to join them?”
“I wasn’t invited. Mom told me about it.”
“Didn’t you see Sierra earlier in the week for a playdate with the kids?” He didn’t glance at her even once.
She didn’t see what that had to do with anything. “Why are they getting together without me? Why not make it a big family thing?”
Rex sighed and finally made eye contact for the first time since he walked in the door an hour ago. “Heather’s place is small. I’m not sure we could all pack into her place.”
“We could have had a barbecue in the backyard.”
“Maybe that’s not what she had in mind. She hasn’t seen her sister in nearly a year. Maybe she wants some time with Sierra, just the two of them.”
Amy gritted her teeth and wondered if they were over there talking behind her back, sharing secrets like they did when they were kids.
Rex sighed. “If it bothers you so much, call Heather and invite yourself over to join them
.”
“Yeah, right.”
He eyed her, grinning. “You know you want to. You hate being left out.”
“What does that mean?”
The smile disappeared. “You can’t stand it. If there’s something going on at school, in town, with your family, you need to be in the middle of it.”
Her shoulders and neck tensed. “That’s not true.”
Rex tapped his finger on the color-coded calendar hanging on the pantry cupboard next to him. “Really? There’s not a single day on the calendar that you don’t have something scheduled. You take on too much. You should scale back, have some time for yourself. Maybe then you wouldn’t fall into bed every night exhausted.”
Her defenses went up and she attacked without thinking. “It’s not like you ever want to do anything with me.”
He stuffed his phone in his pocket and pinned her in his gaze, glanced at the calendar, then back at her. “You’ve made it clear you don’t have time for me. When I ask you to do something, it’s always P.J. has baseball, or Emma has ballet, some class project, or . . . I don’t know, a bake sale that requires you to make a thousand cookies.”
“You’re the one who plays golf every Saturday and most Sundays.”
He held her gaze but waved his hand toward the calendar. “Because my family isn’t home. The only time I see the kids is when I’m driving them somewhere you planned, and we don’t even do that together. I see more of you on Instagram than I see you in real life.”
That stung. She wanted to deny it outright but couldn’t. “I want you to be there with us.”
“I’m working all week to pay for all the things that take you guys away from me.” He sighed and stared up at the ceiling for a moment before looking at her again. “I get they need something to do. But they don’t need to do everything, all the time. By the time we finish with Spanish lessons, swimming, and whatever other sport you’ve got them in for the season, the weekend is gone. It’d be nice to go to the beach or hiking together. Hell, I’d love a whole weekend at home just hanging out playing board games and watching movies and stuffing ourselves on microwave popcorn.”
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