One Christmas Wish by Brenda Jackson

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

SIERRASLIDAforkful of cake between her lips and closed her eyes in heavenly delight. This was so delicious. She’d tried five different baked goods—four cakes and one double chocolate brownie—and knew all five would be an excellent addition to her menu.

She noticed Freda McEnroe was watching her closely, waiting for a reaction. Freda and Sierra had graduated from high school together and, like her, Freda had returned to the cove to open a business.

Before his death Freda’s father had operated a bakery on the pier for years. Now she was doing the same but on a smaller scale. Sierra was glad Freda had agreed to work out an arrangement with her to supply desserts for the Green Fig.

“Well, what do you think?” Freda asked.

Sierra smiled. “I think you are in the right business, and I’m so glad you decided to return to the cove.” She might have been mistaken but Sierra could have sworn she’d seen a flash of pain in Freda’s eyes.

“I’m glad I came back, too,” Freda said softly.

“Well, these are the five desserts I’d like to add to my menu.” Sierra then gave her the order needed each day for the café.

A huge smile spread across Freda’s face. “That’s great!”

“Will the week of Thanksgiving be too soon to start?”

“No, that’s fine. I’m making a lot of sweet potato pies that week. I have a list of fifty already.”

“Can you add one more for me? My parents are in town that week and I’m in charge of bringing dessert.”

“I’ll be glad to add you to the list.”

When Sierra left Freda’s bakeshop, she was glad the weather was still nice. It was Tuesday, so she had walked Teryn to school. She appreciated Freda agreeing to meet with her so early. She’d told Sierra that although she didn’t open her shop until eleven, she would be there baking as early as seven. Just like Sierra made her soup fresh daily, Freda did the same with her baked goods.

As Sierra walked along the pier, she couldn’t help but think about Saturday night with Vaughn. He wasn’t supposed to leave a passion mark on her neck, but he’d done so anyway, which was why she was wearing another scarf today. She hadn’t needed a photograph to know he’d left her with a smile on her face, and that smile had remained all through the night. And in a way that’s what worried her.

After Nathan, she had told herself time and time again that she would never depend on a man for her happiness. She had resolved to focus her love solely on Teryn and her family. She had welcomed not having a man in her life. But now...

Even when she tried rationalizing that what she and Vaughn were sharing was purely sex, a part of her knew that wasn’t really the case. She’d known weeks ago that Vaughn could disrupt the life she had planned for herself and had tried to resist him. But there was only so much of Vaughn Miller’s charm she could resist.

She hadn’t seen him since Sunday. He’d called that night to tell her that chances were he wouldn’t be coming by the café this week since he would be tied up with numerous interviews for key positions he needed to fill at Lacroix Industries.

Sierra was actually looking forward to the party they would be attending together Saturday night. She’d told Vaughn that she would attend with him and he seemed pleased.

A block from her restaurant her phone rang. Pulling it out of her jacket pocket she saw it was Velvet. She clicked on immediately. “Hello, are you back?” She knew Velvet and her best friend, Ruthie, had gotten together for a girls’ weekend in New York. One of the goals was to find Ruthie a wedding dress.

“Yes, I got back Sunday afternoon. I had fun, and we did find a wedding dress. It’s perfect and Ruthie will look beautiful in it.”

“I bet she will.”

“So how did your weekend with Vaughn go?”

Sierra had told Velvet that Vaughn had invited her and Teryn to go out on his boat. There was no way she would mention their extracurricular activities later that night. “We had fun on his yacht. Teryn really enjoyed herself. I did, too.”

“I’m glad, and what I like more than anything is the way he is including Teryn. That says a lot.”

She thought so, too. “Will you be stopping by this week for soup? Your favorite is the soup for the day tomorrow.” As of last week the gymnastics lessons had ended until the first of the year. That meant she wouldn’t see Velvet as often as she used to.

“Then I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, Sierra. Take care.”

“You do the same, Velvet.”

VAUGHNLOOKEDACROSShis desk at the man he’d just made a job offer to. If his expression was anything to go by, Evans Toussaint was happy about it. Standing, Vaughn extended his hand to him. “Welcome aboard and welcome back to Catalina Cove.”

A broad smile spread across Evans’s face. “It feels good to be coming back home.”

Vaughn grinned. “Trust me, I know the feeling.”

“Do you know of a Realtor in town I can contact about housing?”

“Yes, I don’t know if you remember Bryce Witherspoon. She’s the town’s Realtor and one of the best around if you’re looking to buy or rent.”

Evans nodded. “I remember Bryce. She’s related to the Witherspoons who own the café.”

“Yes, their daughter. In fact, she’s married to Kaegan Chambray.”

“I remember him as well,” Evans said. “Kaegan graduated from high school the year before I did. I also remember Bryce’s brothers. Now I regret not making it back to the school’s holiday reunion a couple of years ago. I was out of the country at the time. I’m looking forward to moving back and getting reacquainted with everyone.”

A short while later, Vaughn was alone in his office. He felt good and, based on the man’s credentials, he was bringing skills to the table that Lacroix Industries could definitely use.

Evans had aced the four rounds of interviews, including the one with Reid, who had drilled the man on various topics. It was clear that he had a strong work ethic, and his present employer spoke highly of him. Vaughn would put Evans in charge of handling the low-interest loans, as well as the new housing development Reid would be announcing soon.

He smiled when his thoughts shifted to Sierra. He was still trying to take things slow with her and not crowd her space, while at the same time letting her see what a good team they made, both in and out of the bedroom. However, he would admit what went on in the bedroom, including her office, was pretty spectacular.

She would be his date to the party Isaac and Donna were hosting for Nina. If things went well on Saturday night, and he had no reason not to think they would, he planned to invite her for dinner at his home after Thanksgiving.

He closed his eyes and recalled the last time they’d made love, in her office, and how he’d left her in her bedroom with a smile on her face. Hell, he’d had one on his own face—and was still smiling almost a week later. Even Reid had commented on his good mood—not that he wasn’t always in a good mood, Reid had explained, just usually a more serious one.

Vaughn had been tempted to tell Reid that he’d found someone, certain the older man would understand since he’d found someone as well when he thought he would never fall in love again. But he had.

When the buzzer on his desk sounded, Vaughn opened his eyes. He pressed the button. “Yes, Kate?”

“I have a Camila Elderberry on the line for you.”

Vaughn went still. What in the hell could Camila want with him after all this time? How did she know how to find him? Upon his release, he’d bought a new phone and his number had changed. He’d lost all of his contacts in his old phone, which didn’t really matter because he’d stayed in touch with the people he really cared about. And according to Zara, Camila had pretty much severed their relationship when she’d gotten married.

He had every right to refuse the call, but curiosity got the best of him and he wondered what Camila could possibly want. “Put the call through, Kate. Thanks.”

He heard the click and then said, “This is Vaughn Miller.”

“Vaughn? Hi, this is Camila.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment. There had been a time when just the sound of her voice would send his heart, as well as his entire body, into overdrive. Now it did nothing for him. “And what can I do for you, Camila?” he asked in a brusque voice.

“I’m in New Orleans with a few friends and ran into someone from Catalina Cove last night. I asked him if he knew you and he said he did, and said you’d moved back there. I’d heard that all the charges against you had been dropped and was surprised when you hadn’t moved back to New York.”

“Why would I move back to New York?” he asked. “There was nothing there for me anymore.” Definitely not her, he thought, recalling how she hadn’t wasted time marrying someone else.

“Well, just so you know, I’m divorced now and have been for almost a year. I called Zara a few months ago so you and I could reconnect, and she wouldn’t give me your contact information.”

Zara hadn’t mentioned anything about Camila reaching out to her, which was fine since she knew Camila was the last person he wanted to hear from. He was close to telling Camila just that, but instead he asked, “Why would we want to reconnect, Camila?”

“For old times’ sake. I’m sure you’d admit those had been some good times.”

Yeah, they had been good, but he was discovering the time he spent with Sierra was so much better. She was good all the way around and not just in the bedroom. “You’ve moved on, Camila, and so have I.”

“I understand you’re not married.”

Whoever she’d run into from the cove had told her a lot. But then, he could see her pumping the person for information. “Why would my marital status concern you?”

“Because I’d love to see you while I’m in New Orleans. I understand Catalina Cove is just an hour away. I could rent a car and drive there.”

He frowned. “Don’t waste your time. I’m extremely busy right now. Besides, like I said, you’ve moved on and so have I.”

There was a pause, then Camila asked, “And what if I said that for me moving on was a mistake?”

“Then I would have to tell you how sorry I am to hear that. I am not interested in rekindling a relationship with you. I am seeing someone and it’s serious.”

“Oh. I didn’t know.” She paused and then said, “I’m sure your lady friend wouldn’t mind you meeting up with an old friend, Vaughn.”

“She might not but honestly, I would. We have nothing to talk about.”

“What about how much we had meant to each other at one time?”

Her statement pissed him off. “How much we meant to each other didn’t mean a damn thing to you when I was arrested or when you decided to marry Titus Wheeler.”

Although Zara hadn’t told him the name of the man Camila had married, Vaughn had used the prison computer to find the wedding announcement. Titus had not only been a coworker but also a friend...or so Vaughn had thought.

There was a pause and Vaughn was curious to know what Camila had to say to that. He wondered what happened to Titus’s girlfriend Melissa. The four of them used to double date on occasion.

“It was our love and concern for you that brought me and Titus together, Vaughn. We were so worried about you and—”

He chuckled, interrupting her spiel. “That’s the best you can do when neither of you corresponded with me while I was locked up—and innocent? Spare me, Camila. Like I said, I’m seeing someone and it’s serious. Please don’t ever reach out to me again. You’re in my past and I want you to stay there. Goodbye.”

After hanging up, he checked the time. He had a few more interviews before he called it a day and then he would have to meet with Reid. It would be close to nine before he left work tonight. He missed Sierra, and while he was looking forward to seeing her on Saturday, after that phone call with Camila, he wanted to see her. Now.

His next interview was in an hour. He had time...

He texted her. Need a kiss.

She texted back. When?

I could be there in ten minutes.

Come to front door.

On my way.

SIERRAPACEDINthe foyer by her front door wondering about Vaughn’s text messages. Granted, they hadn’t seen each other for a few days, but they had talked every night before they’d gone to sleep.

She stopped pacing when she heard the sound of a car and figured it was him. It was a little before dinnertime and it appeared to be a busy day, but nothing her staff couldn’t handle. Glancing through the peephole, she saw Vaughn dressed in a business suit, taking her steps two at a time.

Sierra didn’t give him time to knock and quickly opened the door, stepping back for him to enter. He closed the door behind him and pulled her into his arms. She wasn’t sure what had driven him to come here for this kiss, but she was glad he had.

She’d discovered there was nothing like a Vaughn Miller kiss and, at the moment, he was kissing the hell out of her. She returned the kiss with equal hunger.

He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I needed that, Sierra,” he said, his voice husky.

“I needed that as well,” she replied, deciding to be truthful.

He kissed her again.