Meant For Her (28 page)

Chapter 54

“Oh, my God, Sierra…this is incredible!”

Sierra looked over as her sister approached with a glass of champagne in her hand. Lane’s smile beamed from her face. The short hairdo she sported flattered her, making her look like a sweet pixie. The sexy black dress she wore, however, had heads turning for other reasons.

“It really is, isn’t it?” Sierra agreed.

She currently sat at one of the few cocktail rounds inside Dee’s Designs, nursing a glass of water. Her parents refused to let her drink the champagne because of the pain medication she was on. Since her cut foot was still sore enough that she couldn’t stand for long periods of time even with crutches, she couldn’t fault their caution. Her doctors had even suggested that she not attend the event.

The zombie apocalypse couldn’t have kept her away, though.

“This is a freaking smash,” Lane said, sitting in the other chair beside the table. “I think twice as many people showed as I expected. They’re all drooling over your work, too. This is going to lead to some big business down the road, I can feel it.”

Sierra suspected her sister was right. She’d had a nearly constant stream of well-wishers dropping by from both the Atlanta and Savannah areas, telling her how much they loved her work. Many of them had taken her business card and seemed sincere when they said they’d reach out. Considering how much work she was missing while she recovered, she really hoped they did.

“I think you’re going to top your goal of ten thousand dollars,” Lane predicted. “Maybe even double it.”

Smiling, Sierra said, “Thanks. I’m getting nervous. They’re going to start the auction soon. What if nobody bids?”

“Hell, I’ll bid,” Lane laughed. “Don’t stress, sis. I’ve heard many people talking strategy about how to get the pictures they want.”

Mollified, Sierra sipped her water and looked again around the showroom. Her parents were mingling on her behalf, dressed to the nines and looking proud as peacocks. Dee and her team manned the cash registers and made sure the food and cocktails flowed. They’d set up tables and chairs outside the shop in the tent-covered parking lot for the auction. At the moment, a DJ played music inside the tent while people hit the dance floor and made their way around the buffet tables.

All of the event’s elements had been worked out in a form of trade, keeping the costs down. Sierra had exchanged her photography services over the course of the year to each of the vendors involved. There had been little out-of-pocket expense, so just about everything they earned during the auction would go to charity.

She had every reason to be proud. For a first-time event organizer, she hadn’t done a shabby job. Dee had been a tremendous help.

She just wished she was happier. This was a big moment, something she’d worked toward for over a year. But it was falling short of her dream.

“I’m sorry Evan isn’t here,” Lane said, reaching over and touching her hand.

Fighting back a wave of emotion, Sierra nodded. She’d been struggling a lot over the days since the attack, wondering why he didn’t come to see her. Yes, he called her every day, but it wasn’t the same. She missed him.

And it spoke volumes that he continued to avoid her when she really needed him.

“Maybe if you’d told him that you’re donating the money in his mom’s memory…” Lane began.

Shaking her head, Sierra said, “I wouldn’t want him here just because of that. I know it’s hard to explain, but it is what it is.”

“No, I get it. You want him here because he wants to be. You want him here because it’s important to you.”

Lane always understood. She squeezed her sister’s hand in agreement since her throat had tightened again. It was true. She wanted Evan to be there. She wanted him there because of what it meant to her. As silly as it sounded, she felt that his presence would show her what he hadn’t ever told her…that he loved her.

But he wasn’t there.

“All right, Sierra,” Dee said, approaching their table. “We’re about to get the auction started. I’ve got a chair for you on the stage. I think it would be best for you to be up there so people can remember the face of the person who brought this all together.”

“Thanks, Dee,” Sierra said, pushing herself to her feet and grabbing the crutches propped nearby. “Give me a minute to use the restroom and touch up my makeup. I’m sure you’ll be getting a lot of publicity photos taken while this is going on.”

“You know it,” Dee said with a wink. “They’ll only help both of us.”

“You want my help, Sierra?” Lane asked as Dee hurried off.

“No, I’m okay. Go get our folks and take a seat. Try to sit up close so I can look at you and try not to have an anxiety attack.”

Lane laughed again. “You’ll do great. I’m off, then.”

As Lane wove through the crowd, Sierra made her way to the employee powder room hidden away in Dee’s back office. She paused briefly to chat with a couple of people on the way. By the time she reached the powder room, a light sheen of sweat dotted her forehead.

It was harder to maneuver with crutches than she’d ever imagined. In fact, all of this was hard. She’d never realized how much she should have appreciated being able to do something as simple as shower without assistance before. The various sutures still healing along on her back and arms left her just as in need of aid as her injured foot. She knew her parents didn’t mind, but it bothered her to feel so helpless.

Thanks to her pain meds, her energy was especially hard to rev up this late in the day. That was aggravated by the fact that she wasn’t sleeping well. She’d suffered from numerous nightmares since the attack. They were starting to ease, but she suspected they would always be there, waiting to haunt her.

“Keep your chin up,” she told her pale reflection. “You’re doing this for Addie and Evan.”

Taking a few cosmetics from the small purse she’d brought, she used powder to help reduce the sheen and give her a little more color. She touched up her lip color and re-pinned a couple of curls that had loosened from the elegant knot she’d created earlier. After smoothing the long, flowing red dress she’d chosen to wear, she considered herself ready.

Regina waited outside of Dee’s office. Sierra spotted the wheelchair and frowned.

“They’re lookin’ to get rollin’, sweetie,” her mom said. “This’ll get you there quicker.”

Knowing that was true, Sierra sighed and hobbled to the chair. She set her crutches across her lap and arranged her skirts after sitting down. At least she might make it onto the stage without breaking a sweat, she mused, even if she felt weird in the wheelchair.

Her mom helped her up the few stairs to the stage, as well. Some easels stood beside the auctioneer’s podium to display her work. She realized as she sat down that the bright stage lights kept her from being able to see the audience.

She supposed that was for the best. Ever since the attack, she’d been more anxious around people. Tonight had been a real test. A good one, she realized, as she was less tense than she’d been in a while. But a test just the same.

As she knew, it took time to heal.

“Welcome,” the auctioneer greeted the audience, resulting in a hush. “Thank you all for coming to the first annual Sierra Stratton Breast Cancer Awareness Benefit. Ms. Stratton is well known in the area for her inspiring photography…”

Sierra sat through the introduction, struggling not to fidget. She kept a smile on her face, trying not to blink every time a flash went off. It felt like hundreds of people were taking photos. She wasn’t used to being on this end of the camera.

Finally, they got to the bidding. Her palms grew damp as Dee brought out the first framed photograph. It was one of her favorites. A three-year-old little girl with long dark hair and big blue eyes stood in a bed of blue flowers. She crouched down with a look of wonder on her face, examining the single ivory blossom in the bunch, her fingers reaching toward it. To Sierra, it reflected innocence and pursuing something different than expected.

“This first work is titled ‘Revelations,’” the auctioneer began. He listed a few more facts about the photograph, then said, “Bidding will open at two hundred dollars.”

Sierra held her breath. This was it.

The moment of truth.

Chapter 55

“I have two hundred,” the auctioneer said, pointing into the audience. “Do I hear two-twenty-five?”

Relief flowed through Sierra as the number continued to rise. The photograph sold higher than she would have priced it for retail. That trend continued until she firmly believed that Lane’s prediction was right. They were definitely going to double her ten thousand dollar goal.

Photographs donated by Bastian, Camille, Nathaniel, and a couple of her other photographer friends went for impressive amounts, too. Tears filled her eyes a few times. She couldn’t believe the generosity of the people participating in the auction. It made her heart swell to know she was helping such a great cause.

She realized that she should have told Evan to come. Hell, she should have at least asked him. She’d avoided discussing the event with him altogether, afraid that he’d be upset by the nature of the benefit or compelled to come just because she’d chosen to honor his mother. As she was prone to do with people she cared about, she tried too hard to solve his problems…to comfort and protect him. In the process, she was inadvertently stifling his ability to heal himself.

He would appreciate this, she knew. She should have given him more credit, allowed him to have a choice in whether or not to participate. Instead, she’d made the decision for him. As a result, the only person upset right now was her.

When the time came for the last pieces of the night to be auctioned off, she forced herself to look forward and not at the photographs as Dee set them up. It was bittersweet to see the gifts she’d crafted specifically for Evan set up at auction. Considering he no longer wanted them, though, she felt this was the best purpose for them.

“Our final collection of the night is a trio of images inspired by Atlanta’s third baseman, Evan Dorsey. As you all know, the proceeds from tonight’s benefit will be donated to breast cancer research in memory of Mr. Dorsey’s mother, Adelaide.”

The auctioneer paused and opened an envelope that Dee had passed him after setting the photographs up for display. He stared at the slip of paper for a moment, then looked at Dee, who nodded.

“Um,” the auctioneer stumbled, blinking in apparent surprise. “It appears these photographs are no longer open for bidding.”

Sierra glanced over with wide eyes as the audience moaned in disappointment. She looked over the auctioneer’s shoulder at Dee, who wiped a tear from her cheek.

“It appears we received a donation from a silent bidder specific to these photographs in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars.”

The gasps of astonishment from the audience barely registered with Sierra. Her hand moved to the necklace she wore at her throat…the necklace Evan had given her. There was no question in her mind that he’d made the donation.

Cheers and applause filled the tent. The DJ took Dee’s cue to resume the music. Everyone rose so the chairs could be cleared to free up the dance floor. Dee rushed over to Sierra and drew her into a hug.

“Oh, goodness,” she said with a sniffle. “I didn’t expect to cry. Just look at me…I’m a mess.”

Since Sierra had tears running down her cheeks, too, she couldn’t say anything. Her mothers and Lane also hurried up to congratulate her.

“I’m so proud of you, honey,” Deanne said.

“We all are,” Regina added. “You’ve done an amazing thing here.”

When her mothers rushed off to help Dee, Lane gave her a separate hug. “Evan donated the money, didn’t he?”

“I think so,” Sierra said.

“Well, that’s something.”

“Yes, it is.”

Lane helped her down the stairs and walked beside her so they could personally thank everyone for attending and donating. It took more than an hour to get to everyone. By then, the dance floor was thriving and the champagne was getting low.

So was Sierra’s energy. Lane eventually deposited her in a chair near the back of the tent and took to the floor with an attractive man in his late twenties. Sierra sipped more water and tried not to indulge in self-pity over the fact that she couldn’t dance.

“Hello, Sierra.”

Slowly, she turned and looked over her shoulder. Her eyes took in the shiny dress shoes, the tuxedo and bow tie, the gorgeous blue eyes.

Evan had come.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he said when she didn’t reply. “It didn’t feel like it took as long to get here when you drove. Plus, it was hard to talk Cole into letting me borrow this getup and his car.”

She still didn’t reply. She couldn’t believe he was standing there. Emotion ran through her like a current.

He approached the table and took the seat next to her. There wasn’t anyone else nearby, since the corner was dark and nowhere near the dance floor. When he reached for her hand, she didn’t resist him. His gaze met hers.

“Almost a year ago,” he said, “I was the one sitting alone in the back in the dark while everyone else danced. I was the one who suffered while they celebrated, the one experiencing pain that I was certain would never fade. You saw that from across a crowded room. And that very day, you helped me start to heal.”

Tears clogged her throat, trailed down her cheeks.

“I never dreamed that a year later, you’d be the one sitting in this spot, hurting and alone, all because of me.”

She opened her mouth to object, but he shook his head.

“It’s true. I may not have hurt you physically, but there is more than one way to cause pain. And I’m so sorry, Sierra. I’m sorry for hurting you.”

She had to look away. He was bringing forth all of the feelings she’d been pushing aside over the past couple weeks since their fight. A sob built in her throat, but she fought it back.

“You’re my light,” he said, reaching over and turning her so she faced him again. His thumb brushed at the wetness on her cheeks. “I was afraid, fearing a day I might live to see that light go out. Because of that fear, I almost extinguished it myself.”

Her breath shuddered as she battled her emotions. She would have killed for a tissue, but settled for the cocktail napkin under her water glass to blot her eyes.

“Last year, after you left me on the terrace at the reception,” he said, “I went looking for you. I wanted to thank you, maybe ask you to dance. But you were gone. Would you dance with me now, Sierra?”

She bit her lip. Her gaze went to her crutches.

“I’ll do all the work, I promise,” he said.

She nodded. Before she could start to rise, he moved to squat in front of her. She watched in stunned silence as he removed her single shoe. He rose and gently scooped her up, taking care not to touch the center of her back. The action caught her by such surprise that she laughed.

His eyes deepened in color in response. “I’ve missed your laugh,” he said.

He carried her to the outskirts of the dance floor. Since the DJ had chosen a slow song, the floor was less crowded. He carefully lowered her, making sure her left foot rested on top of his shoe. He encouraged her to encircle his neck with her arms so she could keep the weight off her injured foot. His movements were smooth and slow as he danced with her. He leaned down and breathed in her scent.

“I’ve been unforgivably selfish,” he said near her ear. “I should have been there for you after the attack. I should have spent every possible moment with you helping you recover. And most importantly, I should have let you know how much I love you.”

Oh, Lord. She was never going to stop crying. She felt like a fountain of tears.

He shifted back to look into her eyes. “I’ve constantly asked you to tell me of your love for me without even once offering you the same. You’ve shown me how much you love me, even without giving me the words. But I haven’t done the same, and I even mocked you for it. I’ll never forgive myself for that. I will, however, do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness.”

She wanted to reply, but couldn’t get any words past the enormous lump in her throat. Instead, she tightened her hold around his neck.

“I have a confession to make,” he said as he looked down at her. “I’ve been conspiring with your parents over the past couple of days. While you’ve been here preparing for the benefit, I’ve been moving all of our things into a new temporary home.”

Her eyes widened.

“Your aunt has a place we can use while the renovations are being completed at the apartments. I want to take care of you while you’re recovering. I want to be with you. I’ve missed you. I don’t want to spend any more time apart than we have to.”

Joy unfurled in her chest. A slow smiled bloomed.

“Will you tell me again, Evan?” she asked.

“I love you, Sierra.”

He leaned down to kiss her. Even though the kiss was sweet and tasteful, she felt it all the way to her toes. When she met his eyes, she saw his love for her swirling in them.

“I love you, too, Evan,” she said. “And I do forgive you.”

Shaking his head, he gave her another kiss. “You could have held out for all kinds of gifts and favors as I groveled, you know.”

“I could have,” she agreed, smiling widely. “But I’m too nice for that.”