Only You by Francis Ray Read Free Book Online Page A

Sierra cross the threshold of womanhood.
    “As Catherine said, Sierra hasn’t said she is going, but if she does go, she’s intelligent, intuitive, and professional enough to get the job and make the experience work for her.”
    Sierra smiled at Sabra. “Thank you.”
    “She’ll also make some salespeople very happy with their commissions,” Faith put in, trying to help as well. “There are some great stores and boutiques in Dallas.”
    “Please say hello to Dominique and Trent,” Phoenix added. “They came to my opening at the African American Museum in Dallas and afterward took us to dinner. You’d better take plenty of sunscreen. The sun is merciless there.”
    “I will,” Sierra said. Dominique was Daniel’s younger sister. Trent was her adoring husband. They’d met in Dallas when Dominique was living incognito with her godmother and trying to establish herself as a photographer. Trent had lived next door. The attraction and annoyance had been instant on both of their parts. They were two more people who had found that special connection.
    “Dallas is a wonderful city.” Catherine turned to Luke. “Did I tell you I was considering accepting an invitation to give a lecture at Southern Methodist University next month?”
    “You know you didn’t,” Luke said. “I remember everything you’ve ever said to me.”
    Catherine’s hand trembled as she cupped the side of Luke’s face. “I love you.”
    His hand tenderly covered hers; then he spoke to his brothers: “Looks like we’re outnumbered, but I’ve got a feeling we’re about to even the odds.”
    Sierra saw her mother winding her way through the restaurant and groaned.
     
     
    “ S ierra, are you considering going because of me? If so, I’ll stop putting prospective husbands in your path immediately,” her mother, Ruth Grayson, promised. She remained beautiful and slim in her sixties and loved her children unconditionally.
    Sitting beside her mother on the sofa in Brandon and Faith’s apartment over the restaurant, Sierra blinked. It had been Luke’s idea for them to discuss the invitation alone. He’d known that ganging up on Sierra would only make her stubborn.
    Ruth’s hand covered her daughter’s. “I mean it.”
    Sierra loved her mother and wouldn’t have her worried for the world. Ruth Grayson had left her family in Oklahoma after the death of her husband and traveled to Santa Fe to teach at St. John’s because the college offered free tuition to children of the instructors. There was no sacrifice too great for her to make if it would benefit her children. She had always put them first, and they loved and admired her for doing so. They were blessed to have her as their mother. “It’s a wonderful opportunity.”
    “But would you be considering it if I wasn’t trying to marry you off?”
    Again her mother surprised her. Nothing any of her brothers had done had veered Ruth from her path. “I applied for the job months ago.” Sierra smiled. “Long before I was next on your marriage hit list.”
    “Your brothers and their wives are happy,” Ruth pointed out.
    “But they’re not me. Luke dated the least, but all of them had women in their lives. There’s never been a special man in my life, and I like it that way.” Sierra squeezed her mother’s hands. “I like my space and independence.”
    “Afraid he wouldn’t understand some of those costly items in your closet, or the empty cupboards,” Ruth said knowingly.
    “There is that, but the men I’ve met don’t …” Her voice trailed off as Sierra sought a word that wouldn’t sound sexual.
    “Move you,” her mother furnished.
    Sierra blinked again, then laughed. “Oh, Mama.”
    Ruth returned the smile. “I know what love feels like, that special connection. How his touch, his voice, can move you.”
    Sierra thought of Blade, but there was also another man. “Daddy.”
    “There was never a man like him.” Her mother took both of Sierra’s hands in hers.