Only You by Francis Ray Read Free Book Online Page B

“That is what I wanted for all my children. A love that transcends.”
    “I wish I could remember him.” Sierra had been a toddler when the commercial airplane he’d captained went down in the Brazilian jungle.
    “I see him in each of you. He would have been so proud of you.”
    “He’d be prouder of you for loving us and giving us love and understanding, for helping to make us who we are today,” Sierra returned, meaning every word.
    Ruth tilted her head in a gesture similar to her daughter’s. “I might have done my job too well. You’re too independent at times.”
    “I don’t know how to be any other way,” Sierra said. In her younger years it had been to hide the hurt of not fitting in, but as the years passed, her self-reliance and poise had become a natural part of her.
    Ruth nodded. “You’re going, then.”
    It wasn’t a question. “Yes.”
    Sadness entered her mother’s dark eyes. “The longest you’ve ever been away is the ten days you went to Europe with your senior class. You could be gone for months.”
    “If I get the job.”
    “You’ll get the job. You’re too good not to.” There wasn’t a shred of doubt in Ruth’s voice.
    Sierra wanted the job more with each passing moment, but she had to be realistic. “Only the best work for Navarone Resorts and Spas.”
    “That’s what he’s getting in you. The best.”
    Sierra fought not to squirm. “Mr. Navarone probably won’t be there. The executive director of human resources will make the final decision”
    “That’s who I meant.”
    “Oh,” Sierra said, knowing her mother was too sharp not to understand her slip.
    Once again her mother surprised her by standing, signaling the conversation was over. “You’re going to have a lot to take care of before then. You’d better get to it.”
    “Thank you.”
    Ruth brushed a strand of hair behind her daughter’s ear. “You have a compassionate, strong heart with a sharp intelligence to guide you … if you stop long enough to think.”
    “I have thought about this.”
    “Then you’ll go with my blessing and my love.”
    Sierra hugged her mother. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
    Ruth straightened and stared at her daughter, her eyes as sharp as a dagger. “If not, he will have me to deal with.”
    This time there was no mistake as to who “he” was. Sierra, for once, remained quiet.
     
     
    O nce her decision was made, Sierra was anxious to set the wheels in motion. In the seclusion of her office, she called the number listed in the letter.
    The phone was answered on the third ring. “John Perry.”
    Sierra hadn’t expected the number to be the direct line of the executive director of human resources. “Good afternoon, Mr. Perry. This is Sierra Grayson from Santa Fe.”
    “Ms. Grayson, how wonderful to hear from you,” he said, his voice filled with warmth. “I hope this call means you’re accepting our invitation. I was very impressed with your résumé.”
    His last sentence caught her off guard. Blade’s company would hardly keep all the résumés on file; then she recalled her Web site with her bio and resume. Blade was behind Mr. Perry’s sudden interest, she was as sure of it as her family was. “Thank you.”
    “Would two weeks, say the eighth of April, be convenient?” he questioned.
    “Perfect.” She needed time to discuss things with her boss, then prep another agent with her listings. There was also the slumber party she’d planned for the girls from Second Chance, the outreach center for teenagers that Morgan had founded. All were ex-substance abusers, but being drug-free presented another problem: the teenagers who had never used drugs didn’t want anything to do with them. Sierra did all she could to help them with the transition back to a healthy, happy life. The whole family had helped the center at one time or another.
    “Wonderful. My secretary will call you within the hour and discuss travel arrangements.”
    She laughed. “You move