Leave It to Chance Read online

  “I believe I’m missing some pieces here. Is it moving in with you? Holding one of the children hostage? What?”

  Sierra breathed out a slight chuckle and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “You’re not going to believe this, but I inherited it.”

  Her friend’s eyes grew wide, emphasizing the lushly mascaraed lashes. “Like someone died and gave you their horse?”

  Sierra nodded, raising her brows. “And the kids want to keep him.”

  Furrows emerged across Elise’s forehead. “Who is the idiot that told them about the horse?”

  Sierra tilted her head with a look that only best friends could give each other.

  Elise’s perfectly painted lips smirked. “Moving along, then. Why don’t you keep it? The kids would love it. Heaven knows they deserve it.” She clapped her hands together. “Oh, oh! They could get into 4-H, and Braden could learn to barrel race. That kid would think he’d won the jackpot. Emory and Trevor could get a pig or some of those show roosters.”

  Sierra let the idea machine wind down. “I don’t think so.”

  “Angora rabbits?”

  “No farm animals.”

  Elise’s mouth perked into humorous pout. “Sierra, you’re such a spoilsport. Those kids need a pet.”

  “A hamster is a pet. A horse is not.”

  Diva Elise took the stage, hands on her ample hips. “Don’t tell me you didn’t want a horse growing up. Remember, I was the one who had to sit and watch National Velvet with you time ad nauseam. You’ve said yourself that Braden needs something to take his mind off the problems he’s having at school and with his dad.”

  Guilt, a wheelbarrow load of it, dumped on Sierra. “You are supposed to be helping me, Elise, not making it worse. I want to get rid of this horse and …” her eyes dodged away from her friend, “… you know.”

  “Mmm-hmm. And still look like Super Mom in your children’s eyes.”

  Sierra nodded, but couldn’t find the nerve to say yes.

  “Sierra Montgomery, those children have been to heck and back in the last couple years and you’re willing to deny them the pleasure of owning their own free horse because … because of what?”

  Sierra stared at the ground for a moment, feeling a tangle of emotions rise within. She let her eyes rest on Elise’s and said quietly, “Fear? Terror? Hysteria?”

  A look of puzzlement, then understanding settled on Elise’s face, smoothing away the annoyance. “Molly.”

  Sierra nodded. “I won’t put my children in that kind of danger.”

  Elise leaned forward and grabbed Sierra’s hands, holding them tight. “Oh, hon. That was a long time ago. Don’t let your life be ruled by the what-ifs. There’s a lot of living left to do. And your kids need to see you taking life by storm, taking chances, not hiding in the shadows.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You were voted most likely to parachute off the Empire State Building.”

  Elise gave her a cheeky grin, both dimples winking at her. “We could do it tandem!”

  “If you see me jump off the Empire State Building you’ll know my lobotomy was successful, because there is no way in this lifetime you’ll catch this body leaving good sense behind!” Sierra heard the words come from her own mouth and stared at her friend in wonder. “Oh, my gosh. That was so my mom.”

  “It was bound to happen, hon.”

  Was she serious? “You think I’m turning into her?” Sierra brought a hand to her throat and quickly dropped it. How many times had she seen her mom use the same gesture?

  Elise laughed. “You need to stop fretting and just live. We all turn out like our mothers in some respect.”

  “All except you. You’re nothing like Vivian.”

  “Other than the drinking, smoking, and carousing, I’m exactly like her.”

  Sierra lifted a brow. Her mom had rarely let her go to Elise’s house when they were growing up—and for good reason.

  Elise struck a pose like a fashion model. “Okay, I’m the anti-Vivian.” She gave Sierra a soft smile. “All funnin’ aside, I really think you should keep the horse.”

  “I’m not keeping the horse. And even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.” Sierra took a settling breath and stared at the tree over Elise’s shoulder.

  “Michael still hasn’t paid?”

  Elise knew more about her finances than her mom did. “He paid, but the check bounced again. So now he’s two months behind in child support.”

  “Have you heard if Pollan’s is rehiring?”

  “They’re not.” Jarrett’s, the local grocery store where she worked for the three years since the divorce had been recently bought out by Pollan’s. They had laid off the majority of the checkers with the possibility of rehiring some.

  Elise cringed as if she was bracing herself for a blow. “And the unemployment fiasco?”

  Sierra shut her eyes. “Mr. Jarrett did not pay into our unemployment insurance, so there is no benefit for us to draw from. Yes, it was illegal, and yes he will pay, but it may take months, if not years, for various lawyers and judges to beat it out of him.” She gave Elise a tired smile. “That’s the version minus all the legalese.”

  “So the layoffs are final, no unemployment bennies, and you’re out of a job.”

  “Momentarily. The résumé has been dusted off and polished.” She gave a wry grin.

  “I wish I could hire you at Deluxe Couture, but I promised Nora full-time work. And besides, your cute little buns would drive my clientele away.”

  Sierra waved a hand over her jeans and sweatshirt. “Your clientele would outshine me any day.”

  “You sell yourself far too short.” Elise glanced at the hefty rhinestone-encrusted watch on her wrist. “Anything else I can do for you? Help the kids with their homework? Babysit while you sweep some tall, dark, handsome man off his feet?”

  Sierra laughed. “And where is this dream man going to come from?”

  Elise gave a breezy wave of her hand and opened the car door. “Oh, he’ll turn up. You’re too cute to stay single. I actually have someone in mind. Pavo Marcello. He’s a new sales rep from one of my favorite lines. I’ll see if he’s free Friday night. You aren’t doing anything, are you?”

  “Hold on!” Sierra stepped in front of the car door to keep her friend from leaving. “First, I’m not looking. Second, given my history, I’m not the best judge of character. I’ve already struck out once in the man department.” She pointed to her face with both index fingers. “Not anxious to try again. Third, you just told me I’m turning into my mom, which makes me definitely not dating material.”

  A twist of Elise’s lips signaled a thought. “You know, now that I think about it, I believe he has a boyfriend.” She shook her head and lowered herself into the car. “We’ll keep looking. I’m sure Sir Knight will turn up.”

  Sierra shut the car door and grinned down at her friend. “And what about finding your knight?”

  Elise gave her a bright smile. “Mr. Pellum is already taken. You really need to find a way to keep that horse; it’ll be your first noble sacrifice.”

  “First?”

  The little car backed up, and Elise spoke over the windshield. “The others don’t count.”

  Sierra stared at the retreating car. There was no way she was keeping that horse.

  After dinner, Sierra crept into Braden’s room. He sat on the bed intent on the Game Boy in his lap, the tinny sound of hard rock bleeding out of his earphones. She waved a hand and he glanced up. She waited and with a look of preteen exasperation he finally pulled the headphones to his shoulders.

  “What, Mom?”

  “I just wanted to say good night.”

  “Good night.” His hands started to readjust the music back into position.

  “I looked at your homework.”

  “You got into my backpack? Isn’t that like against the law or something? You’re always telling us not to get into your stuff.”

  She crossed her arms. Frustration and worry gna
wed at her. “You lied to me about doing your assignment. Why, honey?”

  He ignored her and started playing his Game Boy.

  She took one step and snatched the game from his hands.

  “Hey!”

  “I want some respect when I talk to you, Braden.”

  His chin sank toward his chest, his gaze fixed on his bed, his voice low. “I didn’t want to do it.”

  She sat next to him, her voice soft. “Is it too hard?”

  He shrugged. “It gives me a headache when I work on it.”

  “Braden, if you need help, I’d be happy to work with you after school.”

  He stared at his knees and picked at a loose string of cotton on his pajama bottoms.

  “I got a phone call from Mrs. Hamison today.”

  His body came alert, though he didn’t look at her.

  “She said you’re flunking most of your subjects, and she hasn’t seen any homework from you since school started a month ago.”

  He glanced up, his jaw belligerent, but with fear in his eyes.

  “What’s going on? I know school isn’t easy, but you’ve never given up before.”

  “Middle school’s harder.”

  She wanted to touch him, to brush the hair off his forehead and snuggle him close the way she used to when he was small. Back when a hug and a treat shared over the kitchen table was enough to bring the sparkle back to her son. “She thinks we should have your vision tested.”

  “Why?”

  “She’s noticed some things in class and thinks it might be helpful.”

  He shrugged again. “Can I have my game back?”

  “You lied to me, son. Again.”

  “Sor-ry.”

  “You break trust every time you choose to be dishonest. Is that what you want?”

  His voice was sullen and he stared at his comforter. “No.”

  She touched his leg. “What’s bothering you, honey?”

  “I dunno. Can I have my game back?”

  She stood up. There was a time for talking and this obviously wasn’t it. “You can have it tomorrow.”

  But would tomorrow be any different?

  Chapter 2

  After kissing Emory and Trevor good night, Sierra wandered back downstairs for a glass of water before getting ready for bed. She was glad for the quiet. She set the empty glass on the counter when the phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “So how’d it go? Were they thrilled?”

  “Elise, I’m not keeping the horse.”

  A patient sigh sounded through the line. “I wish you could just let go and let God.”

  “Elise …” Her friend made it sound like she could just sashay into some grand dance with God.

  “I know, I know. Not a topic for friendly discussion.”

  Sierra stayed firm. “Not if you want to remain friends.”

  “I just wish you and God would get back on speaking terms.”

  “It’s not a simple matter of speaking to Him; it’s about trust. You know, a God who showed that He cared through hard times would’ve come in handy.”

  “Okay, so moving along.”

  Sierra smiled.

  “So what’d you tell the kids?”

  “Before or after they got into a fight about whose fault the divorce was?”

  “Oh, hon, it has been a day!” A significant pause. “Will you ever tell them why he left?”

  “No, you know that.” Sierra sank into a kitchen chair. “Braden has gotten so angry with me, always ready to defend his dad to the death. And I work so hard not to say anything negative about the man.”

  “Hon, do you think Michael or Gina talk to him about you?”

  “I don’t know. I have no control over what they tell the kids, and I’d drive myself crazy trying to go there.”

  “You’re right, of course.” Elise’s voice took on a delicious tone. “But wouldn’t it give you some satisfaction to tell the kids what a two-timing louse he really is?”

  Sierra forced a laugh. “And it would help them to know their dad abandoned them to marry the dental hygienist who worked for him after hours?”

  “Mmm, I see your point,” Elise mused. “I wonder what the policy is for nominating someone to sainthood. Saint Sierra has a quaint ring to it.”

  That brought a genuine laugh to Sierra’s throat. “You are something else, you know?”

  “Have you changed your mind about the horse?”

  “No!”

  “What if room and board was a gift from Aunty Elise?”

  “It would probably be the last gift Aunty Elise was able to give.”

  “Hmm. Better make it anonymous.”

  “I’m going to bed.”

  Friday afternoon, Sierra set the plate of crackers with sliced cheese on the table.

  Trevor gazed up at her. “Can I have an apple?”

  “We’re out of apples, sweetie. Hurry up, your dad’s going to be here in a few minutes.”

  Emory rushed into the room and grabbed a cracker. “Did you wash my blanket today?”

  On her way to the counter, Sierra stroked a hand across Em’s shoulders. “Yep, it’s in the dryer. Is Braden upstairs?”

  A relieved smile washed over her daughter’s face. “Thanks! He’s in his room packing.” She rushed past the sink to the little alcove that housed the washer and dryer. She might have been nine, but her special “blankie” still went on overnighters with her.

  Sierra hollered up the stairs. “Come on, Braden. There’s a snack on the table.”

  Emory hurried back and stuffed the blanket into her backpack. “Is Dad here yet?”

  “I haven’t heard a honk.”

  Braden sauntered down the stairs, his overnight bag draped over his shoulder. He stopped at the table and stuffed several crackers into his mouth. “Bye.” Puffs of cracker dust spewed out with the word. He gave them a wide, crumb-filled grin and headed for the front door.

  Emory made a face at her mom. “That was disgusting.”

  Sierra grinned. “No, that was boys!”

  Her daughter laughed, grabbed her bag, and gave her a big hug. “I’ll miss you.”

  Sierra kissed the tip of the sweet nose. “I’ll miss you, too, pumpkin, but I bet you’ll have a good time.”

  A shadow of guilt crossed her daughter’s face as if it were somehow wrong to have fun at her dad’s.

  “I want you to have a good time.” Sierra rocked her daughter back and forth in a tight hug. “Got it, girl?”

  Em giggled and looked up at her with a smile. “Got it!”

  Sierra gave Trevor his overnight bag and followed him and Emory out the front door.

  Braden gave her a funny look. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I need to talk to your dad.”

  Defensiveness crossed his face. “Why?”

  “I just need to talk to him.”

  Emory chimed in. “He won’t call her back.”

  At Sierra’s look, Emory explained, “I heard you talking to Elise.”

  A few minutes later the black Lexus pulled into their gravel driveway. The redhead in the passenger seat didn’t even turn to look at them. The woman never did.

  Sierra followed the kids off the porch, but sandy-haired Michael, dressed in an expensive charcoal suit, jumped out of the car. That was a first. He herded their bewildered children back toward the house. “I’m not going to be able to take the kids this weekend.”

  “What?” An outraged Braden, who hung close to the car, dropped his backpack to the ground.

  Michael gave him a sharp look, then turned back to her. “Gina and I are headed out of town, and Emory borrowed my iPod.” He turned to their daughter. “Em, I’m in a hurry, could you get it for me?”

  Em darted back to the house.

  Sierra crossed her arms. “It’s the kids’ weekend to be with you. They’ve been looking forward to it.”

  “Don’t lay a guilt trip on me! Things come up.”

  “You’ve canc
eled the last three weekends.”

  “Geez, Sierra. I don’t work my tail off to make a better life for my kids just to have you breathing down my neck.”

  Trevor moved close and wrapped an arm around her thigh.

  Michael directed a stern look at their youngest. “Take your thumb out of your mouth, Trevor. Big boys don’t suck their thumbs.”

  Trevor immediately pulled his thumb out and wiped it on his pants. Sierra laid an arm across his small shoulders. She kept her voice low and calm. “We need to talk.”

  Gina’s voice floated across the small yard. “We’re going to be late, Michael.”

  Sierra ignored the interruption. “When can I get a check? I can’t feed or house our children without some help.”

  Gina’s voice came again. “Michael.”

  Emory ran back out of the house and handed her dad the iPod.

  Sierra glanced at the car, then back to her ex-husband. “Where are you going that you can’t take the kids?”

  His eyes shifted from her to the porch railing. “I have a business meeting.”

  Sierra couldn’t contain the edge to her voice. “On a Friday night?”

  Gina’s voice grew urgent. “We only have thirty minutes to make the flight, sweetheart. We need to go right now.”

  He barked toward the car, “I know!”

  Gina’s window zipped up, and the woman faced the garage once again.

  Sierra clenched her fists, but kept her voice low. “You’re flying somewhere, yet you can’t pay their child support?”

  “It’s a dental conference, okay?”

  Right. Michael hated conferences. “When will I get a check?”

  Annoyance hissed out with his next words. “My bookkeeper messed up. You’ll get it next week.

  “It’s been two months. I need it tomorrow.”

  “Next week, okay? I gotta go.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, then paused as their youngest caught his eye. “Trevor, I said, take your thumb out of your mouth!” And he was gone. No hugs for the kids, no reassuring “I’ll call you guys when I get there,” or “I’ll see you in a few days.” Just taillights fading in the distance.

  Emory started to cry. Her hands hung limp at her side, misery in the slump of her shoulders. Trevor automatically raised his thumb to his mouth, then jerked it back down. And Braden … Braden was nowhere to be seen.