Detour: Destination Abiding Love by JoAnn Carter Page B

want her to think they could be more than friends. There would never be a future for them as a couple. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea—”
    “Your mother told me, you know.” She didn’t finish the thought right away.
    He was in no mood for games so he stayed quiet.
    “If you have time to take Sierra to New York, you have time to take me to dinner for an hour or two, wouldn’t you agree? Besides, I want to know what’s going on between the two of you, anyway.”
    Not nearly enough.
    “Clara, this isn’t about Sierra. It’s about you and me. I’m not the same person I was years ago when we were dating. We both live different lives now and frankly, I’m not interested in revisiting the past.”
    “What are you saying?” Her voice grew husky.
    He rolled his eyes, ready for the call to end. “I’m saying that I appreciate the help you’re giving to Dad, but I’m not looking—”
    “Who said I was?” She scoffed. “Really, Cole, I only said we should go to dinner, not get married.”
    He blew out a breath. Why did he get the feeling it was more than just a simple dinner, which she was trying to lead him to believe? Perhaps talking to her face to face would finally make her understand. “Fine. Meet me on Friday at the Bistro.”
     
    
     
    Cole missed Sierra. He picked up his phone to call her, but then set it back down. Lord, bless her time there and if it’s Your will, please bring her back. He glanced at the clock and sighed. Time to get to work. He picked up his keys, and descended the steps into the store.
    Mrs. Whitten was at the counter talking to Sam. “There you are.”
    “Good morning. Were you waiting for me?”
    “I was. Could we perhaps talk in your office?”
    His gut clenched. Something was off. “Sure, come on back.” He led the way to the small room tucked in the back corner. He held the door open for her. “Are you OK?”
    “I’m fine.” She took a seat. “But I’m afraid something will need to be done about Clara.”
    He furrowed his brow. “Clara?”
    Mrs. Whitten folded her hands across her chest. “Why do you look so surprised? She’s never, no pun intended, liked to play second fiddle.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    Mrs. Whitten scooted to the edge of her seat. “Melissa heard her talking nasty about Sierra to some church members. I was there. It got...well, ugly. I’m concerned about the ramifications.”
    “Why would she put Sierra down? Sierra never did anything to her.”
    “Never underestimate the power of a woman who feels she’s been scorned.”
    “But...” Cole brushed the questions aside. “Tell me what happened.”
    “Clara is bent on undoing all the good that Sierra has done. She’s putting a twist on things; just enough to make people think Sierra had an ulterior motive. Melissa heard what she was saying and stood up for Sierra. It would have been fine if she stopped there.” She splayed her hands out, at a loss for words.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Melissa in her urge to defend Sierra happened to mention you.”
    His head snapped up.
    “And something along the lines that even though Sierra is no longer in town, that doesn’t mean she isn’t seeing you...that she is staying in contact via computer chat and phone texts, so Clara should back off.”
    Cole’s heart sped up. The idea of seeing Sierra again, even over the computer, was something he needed to tuck away to contemplate later. Right now, he had her honor to defend. “I don’t like that Clara’s spreading lies about Sierra. I’ll take care of it.”
    Mrs. Whitten stood. “Just be careful. I smell something very ugly. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be here at all.”
    “Do you know something I don’t?”
    “Not really. Just call it a funny feeling. The venom coming from Clara’s gaze when she spoke to Melissa gives me the willies. Who knows what she is capable of?” Mrs. Whitten wasn’t a worrier, and the fact she sought him out said more than