Page 88 of Totally Off Limits

Ah.He’d finally figured out the way to her heart.

Running a finger along her forehead, he said, “I promise you’ll never want for anything.”

Sierra knew that was true. The Ackerman family was one of the richest families in Winchester—and one of the oldest. They’d been there since the days of the Gold Rush, before Colorado was even a state. That they were still finding gold in those hills spoke to their enduring wealth. And Austin taking over running the business ensured the money would be flowing into his pockets.

But, having spent time with Austin again over the past couple of months, especially trying to envision him as her husband, Sierra knew she would never love this man. He was a good guy, to be sure, and even Mia had seemed to grow fond of him over the last few days.

Not the way she’d bonded with her real father, but it was still undeniable.

If she could just let go, if she could simply choose to not pine over what could have been, they could make a real go of it.

“Paul, get over here,” Rebecca said, causing Sierra to shift her focus. “I think we’re about to witness an important moment.” Oh, Jesus. “Wait—first turn up the lights, please.”

Her mother was actually listening in? Not that she could have missed it, considering they were all still congregated around the picnic table. But still…

Suddenly, Sierra felt like she had been bound and gagged, kidnapped.

No. Worse.

As she allowed herself to really peer into the future, she saw one thing for certain. She would be living a life of servitude. She wouldn’t be living for herself. She wouldn’t even be living for Mia.

All of it would all be for one thing: for a mother and father whom she loved but whose admiration and respect she would never be able to earn. If she were to marry Austin, something else would come up that her mother would choose to focus on. For as long as she could remember, she’d been miserable trying—and failing—to live up to her parents’ expectations. Even after trying for a quarter of a century, she’d made no progress in that regard. Why had she thought marrying this man would be the trick?

And, even if it was, it would be denying everything inside her.

If she married Austin, she would ensure that her misery would last a lifetime.

There was more, though. If she married this man, she would never stop thinking about Mickey and what might have been. Even if she and Mickey ultimately wouldn’t work, at least she wouldn’t be trapped in a loveless marriage if she walked away.

“Austin,” she said, placing a hand gently on his chest. The way his brown eyes examined hers told her he wasn’t quite getting her vibe. “I need to explain something to you.” Sensing the family’s presence, almost as palpable as if they’d had their hands on her, she pulled back a bit. “Actually, I thinkallof you need to hear this.”

Faith raised her eyebrows, sitting down at the picnic table as if taking a front seat at the movie theater and the other girls followed suit. They were probably expecting an epic meltdown where, in the end, Sierra caved to her parents’ wishes.

She was about to disappoint them.

Layne stood behind their sisters and gave Sierra a supportive nod, as if he knew exactly what she was about to say.

“Mom, Dad…I think you guys want what’s best for me. I believe that in my heart. And Austin—I think you’re an amazing guy who would make an incredible husband and father.”

He was also no dummy. “But?”

“But…I don’t love you.”

“You can grow in your love, Sierra,” Rebecca said from behind her.

Sierra’s insides started to quiver before she turned to face her mother. “There’s a reason why arranged marriages fell out of fashion, mom. I don’twantto grow in my love. No one wants that.” Turning quickly, she said, “Sorry, Austin. You are one of the best people I know, and I know you would be a wonderful husband—but marrying you would be wrong for both of us.” Turning back to her parents, she decided to tell the whole truth, so she took the leap. “I can’t marry Austin…because I’m in love with Mia’s father.”

Atypically, Paul raised his voice. “I thought you said you didn’t know who her father was.”

“I lied, okay? Ilied. And why did I do that? Because her father is a man you would never approve of, not in a million years. He was a kid that you would have said came from the wrong side of the tracks. You probablydidsay that at one point.”

Rebecca’s voice was full of horror—and Sierra couldn’t help but notice that her sisters were all but eating popcorn. “Who?”

Glancing at Layne quickly, she then looked back to her parents before telling them the whole truth. “Mickey Morton.”

“Mickey…” Sierra could tell when her mother’s brain made the connection by how wide her eyes grew. “Do you mean Michael Morton, that boy who always got in fist fights in middle school? That little scamp who was always in trouble?”

Of course, she’d remember that much. “Yes, that same one.”

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