Page 17 of Moonlit Hideaway
Sierra’s heart dropped as a montage of herself performing her hit single “Neon Heartbeat” filled the screen. She was clad in her signature futuristic outfit, belting the lyrics as she executed the energetic dance moves.
“Hey, Seajane,” Howie shouted. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Hey, Jane, maybe you can sub for her,” Emma said. “You need a better hairstyle, though, and those mom jeans are totally not cutting it.”
Even Mabel came out of the kitchen to gawk at the excitement.
Sierra waved her hand off-handedly. “It’s not the end of the world. So, a singer cancels a tour. You mean there’s nothing else on TV?”
“Can you believe Jane didn’t even know who Sierra was?” Emma asked. “I told her they look like sisters, and she was surprised.”
“I had me a doppelganger, too,” Howie said. “Back when I was in the merchant marines. Played tricks on me, that fellow.”
“Yoohoo, food is getting cold,” Mabel said over the noise. “And Howie, turn down that television, will you? I’m sick of hearing that boring electric pop tune.”
As Sierra turned back up the stairs, she noticed Hank’s gaze follow her.
“Aren’t you coming to dinner?” he asked as she headed toward the staircase.
“I should go,” she said, going toward her room.
“Is something wrong?” The concern was evident in his voice. “Emma didn’t get on your nerves, did she? Because I can ask her to stop with the lessons and the comments about your clothes. That was rude of her, and I apologize on her behalf.”
“It’s not Emma. She’s adorable.” She stopped in front of her closed door, but he didn’t make a move to leave her side. Part of her would have felt abandoned if he had left her alone, but she couldn’t continue staying here and risk being discovered.
He took a step closer and opened her door for her. “Something’s frightened you, hasn’t it? I don’t want to pry, but I also know that look in your eyes.”
“It’s not your problem.” She filed into the room and turned to close the door, but he stepped in and shut it for her, not leaving her side.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Hank said softly. “I won’t force you to tell me anything you don’t want to. But I meant what I said before—you’re safe here. We won't tell anyone if you don’t want anyone to know you’re here. I want you to feel that you can trust me, and I’ll make sure Emma understands the gravity of the situation.”
Sierra felt a lump form in her throat. “Why are you being so kind to me?”
“I can’t help but care.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I can see it in your eyes. You’ve suffered a shock, and you feel you’re alone in this world. But I’m here, and I see you.”
“You know who I am?”
“Let’s just say I knew you weren’t a Jane, and that Dolan bit was a dead giveaway. When you’ve been watching people as long as I have…” he trailed off. “It’s not hard to see the woman behind the makeup and the glamour. It comes with a price, doesn’t it? You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. I want you to know that I’ll watch over you.”
Her heart ached at his words, and a part of her wanted so desperately to confide in him, to be wrapped up in those bigarms of his, but her problems were not his, and she wouldn’t disrupt their lives.
“I can’t put that on you and your family. Can’t be a burden. I have to go.”
He nodded, lips thin and pressed together. “Promise me that if you ever need help, you’ll reach out to me.”
“You’ll help me bring my things down?” she asked, and he gave her a rueful chuckle.
“Sure, but at least spend the night.”
Her eyes widened, and she allowed herself the wild thought of…
“Oh, that didn’t come out right. What I meant is you’ll have a long drive ahead of you, and the first ferry doesn’t depart until eight in the morning. You can’t leave now even if you wanted to.”
His words took some of the edge off her anxiety. “Got me there. I guess I’ll pack up the truck and then leave at dawn. I’m sorry, Hank. It’s better this way.”
Hank looked like he wanted to argue but instead nodded slowly. “If you’re sure that’s what you want. But remember, you always have a place here if you need it.”
Hank called an early night and retired to his bedroom after helping Jane, or as he now knew, Sierra, pack her truck. He’d checked the oil and the tires, doing what he could to ensure her safe travels. She had no idea where she would go, telling him only that she would head west. He doubted she’d find refuge and anonymity, but she’d spent the rest of the evening locked in her room with a bottle of hair dye.
