Chapter 21
Sierra hung up from her video phone call with her publisher. Valeur had called to let her know that the editor was almost done with her book but called to see if Sierra needed more time and that they could push back her release date. She had told her yes.
She’d been so grateful and lucked out with sending her manuscript to a small publishing house and meeting the owner, Valeur.
The both of them had grown in fame when she’d released her first book and now Val Publishing Inc.
was now amongst the giants, but unlike them Valeur liked to give opportunities to new authors and work with indie authors to help publish their books.
“So did you tell him?” She watched as Valeur pulled her glasses off her nose and placed them on the desk in front of her.
Sierra rested her cell phone on the stand in Jacob’s office to see her better on the video call. “No, he still doesn’t know.”
She got up from the desk and closed his office door just in case Marissa came down from when she finished doing laundry upstairs. She didn’t want her to overhear or see that she was having a conversation on the phone. Sierra turned down the volume low so only she could hear what Valeur was saying.
Once she was settled again, they stared at each other.
Valeur raised her eyebrows and rested her pen on her desk in front of her. Sierra studied Valeur’s features, noting the fatigue on her brown face. Her afro wrapped in a headscarf, she was wearing loungewear while she worked from home today.
“Do you think that is wise? You are going to have to start working on the edits, sooner or later.”
Sierra propped her chin on her hand as she answered. “Yes, but now is not a good time; he has just agreed to me staying here instead of in the guest home and I don’t want there to be any excuse for him to kick me out.”
“Do you think he would do that?
She shrugged her shoulders. “To tell you the truth. I don’t know. Since I have been back, he has been sharp and distant, still keeping me at arm’s length. But recently he has seemed more amicable and listens to what I have to say, even when he doesn’t like it.” She gave Valeur a rueful smile.
Sierra took in Valeur’s frown. “So no real change or reconciliation then.”
Sierra sat back in surprise. “No, nothing like that, but it is not the same between us. He has changed too, he is more patient, can be reasonable at times.” She muttered the last part under her breath and Valeur grinned.
“That’s it?”
“No, he is more relaxed and lets down his guard. He is goofy and funny around Kaitlyn.” She smiled at the memory of Jacob getting down on all fours and putting Kaitlyn on his back and moving around the room like he was a horse.
They both laughed and shared a look when Kaitlyn was giggling so hard she could barely hold on.
That moment had been so precious to her, but as if sensing that, Jacob became closed off again.
She glanced down as she remembered he would soon be calling to check in on them—no, Kaitlyn. But she still looked forward to hearing his voice as he spoke to their daughter; she missed him while he was away.
“Still got it bad?”
She scowled as Valeur gave her a knowing look. “Let—”
Valeur turned her head, and she could hear her friend’s door creaking open. “Mommie, I’m hungry.” A grouchy boy’s voice said before she saw kinky curls over Valeur’s desk.”
She watched as Valeur’s face softened and she bent down low to pick up her four-year-old son. “Say hi to Sierra, Cass.”
She smiled into dark brown eyes and watched his thumb come out of his mouth and his toothy smile.
“Hi, Si.”
“Hi, little one.”
Her heart melted at his cute grin, and she suddenly pictured a little boy with Jacob’s features. Her heart stuttered and she shut down the image. Because that was not about to happen no matter how much she wanted it to.
“I’ve got to go, little man’s belly is empty.” And she rubbed his belly, making him laugh.
“Okay, talk later. Bye, Cass.” Sierra waved and he smiled back and waved before Valeur ended the video chat.
She picked up her phone, getting up, and distracted herself with thoughts on how Vegas was going with Jacob and hoped he was having a good time.