She smiled. “I was remembering a project I did with my best friend, Avery. We put on a prom for kids who were undergoing chemo and treatment and couldn’t go to their own proms. It was amazing. That we could take them away from their pain and problems for one night? It was so sweet.”
He reached out and grasped her hand. “I like that part of you, giving back because you know what it’s like to be in their position.”
She swallowed hard, sobering, as she said, “You have no idea how lonely it can be. I had my mom. Avery had her mom when she donated. But so many children, their parents work. They can’t be there for them day and night while they’re in the hospital and some are there for months.” She sniffed, her eyes watering. “You’re in pain and alone. It’s awful. So if I could bring them even a minute’s happiness? It’s worth it.”
He tipped his head to the side. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why did you major in business? Why not in something where you could eventually put your focus into the charity work you love?” He studied her, his gaze warm, as he obviously understood what was in her heart.
“Because my father was a businessman. My grades were stellar. I did what everyone expected me to do.” She shrugged. “You know college, you have to pick a major, and sometimes it’s easier to do what makes sense. You’re not always old enough to know what it is you really want.” She shook her head. “I didn’t even realize how I was feeling until I was away from it all and came here. And the charity thing didn’t hit me until I saw Harper and Emily working together.”
He nodded. “I get it. I can’t deny what you suggested for Ian’s stadium is brilliant, but there’s a lot to be said for being happy in life, too.”
She managed a smile. “I’ll definitely see the stadium project through. What happens after that? We’ll see.”
Just like she’d see what happened after Ethan’s part in the project was over and he went back to New York. Her heart twisted at the thought.
“Ready to get back to the inn?” he asked.
They were going home first thing in the morning, and she planned to enjoy the time they had left because it was starting to feel like the clock for Sienna and Ethan was ticking down.
Chapter Ten
Sienna arrived home, knowing she had to deal with her family issues. She called her brothers, Alex and Jason, and read them the riot act about hiding things from her, keeping her in the dark, and treating her like a baby. And while she was at it, she informed them both she expected them to be nice to Ethan. As the father of her baby, they had to accept him. No choice.
Considering how upset she’d been when she left and how protective they’d seen Ethan be over her well-being, both brothers gave in to her demands. They also apologized and admitted they were wrong. She took the win. It wasn’t often her siblings groveled.
The rest of the family? Well, Olivia apologized at work. Ian grumbled his I might have been a bit over protective, and everyone else admitted they were wrong. They’d taken their cues from Ian and were sorry.
With that behind her, she turned her focus to finishing up the stadium project, and on Saturday, she’d called Avery to discuss picking up their charity work again. Avery suggested they go over to the Meridian Hotel, owned by Robert Dare, to talk. Since her father had been scarce, Sienna wasn’t worried about running into him.
But luck wasn’t on her side. She had just pulled up in her car and climbed out when she caught sight of her father.
“Sienna!” He called her name and walked over. Wearing his usual suit and tie, his salt-and-pepper hair styled perfectly, he looked like the man who’d raised her. Unfortunately she’d come to discover the father she adored was a duplicitous human being.
“Hi.”
He grasped her shoulders and looked her over. “I heard the news.”
“And yet I haven’t heard from you.”
He glanced everywhere but at her. “I’ve been busy.”
She narrowed her gaze. “That seems to be a pattern for you. Get busy with one family, forget about the one you left behind. I understand you’ve moved on again. Best of luck.” She turned and walked away, leaving him stunned and speechless behind her.
Her heart beat rapidly in her chest as she headed inside, hearing him call her name, but she ignored it, realizing for the first time how her half siblings really must have felt over the years. Betrayed, hurt, devastated… It was a wonder they’d all managed to forge relationships with each other at all. Certainly, it was no thanks to their father.