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"You moralistic little bitch," Marlena screamed as the Mackays and Ti and pity "You’re as ignorant as he is He fucked you and passed out, he didn’t even rehed as Sierra flinched "You’re such a stupid little whore"

"I re back at him in surprise as his arht He was lying to help her save face, nothingdown at her as she fought to believe hi that iotten for long"

His fingers touched the single tear that fell fro existed but John Nothing existed but the fact that he was holding her, that he was there, that he loved her And that he rehed behind her "Love wears off, trust me, I know" The bitterness in her voice was self-explanatory

Turning back to her Sierra stared back at Marlena with true pity Nothing could have hurt worse in Sierra’s life than losing John forever, but never would she have destroyed herself to get back at him

"True love doesn’t wear off," she told Marlena "It doesn’t strike back, and it keeps the heart war You never loved anyone but yourself"

The sound of sirens outside, the rush of officers nearing the boat drew her attention It was over The danger was gone If John asked her to leave, if he decided their tirets

It would break her heart It would destroy her But the love she felt for him would never allow her to harm him or to strike back at hih the shattered door Her gaze flashed with fear before she turned to John with a twisted smile

"I’ll never see prison," she whispered

"I’m afraid you will," he pro enough"

John watched, al as Timothy Cranston stepped forward Calculated interest filled his expression "We could discuss that, Ms Genoa," he stated with such false innocence that the men in the room couldn’t help but chuckle "We can discuss that in depth"

ONE MONTH LATER

Sierra watched, a s John’s sister, Rogue, and her husband, Sheriff Zeke Mayes, filled the huge backyard of Dawg Mackay’s two-story ranch house The Walkers weren’t the only ones there The entire Mackay clan, including Faisal, Natches’s adopted son, the four precocious toddlers, and Ti woled around the tables of food and the pool, and lounged in the comfortable patio furniture set out

It was a true barbeque This was no catered affair Sierra had been at the house for the past two days Sierra, Rogue, Kelly, Christa, Janey, and Chaya had helped the men prepare for what they called a family reunion

She’d never been to a fa this one

John Calvin Walker Sr, "Calvin" to everyone here but his wife, watched the children, his two grandchildren as well as the Mackays’ toddlers with a s had supplied him with

Sierra had never seen him in jeans until today Even Brianna Walker wore jeans, a sh she had come from the same mountains her husband had been born in

"It’s about tiue aze affectionate and filled ar brother was a goner when he gave Marlena that ring"

"John was too smart for her" A satisfied smile curled Sierra’s lips

She’d learned to live for the moment She didn’t ask for proh to have each day as it came To store each memory, each touch, each kiss, just in case he asked her to leave

"He was indeed," Rogue agreed "You love hiue had always been friends No one could have missed her o

"With all ue told her then

Sierra nodded He told her often that he loved her He held her, even when she had nightave her a sense of content No co that she had to make a decision She had a career to return to, a job; she couldn’t live off John, and she wouldn’t live off him But she couldn’t make the final move without an invitation, without soreat to see you together" Rogue hugged her again "And I’ you here You can help decorate the new house"