New Beginnings Read Online Free PDF Page B

the small stage looked at him with adoration in their eyes.
    He looked toward the table where she sat, having no idea she was battling a deluge of feelings that had been buried behind the safety of a protective barrier too long: bitterness, disappointment, anguish, and the ache of a destructive love that threatened to consume her with its intensity.
    “Sierra, could you stand up for just a minute?”
    She was crazy to think they could make amends. He clearly thought he could walk back into her life, throw some money at her, and make up for the tragedy he’d left her to face alone. There was no amount of money in the world that could repair her broken heart or erase her agonizing memories of those months after their daughter died. His need for money and power was one of the reasons their marriage fell apart, and now he wanted to use that money to make himself look like a hero to his fans. They could hold on to that idealistic image of him, but she knew the truth. Her ex-husband was a liar and a coward.
    Reluctantly, at the prodding of Jimmy and Marisa, she stood and glared at him.
    “Sierra, on behalf of all the parents who have lost a child, I want to thank you for all The Rainbow Fund does to help the families of these children deal with their loss. You are an angel.”
    She wasn’t about to stand there with a smile and a wave, making nice with this man, accepting his false gratitude and praise for the cause that was her lifeline.  She’d watch his money burn before she’d allow him to use it to ease his guilty conscience. It was too little, too late.
    She should have trusted her instincts and left the past where it belonged: dead and buried.
    Before he could continue his hypocritical tribute, she forced her way through the stunned crowd, fleeing to the safety of a dressing room that was more of a prison of memories than a safe refuge.

 
     
Chapter Three
     
    Trey watched Sierra beat a hasty retreat to the dressing room and knew he’d just blown the only chance he may ever get to make amends. She still hated him; that much was obvious. He couldn’t blame her. He hated himself for the mess he’d made of their marriage.
    He knocked on the door to her dressing room and walked in before she could tell him to get lost. The room looked exactly the same as it had the night she told him she was filing for divorce.
    Memories shouldn’t have the power to render you speechless, but these did. It was like he was stepping back in time. Same room, same girl, and she was still distraught because of the pain he’d caused. Only tonight, he was stone-cold sober and he’d do whatever it took to make things right between them. He’d be damned if he let her walk out of his life with so many things left unsaid.
    “I’m sorry,” he whispered, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jeans so he wouldn’t be tempted to reach out and touch her.
    “For what?” She sniffled and dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.
    “Everything.” He lowered himself to the leather couch, the same couch where they’d made love countless times. He stroked the aged, distressed leather and remembered a time when her body had been so warm and willing. Now, it was trembling with unshed tears and he hated knowing that he was the cause.
    “I thought I could handle this,” she whispered. She paced the small room. “I thought I had put this behind me.”
    “I was just trying to make up for the past the only way I knew how, baby.”
    She turned on him, her blonde hair fanning out around her shoulders. “Don’t you dare call me that.”
    “I’m sorry.” He’d always called her that when they made love. At least she remembered. “You really do hate me, don’t you?”
    “Yes, no. Hell, I don’t know.” She sank into the chair across from him and tucked her legs under her. “I want to hate you. I should hate you, but I’m tired of living with this anger.  I just want to let it go so I can move on with my life.”
    He looked at her engagement