Robin Jones Gunn - Only You, Sierra: Book 1 in the Sierra Jensen Series

ONLY YOU, SIERRA
PUBLISHED BY MULTNOMAH BOOKS
12265 ORACLE BOULEVARD, SUITE 200
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80921

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) copyright 1973, 1984 by Zondervan Publishing House. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version 1984 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Scriptures marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version.

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

eISBN: 978-1-60142-405-1

Copyright 1995 by Robins Ink, LLC

Cover design by Kristopher K. Orr; cover photography by Steve Gardner

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by WaterBrook Multnomah, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc., New York.

M ULTNOMAH and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Random House Inc.

v3.1_r1

Contents

one

SIERRA JENSEN GAZED out the train window at the cold, wet English countryside. In an hour she and her friends would be back at Carnforth Hall with the other ministry teams that had spent the past week in various European countries. She wedged her hands between her crossed legs, trying to warm them against her jeans. Endless pastures, frosted with winters ice, flashed past her window. Sierra let out a sigh.

What are you thinking? Katie asked, uncurling from her comfy position on the train seat next to Sierra. Katies red hair swished as she tilted her head to make eye contact with Sierra. Even though Katie was two years older than Sierra and they had met only two weeks ago, they had become close during the week they had just spent together in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

About going back to the States, Sierra said. Her silver, dangling earrings chimed as she turned to Katie and smiled her wide, easy smile, but she was really looking past Katie. In the seat across the aisle from them, their team leader, Doug, was sitting next to his girlfriend, Tracy.

This whole trip went too fast. Katie folded her arms and settled back against the upholstered seat. Im not ready to go home yet.

I know, Sierra agreed. Me neither. She noticed that Doug was now slipping his arm across the back of the seat. Tracy slid closer to him.

Id like to come back, Katie said. Maybe next summer.

Me too, Sierra said, watching Tracy snuggle up to Doug.

It would be great if out whole team could be together again for another trip.

Me too, Sierra said. Tracy was tilting her heart-shaped faced toward Dougs, giving him a delicate smile that, by the look on his face, was melting him to the core.

What do you mean, me too? Of course you would be on the team. Katie looked over her shoulder to see what had distracted Sierra. Turning back to Sierra, Katie leaned forward and quietly said, Dont they just make you sick?

Katie, Sierra said in a hushed voice, I thought you guys were all best friends and had been for yearsyou, Doug, Tracy, and Christy. Why would it make you sick to see those two together?

Were all best friends. Its just well, look at them! Theyre totally in love.

I know, Sierra said, casting another quick glance at the couple who were now talking softly and looking deeply into each others eyes. I cant imagine ever being in Tracys place and having a guy look at me like that.

Are you kidding? Katie pulled back and let her bright green eyes do a quick head-to-toe scan of Sierra. Have you ever looked in a mirror, girl? First, you have the hair going for you. You have great hair! Wild, blond, curly. Very exotic.

Havent you noticed? Sierra said, tugging at a curly loop of her long hair. Straight, sleek hair happens to be in right now.

Oh sure, this week. Wait a few days. Everyone will be running out for perms so they can look just like you. And your smile happens to be award-winning, in case you didnt know. Blue-gray eyes that change with the weather are also quite popular. A few freckles. Thats good. Fantastic clothes, all very original. And I dont ever want to hear you complain about your body.

What body? Im shaped like a tomboy.

Better to be shaped like a tomboy than a fullback.

Youre not shaped like a fullback, Sierra protested.

Okay, a halfback.

Youre both beautiful, Stephen, the German guy on their team, inserted into the conversation. He was sitting directly across from them and had appeared to be sleeping.

Sierra felt her cheeks blush, realizing Stephen had overheard their conversation. He was the oldest one of their group, and his beard added to his older appearance.

Why do women find it a sport to criticize themselves to their friends? Stephen asked, leaning forward and taking on the tone of a counselor. You both are gorgeous young women on the outside and fantastically beautiful here, he patted his heart, where it really counts.

Then you tell us why all the guys arent falling at our feet, Katie challenged.

Is that what you want? Stephen asked, and in an uncharacteristic move, tumbled to the floor and bowed at their feet.

Sierra burst out laughing.

Get out of here! Katie said. Youre making this a joke, and Im serious.

Stephen returned to his seat, a satisfied little grin across his usually serious face.

Youre a guy; tell us what youre attracted to in a girl, Katie said.

Stephen took a quick look at Tracy and then back at Sierra and Katie. Well, he began, but it was too late. His unspoken message seemed clear.

Katie threw her hands up in the air. I knew it! You dont have to say anything. You men are all alike! You all say its the personality and whats on the inside that counts. But the truth is your first choice every time is the Tracy-type, the sweet, helpful, cute ones. Admit it! Theres little hope in this world for the few individualists like Sierra and me.

On the contrary. Youre both very attractive. To the right man, you will be a treasure. You just need to wait on God.

I know, I know, Katie said. And until then, we have our own little club, dont we, Sierra?

Sierra remembered when she and Katie had formed the Pals Only Club at the beginning of their trip. She slapped Katie a high five and said, P.O. forever!

Thats right, Katie said. We may have lost Tracy, but its you, me, and Christy from here on out.

You women do not need a little club, Stephen said. Perhaps a caveman with a big club might be helpful

Instead of laughing at his joke, the girls gave Stephen a tandem groan and twisted their expressions into unappreciative scowls. He folded his arms against his chest, closed his eyes, and pretended to go back to sleep. But a crooked grin was on his lips.

Come on, Katie said. Lets get something to drink.

Sierra followed her down the rocking aisle that led to the back of the train car. They passed through the sliding doors and headed for the compact snack bar at the end of the next car. After buying Cokes, they stood to the side by the closed windows.

Guys like Stephen really bug me, Katie said. First theyre all sweet and full of compliments, and then they make stupid jokes. You never know if theyre serious about all the nice stuff or not.