She intended to spend every second with Mason, not just getting through the days, but living them to the fullest for the rest of her life.
She hugged her mom. “Thank you for always being there for me.”
“Be happy.”
“Done. I couldn’t get any happier than I am right now.”
Amy stepped away from Rex’s side and pulled her in for a hug. “I’m so glad you moved back home.”
“Me, too. See you when I get back.”
Mason let loose the boys, who practically strangled him with their hugs. He waved good-bye to her mom and sister and his family, then they finally made it down the steps under a rain of flower petals to the limo. She glanced over her shoulder to toss the bouquet, but spotted Heather standing with Hallee in front of her.
She squeezed Mason’s hand. “Give me a sec.”
He glanced at Heather and nodded.
Sierra walked up the two steps, smiled down at Hallee, then handed the bouquet to her sister. She leaned in close and whispered something for her sister’s ears only. “I hope this brings you good luck and you find a man who is all yours and who loves you the way Mason loves me.” She meant it. They both needed to move on.
Tears slipped down Heather’s cheeks.
“Mom has the kids while we’re gone, but I bet they’d love a sleepover at Aunt Heather’s.” Maybe they weren’t ready to hang out like they used to, but the kids loved being with each other, and that shouldn’t have to change.
Heather wiped away a tear, found a smile, and nodded. “I’d love that.”
Sierra rejoined her husband, light of heart and filled with hope for the future, knowing no matter what, she didn’t have to face anything alone again.
She had her family, the boys, and Mason.
Author’s Note
Sierra loves reading her boys bedtime stories, but her favorite ones are the ones she tells about Franny Fright. When she was young, they were frightening tales she told to scare her sisters. But now, they’re fun . . . and just a bit scary.
Here is just one of those tales . . .
FRANNY FRIGHT
Franny Fright took such delight
In making things go bump in the night
A clink and clang from her boa chain
A boo and ooh like a scary ghoul
Franny Fright plays her tricks
On the little ones she picks
Tickling toes
And chilling their bones
You’ll hide under the covers when Franny Fright hovers
Squeaking floors
And slamming doors
Your delightful screams Franny Fright adores
So when the sky is dark
And the moon is bright
Watch out for Franny Fright
Acknowledgments
I am so grateful to the Avon Books/William Morrow team for all the support and enthusiasm for all the stories I bring to life. And I do mean team, because the books aren’t finished and in readers’ hands without the editorial, marketing, publicity, sales, and all the other support staff that have a hand in every book.
A very special thank-you to my amazingly talented and patient editor, Lucia Macro, for always diving deep into every story and making sure, in the end, it’s the best it can be.
To my hardworking agent, Suzie Townsend, who takes care of business and has my back. I’m so lucky to have you as a friend and partner on this amazing journey.
And of course, thank you, readers, for picking up my books, giving me your precious time and attention, and spending time with my characters. I know I put you through a lot, but in the end, I promise you’ll always find a happy ending.
P.S. Insights, Interviews & More . . .*
About the Author
* * *
Meet Jennifer Ryan
About the Book
* * *
Reading Group Guide
About the Author
Meet Jennifer Ryan
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author JENNIFER RYAN writes suspenseful contemporary romances about everyday people who do extraordinary things. Her deeply emotional love stories are filled with high stakes and higher drama, family, friendship, and the happily-ever-after we all hope to find.
Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.
For information about her upcoming releases, sign up for her newsletter at www.jennifer-ryan.com/newsletter.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
About the Book
Reading Group Guide
The novel is about the secrets people keep from one another. Discuss whether some secrets should remain just that—secret—and the kind of damage that secrets (revealed or not) might do to relationships.
What do you think might have happened to Sierra and David’s marriage if David had lived?
As a reader, are you able to forgive Heather? Why or why not? Do you believe Sierra should forgive her?
Amy seeks perfection, especially “public perfection.” Discuss the ways society today encourages this often false façade. Do you think it’s harmless fun or damaging?
Why do you think the author chose to begin the novel the way she did? How do you think it sets the stage for and later reflects the rest of the book?
The Silva sisters’ father is mentioned only in passing, but do you think their relationship with him—or lack thereof—might influence their current relationships with the men in their lives? How do you think their mother’s idealism combined with bad romantic choices have also affected the sisters?
The author made a choice in making Mason a divorce attorney. In what ways does Mason’s profession inform his views on love and marriage?
Mason unconsciously waits for Sierra for most of his life. Is this sort of love possible in reality?
Heather makes a choice when she has an affair with David. Do you think she truly loved him or was she acting out of jealousy? In what ways does her rivalry with Sierra affect her actions?
Do you feel Amy’s actions in warning Mason off Sierra when he confessed his feelings for Sierra to her were vindictive? Or did Amy act out of concern, actually thinking that Sierra had made her choice?
Praise for The Me I Used to Be
“The Me I Used to Be is Jennifer Ryan at the height of her storytelling best. Page-turning, powerful, with high-stakes drama and unforgettable romance. I couldn’t put it down!”
—Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author
“Jennifer Ryan takes family drama to a new level in this tangled emotional web of a novel. Secrets come to light, love is rekindled, and redemption is found—all in the glorious golden sunshine of the Napa Valley. I loved it!”
—Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author
“Gripping and emotionally compelling, The Me I Used to Be is a beautiful story of losing yourself, starting over against all odds, and coming out triumphant. I was hooked from page one!”
—Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author
“Ryan (Dirty Little Secret) delivers an intoxicating blend of hair-raising suspense, betrayal, and true love with this gripping contemporary set in the rich vineyards of Napa Valley . . . Ryan’s fans will devour this outstanding tale, as will the many new readers she’s bound to win.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Great job by Jennifer Ryan creating a multi-dimensional character like Evangeline in The Me I Used to Be. We are all affected by our lives and can only hope that in the end we are still standing. The Me I Used to Be is a testament to a person’s rights for a life filled with love, trust, and justice.”
—Fresh Fiction
Also by Jennifer Ryan
STANDALONE NOVELS
The Me I Used to Be
WILD ROSE RANCH SERIES
>
Tough Talking Cowboy • Restless Rancher
Dirty Little Secret
MONTANA HEAT SERIES
Tempted by Love • True to You
Escape to You • Protected by Love
MONTANA MEN SERIES
His Cowboy Heart • Her Renegade Rancher
Stone Cold Cowboy • Her Lucky Cowboy
When It’s Right • At Wolf Ranch
THE MCBRIDES SERIES
Dylan’s Redemption • Falling for Owen
The Return of Brody McBride
THE HUNTED SERIES
Everything She Wanted • Chasing Morgan
The Right Bride • Lucky Like Us
Saved by the Rancher
SHORT STORIES
“Close to Perfect”
(appears in Snowbound at Christmas)
“Can’t Wait”
(appears in All I Want for Christmas Is a Cowboy)
“Waiting for You”
(appears in Confessions of a Secret Admirer)
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
P.S.™ is a trademark of HarperCollins Publishers.
SISTERS AND SECRETS. Copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Ryan. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
Cover design by Mimi Bark
Cover photographs © Susan Fox/Arcangel Images (women); © Ilina Simeonova/Trevillion Images (woman); © Irina Mos/Shutterstock (house, field); © poomooq/Shutterstock (sky); © Olesya Nickolaeva/Shutterstock (horse)
FIRST EDITION
Digital Edition JUNE 2020 ISBN: 978-0-06-294447-4
Version 04222020
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-294446-7
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