“Back at you. I heard what you did for Skye. I’m sure you’ve heard it enough tonight, but thank you.”
“I did what anyone else would have,” Leo said for what felt like the millionth time.
“It’d be nice to think so but no. Not everyone would have. There are plenty of people who would have taken advantage. Sold the story to the tabloids, exposed her to that maniac who attacked her. You went above and beyond.”
“It was an easy choice to make.” He knew when she saw him. She stopped speaking, her eyes widening for a moment before she took someone’s hand and begged off. The way she walked toward him, the way the shimmering fabric of the gold dress swirled around her ankles, caressed her curves, had his hand tightening around the neck of the bottle. He kept his eyes on her face, looking for a hint of what to expect. In that moment, he regretted coming here. They’d made a clean break—a heartbreaking one, but a clean one. And yet he hadn’t been able to stay away when the opportunity to just see her again had presented itself. “Hello, Skye.” Skye. Not Jane. Because Jane was gone.
“Leo.” She stood before him, her red hair spilling over her shoulders like a fiery sunset. He could remember how it felt to have those curls tumbling through his fingers, as she wrapped herself around him, clung to him. Soared with him. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“We wanted to keep it a surprise. Leo, it’s so nice to finally meet you in person. I’m Mara Colton. Skye’s mother.”
“She’s our mother, too, but we’re second-rate these days,” Blaine joked, and got an elbow in the ribs from Matilda.
“We wanted to thank you in person.” Russ Colton offered his hand, which Leo accepted with barely a glance. He couldn’t stop looking at her. She was perfect. Utterly and completely heartbreakingly perfect.
“I’m just glad everything worked out for the best.” How he choked the words out he didn’t know. But he saw a bit of the light go out in Skye’s eyes. “I appreciate the invitation, but I’m not able to stay. I have a friend staying with me, and he’s not been feeling well. I need to get back soon.”
“Of course.” Russ nodded. “Thank you for making the time. Mara, shall we?”
“Oh, yes, I suppose...” She cast worried eyes on her daughter. “It was lovely to meet you, Leo. Please, I hope we can speak again soon.”
Leo nodded.
“Leo.” Skye moved toward him. Her brothers suddenly cleared their throats and found an excuse to leave. Even Daria walked off and joined Phoebe and Prescott by the stairs. “It’s good to see you.” Skye reached out to touch him, but seemed to think better of it. “Is it Trapper?”
“Is what Trapper?”
“The sick friend. Is he all right? Or...” She trailed off and that’s when he saw it. The suspicion. The doubt. The distrust.
“I didn’t lie.” His temper flared, but instead of snapping at her, he shifted his attention to a spot over her shoulder. “Trapper came back two days ago. Caught a nasty virus and he’s been holed up in the bunkhouse, trying to get better.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear it. I saw a recipe in your grandmother’s cookbook...” She stopped. Sighed. Her chin wobbled a bit as she tried to force a smile. “It’s not going to work, is it?” She didn’t have to say anything else. He knew precisely what she meant.
“No. It’s not.” Leo looked around at this place she called home. There wasn’t an inch that didn’t sparkle and shine; there wasn’t any part of it that didn’t encase its occupants in the finest and best life had to offer. And she fit. So beautifully, so perfectly. Skye Colton just...fit.
This was where she belonged. Here. Not with him on a ranch, tending the horses and planting seedlings and sipping whiskey-laced tea by the fire.
“Leo,” she whispered as he took a step toward her. He knew people were watching them. Suspected what had happened between them. Who was he to disappoint those wanting a show? He bent his head and kissed her. Slowly. Deeply. Deliberately. Memorizing every moment because he knew it would have to last him a lifetime. When he raised his mouth, he ignored the silence that had descended. He ignored the eyes on them and looked only at her as she blinked up at him.
“Goodbye, Skye.”
And he walked out of her life.
Chapter 15
Dinner with the family. Again. She hadn’t seen this much of her siblings and parents since she’d sat in a high chair, and even then they’d been scarce. Skye listened to the rumblings of her father and brothers, avoided the curious, questioning gaze of her mother, and moved her legs out of reach when Phoebe kept kicking her under the table.
“The old Skye would have kicked me back,” Phoebe said when she leaned over under the pretense of picking up her napkin. “You’ve been haunting this place like a ghost since you’ve been back. You want to get out of here and talk about it?”
Given Skye had begged off their ice-cream plans after the party the other night, she wasn’t surprised by the invitation. The idea that her parents had invited Leo to her welcome back reception had touched her. She’d spent most of her life feeling like an afterthought to them, not surprising given she and Phoebe had been surprise babies. But since she’d spent those months away, it seemed as if distance had indeed made the heart grow fonder.
“I’d want to talk about it,” Phoebe went on as if Skye were participating in the conversation. “A man kisses me like that in front of just about everyone I know on the planet and whew.” She fanned herself with her napkin and earned a look of disapproval from their mother. “I don’t have to ask what kept you occupied on that ranch. You know, Daria had said how handsome he was, but can I go on record as saying I think that man of yours could give Preston a run for his money? Seriously.”
She slurped up some soup, a sound that usually made Skye laugh. At this moment, however, Skye was beginning to think Phoebe had lost her mind. “And those eyes. Did I mention he never said hello to me? Like I didn’t even exist. Then again, I think you’re the only person he saw once you walked down those stairs.”
“Skye? Would you like something else for dinner?” Russ held up a hand to stop Wyatt’s and his conversation. “I thought you liked seared scallops.”
“It’s fine, Dad. Although a rare steak wouldn’t be unwelcome.” Her cheeks went hot when she realized she’d said that out loud.
“Since when do you eat red meat?” Blaine asked.
“Probably since she spent time on a cattle ranch,” Phoebe all but sang out. “I honestly can’t imagine anything worse than being trapped around horses and steers and bulls and all that dust and dirt.”
Skye blinked at her sister, catching the amused expression on Preston’s face as he watched Phoebe.
“Ungodly hours, too, I’m betting,” Phoebe went on. “Up before the sun. Going to bed before...well, earlier than you’re used to, I’m sure. Were there chickens? Nasty creatures. Pecking all over the place, and the feathers and noise. And imagine how many pairs of jeans you’d go through. I don’t think the denim industry could keep up with the way you go through clothes.”
“There weren’t any chickens,” Skye said. “Leo plans to get some soon, though.”
“Does he? Well, thank goodness you don’t have to worry about that. Last thing I’d want to do is stick my hand up a chicken’s—”
“Phoebe!” Mara wiped her mouth as the front doorbell chimed. “Gracious, I wonder who that might be.”
“If you ask me, your entire ranch experience sounds horrific,” Phoebe continued. “I mean, imagine all that work, day in, day out. You just aren’t built for it, Skye. I’m sorry to drop a truth bomb, but there you have it. Nope. Skye Colton was not made for ranch living. Not in this lifetime. Not in any other. Doesn’t matter how hot the cowboy might be, and he really is up there on the Scoville scale. Hey, Daria. You want Hildy to bring you some dinner?” Phoebe bit into a scallop. “Scallops. They’re Skye’s favorite and they’
re delish.”
“Exactly how much wine have you had this evening?” Preston asked when she reached for her glass.
“Not a drop. Now hush,” Phoebe muttered under her breath.
“Ah, no dinner, thanks.” Daria couldn’t have looked more uncomfortable if she’d just sat on a cactus. “I’m sorry to intrude, but I have something for Skye.” She held up the silver-and-gray boots she’d taken for evidence. “As expected, Gates cut a deal, but in the meantime, I had these expedited through evidence. I thought maybe you’d like them back.”
Her chest tightened. She shoved her chair back and retrieved the boots from Daria, and saw the understanding and smile in the other woman’s eyes. “Thank you.” Skye hugged the boots to her chest before she kicked off her sandals and shoved her feet into them. Then she hiked up her long skirt, rocked back and smacked her toes together.
“Those are...lovely.” Her mother’s voice drifted over her.
“They’re perfect,” Skye said. She looked at the table where her family sat. A family that looked inordinately confused at the moment. Except Phoebe. Phoebe looked completely and utterly content, from the encouraging arched brow to the knowing smile stretching her lips.
Love and affection for her twin swelled like a balloon inside Skye. She didn’t need anyone’s permission. She didn’t need anyone’s approval. But knowing she had it made the decision all the easier.
In that moment, as she looked at her boots, all the doubt and anger that had followed her home vanished. She loved him. Right now, the lie didn’t matter. The deception didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Leo Slattery was the best man she’d ever known, and she wasn’t going to let him go without a fight.
A laugh exploded from her mouth, a laugh she tried to catch behind her hand as the happiness flowed out of her. “I have to go.”
“Go? Go where?” Mara started to stand, but Russ reached out, covered her hand and shook his head.
“Let her go, Mara.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Now, hang on, where are you going?” Russ demanded when Phoebe jumped to her feet.
“Where do you think?” Skye’s twin raced over to her, grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the dining room. “To help her pack!”
* * *
“Land’s sake, stop your fussing.” Trapper slapped Leo away as Leo tried to set a tray of hot tea over the old man’s lap. This was the fifth day Trapper had been in bed, the rib-breaking cough finally letting up. Leo hadn’t been able to convince him to stay in the house, so he’d upgraded the bunkhouse room to include a small TV with a DVD player and loaded him up with old movies, preferably ones with Lauren Bacall. Trapper appreciated her beyond all others. “You ain’t no pretty face to be a caretaker. I’d prefer someone of the female persuasion if you don’t mind. Redhead would be nice. On the scrawny side. You know any?”
It wasn’t the first time Trapper had mentioned Skye, by name or allusion. But it was the first time he wasn’t going to rise to the bait. Well, maybe he’d nibble. “She’s back where she’s supposed to be, Trapper. She’s home with her family.”
“Never known you to be stupid, young’un. You know what your grandmother would do if she knew what you’d done? Letting that girl get away? She’d toss you over her knees and swat your backside but good.”
“My grandmother never spanked me and you know it.” Leo tried not to laugh.
“Yeah, well, she’d have made an exception this time around. Leo—” Trapper caught his arm before he could move away “—you love that woman. And I might not have the best eyesight in the world, but I could see she felt the same. Even if she is a Colton.”
“No bad-mouthing the Coltons anymore, Trapper. Not when I’m looking to sell to Wyatt Colton next spring.”
“Balderdash! Ain’t no way—” Trapper started coughing again, released Leo’s arm and sagged back against the mountain of pillows. “See? You’re gonna kill me with news like that.”
“Get used to it. He’s coming out next week to help me map out some plans.” Clearly he hadn’t alienated the Coltons like he thought he would have by kissing Skye in front of darn near everyone in the county. Wyatt had called him the next day to continue their conversation about Leo’s plans for the future of the ranch. “You don’t like it, you can stay out of sight. But there will be no disrespecting the Coltons around me, understand?”
Trapper mumbled something under his breath.
“Sorry, I couldn’t quite hear—”
“I said, fine!” Trapper shouted and earned a whine of despair from Ollie, who had been sticking to Leo like a fly on bug paper ever since Skye had left. “I’m tired. Let me get some sleep. We can talk about this more later.”
“No talk needed. Decision’s made. But I’ll check on you in a bit.” Truth be told, Leo had been more than a little concerned about Trapper’s health. If all went according to plan, he was going to convince the old guy to stick it out here through the winter. He could be of help to Gwen, who only yesterday called to say they’d be home by the end of the week.
Leo did a bit of tidying up before he and Ollie headed back to the house. An unfamiliar red SUV sat beside his truck. Ollie ran over to give it a good sniff, then started barking like a maniac before he ran for the house.
“Ollie! Hold up!” What on earth had gotten into him now? Darn fool dog was as unpredictable as they came these days and, as Leo had learned last week, he’d also taught himself how to press his paw onto the latch and push open the screen door. At least he hadn’t figured how to get out. Yet.
He followed, stomped his boots clean on the mat before he stepped inside. Ollie was whimpering something fierce as his nails clicked against the hardwood floor of the kitchen. “What’s got you all worked...” Leo screeched to a halt in the doorway. “Skye.” Her name felt like a prayer on his lips. He flicked off his hat, hung up his jacket as she huddled on the floor, petting and scrubbing Ollie’s fur to within an inch of the dog’s life.
“Hi.” She turned that million-watt smile on him. The evening gown had been replaced with snug jeans and a T-shirt the color of ripe raspberries. She’d knotted her hair on the top of her head, and on her feet she wore the cowboy boots.
“What are you... Why are you...?” He couldn’t seem to finish a sentence, not with the hope poised to burst in his chest. “Skye, are you...?”
“Can we go for a ride?”
“A—ride?” Had he heard her right?
“Yes. A ride.” There was something akin to a challenge in her brown eyes, as if she was expecting him or maybe daring him to deny her the request.
“Okay. I’ll go saddle Ginger—”
“I’ll do it.” She walked past him. In her wake, he caught the scent of her, the intoxicating combination of wildflowers and vanilla that had him following as if in a trance. “Stay, Ollie.”
Ollie whimpered, sighed and lay down on the floor.
The questions that piled up in his mind remained unspoken as they walked to the barn. She moved in the area as if it were second nature, guiding Ginger out of her stall after saying a quick hello to the other horses. By the time they were saddled up, the silence had gone on for so long, he couldn’t think of a thing to say to break it. He was terrified, right down to his bones, that she’d leave him again. That she rode alongside him as they galloped up the hill gave him the thinnest hope. Hope he wasn’t going to relinquish until he had to.
She was almost leaping off before Ginger came to a complete stop, dropping to thick grass effortlessly. He watched, unable to take his eyes off her, as she loosened the girth and removed the bit from her mouth. Leo wanted nothing more than to reach out and catch those flyaway tendrils of fire-red hair blowing in the late-afternoon breeze.
She walked off, leaving Ginger to graze, and shot him a glance over her shoulder.
He remained where he was, in the saddle, Duke restless
beneath him.
When she held out her hand, he could finally breathe. He dismounted, repeated her actions with Duke, and walked over and slipped his hand into hers.
He felt her tremble the moment they touched, saw her eyes fill before she turned to look out over the land that was as much a part of him as the blood that flowed through his veins.
“I missed this,” she whispered. “So much.”
He had no response other than to squeeze her hand. When she let go, he feared he’d done something wrong, but rather than moving away, she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him. When she lay her cheek on his chest, he could feel her smiling. “I missed you, Skye.” It was the only admission he could make at the moment. The only one that truly mattered.
“I missed you, too.” She lifted her face, looked up at him as the sun caught the fire in her hair. “Even surrounded by all those people, even being back with my family, I wasn’t me. I wasn’t whole. I needed you, Leo.” She reached up, brushed her fingers against his cheek. “I do need you. I love you.”
He lowered his head, brushed his lips against hers and felt her breath catch. She stretched up on her toes, linked her arms around his neck and clung to him.
“You lied to me,” she murmured against his lips.
He nodded and when he pulled away, he pressed his forehead against hers. “Yes.” He pulled the clip from her hair and pushed his fingers into the silky strands. She leaned her face into his hand, into his touch, her lids flickering as her eyes filled with desire. And forgiveness.
“Don’t ever do it again.”
“I won’t, darlin’. I promise.”
“I’m going to hold you to that, cowboy.” She reached up and pulled his mouth down to hers. “For the rest of our lives.”
* * *
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