by Lee Wardlow
He leaned back in the chair. “I’m staying here with you.”
“That’s fine.”
Skylar wasn’t planning to spend the whole night with Ava. She just wanted to be sure she wasn’t going to throw up. Her temperature spiked an hour later. She had to run Ava to the bathroom. Luka was right behind them as Skylar sat on the side of the bathtub and held their daughter’s hair back while she threw up. He stood in the bathroom door; his face a mask of despair.
She glanced up occasionally. “Luka, she’s just got a bug. Grab a washcloth from the linen closet and wet it for me.”
He did so reluctantly. She could see that he didn’t want to leave them. Ava was sitting on her bottom between Sky’s legs with her cheek resting on her Momma’s knee. He squatted in front of her and wiped her face.
“How’s my baby girl?” He asked.
“Shitty,” she replied.
“Ava,” Skylar scolded her.
“It’s the truth,” she declared.
He continued to wipe her face. Her hair was soaked from her temperature breaking. “Are you going to be sick again sweetheart?” Skylar asked.
“I don’t think so,” Ava replied.
“Want to carry her back to her room?” Skylar asked.
He lifted her against him. She still felt warm to him. He placed his hand against her back. She might be ten, growing up too quickly but to him he had just found her so she was still his baby. He held her tight then he got to her room and laid her on the bed. He covered her and started to move away.
“Sit by me Daddy.”
He perched on the edge of the bed. Skylar started to leave.
“Momma, you on the other side,” she demanded.
Skylar went around the bed and sat beside Ava. She caressed her cheeks which were flushed with a low fever. “Stomach still hurts?” Skylar asked. Ava shook her head no.
“Good.”
The three of them slept in Ava’s bed. Skylar was sure that they would both have what Ava had but only Sky caught it two days later. Luka opened the door to see why she hadn’t gotten out of bed to do her morning chores and found her running a temperature and feeling sick to her stomach. “Let me die Luka,” she told him when he tried talking to her. “Just close the door and leave me to die.”
He sat on the edge of the bed. He felt her forehead. “Do you need anything?”
“No. Just take care of Ava. She has soccer practice tonight at five.”
“I’ll take care of her.”
She laid in bed all day. She ate very little. By evening Sky was sitting up. Brett came over and went to practice with Luka and Ava. Ramona knocked on Skylar’s door.
“Come in,” Skylar called out.
“You look like hell,” Ramona told her.
“Thanks,” Skylar replied.
Her hair was a tangled mess and starting to get oily from the temperature spiking and breaking. Her cheeks were flushed. She was more pale than usual. She felt like shit to be blunt about it.
Her sister sat across the room on a window seat hoping she wouldn’t catch the bug too. “He’s pretty handy to have around,” Ramona told her.
“Really?”
“Yeah, he washed Ava’s linens. Remade her bed. Fixed her hair for practice. I thought I was going to have to braid her hair. Ava had already talked him through it.”
Skylar laughed. “How did it look?”
“A little crooked but not bad for a first timer.”
Skylar tipped her head to the side. Her sister looked troubled. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Ramona replied.
“I know better. I’ve been your sister for a really long time.”
Ramona laughed. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
Sky sat up straighter in the bed. “Talk to me Ramona. Is it about Brett.”
She stretched her legs out across the window seat. “Do you remember coming in here when we were teenagers and talking about boys?” Ramona asked.
Skylar laughed. “I do. It seems so long ago. Doesn’t it?”
“It does.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” Ramona asked.
“Sure.”
Ramona continued staring out the back through the open, empty fields. The sun was still warm and beating down on the tall grass.
“I have always loved Brett Shaw.”
“Why am I not surprised,” Skylar replied.
“I thought he loved you,” she said with a hint of sadness.
“Why are you sad?”
“Because I’m pregnant.”
“Is it Brett’s baby?”
“It is,” she replied. “I haven’t slept with anyone else Skylar for a very long time. I just said that I love him.” Ramona rolled her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Sky replied. “Why are sad then?”
Ramona bit on her lower lip, chewing thoughtfully. “Sky, we have never had a normal relationship ever. He would stop by the bar. Tease me. Then sleep with me. Two months ago I had to take some antibiotics for a toothache I had. They made my birth control pills ineffective. I got pregnant.”
“You are that far along.” Ramona nodded. “Why haven’t you told him?”
“He came into and out of my life so easily…I just don’t know really how he feels about me. Do you think I want to drop this bomb on him? Guess what? You are going to be a Daddy.”
Skylar glanced at her sister. “What don’t you know Ramona?”
“How important I am to him,” Ramona explained.
“Ramona, he cares so much about you. He told me himself when we were mending fences. He wants something real and true with you. You need to tell him about the baby.”
“I can’t just yet. I needed to tell somebody. Promise you won’t tell him. I just need some time.”
Skylar smiled at her sister. “I won’t. I wish I could put my arms around you and hold you but Ava’s bug…you do not want.”
“I’ll keep my distance but thanks. The thought is appreciated.”
“Has he been at your apartment all weekend?”
“Almost every night since he flew after you Saturday morning.”
“Give him a chance Ramona.” Skylar pled with her sister. She knew how Brett felt about her. He needed to tell her.
“I’m trying Sky. I really am trying.”
“You aren’t thinking of not keeping the baby are you Ramona?” Skylar wasn’t sure what her sister had on her mind.
Ramona’s head shot up. She stared at her sister like she had three heads. “No Sky. I want my child. Just trying to figure out how this is going to work before I tell him.”
Brett, Luka and Ava arrived home at seven. Skylar had showered and moved downstairs to the sofa. Her sister was washing her linens for her since Skylar was feeling better. Ramona made chicken and rice soup for her which had stayed down. “Momma, you look tons better.”
“I feel better,” she told Ava.
“Daddy picked up pizza for us on the way home.”
“You guys enjoy the pizza. I just had soup thanks to Aunt Ramona.”
They put the pizza box on the coffee table and kept Skylar company. Ava rambled on and on about her soccer practice. Skylar kept looking between Ramona and Brett. After dinner they went home, still keeping their distance in case she was contagious.
Skylar stayed on the sofa for a while. Ava went to take a shower. Luka joined Sky in the living room. “Who fed the horses today?” She asked.
“I did. I haven’t been gone so long that I have forgotten how to handle a horse. I even got Ava to sit on Mable’s back.”
Her head shot around. “Really?”
“Yeah. No riding. Just sitting but maybe someday.”
“More than I’ve been capable of doing with her.”
“What’s going on Sky?” He asked. He was leaning over like he always did. His face intense like it always was.
“What are you talking about?” She asked.
“I know you,” he said. “I know something’s up.”
“I can’t tell you. Ramona made me promise.”
“It’s not you then.”
She shook her head no. “All right. I’ll let it go but if you need to talk I can keep a secret.”
“Thank you.”
He leaned back in the chair where he was sitting and stretched his legs out. “How was Brett?” Skylar asked.
“Fine.” Luka was looking at her now with a funny sort of expression on his face. Curious maybe?
“Say anything about Ramona?” Skylar asked.
“He said they are finally getting somewhere.”
“Somewhere good?”
“He didn’t say but I didn’t take it that it was somewhere bad. Why? Did she indicate to you that she’s not happy?”
Skylar stared out the front through the window pane and lace curtains. “No, she told me that she has always loved Brett.”
He whistled between his teeth. “Took them long enough to get it together.”
“Love isn’t perfect ever.”
Skylar knew Luka was looking at her. She ran her fingers through her hair. “No it isn’t Skylar,” he agreed. “And when you find it, you better damn well hang onto it because love isn’t guaranteed to come along every day.”
She turned her head to look at him. “I hear you.”
“You better,” he replied. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
She chuckled. “Would you come over here and hold me?”
“Feeling that crappy?” He asked. She nodded. “Move your ass down a little. I’ll hold you.” He scooted in behind her and she laid her head against his chest. Luka laid his arm beside her hip and rested his chin against her head.
“You’re concerned about Brett and Ramona?”
She sighed. “I am.”
He nodded against her head. “Will they be all right?” He asked.
“If she will talk to him they will be fine.”
Skylar knew Brett well. He had been perfect with Ava as a baby. He wouldn’t run from her sister. Sure he would be scared about their future. What new father wouldn’t be? But Brett Shaw would love her and their baby and care for them. He was made of stock that wouldn’t allow him to be anything but responsible and loving. He was Luna Shaw’s son.
“Want to tell me what it is so I don’t drive myself crazy worrying? And so you don’t drive yourself crazy worrying?”
She was quiet for a while. Not saying a word. “Will you promise to not tell Brett? She needs to talk to him about this and what she’s feeling.”
“I promise.”
Skylar glanced up into Luka’s face. “Ramona is pregnant. Several months by what I gathered. She’s afraid because their relationship is not steady. He’s always coming and going. She isn’t sure how he will handle it.”
“You know how he will handle it,” Luka said with a brusque tone that didn’t surprise Sky. She felt the same way. This was a touchy subject for Luka now.
“I know and I agree. He’ll do the right thing. He loves her Luka. I’m sure of it.”
“She needs to tell him.”
“She does.” Skylar laid her head back on Luka’s chest. “She will Luka. She’s not me.” He laid his arm across her belly gently without words reassuring her that he wasn’t accusing her or Ramona of anything. He wanted to keep moving forward and stop looking back all the time.
Chapter 14
Skylar was back to training Majestic. The poor boy had been out of his routine for a few days while she recovered from the stomach bug.
The day was hot for the last week of June. This was August weather when the humidity was high and the heat was unbearable. She didn’t want to push the horse too hard in this heat but she wanted to get him back into a training schedule. He was a stubborn fella so keeping him on track was important.
She had been working with him for an hour when Brett stopped by. “How are you?” He called from the fence. He leaned casually against it. His big arms resting on the top rail while he watched her. She guided Majestic over to the fence.
“The heat is getting to me but I’m better than I’ve felt in a few days. Ramona didn’t come down with this did she?”
“Nah, she’s good.”
“Glad to hear that. What are you doing here in the middle of the day? Why aren’t you at work?” Skylar asked.
“I promised Little Mess I’d take her to lunch today. It’s our once a month lunch date.”
“I forgot,” Skylar told him. “She’s inside with Luka. I’m sure that she hasn’t forgotten.”
Brett laughed. “Get back to training. I’ll see you later.”
“Thanks.”
Skylar led Majestic back to center ring. She was leading him through his paces when Ava ran across the drive calling to her. She opened the gate to the training ring and stepped inside closing it behind her.
“Momma, I just wanted to tell you goodbye.”
“Have a nice lunch sweetheart.”
“I will. Uncle Brett is taking me to the bar. Aunt Ramona’s cook is making us something special.”
“That’s sweet Ava. Enjoy. Is Ramona joining you?”
Majestic was prancing. Skylar loosened his reins and talked softly to him. She wanted to control him with her voice not with a heavy hand.
“I’ll head out now Momma so you can train Majestic.”
“I love you Ava. We’ll talk when you get back?”
“Sure Momma.”
“Enjoy your lunch,” Skylar called to her daughter.
A shot rang out. Her horse startled. Skylar was holding the reins too loose in her hands. She grabbed them firmly but it was too late. Another shot rang out and Majestic reared back. She came unseated from his back. Skylar felt herself falling backwards. Her arms and legs were sprawled out to the sides.
She couldn’t do anything to control her fall because everything happened so fast. She heard Ava screaming. Then she didn’t hear anything. There was only blackness.
Brett and Luka heard the shots inside the house. Then they heard Ava screaming. Luka felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest. He and Brett both bolted from the sofa and out the front door. They ran across the drive to the training ring where Ava was running through the gate that she had just exited. She ran straight to Skylar who was laying on the ground. Too still.
Both of the men moved through the gate and ran to Skylar’s side. “Ava, what happened?”
Luka had never known Skylar to ever fall off a horse. “Tag shot a rifle off at the edge of the property,” Ava rose to her feet and pointed to the area where she had seen him standing by his car. He hadn’t been able to see her because she was hidden inside the training ring. “He spooked Majestic. Momma fell off. She wasn’t holding the reins tight.”
She returned to her knees by her mother. Her tears were streaming down her face.
“Are you sure it was Tag?”
Ava nodded. She picked up Skylar’s hand. “Momma, wake up.”
“Brett, call 911.” Luka glanced up at his brother who was already dialing emergency services.
“Daddy, do something.”
“Baby, we can’t move her. She might be seriously injured. We have to wait for the paramedics.” He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and hold her himself but he knew not to move her.
Isaac arrived first. The paramedics were right behind him. Skylar hadn’t regained consciousness yet. Isaac ran through the open gate. “What the hell happened Luka?” He knew like everyone else Skylar Bradford didn’t fall off a horse.
He rose to his feet and guided Isaac a few steps away from Skylar. “Ava said she saw Tag shooting his rifle off by the edge of the property trying to spook Majestic. Skylar was on Majestic.”
“Damn, those are serious charges. Luka, you mind if I talk to Ava?”
“No, you can talk to her.” He turned to his daughter as the paramedics walked past him and Isaac. “Ava, come over here by me.”
She got up and walked to him but she didn’t want to. Brett t
ook Majestic into the barn to put him into a stall. Luka picked up Ava. “Sweetheart, Officer Stuggs wants to talk to you about what you saw. Why don’t you go with him and sit on the front porch?”
“Is Momma going to be all right?”
“She is baby girl. I promise. We just need to let the paramedics do their job.”
“Okay.” He put Ava down and she took Isaac’s hand. She knew him. He was a friend of her mother and Uncle Brett. She led him to the porch while Luka walked back to Skylar. She had woken and wasn’t happy.
“Baby, are you okay?”
“I have a hellacious headache but I’m okay.” They were wrestling a neck brace on her. “I don’t need all this.”
“Skylar, you were out for a long time. You’re going to the ER,” Luka insisted.
“What happened?”
“You fell off Majestic,” he told her.
She looked puzzled. Skylar she didn’t fall off horses. She apparently didn’t remember the gunshots. “Don’t worry about it baby. I’m right behind you. I’ll have Brett watch Ava.”
She tried to nod but the neck brace wouldn’t let her. The boys loaded her onto a backboard and then onto a gurney. Then they carried her to the ambulance. Brett stood on the porch with Ava in his arms and Isaac next to them. Luka went to them.
“Brett, I need my keys. I’m going to the hospital with Skylar. Would you stay with Ava?”
“Sure man. I’ll keep Little Mess. We’ll be fine.”
Isaac followed Luka into the house. “Luka, I’ll need Ava to come to the station and make an official statement.”
“Later after I know Skylar is all right.”
“Brett could bring her. The sooner the better.”
Luka grabbed his keys from the front table. “Whatever you think.” He went to the porch with Isaac. “Brett, Isaac wants Ava at the station to make an official statement.” He took his daughter from him. He squeezed her hard and kissed her.
“I’ll follow him to the station,” Brett told him. “I’ll bring Ava back here. I called Mom. She’s meeting you at the ER.”
“Thanks Brett.”
“Ramona is on her way here to be with me and Ava. I’ll ask her to meet me at the station.”
“That’s good.” He looked at Ava. “Daddy has to go the hospital with Momma.”
“Is she all right?”