Only Her (Haley Cove Book 1)

by Lee Wardlow

  “Have you told him yet?” Skylar asked.

  “I haven’t.”

  “Don’t you see how good he is with Ava?” Skylar reminded her sister.

  “I do. I just don’t want him to feel trapped. I want to be sure of us and you know the Shaw’s. He’ll feel he has to do the honorable thing Sky.”

  “Okay,” Skylar replied. “I won’t say anything else but you should tell him soon. You’re starting to show Ramona.”

  Her sister turned around and glared at her. “I am not.”

  “You are getting a little belly on you. Your jeans are tight too. Aren’t they?”

  “God yes they are,” Ramona sighed. She stopped stirring. “I will tell him soon Sky. I know I have to. I’m just a chicken shit.”

  Skylar rose from her chair and walked to her sister. “it will be fine Ramona you’ll feel better when you tell Brett.”

  “I will Sky. I’m going to call them for lunch.”

  Skylar got the bread and plates ready. Then they gathered around the table. This was what life could be like if she let Luka in, she thought. They could be a family. Skylar glanced down at her barely eaten sandwich. Then she took a sip of her sweet tea.

  “I’m glad you’re home Momma,” Ava told her.

  “Me too,” Skylar replied.

  “How are you going to train Majestic?” Brett asked.

  She glanced across the table at him. “He’s ready. I’ll start working with his owner this week. I can take it easy and sit back while the owner is on Majestic going through the paces. He wants him ready for the first of the horse shows starting in August.”

  “Not far,” Ramona replied. “I’m sure he’s ready though. Are our sisters ever coming home again?” She asked.

  Skylar chuckled. “I don’t think so. Roxy called right before Luka came home. She has a summer class starting soon working towards her Master’s in Psychology. She definitely won’t be home plus she’s started dating a guy she met in her apartment building.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Ramona replied. “Of course, she doesn’t call me like she calls you.”

  “She’s busy.”

  “Stellan will be heartbroken,” Brett teased.

  “We can’t all marry Shaw brothers,” Skylar replied without thinking. Then she realized what she had said. She looked up at Brett and Ramona then she glanced at her young daughter who was equally wide-eyed. She took a bite of her sandwich and refused to look at Luka. She knew the shit-eating grin that would be plastered on his face.

  Chapter 16

  Over the next few days Skylar worked with Majestic’s owner in the practice ring behind her barn. On Tuesday, Luka’s attorney brought a document for her to sign showing she owed Luka three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. On Monday, he had paid off her loans at the savings bank in town. Luka was looking at every angle Tag could use to get even with Luka and Skylar. More members of the towns’ council were requesting that Tag do the right thing and step down especially after the incident at the hospital.

  Of his four brothers only one employer had expressed concerns about Tag Richardson’s reach. Dalton’s place of employment; a small steel manufacturer who had loans at the same savings and loan where Skylar banked and Tag’s family stock made them majority owner. For now, Dalton was secure. He was a damn fine welder they didn’t want to lose him.

  That morning before Majestic’s owner arrived for their morning workout, Chloe called to say she was coming home for the weekend. She hadn’t been home since Spring break in March. Her sister would be celebrating her nineteenth birthday soon and Ramona and Skylar wanted to see her.

  Ramona had called their sister this time to see if she was coming home anytime. Chloe called Skylar back when she couldn’t reach Ramona and let her know that she would come home Friday night and stay through Monday. She had to be back at work on Tuesday morning. Skylar was excited about planning something for Chloe and left a message for Ramona and Luna about a party at the ranch on Saturday night.

  Heading outside to the barn to get Majestic ready for his appointment with his owner she hesitated between the house and the barn. A police car was coming up the lane towards the house. As it got closer Skylar realized that it was Isaac in the driver’s seat.

  She waited for him at the side of the driveway. Luka had taken Ava into town to get supplies from the feed mill where Brett was the manager.

  “Isaac, how are you?” Skylar asked when he got out of the car.

  “Doing well Skylar,” he told her. “How’s the head?”

  “Just fine,” Skylar replied. “Are you hear to check up on my health or is this official cause I need to get Majestic saddled before his owner arrives?”

  He took off his hat and rubbed his hand across his closely cropped hair. “Official.”

  “Can we go to the barn so I can saddle the horse while we talk?”

  “Sure,” he replied.

  He followed her to the barn. She was such a tiny thing he felt badly standing by while she man-handled the heavy saddle onto the back of Majestic. She assured him she did this heavy work every day. She led the horse to the practice ring with Isaac following close behind. His shoes getting dirty in the process. He glanced at the bottom of one shoe and decided not to question what was on it.

  “The council voted unanimously that Tag step down voluntarily or they will force him out. The council is appointing an interim Mayor,” Isaac explained. She tied the horse to the fence.

  “Uh oh.”

  “Yeah.”

  “How did he react?” She patted Majestic’s rear and looked up at Isaac waiting for him to tell her just how bad it was.

  “How do you think?”

  “Not good or you wouldn’t be here,” Skylar replied.

  “The Chief escorted him home while he sent me here,” Isaac explained. “He made several threats against you, Luka and Ava. It was the threat against Ava that shocked everyone. She’s a child.”

  “Do I need to be concerned?” Skylar asked.

  Skylar saw Majestic’s owner coming up the drive. His truck was obvious in the distance. Isaac saw it too. Their time was limited. Whatever else he had to say he had to make it quick.

  “We just wanted you to watch your back. He made some serious threats as the Chief escorted him out of town hall.”

  “Great,” Skylar replied. She opened the gate near Majestic so Isaac didn’t have to go back through the barn. He stepped out and D.L. Hartley, approached the fence where they stood. He was the owner of Majestic. A Real Estate developer from downtown Cincinnati who dabbled in horses on the side.

  He was wearing a ball cap. Five feet eleven, tight fitting jeans. A cotton tee shirt that fit him well. A nice looking man in his forties. His wife of twenty-five years left him for a rodeo bull rider, ten years younger than her; she met at one of their shows. Skylar felt sorry for him. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. He had sole custody of their two teenage boys and one eight-year-old girl. He had his hands full right now.

  D.L. had asked Skylar to ride Majestic in shows for him as her parents were expert show people but she had refused. She was a trainer only. She never wanted to leave Ava the way her parents had left her and her sisters.

  “D.L. this is one of Haley Cove’s finest Isaac Haines, also a lifelong friend.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Isaac extended his hand to D.L.

  “Nice to meet you Isaac. Everything okay?” He asked Skylar. He knew about her injury. She was honest with him about why she wanted to start his training with Majestic early.

  “Everything is fine,” Skylar reassured D.L.

  “I’ll take off now,” Isaac told them. “Nice meeting you.”

  D.L. went into the ring and got on Majestic. He stayed where he was for a moment, near the fence where Sky had perched. They had become more than acquaintances but less than intimate confidants. He had told her about his wife. On occasion asked her about girlie things in relation to his daughter. She gave him the details of her attack.
She felt she owed him because of Majestic. He was a prize horse.

  “You okay?” He asked.

  She smiled at him and covered her eyes so she could see him better. “More drama with Tag. That’s all. He was forced out this morning and made threats against me and Ava.”

  He leaned over and took her hand. “I’m so sorry Skylar,” he told her.

  “Me too.” They both turned at the sound of the truck’s doors slamming shut to discover Ava and Luka walking towards the practice ring.

  Ava climbed up on the fence by Skylar. “Mr. Hartley, how are you?” She asked him.

  “Hi Ava, nice to see you again.”

  Sky turned to Luka. “Luka, this is D.L Hartley, Majestic’s owner. You’ve not been around this week taking care of finances for me while he’s been here working the horse. D.L. this is Luka Shaw, Ava’s father.”

  Luka extended his hand to D.L. who was grinning from ear to ear. “I have two sons who would love to meet you,” he said to Luka.

  Ava glanced over her should at her father with a look of pride on her face. “Would you mind Luka, if he brought them to our next session?” Skylar asked. “They are teenagers who apparently follow MMA fighting.”

  “They do,” D.L. replied. “I’ve seen a few of your matches with them since you’re an Ohio boy. You’re a beast in the cage man.”

  “Sure, bring them,” Luka replied off-handedly. The fame and the notoriety didn’t faze him one bit. He was still the small town boy even if he did have to escape this small town to find himself.

  “Man, they are going to be so excited. We’ll be back on Friday.”

  “D.L. why don’t you bring Celia too?” Skylar suggested. “She could play with Ava. I know she’s been lonely since Bunny left. It would be good for her. Maybe the girls could ride some of the other horses while I work with you. Luka is great with horses himself.”

  “She would love that,” D.L. agreed.

  She saw Ava’s shocked expression. Skylar hoped that seeing someone else, a younger person even on one of the horses would encourage to let go of her fears and start riding. Luka had worked wonders by getting her back on the horses but she was still afraid of riding them.

  “We better get started,” Skylar suggested. “I know you take off mornings for these sessions.”

  “Can I watch?” Ava asked.

  “As long as you don’t interrupt.”

  Skylar worked with D.L. for several hours. Showing him how to control Majestic with his words and a gentle tug on the reins. The horse responded well to him. She patted his nose. He truly was a majestic animal with his long powerful legs and his big body. The way that he held himself with restraint and grace. His eyes were dark but held a hint of emotion and understanding. He nudged her and she laughed. She was trying to talk to D.L.

  “I guess that’s all for today. If you want to take him to the barn, I’ll unsaddle him and brush him before feeding him and giving him water.”

  “I’ll take care of him today.”

  “You’re sure.”

  “I am,” D.L. replied. “He’s my horse.”

  “Sounds good. Just come to the house before you leave so I can say goodbye.”

  He went to the barn with Majestic while Skylar went to the house with Ava. “Did you and Daddy get everything you needed?” She asked.

  “We did and Uncle Brett gave me a sucker from the jar at the check-out.”

  “That was sweet of him,” Skylar agreed.

  “Momma, he and Daddy were talking about Ramona. Is she all right?”

  “She is. What were they saying?”

  “Brett’s worried about her. He’s afraid she’s not happy with him.” Ava sighed. “I like them together.”

  “Me too. Ramona is very happy with Brett. He’s not reading the signals correctly Ava. Men sometimes do that.”

  Ava wrinkled her nose. “Why?”

  “Because, women are complicated creatures that don’t always say what we think. Some of us at least. Ramona needs to tell Brett what’s going on with her so he’s not concerned. They’ll be fine. I’ll have a talk with her.”

  “Good,” Ava replied.

  Sky held open the screen door and Ava walked through first. She went upstairs to her room while Skylar went to the kitchen where she thought she heard Luka.

  He turned when Skylar entered through the kitchen. “What are you doing?”

  “Just getting some coffee,” he replied.

  “Are you okay?” She plopped down in a chair. Tired from the morning. She was still recovering from her head injury.

  “I see things that have changed while I’ve been gone like you and I doubt that you need me or that I still belong.”

  She lowered her gaze to the floor unsure of what he was saying. Not wanting to reveal what his words caused in her heart. “Are you going to run again Luka?” She asked.

  He whirled around but he remained leaning by the counter. “Hell no,” he said. His jaw was tight. “I promised Ava I would be here for her and I will keep that promise.” His voice became husky and full of the emotion that was filling him. The regret for the decisions that he had made over the years. “I love you more than I did at nineteen Skylar but I can’t force you to love me back. I know that.”

  “No you can’t.”

  “D.L. has feelings for you too.”

  She laughed. “No, he doesn’t. What you see is appreciation from a man who is hurting. His wife left him recently. They aren’t even divorced yet. He very much loves his wife still.” Luka walked across the room and sat beside her.

  “I’ve been kind to him and kind to his eight-year-old daughter. They are all hurting. His boys will be so excited to meet you; I could tell by his reaction to you.

  “Suddenly he’s a single father. I think he’s okay with the boys but he has a little girl that sometimes just wants her mommy and he doesn’t know what to do. He’s asked me a few questions. His mother helps him out too but she’s nearly seventy-five and not in the greatest of health.”

  Luka took her hand. “You always did have a big heart.”

  “I just try to be kind to everyone which is hurting us with Tag right now. I shouldn’t have let this drag on as long as I did and we wouldn’t be in this mess with him.”

  “Maybe he’s over it now. We haven’t heard anything since this hospital?” Luka told her.

  “I hate to tell you this but Isaac stopped by this morning. The council forced him out of office this morning after his behavior at the hospital. The Chief had to escort him out of the town hall and sent Isaac here to give me a warning about all the threats he was making towards us as he left.”

  Luka rose and walked to the sink where the coffee maker was sitting on the counter. “I’m not worried about me. I can handle myself with Tag Richardson but I’m worried about you and Ava. What if I’m not here?”

  “Do you really think he’s going to do something?”

  “I don’t know,” Luka replied. “He’s a hothead, Skylar. You never know with somebody like him. He shot at you hoping to knock you off Majestic. I really don’t think he meant to hurt you.” He turned with his cup in hand. “He didn’t count on Ava seeing him.”

  “I would agree with that.”

  “But now he’s been caught so he’s coming unglued. He lost the mayor’s seat. What’s next?”

  “I don’t know,” Skylar replied.

  Chapter 17

  Ramona arrived at the ranch to help Skylar with Chloe’s birthday party. Their youngest sister was arriving within the next half hour. They had called Roxy to see if she would come home for the weekend but she couldn’t make it.

  D.L. had to cancel because his daughter was sick that morning so they rescheduled their session for Monday morning. Skylar reassured him that Luka would be available to meet his sons on Monday. Both teenagers were beyond excited about meeting the retired heavyweight MMA champion. Skylar was starting to understand the fact that he was famous. A lot of people knew who he was. It didn’t matter t
o her. Ava got a kick out of it though.

  “I’m here,” Ramona grumbled. The screen door slammed shut behind her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Just one of those days. I feel so tired I can hardly get moving. When does that get better?” She asked.

  “Probably another four weeks,” Sky told her. She was standing in her kitchen doorway. “You and I need to talk.” She told her about the conversation Brett had with Luka in front of Ava.

  “I’ve been working nights so I could take this whole weekend off or I would have told him already. We see each other in the morning for like five minutes.”

  Sky laughed at her. “Has he moved in with you?”

  “Practically.” Ramona smiled. “And I like it Sky. I really do love him.” She glanced around. “Where is Luka and Ava?”

  “Ave is out in the barn feeding the animals. Luka is running errands for me. He won’t be back for a couple hours with the amount of stuff I gave him.”

  They were making lists when the screen door slammed shut again.

  “You really need to fix that spring so it stops that,” Ramona told her.

  They both got up from the table and went to the hallway to see who had arrived. “Roxy, you said you couldn’t come.” Sky went down the hall with her sister right behind her.

  “God, you’re a brat,” Ramona told her.

  Her dark haired sister like Skylar was just a little taller than her and slender too. Her hair was cut in a pixie style. Her eyes danced with mischief. “I wanted to surprise Chloe. She’s so disappointed because I can’t come.”

  “Wait until she sees you,” Sky told her hugging her before heading back to the kitchen where her phone was ringing. “Hello?”

  Luka needed direction on some of the things on her list. She went to the window and gazed out into the barnyard. Her daughter was playing with the goats. When they hung up she sat at the table with her sisters. “Why didn’t you bring the guy you said you’ve been dating?” Ramona asked.

  “I thought it would be awkward. We’ve only been together about two months. I didn’t want to spring the family on him so soon.” Roxy gazed across the table at her sister. “So Luka came home,” she said to Skylar.