by Gayle Eden
“I’m fine.” She shook her head.
“I’ll write the check, you can pay me later.” He kissed her forehead, her cheek, her lips, and then pulled back, eyeing her with all the emotions, he was feeling. “If you think of anything else, call me. I’ll do whatever you need.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes turned glassy with tears. “I don’t know what I’d do—”
“You’ll never know that, Skye. Because, you won’t ever be without me.” He kissed her again. When she stood, he did too and nodded to Salinas whose eyes were more violet than silver. There was a smile in them, a bit of envy as he looked between Skye and Carter and then nodded back.
“Are you hanging around?”
“Yes.”
“Take care of her. See if you can get her to eat something.” Carter looked at Skye, then leaned and kissed her one more time, before he left to do her bidding.
****
Skye watched his tall figure until he turned the corner. Somewhere in the fog of her fatigue, she was fully aware that Carter had not left her side. He was there, present, attentive, comforting, and strong.
“He loves you.”
She turned her eyes on Salinas.
The man smiled. “Anyone paying attention can see it.”
Skye shook her head slightly and sat down. She looked at her hands, absently thinking that they looked chaffed and dry, and knowing from washing her face every morning, she looked a wreck.
“You have to make a decision,” Brice’s voice cut through her muse gently. “You have medical power of attorney.”
When she raised troubled eyes to him, again he said quietly, “Do what is best for Rayne now, and worry about the rest later. I know how difficult it is for you. You’re thinking, what he would do, before this. I beg you, not out of selfishness—although to have the chance to care for him is selfish—I beg you to trust me. Do what you will from love, Skye.”
She rubbed her forehead and sat for some time, head in her hands and a weight in her empty stomach. Thoughts chased thoughts and emotions wrestled inside her heart. It was not easy, because they were so close. Rayne trusted her. She was loyal to him. She loved him more than anything.
“I’ll sign,” she finally whispered though her eyes were still closed. “I’ll give you the power of attorney—but—you have to swear to me, the best of everything. I’m not as wealthy as you—but I would mortgage eve—”
“—There’s no question about it, Skye. I’ll fly him to the ranch. I have already called every specialist in the field. I will be with him round the clock. I—love him. He’s my only son.”
She raised her gaze to see his eyes were shinning with tears. Skye said, “If… when, he recovers, you must let him decide…”
“I will.” He came over and sat beside her, his hands taking hers, holding them tightly. He pleaded, “Give me this. Let me do this, please. I can never make up for the past, I know that. And I believe he will come back. But if this is all I…” His voice broke and released her, getting to his feet.
She watched him through her own tears as he went to the restroom. They were the only two in the lounge at this hour, and his sobs filtered out. Skye had cried every day, and she cried now. It was as if half of her lay in the CCU suspended in another world.
Skye got to her feet and when Salinas emerged from the restroom, she rose to her tiptoes and hugged him. His arms went round her too. For a long time they embraced. When she released him, she retained his hand, looking at his ravaged face.
Skye said with a small smile, “Come on. Let’s go sign some papers.”
He tried to smile too, but couldn’t quiet manage it.
Some hours later, they had met with doctors making their rounds and Skye had lists of the specialists, numbers, everything, that Salinas gave her. She had his private numbers, an open invitation to his ranch, and other records.
He said, as they stood by a prone Rayne, his head shaved and bandaged, as was most of his body—and with enough tubes and machines on him to make Skye’s terror increase every time she had to look at him. “I’ll go and prepare everything.”
Salinas had a hand on her arm. “I need to convert one of the wings, though I’ve little doubt I can get it accomplished on time. I will be in constant touch with the doctors and staff. Please call me, even if it’s just to talk.” His hand flexed. “I’m not your father, but I wish I was.”
Skye covered his hand.
He said, “I’ve watched you too, most of your life. You’re a strong, resilient, and fearless young woman. You should be proud. Always remember- to be proud of who you are.”
Skye nodded, having gotten the whole story from him, learning that he had loved Chloe even though she used him. He had not known of her addiction when he fell fast and hard for her. He had tried everything, love, pleading, rehab, and she lied, manipulated, and ran away from him. He didn’t know about Rayne because Chloe was living with someone else, a druggie boyfriend, then. He had been devastated he couldn’t help her—desperate enough to have her any way he could, even let her use him for the money.
She came to him often for money. When he discovered Rayne existed, saw him for the first time, Rayne was four years old, and his spitting image. However, threatening Chloe to get him only pushed her to do worse. She had dangerous friends and a scheming mind, and she threatened to ruin him with lies.
He would have let her, but keeping up with and finding Chloe was not so easy. He could find out where Rayne was, but unbeknownst to Skye and Rayne, she had her druggie friends hanging out at the schools and watching for Salinas.
The biggest game she played was with his heart, because Brice loved her beyond reason and rationality. She would play her games of meeting him at hotels, promising he could see Rayne, sleeping with him, laying some sob story to get money, and then vanishing again.
He had told Skye he could have kidnapped Rayne. Gone to court. Taken action, to get him away from her. But love blinded him. It had—until Chloe used Rayne and nearly cost him his life. That last time, when Rayne was seventeen, he had been there when Rayne was busted, got the details, and knew immediately Chloe had used him.
Up to that point, he had actually been hopeful that hard time might change Chloe, and he would have the fantasy he’d lived for.
When it came down to Chloe and Rayne, he chose his son.
But by then—Rayne hated him.
Looking at her brother, not much of him visible but his mouth and the tube between his lips, Skye leaned over and kissed him.
She was watching when Salinas went to the other side; having seen him hold Rayne’s hand, kiss him too. It touched her heart. He talked to Rayne, told him the story, how sorry he was—always that he loved him. He prayed, unashamed, every time he touched Rayne.
“Let me take you to eat before I leave.”
Skye shook her head.
“To the cafeteria then?” Salinas came round and took her hand. “Come on. I’ve got to answer to that tough ass Carter Croft.”
Her rusty laugh sounded but she went with him. Skye said in the elevator, “We all make mistakes.”
His light eyes touched hers. “And pray—for second chances.”
****
It was nighttime when Carter reached the ranch. He had talked to Skye and learned the decision she had made, understanding that what might be a no brainer for other people, wasn’t so easy for Skye. She and Rayne had only each other, and they had a bond of trust and loyalty that went beyond sibling ties.
Having already stopped at the barn and taken in Rayne’s things. He noticed the dogs were alert and had been fed by Jesse or Juda. He dropped by Juda’s to give them updates, relaying her thanks to Jesse. Jesse would like to have been with Skye, but she was doing what was most needed, taking care of their business, and preparing for the wedding in two days.
Juda had been to the hospital, Rayne having been his friend, and he and Carter had gone out to smoke. Carter witnessed tears and shock that Juda held in until he was out of sigh
t of Skye. Carter offered comfort as he could, everything being a question mark as yet. It brought him closer to Juda, as a man and friend.
Jesse was shaken too, but had the work to focus her. Carter assured her that Skye needed her to be just that. While he was visiting Juda, Jesse went down and packed a bag for Skye, and got her Ipad. Dani Sutton had also come by the hospital, and Jesse said she’d come by and checked on the place, sometimes coming off duty to get news or talk.
Carter pulled in at the ranch, wanting to be with Skye every second—so worried for her, but helpless except to do what she needed him to do. He was worried about Kelly too. He knew it was safe to tell Skye what she’d confided. However, Skye’s mind wasn’t on that right now. Eventually he would.
Carter and Rio were standing on the porch when he got out. Backlit by light from the great room windows. Carter lit a cigarette, feeling like it had been years since he ran out of the ranch house that night.
Traversing the steps, he felt Kane pat his shoulder before Carter sank into a rocking chair.
“There’s food on the stove.” Rio offered that.
Carter shook his head, breathing in the scents of home.
Kane leaned against the pillar and Rio sat on the steps.
Kane said quietly, “I Called Mom.”
Carter looked at him. “It’s about time.”
“Yes.” Kane lit his own smoke. “We talked—for hours it seemed like.” He exhaled a white stream and added, “She’s keeping everything from Kelly’s father.”
“No word…”
Kane shook his head, but offered, “She said they hired PI and discovered Kelly had used her credit card in Maryland. Joe has a relative with a little house in Vermont. He’d taken her there once, and that’s where Mom hopes she’s headed.”
“The wreck was on the news everywhere. The internet too,” Rio supplied.
They were silent awhile then Carter asked about Willow.
“She’s okay. Worried about everyone. I told her she could go see him. She’s taking Skye a care package. Says while she’s on break she’s going to help out at the Vaughn place.”
“They’ll be moving him next week.” Carter told them of Skye and Brice Salinas’s plans. “Salinas will have private nurses, and will be able to transport him if…pneumonia or anything sets up…”
Carter cursed and got up, walking over to view the night landscape. “Skye is devastated. She’s been stronger than most would be. Determined to be positive, no matter how many doctors tell her the risks and the odds. She’s not sleeping, not eating, she’s…”
After another long silence Kane asked, “What can we do?”
Carter shrugged. He turned and looked at them. “I’m going to shower and change, pack another bag.” He went to do that, worried about Skye the whole time, exhausted but needing to be with her, knowing he had to be her rock right now.
He descended the stairs, had shaved, showered, was in clean clothing and had a bag packed. His brothers were still on the porch, and out there, he put on a coat and told them before leaving, “Pray. That’s what you can do.” Then he walked down the steps and got in his truck.
Half way there, he called Skye. “I’m on way, babe. Everything is taken care of.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you eat?”
“Yes. Salinas insisted. He said he had to answer to you.”
He chuckled. “True. Where are you?”
“In the lounge. Nurses said I could come back in later. They’re bathing him.”
“Let me get a hotel room, if only for you to go get a shower and change.”
“Carter Croft. Are you saying I stink?”
He laughed with sheer joy this time, tears stinging his eyes because it seemed like ages since she’d teased with him. “Yes. I am.”
“Okay then. Get one, and come pick me up.”
“Done.”
“Carter?”
“Yeah.”
She was silent, and then whispered, “I need you.”
He swallowed and felt his heart shake. “I’m here, Skye. After you get your shower, maybe we can rest awhile. I can hold you like I’ve needed to.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
He reached the exit and they ended the call. Carter got a hotel near the hospital, did a quick run for supplies, and took them there, necessities and snacks, leaving the luggage before he went to pick Skye up. She needed him. He felt the world right itself again.
At the hotel, in the dark room after she showered, they were in bed and Skye reached for him. She needed hard, utterly silent, intense, sex. Carter gave it to her. He kissed away tears, felt her bite his shoulder hard, and cling to him, urge him—spend him, with her purge of emotions while absorbing his strength.
They slept four hours afterwards, arose, bathed, and went to the hospital, keeping their vigil together. Carter holding her across his thighs, her head on his shoulder, the both of them conscious of the steady rhythm of the respirator, the beep of the heart monitor.
Chapter 10
THANKSGIVING
Skye awakened early. By the time, she dressed in a tan skirt, sleeveless cream silk blouse and had her hair dried, the sun was out.
It was going to be a pleasant day, fifties—so she chose flats and did her makeup. After gathering what she’d need to take to 4 Oaks, she went to the trunk and picked up the journal that Dani had left at her door—a basket of like gifts for her to find the day she’d returned home. She wrote that she was thankful for everyday Rayne held on, and added to the list of blessings, as the book was meant to be her reminder of life’s positives. Carter was on every page, her friends, and things that made her life richer in quality.
A bit later, she drove to 4 Oaks, smiling as she arrived seeing Carter was standing on that porch. He looked nice in jeans and a green shirt, more handsome and strong every time she saw him. By the time she reached the top step, he had gathered her in a hug, lifted her off her feet, and kissed her.
“You look beautiful.” His grin tripped her heart.
“So do you.” She gave him an extra hug.
They went inside and in the next hour; Jesse, Juda, and Dani had arrived. The ballgame was on in the great room, the kitchen alive with scents and chatter, as a traditional meal was prepared. Kane had put the turkey on early. Willow was preparing pies for dessert. Carter, like Rio, and the other men, were in and out, sometimes helping, and sometimes grabbing a drink from the fridge.
Skye was very much aware of how her friends rallied around her from the time of the accident. She was not unaffected by it. She was amazed and deeply, deeply, touched. Today they laughed a lot, Jesse teasing Dani about the rum cake she’d brought, asking if it was made with bootleg. That woman was dressed nice too, in riding boots, a pair of cream trousers and colorful blouse. She had done her makeup different from when on duty, and her brown eyes were quite striking.
“Where’s Eric, these days?” Jesse asked Willow as she fixed sweet potatoes.
Willow snorted. “Don’t tell Rio, but Eric’s history.”
“What happened?”
“He used my car—to take another girl out,” Willow supplied.
“What a dog.” Dani sneered.
Willow muttered, heading to the sink to wash her hands, “You ain’t kidding. He had three girls besides me, he was seeing.”
“I’m sorry,” Skye offered.
“Better I know than look the idiot.” Willow supplied. Then she took off her apron, having put it on to protect her nice black slacks and blouse. “I’m not telling Rio, because it would make him too happy.”
They laughed.
“Taking a break,” she said. “Yell if you need me. I’ll be driving uncle Kane nuts.”
After she’d gone, they had everything cooking. Skye stepped out back to get some air. The kitchen was getting warm. She was also thinking about Kelly. Feeling terrible for her, after Carter told her what happened. In light of the changes—namely her knowing Salinas’s side of it, she wishe
d Kelly would get in touch with them, so she could assure her that she wasn’t at fault. Kelly was likely up north. At least Carter’s mom thought so.
That was another surprise for Skye, his Mom, Caroline, calling her unexpectedly. She sounded so nice, so sympathetic, and warm. They had talked twice since then, getting to know each other better—his Mom saying frankly that she was glad Skye and Carter were together and there for each other. Skye got overwhelmed at times at all the things Carter brought into her life.
She walked a bit, looking at the shed leaves, still holding some of their brilliant color, smelling the scents of Thanksgiving dinner cooking, hearing animals, and birds. Despite the bad things, the good things in her life were so much better than her childhood wishes and dreams. Skye savored them in her quiet moments.
At a later hour, they were gathered at the table, and grace said, talk, and laughter was rising as the men discussed the plays during the game, and ribbed each other. Then general conversation, mostly light, Skye noticed, a lot of semi flirting in the cross fire between Juda and Dani. Since they were both healthy and mature adults, it was nice that someone at the table besides herself and Carter were doing that—namely that Jesse and Rio weren’t.
Sometime after taking her plate to the sink, sitting down with pie, Skye’s phone rang. Out habit, she had set it beside her coffee cup. Everyone got quite so she could answer, and Carter caught her gaze and held it as she did.
“Hello?”
“Sk-ye.”
Her face crumpled, smiling and crying at the same time. “Rayne…” She sobbed.
“Ye-s...” He was clearly struggling to speak but there was a smile in his rough voice.
“Oh my God. I love you. I love you.” She was openly crying now, and could no longer focus on Carter’s face. Unaware that there were many damp eyes at the table, and smiles. She was saying next, “How are you?”
“Lat-er. Got something…to tell you.”