by Donna Grant
Chapter 19
Danny had never been as scared as he was when he got the call from Clayton that they couldn’t find Skylar. Everyone on the ranch was looking for her, but that wasn’t enough for Danny. He’d driven as fast as he could to the Easts’ and then immediately got on a horse and rode, praying that someone found her.
He couldn’t believe he’d been the one to stumble across her, though. He hadn’t meant to kiss her, but one look into her blue eyes, and he hadn’t been able to help himself.
Somehow, he was able to rein in his desire and end the kiss. Then he pulled out his phone and sent Clayton and the others a text to let them know that he’d found her.
“I’m sorry,” Skylar said again.
He shook his head as he pocketed his phone. “I understand why you needed to get out.”
“I should’ve told someone. It was careless. I just didn’t want to talk to anyone.”
Danny pulled her against him and simply held her. He rested his chin atop her head. “You don’t need to justify anything to me.”
“Actually, I do. I just assumed I’d be safe out here.”
“You are.” The simple fact was that everyone overreacted.
She held him tighter. “Am I? I can’t help feeling that I’m not safe anywhere.”
Danny didn’t intend to tell her about discovering Matt and his brother following him. Skylar had enough to worry about without adding that to the mix. Besides, Danny had taken care of it.
It also helped that Jace and Cooper were still following Matt and his family. Though there was just Jace and Cooper, compared to five members of the Gaudet family, and their attorneys. That’s why no one realized that Matt had been following Danny until he spotted them.
“They’re suing me,” Skylar told him as she pulled back.
Danny nodded. “I heard. It’ll be thrown out.”
“Will it? I’m not so sure.”
“You think their money wins every time? There are good people in the justice system. People who don’t care about anything but doing their jobs like they’re supposed to. Judge Harmon is one of those.”
Skylar nodded slowly as she glanced away. “It’s just that every time I feel as if I’ve found my footing, they knock me down again.”
“Keep getting back up. They don’t expect that.”
That made her smile. “I hope I can.”
“You can. You’ve got friends who will help you. And that’s not even including your shark of a lawyer.” He smiled when she laughed at his comment.
Now that was the Skylar he wanted to see. Not the fearful and apprehensive one that he’d come upon.
“I’m thankful that I came this direction while driving from Houston,” she told him. “I still don’t know why I did it.”
“It doesn’t matter why. You were meant to be here, and you’re surrounded by people who want to help you and keep Matt from getting to you.”
Her blue eyes softened. “I was worried I wouldn’t see you again.”
“I didn’t stay away because I didn’t want to see you. I didn’t come because of Matt.”
She nodded slowly, a frown on her lips. “I thought it might be something like that.”
“But you weren’t sure, and you couldn’t ask me,” he finished. What a fool he’d been to keep her in such turmoil. “I’m sorry, Skylar.”
She put a finger on his lips. “Don’t. You have nothing to apologize for. You’re the sheriff. Your duties require you to look after an entire county, not just me.”
“I should’ve contacted you.”
“You’re here now.”
He smiled and took her hand. “I am. Let’s take advantage of it since I won’t be coming by as often as I’d like.”
“Because of Matt?”
“Because of Matt,” he admitted.
She made a face. “Is there some law you can enact to kick him out of the county?”
“I wish,” he said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t hesitate to do it.”
“Danny, I want to ask you something.”
He grew serious to match her expression. “Ask me anything.”
“Do you want me because you feel sorry for me?”
“No,” he answered immediately. “I want you because I’ve always wanted you. I thought you were just a high school crush, the one that got away.”
“The kind that lingers because you didn’t get to find out if things could work out?”
He nodded. “Exactly. When I saw you—” He paused, unable to find the right words. “I thought you were a dream. When I realized you were real, I couldn’t believe my luck.”
“I’ve spent my life in a constant state of flux, at least when it comes to relationships. I wasn’t happy when I was alone, and I wasn’t happy when I was dating someone. Nothing fit properly. I was always looking ahead, thinking of what was down the road waiting for me.” She shrugged and swallowed. “I don’t feel any of that when I’m with you. It all feels … right.”
Her words made his heart soar. “Skylar, you know I’ve always had a thing for you. I just want you to be sure it’s me you really want.”
She blinked, her brows drawing together. “You think I want you because you came to my rescue with Matt?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. Just as you wanted to be sure I didn’t want you for any other reason than wanting you, I need to know the same.”
The anger that had been growing faded. “You’re right. You should ask that. And, no, I don’t want to be with you simply because you stopped a bad situation that night. I want to be with you because of the man you are and the way you make me feel when I’m with you.”
“You should know that I’ve not dated anyone in a few years.”
She lifted one shoulder. “Then you should know that I’ve got a crazy ex-boyfriend who used to beat me. His family is suing me for slander now.”
“Hmm,” Danny said as he shook his head. “That sounds like a lot to deal with.”
She playfully punched him in the arm. “Hey!”
They both laughed as he pulled her into his arms. He wasn’t sure how this was going to work, but he knew he wanted to try.
“You’re right,” he admitted. “This does feel right.”
“Yes, it does.”
He closed his eyes and breathed easily for the first time in days. Having Skylar close somehow calmed the turbulent sea within him. There were risks involved because of Matt, but Danny didn’t care any longer.
“I’m going to move here,” Skylar suddenly said.
Danny looked down at her. “When did you decide that?”
“Just now.” She laughed and took a step back. “I’ve been contemplating it for a day or two. I even looked at real estate and found a house.”
“Oh? Which one?”
“The Taylor house out on Greenbriar Lane.”
He nodded. “I know that house. It’s always been a nice one. I didn’t realize it was for sale.”
“The parents died, and the brother and sister decided to gut it and redo everything in order to get more money out of it, but they kept the charm of the outside. I used to drive by that place every day on the way to school and think about how pretty it was.”
“You really going to buy it?”
She shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
He was about to offer for her to move in with him to save her some money, but he realized that their relationship was probably too new to talk about things like that. As odd as it sounded, he could see them together far into the future.
“Will you come look at it with me?” she asked.
“I’d love to.”
She beamed. “Good.”
“We should probably get back.”
“And you have work.”
He hated to admit it, but he did need to get back to the office. “Yeah. I’ll be back tonight, though.”
“Are you sure? What about Matt?”
“What about him?”
She hesitated, then smiled.
“I need to stop thinking about him, don’t I?”
“Not until he’s out of your life, but you are safe here. You won’t be staying here forever,” he said when he saw her argument forming. “Just a little longer.”
He reached for her hand, and their fingers twined as they walked to the horse he’d ridden over, which was now grazing nearby. Danny gathered the reins and tugged the equine after them as they started toward the house.
“I suppose you saw the article,” he asked.
She glanced at him. “About me? Yeah, it was hard to miss. I also saw the one from Beverly. Smart woman to send that to a Houston news station.”
“Beverly is tenacious like that. Matt and his family think they’ll be treated the same here as they are in the city. It doesn’t work like that.”
“I’m glad of that.”
Danny squeezed her hand. “Maybe you subconsciously knew that, and that’s why you came back home.”
She smiled as she looked at him. “You may be right.”
“Don’t worry about the lawsuit. The Gaudets are doing it to make themselves look good.”
“That may be, but it puts me in a poor light.”
“Not if we can prove the abuse.”
Skylar chuckled. “I wish it were that easy.”
“Well, it may be. As I was out looking for you this afternoon, I was thinking about the lawsuit and proving things. I think everyone forgot that the rest stops have cameras set up by the state. Leslie needs to petition the state for the footage of the night that Matt was arrested. It’ll show his attack.”
Her eyes widened. “That would be great, but is it enough? I mean, couldn’t his lawyers say that I provoked him or something?”
“That video, along with my testimony of what I heard and witnessed, as well as the photos of what he did to you in the past should be all the proof you need.”
Skylar stopped walking and turned to face him before she wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you for being so amazing.”
“Just doing my job,” he said, though he was pleased by her words.
They took their time returning to the house. By the time they got there, both were smiling easily, their hands still joined.
Skylar remained with him when he unsaddled and brushed the horse he’d ridden. She fed the animal a carrot as a treat, and then they walked into the house.
The only ones missing were Jace, Cooper, and Brice. Caleb and his brother were taking turns helping their friends trail the Gaudets, and right now, it was Brice’s turn.
“I’m so sorry,” Skylar told everyone.
Naomi shook her head. “No one blames you for needing to get away.”
“I wouldn’t have survived as long as you have,” Audrey admitted.
Abby walked to her and took her hand. “We were so involved with everything, we didn’t even pay attention to how it was affecting you.”
“That was our bad,” Leslie said with an apologetic smile. “We won’t do it again.”
Clayton smiled at her. “Are you better?”
Danny felt Skylar’s gaze on him and looked her way. They shared a smile before she said, “Much. I can face anything now.”
Chapter 20
Skylar really hated seeing Danny drive away, but knowing he’d be back made it easier. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed him until he was with her again.
The talk they’d shared had also done wonders. Not knowing where she stood with him had also played havoc with her head. Now that she had some answers, she could concentrate on putting all her energy into Matt and his family. Because she wasn’t going to take any of it lying down.
She checked her phone and found several missed calls and texts from her parents. Skylar had spoken to them the night before to prepare them, but obviously, she needed to talk to them more.
“Hey, Mom,” she said when the phone connected.
“Skylar, I think we should come and get you.”
She frowned at the thread of fear and worry she heard in her mother’s voice. “I’m fine. Really, Mom. This place is like a fortress.”
“You’re not hearing your mother,” her dad’s deep voice said, joining the conversation. “We think you should be with us.”
Now this was too weird. Her parents had always been big proponents of independence. Not that they hadn’t been there for her as parents, but they thought it was good that she stood on her own.
“What’s going on?” Skylar demanded. The beat of silence only made her anxiety deepen. “Mom? Dad? Tell me.”
Her father released a long breath. “Some attorneys visited us an hour ago.”
“What? Why?”
“They were from the Gaudets,” her mother explained.
Skylar gripped the phone tightly. “What did they say?”
“They offered us two million dollars, and you eight million, if you disappear and drop everything having to do with Matt and the restraining order,” her father answered.
It took her a minute to get her anger in check, but even after, she couldn’t hold it in. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I wish I was, pumpkin,” her mother said.
Skylar wasn’t sure if she was more appalled, shocked, or outraged at the entire scenario. “Do they really think I can be bought?”
When neither of her parents replied, she frowned, wondering why they hadn’t voiced their agreement.
“Honey, you need to understand that while we saved, we didn’t save enough for retirement,” her father said.
Skylar slowly sank into the nearest chair. Skylar didn’t need to ask if her parents had accepted the deal. Her father’s words told her that they had. “You’re calling to convince me to agree to the money.”
Her mother then said, “Think what you could do with it. You’d never have to work again if you invested it right.”
“What if I like working?”
Her father guffawed. “No one likes working. You’re just being obtuse.”
“I make good money, Dad. I’ve saved and invested really well. I’m not in need of anything.”
“Everyone always needs money,” came her mother’s reply.
Skylar shook her head. “Not me. I live simply.”
Her mother barked in laughter. “Right. And that car you drive says you live simply.”
“That car is paid off,” she retorted. “Three years early, I might add. I doubled up on the payments and got an incredible interest rate. I have no debt either. Like I said, I live simply. I don’t need millions.”
“What of your children?” her father asked.
Skylar had had enough. “And what of your daughter? Matt beat me. Do you understand that? Do you comprehend what he did to me? Not once. Not twice. And it wasn’t just physical abuse. It was mental, emotional, and verbal.”
“The Gaudets aren’t saying it didn’t happen,” her mother said, using the soft voice she used to use in order to get Skylar to do something. “They know what he’s done, and they want to make up for it with money.”
Her father added, “You were strong enough to get away and stand up for yourself. You’re free of him. Take advantage of what they’re offering you.”
Skylar closed her eyes and shook her head. “What they’re offering you, you mean.”
“Well, that as well,” her father mumbled.
Skylar opened her eyes and took a deep breath. “Take the money if you want, but I don’t want anything from the Gaudets.”
Her mother made a sound in the back of her throat. “We don’t get a penny if you don’t agree.”
“Do you know they’re suing me for slander?” she asked her parents. “Did the lawyers happen to mention that part?”
“Um,” her father said. “Actually, they did. They said it would go away as soon as you sign the papers.”
“Papers?” she asked.
“An NDA,” her mother answered.
Of course, the Gaudets would want a non-disclosure agreement from her. What good would it do now th
at her statement had already been filed with the courts? Skylar was so fed up with the entire situation that she wanted to scream. And her parents? She didn’t even know what to think about them.
“Skylar?” her father called out. “Why don’t you think about this? No need to make a hasty decision.”
There was something in his voice that set off warning bells in her head. “Dad, what else did the lawyers say?”
“They weren’t here long,” her mother responded.
“Dad?” Skylar pressed.
Her father cleared his throat. “It’s a one-time offer that expires in twenty-four hours. They said if you reject it, they’ll come after you with everything they have.”
“And you. They’ll come after both of you, won’t they?” Skylar asked.
Her mother sniffed, unable to hide her tears anymore. “Yes. They’ll come after us, as well.”
Skylar wrapped her free arm around her middle and bent forward. She was sick to her stomach, knowing that the Gaudets had gone after her parents. They hadn’t been a part of this at all.
“Listen,” she told them, “don’t answer anyone’s calls other than mine. Don’t answer the door, and don’t go anywhere until you hear from me. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” her dad replied.
Her mother was crying loudly now. “Skylar, we’re appalled by the fact that you were abused. We raised you to stand up for yourself.”
“I know, Mom.” And she did understand now. Her parents had been trying to convince her to take the money without telling her the rest of it so she wouldn’t get upset. Now that she knew the full truth, it only angered her more.
“Honey,” her dad said, “if you want to take the money, we’ll support you. We’re not worried about ourselves. We’ve lived a long, good life. We’re more concerned about you and what that family can do to you.”
Skylar wiped at a tear that leaked from the corner of her eye. “I need a little time. I’m going to think some things over and get back with you. Just remember what I said. Stay in the house, don’t let anyone in, and don’t talk to anyone but me.”
They ended the call. Skylar remained seated for a little longer to settle her stomach that roiled with rage. Then she got to her feet and walked down the stairs to the kitchen, where Leslie was saying her goodbyes.