Page 16 of Handling Skylar (Hope Parish #5)

Chase was standing with my daddy and Samantha was next to him.

She gave me a warm smile, and I nodded to her and smiled back.

Her eyes widened as if she was hoping for some response, but not expecting it.

Sky had a profound effect on me. She filled me up inside and it was spilling over.

Not to mention, Samantha had gone out of her way to be pleasant to me when she knew Chase and I were estranged.

I looked at my brother and the small ball of anger that always seemed to be in my gut churned.

I would need to address this resentment.

I thought about Sky and the loss of her family.

I remembered when Cousin Earl had almost killed my sister and my brother, the thought of losing them tightened my throat, brought things into perspective.

When Brax came into the room, the well of friendship was only heightened.

I was glad I’d heeded what he had said about Anna Kate.

He’d saved their lives and I would be forever grateful for his interference.

They were here today because of him. I slung my arm around his neck and said, “Hey, boy, where you at?”

He punched me lightly in the ribs and grinned. “Doin’ all right. I’m married to your sister, so life is great.”

The doorbell rang, and I said, “I’ll get it.” When I opened the door, Anna Kate stood there.

“Jake,” she said softly and threw her arms around me. It took all my willpower not to shove her away. I endured her embrace. She pulled away and looked me in the eyes. “Is everything all right?”

It wasn’t. It was over. She just didn’t know it. But with the family gathering, this wasn’t the time to tell her. I forced a smile and said, “Sure, everyone’s in the living room.”

She gave me a narrowed-eyed gaze, but turned and preceded me into the room.

Once inside, she sat down with barely a greeting to anyone.

When her phone chimed, and she pulled it out, I wanted to shout at her, but couldn’t say a word.

It was clear that she didn’t fit in here no matter how far up the society ladder she had climbed.

The next morning with the situation between Anna Kate and me unresolved, I showed up at the now closed and totally empty store in the center of town.

Out of the big picture window, I could see the Blue Coyote from here.

The shop was closed on Mondays and I wondered what Sky was up to. I pulled out my phone and texted:

Good morning, cowgirl. Sleep well?

My phone chimed almost immediately. Yes, and good morning to you, too, Varsity.

I smiled. What are you up to today?

Just finished an amazing hike along the river. So gorgeous. Can’t wait to get on the water this Saturday. I wish you could come along.

Me, too , I texted back as I spied my brother striding across the now empty green of the center of town.

I’m going to be making some spa products today and maybe some of those molasses cookies. I don’t think I can wait until the holidays now. My hips thank you.

I could read the sarcasm in every line of her text. LOL, sugar. I like your curves. Maybe you could share…

I’ll think about it. I laughed as my brother entered, the contractor, Mark Albright right behind him. Then, I started when my daddy followed him inside, Brax bringing up the rear.

Gotta go, babe. Contractor and brother here for consult. See you soon.

Play nice. :-)

She was really encouraging me to make amends with my brother, but I would have to do that in my own time. I tucked my phone into my back pocket and faced my daddy. “I didn’t know you’d be here today.”

“Sure. This is exciting. I want to see what you have in mind.”

I walked through the space and explained that I wanted to do a major overhaul, floors, displays, everything.

I said we’d fill the place with vintage furniture, books, cards, candles, games and all things Cajun to reflect that Suttontowne was smack dab in the center of Cajun Country.

City chic with a country flair. I had plans to add on a porch and even put rockers outside complete with a checker board.

The big room in the back would make a great music venue.

” I opened one of the doors to show them the expansive space.

“We could feature local artisans, produce, food, baked goods, cheese and spirits. It would have a very eclectic feel to it.”

“I have a cousin who’s a metal artist. I’m sure he’d be interested and my mom has already agreed to search for good antiques for a cut of the retail,” Brax said.

“I’m willing to do some of the baking, and Samantha has agreed to add some of her pies here in exchange for recommendations for people to try out Imogene’s. ”

I nodded and said, “We can put a call out to local artists. I’d love some of River’s paintings and other local art to fill the place, not to mention with the upcoming holidays, we can plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.”

“And, what about this Harvest Festival that was suggested last week, Jake?” My daddy had his ear to the ground. He never missed a beat.

“I was going to run that by you. I think it’s a great idea. It could also showcase the town. If we could get the new store up and running, say by the middle of October, we could coincide the grand reopening in conjunction with the festival. It would be a great boost to our nut business, as well.”

“That’s going to require a lot of planning and a strong person to manage it all.

I want you to take the lead here, Jake. Make sure your brother is involved.

He can supply a lot of the seafood at cost. The Suttons could definitely sponsor it.

I’ll talk to your momma. I believe Anna Kate has already brought up the festival with the Belles.

I’m sure we’d get a lot of support from them.

We, after all, have to have a Pecan Queen. ” He chuckled and the meeting broke up.

“Jake,” Chase said before I could leave. “Do you have a minute?”

He sounded tentative, and I suddenly felt guilty with the way I had treated him when he’d only tried to make amends. If I could only get past this damn anger and find some way to forgive him for abandoning me.

“Sure,” I said.

“As you know, I’m getting married. We’ve set the date and we’re going to tell the folks soon. Momma and the Sutton women are going to get involved and it’s going to get crazy. Before that, I wanted to talk to you about—”

“Chase—” My throat tightened and I knew exactly what he was going to ask me.

“I know it’s strange to ask you this, but let me get it out, will you?” He spoke low and tight.

I shuffled my feet and set my hands on my hips. The first step to mending our relationship was listening. I realized that Sky was right. I needed to take these steps forward. “All right,” I growled.

“Ethan is my best friend. I love him like a brother. I want him involved in the ceremony—”

“Ask him to be your best man, then. You don’t need my permission,” I bit out. I’m not sure why this hurt so much. I should be at the altar, standing up with my brother. That should have been my spot, but with the bad blood between us—why wouldn’t he consider someone else?

“Jesus, Jake you have to make everything so damn difficult. I wanted to ask you if you would consider it. Being my best man, that is.” I didn’t say anything.

I couldn’t because I was currently speechless.

I hadn’t expected this at all. I expected he was going to say he wanted Ethan as his best man.

When I didn’t say anything, the determined light in his eyes didn’t dim.

He ran his hand through his hair, his eyes direct and beseeching.

“I know we haven’t been close the last few years, but I missed you, Jake.

I missed you all.” My phone rang, but I ignored it, still trying to absorb everything he was saying.

Frustration and pain filled his eyes and in a choked voice, he said, “I had to get out or it would have killed me. I know it was selfish and hurtful. I know I especially hurt you, leaving and not explaining, keeping the Colonel’s ugly secret all those years, letting you live a lie. ”

“Chase, I don’t know what to say.” I was honest. I had no words to describe the emotion that roiled inside me—anger, resentment, betrayal and love. I didn’t know how to express it all to make myself feel better. Maybe I just needed time to digest it all.

“I should have been there for you, not realizing that all of it would fall to you. I’m sorry, Jake.

Samantha has taught me that family is so important, and I want us all to work together without this barrier between us.

I want us to be brothers again. If we can’t put our past behind us, as brothers, what do we have?

I know this is out of the blue and you probably need to think about it. But, please , think about it.”

“I’ll think about it, Chase. I can’t promise—”

“No promises needed.” He smiled hopefully. “That’s enough and if you want to…talk or fish or anything. Let me know.”

I nodded curtly, weary of fighting my feelings for my big brother, maybe ready to give him a second chance.

We were adults. I was a grown man and the residual slights from our childhood should be examined and dealt with in a mature way.

I realized that I had been completely juvenile when Chase had started showing signs that he wanted to come back.

It wasn’t admirable, and I watched him walk away across the empty green where my ancestor’s statue had only recently been deposed.

That statue was gone, but the past was very much still encroaching on my present and if I let it, my future.

We had a lot to overcome. Feeling emotionally raw, there was only one place I wanted to be.