Page 38 of Handling Skylar (Hope Parish #5)

JAKE

I’d shut myself up in Sky’s house, the lingering scent of her both tormenting and comforting to me.

There wasn’t a minute of each day that hadn’t passed without me thinking of her.

I wanted her back, the torment of losing her, of that bastard driving a wedge between us, adding a tormenting layer to all the pain and agony of losing the people she’d loved. I understood her guilt.

I could only be glad I was a tenacious bastard.

I’d gone back to try to reason with her, thinking that when I didn’t see her on the patio that she’d gone to the front to meet Jordan.

Just as I was going to head back into the ballroom, I’d caught a glimpse of white disappearing into the trees behind the Country Club, then my blood had run cold when I spied my jacket in a heap on the ground.

I didn’t know how I knew, but I just sensed she was in grave danger. I’d grabbed the Outlaws, and we’d tracked her back to town, to the small clapboard house. Then we’d heard her screaming for help. The rest was history.

I had shunned everyone. Chase, Brax, my momma and even River. I hadn’t been out to the orchards since the festival, not sure how things were going to even pan out between me and my daddy.

All I knew was that I had lost the best thing that had ever happened to me. She’d made me see that being my own man would garner all the reputation I needed in Suttontowne.

In the wake of Adam Myers, the town had settled down. Most people were so sad to see Sky go, but she would never know that. I had attended Anna Kate’s service. Mostly out of manners. Only her family had been present and Mr. Montgomery had glared at me until I finally got up and left.

Days ago, when I got the small box from Steuben Glass, I immediately headed over to see Jordan in the Blue Coyote.

The for sale sign had ripped my gut into shreds.

How does someone move on after they’ve met the person that completes them?

I gave her the box and asked her to send it to Sky.

At least she would have this gift I could give her.

She’d left her kayak, and I was currently on the river, just drifting here staring off into the distance. I did this often, took it out onto the river where we’d had so much fun, making me feel connected to her. It was pathetic.

Paddling home, aware I had to move on now, I decided that going to see my daddy was in order. I stowed the kayak, showered and changed. In my car, with Sky still heavy on my mind, I put down the top. Her infectious grin filled my mind and through my sorrow, I smiled. My sunshine.

Driving up the wide lane, the old oaks standing on either side, I suddenly felt no longer connected to Majestueux.

The mansion was built by the Colonel and the thought of that added to my transformation from that guy who always had to do what his family needed to this man who was now going to tell my daddy exactly what I wanted.

I climbed the stairs and walked in. Closing the door behind me, I heard murmurs coming from the living room. When I walked in my whole family was there. I suddenly realized it was Sunday and they must have just finished dinner.

“Jake!” my momma said, rising and coming over to me. “How have you been? We’ve heard so little from you since all that mess happened with Sky.”

“I’m fine, Momma,” I said, kissing her cheek. I hugged my sister and shook Brax’s hand, greeted my aunt and uncle. Then went to my brother and offered my hand, but he ignored it and clasped me in a manly hug. Samantha hugged me hard, too, her eyes solemn and full of care.

Then, finally, I turned to my daddy.

“Hello, Jake. I’ve missed you at the orchard. We had an amazing harvest, and I’m sure that has to do with you.”

“If you’re selling the business. I want it.

I truly do. I could stay mad at you and cause scenes and make this difficult like I did with Chase.

But the truth is you molded me into the man I am.

I am grateful for that. I may have been a little lost as to who I was after the Colonel debacle.

After all the years you’ve dictated my life.

But, looking back, I wanted it. I wanted to run the operation beside you, Daddy.

Not be your son, but your partner. It’s what we’ve always wanted.

So, I forgive you for being autocratic, but I love you for being the daddy that has given me so much.

Now, tell me, are you selling the property? ”

Conversation burst in the room, but I ignored it.

“I—”

“Because if you are, I want it. I’ll buy it out, work out a deal. Just tell me.”

My daddy, his eyes moist set down his glass of bourbon.

He approached me and placed his hands on my shoulders.

“I will admit. I made some blunders with both you boys and your sister when you were young.

But, he looked at Chase and River, then a long, lingering look at my momma and she nodded, wiping at her eyes.

“I love you all and I did what I thought was best for you then. All of you have exceeded my expectations so thoroughly.”

He clasped me to him, and I slipped my arms around him, my heart full no matter what happened. Our family finally, so goddamned finally at peace, in harmony.

When we parted, his eyes were moister. His gaze direct on mine, he said. “I’m not selling the business.” He turned and walked into his study and moments later he was back.

He handed me a sheaf of papers. I looked down at them, and my breath got trapped in my lungs. They were legal papers.

“I’m turning it all over to you, Jake. You will hold the majority of the stock and manage the orchard as you see fit.

Your brother and sister will each hold ten percent with a remaining equal five percent held in trust for your nephews.

I’m out, but will remain on the board of directors for consultation whenever you need me. ”

Stunned I looked around the room at everyone’s similarly content faces. “What are you going to do?”

He looked at Chase and smiled, then at my uncle Win. “Winchester, Chase and I are going in the boat building business. Chase has the land, and we’ve already broken ground. I’ve always loved boats and, ever since I saw the Amy, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”

I looked at Chase and he raised his hands. “He wanted to get everything set before he told you. River and I are happy to have you run the orchard.”

I met my daddy’s eyes again. “That’s what I was doing, and I got distracted from what you were trying to tell me.

Your small orchard, that you think you’ve kept secret from me all these years, has performed beautifully.

I watched you grow as a planter, watched you mature.

Doing something on your own gave you more than seeking permission from me. ”

“You knew? You let me do this so I could learn and gain experience?”

“Yes, and you’ve never let me down, Jake.” He clasped the back of my neck and squeezed. “You’ll need to get that nut patented, a buyer who attended the festival has already bought everything we had. It’s going to be a popular commodity in the very near future. We’ll work on the paperwork.”

“I’m floored and, yes, I’ll run the business. Tell me I can have a hand in this boat business, too.”

“Of course, we weren’t sure you’d want to.”

“I do. We’ll make it all a family affair.”

He nodded, and his face went solemn. He looked at my momma again, she smiled and rose. She came over to my daddy and slipped her arm around his waist. “We’ve also made another decision that affects you all. We’re selling Majestueux.”

Stunned silence followed her words, and she cleared her throat.

“It’s been in our family for generations, but it was built on blood money and we’ve been very uncomfortable in this house ever since we discovered the truth about the Colonel.

We will build a home closer to the boat business with plans to construct a marina and golf course.

It’ll add jobs to the area and a little posh as well.

I have to admit it. I love the posh. We’ll still be close enough to Suttontowne. ”

I turned and met my brother’s eyes. He inclined his head and as the conversation ebbed and flowed around us, I walked over to him. “Did you tell them yet?” I whispered.

“No, we were waiting for you.”

“Now then. Do it now. It seems to be the day for it.”

He laughed and nodded. He picked up his glass and clinked it with a fork from his dessert dish. The conversation halted and everyone gave him their attention. He reached out and pulled Samantha to him. “We’ve set the date.”

Our momma said, “It’s about time.” Her face beaming. “When?”

“December thirty-first.”

“Oh my,” she said, her hands on her hips. “We’ve got some planning to do. Ladies, let’s go gather at the kitchen table and get this show on the road.”

“There’s more,” he said. This time he was the one who got emotional. My throat tightened. “Jake is going to be my best man.”

My momma came over and kissed me heartily on the cheek, wiping at her tears. “That is such amazing news.” She sniffed and took Samantha’s arm. “Let’s go young lady.”

Chase let Samantha go, chuckling no doubt at the look of consternation in her eyes.

“It begins,” I murmured.

Chase chuckled again. “Hey, how about a flying lesson?”

“Now?”

“Good a time as any.”

“You’re on.”

Hours later we were back and Chase was still complaining.

“I didn’t say you could do a loop-de-loo, Jake. Christ on a cracker, it was your first lesson. How did you even know about that?”

“I’m a genius, don’t you know that yet?”

Chase stopped walking, and I looked at him, his face had frozen. He looked at me, his eyes suddenly shining. “What? What is it?”

He nudged me and pointed.

I turned to look, and my heart thundered in my chest. Sky stood at the end of the dock, a small box in her hands. Chase reached out and shoved me when I didn’t move. I started walking in a daze, praying I wasn’t dreaming.

“Hey, Sky,” Chase said walking past me and heading for the shop. “Welcome home.”

She flashed Chase a warm smile, her face contorting a little, her eyes going moist. “Thank you, Chase. This is home.”

She turned her attention to me. “Jake, will you marry me?”

I was stunned speechless.

“It turns out I can’t breathe without you.

I can’t, won’t live without you. Whatever comes our way, I promise, I will never bail on you again.

She lifted the box and opened the flap. Removing the items inside, she held them up, clutching them and a small card with a bayou sunset on the front.

The sun glinted off the blue glass. Two howling coyotes exactly like the picture she’d shown me on her phone.

In a wobbly voice she read: I know that everything seems bleak now and you’re blaming yourself for all of this, but Sky, the person who is responsible for what happened to you and your family is going away for a long time.

Justice has prevailed. It’s time to heal.

Forgive yourself. Not for your family or for me.

Just forgive yourself for you. I am here where you’ve made your home.

I will always be here for you. Love, Jake.

“You’re right. This is my home now and I know without a doubt that you are always here for me.

I’m going to hold my family in my heart and build something amazing with you.

Our way. I don’t want to be anywhere else except with you, here, in this beautiful place.

I love you, Jake. So, will you marry me? ”

Unlike Anna Kate’s demand for a ring, this was so profound it touched me deeply. When it was right, those words didn’t seem like a death sentence, or incite fear and resistance. There was only one answer to her offer.

I looked away, the muscles in my throat convulsing, and I nearly lost it before I could get the words out. “Oh, fucking, yeah. Fuck.” She opened her arms, the card fluttering to the dock, but in her hands, she gripped those coyotes.

“I love you, Skylar Bransom. You have to know you’re all I want.”

“Ah, God, Jake,” she whispered, her face contorting with raw emotion as I reached for her.

Catching her by the back of the head, I closed my eyes and hung on to her, barely believing this monumental day. Unable to check her tears, they flowed freely as she pulled me to her, my hand tangling in her silky hair.

I dragged my hand up her back, molding her to me.

I took her lips with a hoarse sound, and she responded, her savage kiss tasting of tears and surrender.

My mouth turned hot, hungry and ravaging.

Locking my arms around her, she yielded everything to me—her mouth, her body, her strength—driven by the same need that burned to my very soul.

“Hey you two,” Chase yelled from the shop. “Let’s go back to the folks. Sky, looks like now that you’re back, it’s time for your initiation into becoming one of the Sutton women.”

She groaned. “Oh, damn,” she said softly. “Another initiation. What do I have to memorize? Do I have to wear a corset and hoop skirt, work a fan, parasol, gloves and a big freaking straw hat?”

“Uh, no,” I said wryly with a dry laugh. “You’ll just wish that’s all you had to do.”