Page 78 of Skye's Fall

“He already does like you, I’ve told you this,” I tell her for the fifty-first time.

We pull into the rehab and she hesitates exiting the vehicle.

“Skye,” I come around and open her door, leaning in.

“I’m just nervous,” she admits. She changed her outfit twenty times. I know she wants to make a good impression and I’m handling her with care because I don’t want her to lose it.

“You’ll be okay,” I kiss her cheek and help her out of the truck. We walk hand in hand to the reception.

“We’re here to see Ralston Styles,” I tell the receptionist. Her name is Renee.

“Ah, Lincoln, he’s expecting you. He’s in the garden.”

“He always is.”

She hands us our visitor passes and I steer Skye toward the atrium.

As we walk down the hallway, Skye stops me, “Does he like the garden?”

“He does. He’s started planting and pulling weeds.” She mulls that over before blowing my mind.

“Maybe we could do that for him on the ranch?”

She is moving in with me once we get back. Brick has talked to a guy who can do an addition to the house. We’re going to build my dad a room. I love that she’s already thinking about him and doesn’t care that he will be living there. It means a lot that she is thinking about things my dad likes.

“I’m sure he would like that,” I tell her.

She smiles and gasps as we enter the atrium.

“It’s beautiful,” she says.

“Not as beautiful as you,” my dad comes around the corner.

She blushes as he kisses her on the cheek.

“You look good, Dad,” I say as he hugs my neck.

“I feel good. Did they tell you my release day?”

“They did. We’ve started planning on building a new room for you. And Skye suggested putting in a garden for you.”

She blushes and looks down.

“Thank you, Skye. I’d love that.”

She reaches for his hand, “Can you show me around?” My heart soars at that.

“Sure. I hear you have some news for me,” my dad says.

“I do,” she walks with him and they chat back and forth. I want her to feel comfortable with him, so I take a seat and watch. Soon, my family is going to grow and I’m excited for the future.

He takes her all around the atrium, telling her about the different plants and flowers. She listens intently. I sigh, knowing peace now.

Brick and Ariel are permanent roommates, but I don’t mind. Brick loves working with the horses. And Ariel is a great cook. I’m sure between her and Skye, both of us will be putting on some weight.

Skye and my dad make a few laps before returning to sit with me.

“You got quite a gal,” he beams and I just smile because I know I do.