“Thanks man.” He got in the truck and started it up. He took one last look at Ava in Brett’s arms. He didn’t like this but he felt like he needed to be with Skylar. Then he guided the truck around the circle and down the lane. The hospital was twenty minutes away; driving speed limits. He didn’t drive the speed limits that day.
**
Luna met Luka in the ER waiting room. “How is she?” She asked as soon as she sat down next to him. The uncomfortable chairs were familiar to her. Each of her boys had gotten hurt playing sports. Jacob’s heart attack. She had waited here for each of them.
“She’s in x-ray right now. They said they would let me go back when she got out.”
He was leaning on his knees; hands clasped between them. A familiar stance for him. “Luka, she’ll be all right.”
“I know Mom. I’m pissed. This is me trying not to go off the deep end and kill Tag Richardson.”
“What did he do?”
Luka turned to his mother. He leaned in closer so no one would hear him. “He shot off two rounds from his rifle, deliberately spooking Majestic. That is how she fell off him.”
“How do you know?”
“Ava was outside with Skylar who was training Majestic. He obviously couldn’t see her.”
“Oh dear.”
“Brett and Ramona have Ava at the precinct making a statement.”
“Did you talk to Skylar about that Luka?”
He had not because there wasn’t time but he thought he had made the right decision. What Tag had done was criminal. “What is there to talk about Mom? Tag deliberately tried to hurt Sky.”
“Sky might not want Ava involved in this.”
“I don’t want Ava involved either but Tag can’t get away with trying to hurt Skylar because she broke up with him.” Luna patted Luka’s leg. She sat back in her chair knowing most ER’s they could be waiting for a while.
Forty-five minutes later an MA appeared at the entrance. She called Luka’s name. He rose and walked to her with Luna following. “Ms. Bradford is back in triage. She would like to see you. I’ll take you to her.”
“Thank you.”
Luka hadn’t seen Skylar since she left the farm in the ambulance and he was anxious. He stepped into the room and slipped around the curtain and there she was. Her hair was messed up. Her cheeks were flushed but she looked damned beautiful. “Are you all right?” He asked.
“My head hurts like hell,” she replied softly. He walked over and perched on a stool next to the bed where she laid. “They think I have a concussion. I might have to stay overnight. You have to go home and take care of Ava,” she insisted.
He shook his head no. “I’m staying with you. Brett and Ramona have her now. They can take care of her.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“I don’t want to upset you but I need to tell you something.”
“What? Is Ava all right?”
“She is Skylar. She’s fine. Skylar, she saw Tag shooting off two rounds from his rifle spooking Majestic which is why you fell off the horse.”
“You’re kidding?” He could see the confusion on her face. “You’re not kidding.” Skylar frowned.
“Brett and Ramona have Ava at the station making an official statement. The police have an APB out for Tag.”
“I don’t want him to see her.” He could see her concern and her upset. She flinched when she leaned forward reaching out to him.
“I said the same thing. Calm down,” Luka reassured her. He placed his hand over hers. “Isaac reassured me that Tag would never see Ava.” She nodded then she cringed because of the pain in her head. “Did I do all right?” Luka asked.
Skylar turned towards Luka. “You did fine,” she told him.