“No,” he said softly. “He’s not thinking. He threatened my brothers too. Said, he could take their jobs from them too. He has friends.”
“I’m sorry. I hope everyone isn’t affected by this,” Skylar replied.
“Hey,” Luka said. “We’ll work it out. Let’s take the threat away from Tag and I’ll pay off the mortgage on the ranch.”
She turned to him. “Only if we do it legally and you setup a payment plan for me to pay you back like I do the bank. I trust you more than I do Tag.”
He frowned at her. “Thanks Skylar.”
“I didn’t mean it that way Luka. I did just get out of the hospital with a head injury.”
“I’ll cut you some slack,” he grumbled but he didn’t like how she had made her statement.
**
She was happy when she saw the ranch come into view. Even more so when Brett, Ramona and Ava walked out of the barn as they pulled into the drive. Her daughter threw her arms around her waist and hugged her hard when she got out of the truck.
“Momma, I’m glad you came home today. I missed you last night.”
“I missed you too.”
“Aunt Ramona slept in my room and we giggled and talked about boys until after midnight. Uncle Brett was in Daddy’s room. He yelled at us.”
“He did.” She looked at Brett who appeared tired.
“I couldn’t sleep they were so loud,” he defended himself.
Ramona slapped at his chest. “Please, we couldn’t sleep after you finally did. You snore so loud.” He just shook his head at her.
“Have you guys had lunch? I’m starving,” Skylar told them.
Skylar and Ramona went to the kitchen and made lunch. Brett and Luka sat in the living room with Ava playing a game.
Ramona actually made lunch, Skylar watched her from a chair at the table. She was whipping up some tuna salad for some hoagie buns that they had just bought at the store yesterday.
“Have you told him yet?” Skylar asked.
“I haven’t.”
“Don’t you see how good he is with Ava?” Skylar reminded her sister.
“I do. I just don’t want him to feel trapped. I want to be sure of us and you know the Shaw’s. He’ll feel he has to do the honorable thing Sky.”
“Okay,” Skylar replied. “I won’t say anything else but you should tell him soon. You’re starting to show Ramona.”
Her sister turned around and glared at her. “I am not.”
“You are getting a little belly on you. Your jeans are tight too. Aren’t they?”
“God yes they are,” Ramona sighed. She stopped stirring. “I will tell him soon Sky. I know I have to. I’m just a chicken shit.”
Skylar rose from her chair and walked to her sister. “it will be fine Ramona you’ll feel better when you tell Brett.”
“I will Sky. I’m going to call them for lunch.”
Skylar got the bread and plates ready. Then they gathered around the table. This was what life could be like if she let Luka in, she thought. They could be a family. Skylar glanced down at her barely eaten sandwich. Then she took a sip of her sweet tea.
“I’m glad you’re home Momma,” Ava told her.