“As long as you don’t interrupt.”
Skylar worked with D.L. for several hours. Showing him how to control Majestic with his words and a gentle tug on the reins. The horse responded well to him. She patted his nose. He truly was a majestic animal with his long powerful legs and his big body. The way that he held himself with restraint and grace. His eyes were dark but held a hint of emotion and understanding. He nudged her and she laughed. She was trying to talk to D.L.
“I guess that’s all for today. If you want to take him to the barn, I’ll unsaddle him and brush him before feeding him and giving him water.”
“I’ll take care of him today.”
“You’re sure.”
“I am,” D.L. replied. “He’s my horse.”
“Sounds good. Just come to the house before you leave so I can say goodbye.”
He went to the barn with Majestic while Skylar went to the house with Ava. “Did you and Daddy get everything you needed?” She asked.
“We did and Uncle Brett gave me a sucker from the jar at the check-out.”
“That was sweet of him,” Skylar agreed.
“Momma, he and Daddy were talking about Ramona. Is she all right?”
“She is. What were they saying?”
“Brett’s worried about her. He’s afraid she’s not happy with him.” Ava sighed. “I like them together.”
“Me too. Ramona is very happy with Brett. He’s not reading the signals correctly Ava. Men sometimes do that.”
Ava wrinkled her nose. “Why?”
“Because, women are complicated creatures that don’t always say what we think. Some of us at least. Ramona needs to tell Brett what’s going on with her so he’s not concerned. They’ll be fine. I’ll have a talk with her.”
“Good,” Ava replied.
Sky held open the screen door and Ava walked through first. She went upstairs to her room while Skylar went to the kitchen where she thought she heard Luka.
He turned when Skylar entered through the kitchen. “What are you doing?”
“Just getting some coffee,” he replied.
“Are you okay?” She plopped down in a chair. Tired from the morning. She was still recovering from her head injury.
“I see things that have changed while I’ve been gone like you and I doubt that you need me or that I still belong.”
She lowered her gaze to the floor unsure of what he was saying. Not wanting to reveal what his words caused in her heart. “Are you going to run again Luka?” She asked.
He whirled around but he remained leaning by the counter. “Hell no,” he said. His jaw was tight. “I promised Ava I would be here for her and I will keep that promise.” His voice became husky and full of the emotion that was filling him. The regret for the decisions that he had made over the years. “I love you more than I did at nineteen Skylar but I can’t force you to love me back. I know that.”
“No you can’t.”
“D.L. has feelings for you too.”
She laughed. “No, he doesn’t. What you see is appreciation from a man who is hurting. His wife left him recently. They aren’t even divorced yet. He very much loves his wife still.” Luka walked across the room and sat beside her.
“I’ve been kind to him and kind to his eight-year-old daughter. They are all hurting. His boys will be so excited to meet you; I could tell by his reaction to you.
“Suddenly he’s a single father. I think he’s okay with the boys but he has a little girl that sometimes just wants her mommy and he doesn’t know what to do. He’s asked me a few questions. His mother helps him out too but she’s nearly seventy-five and not in the greatest of health.”
Luka took her hand. “You always did have a big heart.”