“How are you Sky?”
“I don’t need to tell you how confused I am? If anyone knows it is probably my four sisters.”
“How did he handle the fact that he has a ten-year-old daughter?”
She was playing with the pen in her hand avoiding eye contact. “Not well. You know him,” Skylar told her.
“I thought I did then he left you. I thought family meant everything to him then he never came home,” Roxy informed her.
“He said he couldn’t. It would have been too hard. He’s been calling. Paid off his mom’s farm.”
“Paid off the ranch here too,” Ramona told Roxy.
Her hands flopped down on the table palm down. “Is that a good idea Sky?”
“It was a loan Roxy. Tag has been giving me some problems. Threatening me with everything he can. We set it up legally. I signed paperwork and everything. I pay him back every month just like I would the mortgage company.”
“What’s crawled up Tag’s butt?”
Sky looked at Ramona who gave her a crooked grin of concern. “What hasn’t.” Ramona replied for her sister.
“I’ll explain later.” Sky just wanted to enjoy her sister and not bring down the mood by discussing Tag.
“I’d love to see my niece. Where is she?” Roxy asked. “I bet she’s growing like a weed.”
Not really, Skylar thought. Unfortunately, it appeared that her daughter would be tiny like her. “Beside the barn, playing with the goats.” Roxy rose from her chair. “She’s not growing at all. She’s kind a bummed about it too. Looks like she’s gonna be a petite one like her Momma.”
“Yeah but she’s got a mighty right hook,” Ramona told her.
“Oh, I’m sure there is a story there. I think I’ll ask Ava about that. I’ll go out to see her if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, go ahead. I’m just going to finish up in here and wait for Luka to get back with the supplies.”
Ramona and Skylar were looking at Skylar’s iPad reviewing some ideas for Chloe’s party. Chloe texted Sky letting her know she would be at the ranch soon. She was in town leaving the feed store, after saying hello to Brett and Benji at the feed store.
A creak in the hallway usually meant that someone was walking on the one board that they all knew to avoid. A board that should have been fixed a long time ago. Ramona got up from the table and went to the kitchen doorway. She expected Ava, Roxy or Luka. She backed into the kitchen. Skylar turned her head and saw Tag with his rifle drawn aiming it at her sister.
Skylar rose from the table her hands were shaking as she stepped in front of her sister. “What are you doing?” Ramona whispered.
“Protecting you,” Sky replied.
“He has a gun. I’m not sure how much protection you can offer me.”
“What are you doing Tag?” Skylar asked. She was pushing Ramona back slowly.
“My truck is behind the house. Head towards the back door.”
Skylar glanced over her shoulder at Ramona. Her sister pulled her towards the back door. “Just take me,” Skylar said.
He snorted. “You aren’t in a position to tell me what to do right now,” he declared.
They backed into the door. Ramona turned and unlocked the heavy door. The old knob jiggled in her hand. She opened the screen door and stepped outside. She saw Chloe coming up the drive in her vehicle. She gave her a few minutes to get parked then she stepped out onto the porch. She didn’t know where Roxy and Ava were; hopefully out of sight.
Skylar took Ramona’s hand. “Come on,” she whispered. “Hurry before he sees Chloe, Roxy or Ava.”
Skylar let Ramona guide her to Tag’s truck. “You aren’t taking Ramona,” she insisted. “I’ll go wherever you want but you aren’t taking her.”
“I don’t need any witnesses.”