Skye threw a sofa pillow at Lance. “Stop it. I’m going on a date, not setting a date.”
***
“What can I do for you, Mr. Jones?” The name Revel was ringing a bell in Noah’s memory. But he couldn’t place where he’d heard it. “Have we met?”
“No.” The serious faced man sat down where Noah directed. “I’m from over around Lafayette, Louisiana and I contacted your Sheriff a few weeks ago. He said he would pass along my request, although I’m not sure if he did. I’m looking for Harper Summers.”
The name hit Noah like a sledge hammer. Immediately, he went on the defensive. “If you’re one of those Doms who likes to dole out pain, you can just head back down the road the way you came.”
Jones stood, and when he did, he and Noah were looking at one another eye to eye. “I am not a Dom. Harper is important to me. I haven’t seen her in years, but I understand she’s in trouble and I can’t rest until I find her. Do you know where she is?”
Noah backed down. He sighed and finished buttoning his shirt. “No, sadly, I don’t.” He motioned for Revel to sit and asked, “Do you want some coffee?”
“I’ll drink a beer if you have one.”
“Now you’re talking.” Smiling, Noah went to the wet bar in the corner. They were in the McCoy man cave, their word for a den decorated in leather and stone with Aron’s bronzes on full display. A massive fireplace covered one wall and the furniture was big, well-built and comfortable.
“You dated Harper?”
It wasn’t hard for Noah to detect a note of jealousy in the man’s voice. “Yes, we dated. Harper changed during the time we knew one another. She became a girl I didn’t recognize. She got involved in a lifestyle I couldn’t condone.”
“I heard about what happened and I know about Ajax and your brother, Isaac.”
“Don’t use my brother’s name in the same sentence with that jerk, Ajax.” Noah handed Revel a beer, but he gave him a hard stare. “My brother is a good man.”
Revel popped the top. “I’m not judging anyone. BDSM is not my style either, but I love Harper. I’ve loved Harper forever. She’s always on my mind. And if I can help her, if I can pull her back from the brink, I’m going to do it.”
Respect for Jones grew in Noah’s mind. “Good. I’m glad to hear it. I wish only good things for Harper.”
“So, you have no clue as to where she went?”
“No, when Zane started putting together the case against Ajax, he could have used Harper’s testimony. She was nowhere to be found. Luckily, I could provide enough evidence to get him ten years behind bars.”
“Was there anywhere she ever mentioned, a particular place where she felt safe?” The concern on Revel’s face made Noah sad.
“Well, let me think.” He sat back and swigged his beer, racking his brain for anything that would help. “Her parents are supportive, but Harper hasn’t confided in them in a long time. You know?” Noah placed one booted heel on his knee. “You might check out Galveston. Harper loved the beach. Several times she would rent a cabin down there and just sit on the porch and watch the tide roll in.”
Revel rose. “Thanks a lot.” He shook Noah’s hand. “No hard feelings. No jealousy. Whatever Harper has done, I forgive her. Whoever she’s been with is in the past. I want to be what Harper wants until I can convince what she needs most is love. And me.”
“I hope you find her and I hope she’s happy.” Noah showed Revel out and watched him leave. In his heart, a door closed. Some of the guilt he felt about Harper eroded as he realized she wasn’t for him. Revel Lee Jones was Harper’s soul mate and he wished them well.
***
Noah knocked on the cabin door. He was driving one of the ranch cars, a dark brown Mercedes sedan. When Skye opened the door and he saw how beautiful she was, he was glad he’d thought about the car. Skye Blue deserved to go to the ball in style. A pick-up for a carriage would never do. “My God, you’re stunning.” And she was. He took her hand and twirled her around. “I can’t believe how beautiful you are.” Her dress was a vision, but the woman inside of it was a dream. She had braided silver beads into her hair and her eyes sparkled like diamonds. The make-up she wore was subtle with just a hint of sparkle over her eyes and on her lips. “I am one lucky man.”
“Please, Noah.” Skye blushed. “You look good yourself.” The western cut tux he wore was sharp and fit his body to perfection. Dressed in all black, Noah looked handsome, sexy and totally dangerous. A thrill shot through her and she felt goosebumps rise on her skin. “I’m so excited,” she confessed with a smile.
Lance walked up behind Skye. “You two be good now. Call me if you need me, Sis.” He teased.
“I’ll take care of her.” Noah promised him. He couldn’t deny she was a treasure worth protecting.
***
Glitz and glamor were pale words for what awaited Skye when they stepped off the elevator into the Grand Ballroom of the Driscoll Hotel. The whole room was awash in millionaires, waiters flitted around the room carrying trays of caviar and champagne. Elegant women danced with well-groomed men in western cut formal wear, all decked out in cowboy hats and boots. Tables, dressed in white linen, were laden with every kind of party food imaginable. A band played country music and as soon as Noah led her across the dance floor, a slightly inebriated gentleman tapped him on the shoulder. “May I cut in?”
“Sorry.” Noah shook his head. “We just arrived and I get first dance.”
The man merely nodded and moved on. Skye didn’t get a good look at him. Her head had been resting on Noah’s shoulder with her eyes closed. “Who was that?” The voice had sounded disturbingly familiar.
“I don’t know.” And Noah didn’t care. “Let’s get a table and then I’ll show you how a McCoy cuts a rug.”
“I’d like that.” Skye looked around, feverishly scanning the crowd. A sick feeling pinched her stomach. Surely she’d been wrong. She was so haunted by her past, she saw ghosts everywhere.
Noah led her to a table where he ordered drinks for them and then took her back out into the middle of the room, pulling her up tight to his body. Noah sighed. “Now, I can breathe.”
“What do you mean?”
“I couldn’t think about anything else, just getting my arms around you again.”
She nestled against him. “Noah, you’re making me dizzy.” Being here with him was so unexpected. Skye hadn’t allowed herself to even dream of a night like this.
“I’ve needed this. I’ve needed you,” he whispered, bending over near her. “I want to know everything about you.”
Not everything. Skye thought. “It would be nice to know more about you, too.” What she’d been through wasn’t her doing, but the stain it would leave on her life would be permanent.
“I wish you didn’t have to leave right away. How long did you say you’d be gone?” He kissed her on the neck and she shivered.
“Less than a week. Four days. I’m not sure. Maybe more.” It was hard to think when he was rubbing her back, lower and lower.
“Ladies and Gentleman, if you’ll take your seats.” The Master of Ceremonies informed them the program was about to begin. Noah held Skye’s chair and made sure she was comfortable. Sipping their drinks, they listened to the welcome and introduction of special guests. While a young woman sang a song in tribute of a retiring dignitary, waiters placed steaming plates of steak and lobster in front of them.
“This is very nice. Will we be able to dance more later?” Skye asked as she took a bite of scalloped potatoes.
“As soon as they finish the business, the rest of the evening will be dancing.” He promised, running a hand over her arm. Noah couldn’t keep his hands off of her.
A word from the MC caught Noah’s attention. “Aron McCoy was a force for good in this state. Tonight we honor hi
s memory.”
Noah felt like someone knocked the wind out of him. The family hadn’t been notified or consulted. He went perfectly still. Every eye was on him. “Oh, my God,” he whispered.
Whatever was going on, Noah wasn’t happy. One wall, behind the podium had been turned into a big jumbo-tron television screen and when Skye focused on it, she saw shots of Aron McCoy and the rest of the family. Someone had compiled a tribute to him, complete with music. Even Noah’s face was shown a few times. He always stood out, being the only blond in the family. “Are you okay?”
“Tonight, Aron’s brother is here with us. Noah, if you would come up on stage. We’d like to present this plaque to you in commemoration of Aron’s lifetime of service. We honor him posthumously for his wisdom, his generosity, his influence and his kindness. Noah McCoy everybody!”
Everyone began to clap and Noah stood up, making his way to the front. He was stiff, and clearly unnerved. Skye held her breath, waiting to see what he would say.
“Thank you, Troy.” He picked up the award and stared at it. “Aron has always worked tirelessly for the charities he supports. I can remember him teaching me that the family gives back, we share what we have. He always puts other people’s needs before his own.” He cleared his throat. “You will notice that I’m not speaking of Aron in the past tense, because the McCoy family does not think Aron has passed.”
The whole room was dead quiet. Noah swallowed and continued. “And while I’m extremely grateful for your thoughts and your consideration, I’m afraid this memorial has been prematurely awarded.” With that, he stood up and walked back to the table. He held his hand out to Skye. “Let’s go.”
There was a buzz in the room as people whispered about Aron and Noah. As he led her out, an elderly gentleman followed. Noah noticed him, recognizing a friend of his father’s by the name of Sealy Cooper. “Son, wait.”
Noah and Skye stopped. He went to the old man, not making him walk all the way. “I’m sorry about that, Mr. Cooper. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. It was just such a shock. We haven’t given up on getting my brother back.”
“Oh, I understand completely.” He waved his cane. “The benevolent board doesn’t check with everyone. Sometimes Rose gets a little crazy. I wanted to come tell you I was sorry about all of this. I’ve known your family for years. Why, I remember the day he brought you home, little towheaded baby. You were a surprise, I tell you. Sebastian was a brave man and Sue was a good woman. Not many women would have accepted things as well as she did.”
Noah didn’t have a clue what the old man was talking about. But right now, he didn’t want to think about it. He just wanted out. “Thanks, Sealy. My daddy always thought a lot of you.”
The old man had more to say, so Noah listened. While they were talking, Skye stepped over to a water fountain to get a drink of water…when she saw him. God, she’d been right. Her heart almost stopped. He was sneering at her from across the hall. She started toward Noah, but he cut her off. Charles Langley’s brother blocked her way. She hadn’t seen him since the trial. Arthur Langley leaned toward her. “Well, well, fancy meeting you here. Didn’t know they let murderers into decent places like this. So, you’ve moved up in the world. Hanging out with one of the McCoys, I see. Does he know who you are?” He leered at her, checking out her cleavage. “You are one hot little slut, that’s for sure.”
“Leave me alone.” She grated out the words, looking over his shoulder to see if Noah was watching them.
“You will pay. Just because they were stupid enough to let you out, doesn’t mean you’re going to get away with murder. No whore squaw is going to walk around free after killing my brother. Don’t ever turn your back. I’ll be watching.”
Shaking with terror, Skye pushed away from him about the time Noah left Mr. Cooper behind. For a second she was afraid Arthur would follow, but he didn’t. “Who was that?” Noah had noticed. “You look upset.”
“Nobody.” She shook her head. “Someone was just asking where the men’s room was located.” He didn’t look convinced, but she wasn’t about to explain.
“I can’t believe this. I’m sorry.” He apologized. “I know you wanted to dance.”
“Don’t worry about it for a moment.” Her voice quivered. “I’m more than ready to go.” He would probably have asked more questions, but he was preoccupied. Clutching the commemorative plaque in his hand, he moved her hurriedly toward the door. They’d just stepped out the door when his cell phone buzzed. “Damn,” he huffed. “What now?” He let her go long enough to answer the phone. “Hello?”
Skye watched his face. When he closed his eyes in worry, she tightened her hand on his arm.
“We’ll be right there.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The baby’s in distress. They’re taking Jessie in for an emergency C-Section.”
***
Jacob was nearly out of his mind with worry, pacing up and down the hall as if every step affirmed his love for Jessie and the baby. The whole McCoy clan had been contacted and was on the way, including Libby. Isaac was flying in early from Mexico. Even Nathan was there. She could see they were all upset and scared. Skye could have felt out of place, but Noah was holding on to her hand like he was drawing strength from her.
“Tell us what the doctor said.” Joseph finally got his brother to slow down enough to talk.
“They’d been inducing her for hours when Jessie finally went into labor,” he spoke softly. “Jessie wasn’t dilating fast enough. I don’t know why. But the damn monitor started going off and the doctors rushed in and said the baby’s heart couldn’t handle the stress of the contractions. So, they prepped her for surgery.”
“So, they’ll be all right? There’s nothing wrong?” Libby was pale and drawn. She’d lost weight and her pregnancy made her look even more fragile.
Jacob hugged her. “I pray so.”
“How long have they been in there?” Joseph asked.
Jacob looked at his watch. “Forty-five minutes.”
About that time the double doors swung open and a doctor walked out dressed in the green scrubs of surgery. “Mr. McCoy?”
“Yes!” Jacob stepped forward. “How’s my wife?”
“There were complications.” Indrawn breaths echoed across the room. “We have them stabilized. I’m sorry to tell you your son has a heart valve abnormality. He will require more surgery, but he’s not strong enough to endure it now.”
“What?” He looked dazed. “How’s Jessie? How’s my wife?” Jacob repeated again.
“She’s weak, but resting.”
Jacob dry scrubbed his face. “Can I see them?”
“Soon, we’re cleaning the baby up. Someone is closing the C-Section, now. The child will have to stay in NICU for several days and in the hospital for several weeks. This could be very serious if we don’t monitor his condition closely. At this point, I don’t know if he’ll need a transplant or not.”
“A heart transplant?” Jacob looked horrified.
“No.” The doctor held up his hand. “A valve transplant. Not quite as dangerous, but critical enough for a newborn.”
His family flanked Jacob, all trying to give him comfort.
“If he needs blood or anything, I’m willing.” Noah put his hand on Jacob’s shoulder. “I know he’s not blood-kin, not a McCoy, but—”
Jacob didn’t give Noah time to finish. He wheeled on his brother and snarled. “He is my son!”
“I didn’t mean…” Noah began. “I was just saying if I could help…”
“Blood is not all that binds people together, Noah. It’s love and trust and dreams. You, of all people ought to realize the truth!”
“Jacob, it’s okay.” Joseph took Jacob by the arm and steered him away from Noah. “He didn’t mean anything by what he said. We’re
all here for you.”
Noah stood. “I didn’t. I just—”
“I know.” Avery came and hugged him.
“Why don’t you take Skye home? She looks tired.” Cady suggested, always the peacemaker.
Noah looked at each of his family. He’d been dismissed. Why did every word he tried to say come out wrong?
“Let’s go.” He held out his hand and Skye took it. She wanted to say something, to defend him, but she knew it would only make matters worse.
When they got to the car, he opened the door for her. She slid in and folded her hands. God, what a night! When Noah seated himself, she felt she had to say something. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
Noah just backed out. He didn’t say anything for a long time. “I’ve disappointed my family before, Skye. They expect me to screw things up. Jacob heard what he wanted to hear, not what I said.”
She put her hand on his knee. First the surprise about Aron, then the crisis with the baby had taken its toll. If she could, she’d take his pain away. Noah was hurting. She could feel it. “You did nothing wrong.”
“You don’t know what trouble I’ve caused.”
“I don’t believe it.” She had faith in Noah. Every decision he made was out of love and seeking good for his family.
“Believe it. Jacob was justified. When he and Jessie were dating, I thought she was out to trap him or use him. I thought she wasn’t good enough.” Noah cursed. “I saw only what I wanted to see. I sent her away, almost got her killed.”
“Noah, you love your family. No one would ever question that.”
“I do love them, but I must be doing something wrong.”
Skye picked up his hand. Hers was shaking. Seeing Arthur Langley and hearing his venomous words frightened Skye. Neither of them needed to be by themselves. She made a decision—a big one. “Can I go home with you tonight? I need you.”
Skye Blue (Hell Yeah!) Page 5
