Skye Blue (Hell Yeah!)

by Hunter, Sable

  Both Noah and Isaac eased one hand down over their private area. “Ouch.”

  Kane continued with his story. “Ole’ Billy was mean. He always hollered at his wife so much, she didn’t even pay attention to him out there carrying on and hollering. She didn’t go check on him for a while.”

  “Poetic.” Noah laughed. “Did he live?”

  “Yea, but he won’t be doing much tomcatting anymore.”

  They downed one beer and started on another. “How’s Lilibet and your son?” Noah asked.

  “They’re good. Dwayne is looking forward to Christmas. I’m buying him one of those little trucks he can drive around the yard.”

  “You’re going to have so much fun with that little boy. I can’t wait till we have a dozen little McCoys running around the ranch.” Isaac got a wistful look on his face.

  “You know, we’re going to have to do something special for Libby this Christmas. The babies are going to be born right after and she’s going to need all the support she can get.” Noah had been thinking about that a lot.

  Kane stared at the brothers. “Something’s changed. With Aron. I can see it in your faces. Spill it.”

  Isaac shook his head as if he wanted to deny it. “Well, we don’t know anything for sure yet, and this is not to be repeated. We haven’t told Libby. But a fishing boat found part of his diving gear, we think. And there looks to be some remains with it. They’re being tested.”

  Kane dropped his head. “My God. I’m so sorry.”

  All three were silent for a moment, until they heard footsteps coming up behind them. “I thought I’d find you all here.” Joseph settled down on a bar stool beside them. “What’s up?”

  “Not the price of cattle.” Noah sat his beer bottle down. “We’ve got to inseminate that youngest batch of heifers this week.”

  “Better you than me.” Kane pushed his hat back on his head. “I tried that once and got stepped on twice.”

  Isaac laughed. “Your bedside manner must not be to their liking.”

  “What’s wrong?” Noah noticed Joseph looked deep in thought.

  “Cady still doesn’t feel good. She finally told me she went to the doctor the other day and he gave her some antibiotics, said she had an infection. I just hope that’s all it is. She’s in pain, but she won’t be totally honest with me about it. She doesn’t want to worry me.”

  “Well, do something.” Isaac knew Joseph loved Cady to distraction. “Take charge. Get her to level with you. You’re the man!”

  Noah laughed. “And Cady’s a magical woman with powers.”

  “Yes, but she loves me. Love trumps hoodoo.”

  “I wouldn’t cross her.” Isaac looked serious. “Nanette Beaureguarde scares the mess out of me. I swear she sleeps in a coffin.”

  “For a badass biker dude, you’re sure jumpy,” Kane drawled. “If you were from New Orleans like me, you wouldn’t even blink at that kind of stuff. Why my grandmother used to tell me about the seven sisters of New Orleans. She says she saw them back in the 1920’s. They were a family of clairvoyants; those women could just look at you and know what you were thinking.”

  “Sounds like my wife.” Joseph drained his second beer.

  “That’s not the strange part. Some people say they never aged, in fact, some say they’re still in New Orleans and none of them look a day over twenty.”

  “Who-oooo-ooo.” Noah teased Isaac by waving his fingers in the air.

  “Don’t worry. I’m watching Cady like a hawk. If she gives me one more indication she’s not a hundred percent, I’m bringing the doctor to her.” They all nodded their agreement. “Oh, I have news.” Joseph perked up.

  “What’s that?” Kane asked.

  “Beau and Harley are coming over for Thanksgiving. You two ought to come join us, Kane.”

  “I’ll have to check with the boss,” Kane said. “But it sounds good to me. I love to eat at Tebow. And with Lilibet as pregnant as she is, she’ll appreciate not having to spend so much time in the kitchen.”

  “Well, let us know. It’s only a few days away.” Joseph checked his phone. “Less than a week, man does time fly.”

  “Let’s just pray those DNA tests come back negative on Aron. Then we’ll have even more to be thankful for.”

  “Amen.”

  ***

  “Am I crazy?” Skye asked as she crawled in the pick-up to head back to Tebow. “I guess I might be. I’m talking to myself.” The habit she’d picked up in solitary used to shame her, but today she was a little too happy to worry about it. Zane had offered her a job. Skye had argued with the handsome lawyer, making sure he realized what he was getting into.

  “How thoroughly did you check my resume and my background? Are you sure you aren’t doing this just as a favor to Noah McCoy?”

  Zane had looked at her pointblank. “I promised him I’d talk to you. I didn’t promise him I’d hire you. That’s my decision. But I’m offering you a job.”

  “So, you know I’ve been to prison?”

  “Yes, Eddie Warrior for three years. Justifiable homicide, but the real story was that you were defending yourself. Right?”

  “Yes. But most people just see that I’m an ex-con and don’t look any farther.”

  “I’m not most people, Miss Blue. I was blind, but now I see. My blindness was a prison, of sorts, and now I’ve been given a second shot at life. I believe in paying it forward. Besides, you’re the best candidate I’ve interviewed. Do you want the job?”

  “Yes, I do. Thank you.”

  So, she guessed she was staying in Kerrville. Her first day of work would be in two weeks. Zane wasn’t even going to wait until after graduation. Now, she supposed she could start looking for an apartment in town.” That thought put a frown on her face. Leaving Tebow was going to be hard. And what about Noah and his declaration? What was she going to do about that? Now that Zane knew, word would get around. She was going to have to come clean and soon….but she wanted to wait for the right time.

  Turning on her brights, she eased out of the office building and took off on the highway toward home. The road between Kerrville and Tebow was a steep winding road in places. Just outside of Kerrville, the Guadalupe hugged the road and wove its way, scenically, for miles through pastures, groves of trees and near the high hillsides. Closer to the ranch, the trees grew thick and there were deep ravines. There were places where the speed limit was only fifteen miles per hour.

  As she maneuvered down the road, deep in thought, a deer ran right out in front of her. She turned the steering wheel hard and nothing happened. The deer bounded out of the way in time, but the truck weaved dangerously around. Skye realized she didn’t have much control. The steering mechanism was barely working. Approaching a steep downhill grade, she tried to put on her brakes, but nothing happened. Skye panicked. The farther she went down the hill, the faster she went and the curve up ahead was sharp. Fighting the wheel and working the brakes, Skye knew there wasn’t anything she could do. She was about to crash. Frantically, she pulled on the parking brake, even tried down-shifting the gears, but nothing seemed to work. “Noah, Noah, I love you Noah.”

  Running off the road, the truck bounced over a ditch, almost turned over and Skye screamed, throwing her arms over her face as she slammed into a tree.

  ***

  Noah turned on the radio. Strains of Requiem by Verdi filled his truck. Letting himself get immersed in the music, he smiled as thought about what waited for him at home. Skye Blue. His phone buzzed. It was Skye.

  “Hello, baby.”

  “I need you.”

  “What? Where are you?”

  As he turned a curve, his lights hit a figure walking down the side of the road. He slowed. “Where are you?” he repeated.

  “I’ve had an accident o
n the road near home.”

  “What?” he yelled. Nearing the pedestrian, he saw it was a woman. He looked at the phone. He looked at the woman. Dammit! It was Skye and she looked…fuck!

  “I’m here.” He pulled over and jumped out. “Baby! What’s wrong? What the hell?” He ran to her.

  “Noah!” Skye just stopped walking and held out her arms. At first, when she’d heard the vehicle coming, realized he was stopping and heard the truck door open, she’d had a flashback to the night she was walking home from the ballgame and was attacked. “I crashed!”

  Noah didn’t know where to touch. He patted her hair, her face, her shoulders. “Are you hurt?”

  “No, the airbag bruised me, but I’m okay.”

  He enveloped her in his embrace and cradled her next to his heart. “What happened?”

  “Nothing would work...my steering wheel, brakes, gears. It was like everything had been disconnected.” She hugged him tight. “I was so scared.”

  “Come on.” He started to lead her, then just cursed and picked her up. “I’m taking you to the doctor.”

  “No.” She protested. “I’m fine.”

  Remembering his conversation at Hardbodies, he took his brother’s advice. “I’m the man. I’m in charge. You’re going to the doctor.”

  Skye couldn’t help it. She laughed. “I’m not arguing with you, Caveman. I’m too tired.”

  “Good.”

  “What about my truck?”

  “I’ll call someone to come tow it and have it checked out.”

  Several hours later, Noah had her on the way home. She’d been right. Thank God, she wasn’t hurt. The wrecker service had picked up her old truck, but he would bet his last dollar it was totaled. “You’re going home with me.”

  “Okay.”

  “Don’t argue with me. I won’t sleep tonight if you aren’t with me. I’m worried.”

  “Okay.”

  “Don’t say no, because there’s no use. I need to hold you.”

  “Noah, I said ‘yes’. I don’t want to be alone.”

  “Good, I’m glad I changed your mind.”

  Skye groaned. “I don’t know if this bodes well for our communication abilities. By the way, I got the job.”

  “I don’t want you driving anywhere either. I’ll take you where I want you to go. Actually, I think you need a bodyguard. First you get hit crossing the street and now you run off the road.”

  “Noah!”

  He looked at her wide-eyed.

  “Stop the truck.”

  He frowned, but found a small road. “We’re almost at the ranch. What’s wrong?”

  She unbuckled the seat belt. “You’re upset. For me. And I need to hold you. Now.” She went to her knees and crawled into his lap. “Thank you.”

  Noah let out a long breath. “I want to wrap you in bubble wrap and never let you out of my sight.”

  “I know.” Yes, she was beginning to realize how much he cared. “Zane gave me the job.”

  “He did?”

  “Yes, so I don’t guess I’m going anywhere.” She laid her head on his shoulder.

  “Only to bed with me, Princess. Only to bed with me.”

  ***

  Skye pulled the pillow over her head. She needed coffee. The beginnings of a caffeine headache pricked the back of her eyelids. What was that noise? She snuggled deeper down in the covers and reached for Noah. Sleeping with him had fast become a habit she didn’t want to break. Her hand patted an empty mattress. Abruptly, she sat up, pushing the covers back. Noah? Where did he go? She had every confidence he wouldn’t leave her without telling her where he was going. A warm feeling of assurance and acceptance lifted her spirits. How different things were with Noah in her life.

  The odd, disturbing noise caught her attention again. Frowning, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. And then she smiled. Noah was singing in the shower. Good Lord! The man was awash with talents and blessed with god-like good looks. But he could not sing.

  Last night, when they’d come to bed, he’d held her as if she were made of fragile china. Skye hadn’t minded. Her two brushes with disaster had left her a bit stove-up and sore. She hadn’t felt like making love and he hadn’t pressed her. But in the early hours of the morning, her new-found sexual appetite had gotten the best of her. In the darkness, she had begun touching and kissing, stroking his manhood until he had rolled her over with a groan and thrust inside of her. The climax they shared had been out of this world, but what he whispered in her ear was what she would carry with her till the day she died.

  “I’m hopelessly in love with you. Please don’t let this be an unrequited love. I won’t survive the loneliness.”

  And she had done the only thing she could do. She had told the truth.

  There in the quiet of his room, wrapped in his arms, she had placed her soul in his hands. “I love you, Noah. Only you.”

  He’d fallen asleep with his head on her breast and she had felt whole for the first time in her life.

  A woman’s lilting laughter drifted from downstairs and so did the smell of coffee. Slipping on the clothes she had pulled off, Skye decided to follow the smell. Before she left Noah’s room, she giggled out loud as he hit a particularly sour note and then laughed at himself. He was happy and so was she.

  Making her way downstairs, she heard voices in the kitchen. All female. Opening the swinging door, she peered inside. What she saw warmed her heart. “Jessie! It’s so good to see you!” Skye went to hug her neck. Looking around at the girls, she took note that they were all perfectly made up and dressed and she looked like a rumpled ragdoll. Oh well. “I didn’t know you all were having breakfast together.”

  “We have baby pictures to gush over.” Cady held up a photo of Bowie Travis.

  Avery poured Skye some orange juice. “And we didn’t know you were in the bed with Noah, or we would have knocked on the door and given you a special invitation.”

  They all laughed, even Libby. Skye chose not to be embarrassed. “I’ll take the juice.” She took the glass from Avery. “But I’d kill for coffee.” She headed for the pot. “How’s Bowie this morning?”

  “He’s doing good. Jacob is with him, of course. I just came home to get a few changes of clothes and a chance to show these pictures. I’m going back to the hospital in a few minutes.”

  “I’m so happy for you, Jessie.” Libby was sincere. “I can’t wait for the twins to be born.” Everyone else grew quiet. They couldn’t imagine what she was going through. But Libby hugged her middle and smiled. “Can you imagine how they will play with Bowie?”

  “True.” Cady cupped her own baby bump. “And when mine are born, we’ll have five babies in the house!”

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m not drinking the water.” Avery clinked her orange juice glass to Skye’s.

  Jessie automatically grasped Skye’s hand. “Why are your arms covered with bruises?”

  Every eye in the room landed on Skye. Jessie’s eyes locked with hers and Skye realized she might very well be concerned about her injuries, but Jessie’s intention was to change the subject so Skye could avoid discussing getting pregnant with Avery. Gratitude for her kindness brought a lump to her throat. “Actually, I’ve been in a couple of accidents lately. I’m sort of a klutz.”

  “Accidents?” Libby asked. “What kind of accidents? Has anyone hurt you?” An odd look came over her face and Skye realized she might be thinking ill of Noah or Lance.

  “No, no, I was knocked over at the crosswalk after visiting Jessie at the hospital and last night, I ran off into a ditch a few miles up the road. My brakes went out.”

  They all started talking at once. Jessie was concerned for Skye, they all were. Libby made her tea and Cady applied some healing salve to her scrapes. The attenti
on she received was heart-warming. Skye realized that this is what being a member of the McCoy family was like. Noah wanted her, or he thought he did. The only obstacle standing in the way of her happiness was her, and her lack of courage.

  The back door slammed. “Avery!” Isaac came in waving a package. “Sable Hunter got mail.”

  “Wow.” Avery made a grab for it. “Gimme.”

  “Not so fast.” Isaac held it high up in the air. Avery jumped for it.

  “Who’s Sable Hunter?” Skye asked, confused.

  Libby giggled. It was good to see her laugh. “Avery writes erotic romances. Sexy books.”

  “Oh, really?” And how does the family feel about this? She wondered. “Are they good?”

  “Oh, they’re really good.” Cady fanned herself.

  “Give me my package, Isaac.”

  He finally relented. “The attached letter says you won an award.”

  “You read my letter?” She tried to appear huffy, but she was too excited.

  Taking a knife from his pocket, he helped her open the box.

  “What kind of award?” Jessie asked, intrigued.

  “You’ll see.” Isaac laughed.

  Everyone gasped and broke out in giggles as Avery pulled out a wooden penis on a little stand with a gold plaque she read, “Sable Hunter, Women’s Woody Winner 2013.”

  “Who called this meeting?” Noah pushed open the door, his eyes immediately seeking out Skye’s. The female laughter coming from the kitchen had sounded like music to his ears.

  “Jessie did.” Cady announced. “Come look at the pictures.”

  “And Avery got a dildo in the mail.” Isaac waved the award around as his beloved tried to wrest it from his grasp.