Page 16 of Handling Skylar
Charlie half rose and said, “I second that. It’s a great idea.” There was a low hum in the room.
“A festival,” I said. “That’s an intriguing idea.” And it was. Festivals were a good way to get people to visit. “What did you have in mind?”
“Just some ideas I was kicking around. Three-day festival. Blessing of the crops, vendors, cooking contest, children’s day, carnival, antique carriage show, live music—”
“And a Queen’s Ball. Of course we have to have a Pecan Court!” Anna Kate said, clapping with enthusiasm. “The Belles will be there to help plan and implement. Whatever you…um…the town needs.”
I couldn’t keep my eyes off Sky. “Let’s discuss it more.”
The meeting broke up after that, and I naturally gravitated toward Sky. “Hey,” I said. We talked for a few minutes and decided on a time to draw up a preliminary plan and then bring it back to the business owners. Anna Kate came up to me and slipped her arm through mine. “Jake, how about an early supper.”
I still needed to talk to my brother, but that would work as an excuse to make an early night of it with Anna Kate. We went to Outlaws, and I was completely preoccupied throughout dinner with how I was feeling about Sky. Challenging everything and finding brick walls in my way. Could I be resigned to making a commitment to a woman I had lost any interest in?
Caught between a rock and a hard place. Nothing new.
But what was I going to do about it?
Sky walked in with some guy, her smile lighting up the room and my gut clenched hard. Who was this man? I hadn’t ever seen him before. He wasn’t from Suttontowne, but it seemed from the way she was with him that he was familiar to her.
I ended up staring at them most of the night while Anna Kate was, once again, preoccupied with her phone and the people around her.
What was I doing? What the hell was I waiting for?
Chapter 5
SKY
From the blue neon coyote howling at a translucent moon, to the tasteful cowgirl décor, country music playing in the background, to the dark mahogany floors, it was no hardship to spend time there.
The Blue Coyote Spa had saved me, given me purpose, helped to distract me. It served a need in this town. Before I came, there was a nail salon, but most people in Suttontowne had to go to Lafayette to get good treatments and hair services.
Not anymore. I provided jobs and glamor.
After all, who didn’t like getting all dolled up and smelling good. Now that I was deeply entrenched with a steady stream of clientele, I’d hired several excellent employees, one who acted as my manager for both the salon and the spa. Jordan Summers had started with me almost from the beginning when I was more of a one-woman operation, working six days a week. I’d met her at beauty school and we’d kept in touch. When she needed a change of pace from New York City where she’d been working, and I’d grown by leaps and bounds, she’d relocated to Suttontowne.
She was now my right-hand gal and a full week after I’d kissed Jake Sutton in my driveway, we were sitting on my back porch looking out on the Vermilion River and drinking.
“You do realize it’s only eleven in the morning…on a Sunday. I have to say that many staff planning meetings I’ve attended didn’t include delicious waffles and spiked orange juice. But I’m not complaining.”
“Are you saying we shouldn’t be drunk, or we should be in church?”
She nodded and poured us each another glass of mimosa. “It is our day off and we’re working, so we get some compensation.”
We clinked glasses and laughed. “Better than being drunk in church.”
“Imagine Reverend Fairchild’s face.” Jordan giggled and it was infectious. “I’d attend just to see his gorgeous son. I might be married to one of the sweetest deputies in these parts, but Ethan’s on my fantasy to do list.”
“There’s no doubt about it. Ethan is truly beautiful. But, I feel more affectionate toward him, kind of like a brother. But, yes, let’s talk about your perfect love story. I think when you blew into town, Deputy Mason Summers got more haircuts than was prudent. He almost went bald so it’s good that you had pity on him and went out with him.”
She smiled and her eyes lit up. “He’s my life. When I’d been burned out and needed solace, this place…” She looked out to the river and sat back, propping her feet on my beat up coffee table. “…was like heaven.” She sipped and we sat in silence for a moment. “Who’s on your fantasy to do list?”
“Isn’t this off topic?” I asked. “We’re supposed to be thinking of ways to serve our clients better.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re so bossy when you have something to hide.”
I picked up my plate of waffles and sighed.
She dropped her feet and set down her glass. Oh, this was serious. Turning to me, she asked, “All right, what is it? That’s got to be the tenth sigh you’ve sighed since I arrived. Your Miss Sunshine attitude is a bit dimmed today. What gives? Who’s messing with my girl? Because I’m about to get loud on their ass.”
