Page 54 of Handling Skylar
“I know that,” I said.
“She was an awful person, but I wouldn’t have wished her dead.” She rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. “Well, not for real anyway.”
I wanted to comfort her, but her hands-off vibe was starting to worry me. “Take me to Verity’s so I can get changed. Everything I need is already there. I knew that Anna Kate would pull something like this, so I was prepared.”
“You fought over the dress?”
She closed her eyes and turned her face away. “Yes and no. We really fought over you, her losing exactly.” She released a shaky sigh, her voice uneven. “Would it be all right if we didn’t talk about her right now?”
“Sure,” I said and the ominous silence in the car lasted all the way over to Verity’s. I waited for her while she got ready, stunned by her beauty when she emerged, her hair piled up on her head, a tiara nestled in the dark, rich mass. The dress was gorgeous, icy blue over white without any hoop in sight, elbow white satin gloves, a sapphire around her neck and a silver bracelet on her delicate wrist. The shoes were silver and sparkled in the light when she walked.
I was overwhelmed by my love for her. She looked composed, completely over the shock of finding Anna Kate’s body and being questioned in her murder. I was worried that she was pushing all the trauma from that incident only hours ago to put on a show for the people who had flocked to Suttontowne for the Festival.
I stepped forward and she stepped back. For a moment, I was taken aback. She met my eyes and forced a smile. This was so not her. This woman who had receded into this icy, untouchable beauty. “We should get going,” she said. “I can’t be late.”
I glanced at Verity and Boone, who stood solemnly beside her. She was worried, too. I could tell by the concerned look in her brown eyes.
“We don’t have to do this, Sky, babe. Verity can fill in. Can’t you, sugar?”
“Absolutely. Say the word. I’m the perfect stand-in, same coloring, same build. The dress will fit me perfectly.”
“No, it’s my obligation. I’ll do it.”
She went past me and picked up a small silver clutch on the coffee table.
“She’s in shock, I think,” Verity whispered.
I nodded. “We’ll go, but if she looks like she’s going to lose it, I’m taking her home whether she likes it or not.”
Boone clamped a hand to my shoulder. “Good call. We’ll all keep an eye on her, too. I know she had nothing to do with that shrew’s death. I’m not even going to worry about talking ill of the dead.” Verity slipped her arm around his waist. “We can go now. The sitter is already here and getting the kids ready for bed.”
I couldn’t agree with him more, but we all left.
The Country Club was lit up like a Christmas tree when we arrived and was ushered into an adjoining room to the grand ballroom. River, Brax, Aubree and Booker were already there looking smashing. River hugged Sky and I felt a bit bruised that she hadn’t let me touch her. Finally my momma lined us up with Booker and Aubree first, Verity and Boone second and my sister and her husband bringing up the rear.
Sky slipped her arm through mine as we got behind River and Brax.
I covered her hand and she tightened her fingers around my forearm. “We don’t have to do this. Let me take you home.”
“No, I’m okay. This will be fine. We’ll celebrate life.” She turned to look at me, her eyes moist, going over my face like this was a goodbye instead of a night spent together. I felt like I was on a conveyor belt like the harvest with no way to get off.
The mayor announced us in his booming voice and the procession began to move. After that it was a blur of hobnobbing, eating, drinking and dancing. I barely had a moment to say two words to Sky before she was whisked off. The mayor had some praise for her regarding her Scarlett performance and how lively and entertaining he found her.
Sky pulled it off beautifully as if she didn’t have a care in the world, but I remembered the look she gave me before we’d started off for the ball. I looked for her in the crowd and found her talking to my uncle Win. He was laughing at something she said, and my heart tightened. I couldn’t lose her. I didn’t know why I thought that. She hadn’t said anything, but the way she was acting said volumes.
Before she could move into another conversation, I grabbed her hand and drew her out to the dance floor. “I’ve barely had two minutes with you all night,” I groused.
She gave me a faint smile. “Aw, poor baby. I am the queen of the ball after all. You will have to share me for a bit this weekend.”
“I guess so.”
The lights dimmed and small tea lights strung up on the ceiling sparkled, casting starlight over her delicate face. “In case you’re not sure,” I said. “I’m crazy about you. Whatever you need, consider it done. I have Stuart on retainer.”
She closed her eyes, a soft sob escaped her lips as she tucked her head just under my jaw. “Oh, Jake, I have been alone for so darn long. How did I get so lucky?”
I took a breath, and let it out. “I’m the lucky one, sugar.”
The music whirled around us, but I was lost in the feel of her in my arms where she belonged. I was going to make sure that she was permanently in my life. To hell with everything else. She was my future and I would manage all the other crap around her. I’d make sure she knew that.
