Page 58 of Handling Skylar
I could only be glad I was a tenacious bastard. I’d gone back to try to reason with her, thinking that when I didn’t see her on the patio that she’d gone to the front to meet Jordan. Just as I was going to head back into the ballroom, I’d caught a glimpse of white disappearing into the trees behind the Country Club, then my blood had run cold when I spied my jacket in a heap on the ground.
I didn’t know how I knew, but I just sensed she was in grave danger. I’d grabbed the Outlaws, and we’d tracked her back to town, to the small clapboard house. Then we’d heard her screaming for help. The rest was history.
I had shunned everyone. Chase, Brax, my momma and even River. I hadn’t been out to the orchards since the festival, not sure how things were going to even pan out between me and my daddy.
All I knew was that I had lost the best thing that had ever happened to me. She’d made me see that being my own man would garner all the reputation I needed in Suttontowne.
In the wake of Adam Myers, the town had settled down. Most people were so sad to see Sky go, but she would never know that. I had attended Anna Kate’s service. Mostly out of manners. Only her family had been present and Mr. Montgomery had glared at me until I finally got up and left.
Days ago, when I got the small box from Steuben Glass, I immediately headed over to see Jordan in the Blue Coyote. The for sale sign had ripped my gut into shreds. How does someone move on after they’ve met the person that completes them? I gave her the box and asked her to send it to Sky. At least she would have this gift I could give her.
She’d left her kayak, and I was currently on the river, just drifting here staring off into the distance. I did this often, took it out onto the river where we’d had so much fun, making me feel connected to her. It was pathetic.
Paddling home, aware I had to move on now, I decided that going to see my daddy was in order. I stowed the kayak, showered and changed. In my car, with Sky still heavy on my mind, I put down the top. Her infectious grin filled my mind and through my sorrow, I smiled. My sunshine.
Driving up the wide lane, the old oaks standing on either side, I suddenly felt no longer connected to Majestueux. The mansion was built by the Colonel and the thought of that added to my transformation from that guy who always had to do what his family needed to this man who was now going to tell my daddy exactly what I wanted.
I climbed the stairs and walked in. Closing the door behind me, I heard murmurs coming from the living room. When I walked in my whole family was there. I suddenly realized it was Sunday and they must have just finished dinner.
“Jake!” my momma said, rising and coming over to me. “How have you been? We’ve heard so little from you since all that mess happened with Sky.”
“I’m fine, Momma,” I said, kissing her cheek. I hugged my sister and shook Brax’s hand, greeted my aunt and uncle. Then went to my brother and offered my hand, but he ignored it and clasped me in a manly hug. Samantha hugged me hard, too, her eyes solemn and full of care.
Then, finally, I turned to my daddy.
“Hello, Jake. I’ve missed you at the orchard. We had an amazing harvest, and I’m sure that has to do with you.”
“If you’re selling the business. I want it. I truly do. I could stay mad at you and cause scenes and make this difficult like I did with Chase. But the truth is you molded me into the man I am. I am grateful for that. I may have been a little lost as to who I was after the Colonel debacle. After all the years you’ve dictated my life. But, looking back, I wanted it. I wanted to run the operation beside you, Daddy. Not be your son, but your partner. It’s what we’ve always wanted. So, I forgive you for being autocratic, but I love you for being the daddy that has given me so much. Now, tell me, are you selling the property?”
Conversation burst in the room, but I ignored it.
“I—”
“Because if you are, I want it. I’ll buy it out, work out a deal. Just tell me.”
My daddy, his eyes moist set down his glass of bourbon. He approached me and placed his hands on my shoulders. “I will admit. I made some blunders with both you boys and your sister when you were young. But, he looked at Chase and River, then a long, lingering look at my momma and she nodded, wiping at her eyes. “I love you all and I did what I thought was best for you then. All of you have exceeded my expectations so thoroughly.”
He clasped me to him, and I slipped my arms around him, my heart full no matter what happened. Our family finally, so goddamned finally at peace, in harmony.
When we parted, his eyes were moister. His gaze direct on mine, he said. “I’m not selling the business.” He turned and walked into his study and moments later he was back.
He handed me a sheaf of papers. I looked down at them, and my breath got trapped in my lungs. They were legal papers.
“I’m turning it all over to you, Jake. You will hold the majority of the stock and manage the orchard as you see fit. Your brother and sister will each hold ten percent with a remaining equal five percent held in trust for your nephews. I’m out, but will remain on the board of directors for consultation whenever you need me.”
Stunned I looked around the room at everyone’s similarly content faces. “What are you going to do?”
He looked at Chase and smiled, then at my uncle Win. “Winchester, Chase and I are going in the boat building business. Chase has the land, and we’ve already broken ground. I’ve always loved boats and, ever since I saw theAmy,I couldn’t stop thinking about it.”
I looked at Chase and he raised his hands. “He wanted to get everything set before he told you. River and I are happy to have you run the orchard.”
I met my daddy’s eyes again. “That’s what I was doing, and I got distracted from what you were trying to tell me. Your small orchard, that you think you’ve kept secret from me all these years, has performed beautifully. I watched you grow as a planter, watched you mature. Doing something on your own gave you more than seeking permission from me.”
“You knew? You let me do this so I could learn and gain experience?”
“Yes, and you’ve never let me down, Jake.” He clasped the back of my neck and squeezed. “You’ll need to get that nut patented, a buyer who attended the festival has already bought everything we had. It’s going to be a popular commodity in the very near future. We’ll work on the paperwork.”
“I’m floored and, yes, I’ll run the business. Tell me I can have a hand in this boat business, too.”
