Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4)(78)

Her coworker raced out to see Sky sprinting away from her office. “What’s wrong?”


“Nothing. I’m leaving to fix another thing in my life.”


“Are you coming back today?”


“I hope not. So you’re in charge. Get used to it.” Halfway down the hall, Sky stopped and turned to look at her friend. “Is it really that simple?”


Immediately Annie smiled. “Yes, honey, it really is.”


Skylar found Kimi and Calvin’s place easily enough, and felt another punch of guilt that she’d never been here before. That was something else she’d prioritize, making time for family, their family of three, and the McKay/West bunch that was such an important part of Kade’s life. Maybe sometimes she and Kade and Eliza could stay overnight here, so Kade didn’t have to drive so blasted far. Heck, she’d move here and make the commute to Sky Blue if it came right down to it.

She started up the short sidewalk the same time a dark-haired man exited the house.

They nearly collided and both took a step back. Neither said anything as they eyed each other.

“Hey, Skylar. How are you?”


This didn’t have to be awkward. “Good. You?”


“Tired.” He bent down and peered at Eliza.

But Eliza’s little feet didn’t kick with happiness. She didn’t coo and smile. She stayed still and watchful.

“She knows I’m not him, don’t she?”


“Yes.” Sky kissed the top of Eliza’s head. “She’s Daddy’s girl. Daddy has her wrapped around his little finger.”


“My brother is a lucky man. She’s beautiful.” Kane smiled. “You look just like your mama, doncha, sugar?”


No surprise Kane was still a total charmer. “Everyone says she looks like Kade.”


“Then they’re not lookin’ very hard.”


“Speaking of Kade…where is he?”


“He’s finishin’ up the south hay field. Why?”


“I need to talk to him.”


Kane straightened. “Now? Can’t it wait until later tonight when he’s done?”


“No.”


Skylar half-expected Kane to get in her face. Demand to hear why she was interrupting his brother’s workday.


But he didn’t. He positively grinned and chucked his niece under the chin. “I figured that might be the case. When you track him down, tell him I’ll finish up tomorrow. Ma sent me out to ask if you needed help carryin’ anything in the house.”


“That’d be great. There’s a portable crib in the back seat.”


After Skylar deposited Eliza with grandma and grandpa, she leaned against her car door and studied the map Kimi had drawn.

Kane sauntered over. “Got an idea where you’re goin’?”


“Not a clue.”


He chuckled. “Throw away that map. Ma goes a little overboard. It’s easy to find. Go five miles east on the gravel road. Turn right at the first four-way. Two miles later on your right, you’ll come to a barbed wire gate. Go through it and follow the tire tracks along the fence line until you see dust and tractors.”


“Much easier.” She smiled at him. “Thanks.”


Kane gestured to Sky’s Subaru wagon. “You takin’ this?”


“Yeah. Why?”


“’Cause with the rain there’s a couple places you might get stuck.” He pointed to a dented and muddy red Dodge. “Take my truck. Keys are in the ignition. Leave it here when you’re done.”


“But…what will you drive?”


“Colt can come and get me, no biggie.” Skylar’s distrust must’ve been obvious because Kane said, “I’m sure you’re wonderin’ why I’m doin’ this. You’re here to make things right with my brother, or else you’d be willin’ to wait until he’s done workin’, right?”


She nodded.

“Good.” Kane sighed. “Look. I never apologized for how I treated you on our date last summer, me bein’ such a dick and all. When you started seein’ Kade I’ll bet you thought I had a miraculous personality change, huh?”


“In hindsight, it should’ve been a big tip off you were two entirely different men.”


“Well, I ain’t surprised Kade jumped at the chance to redeem us both. The poor guy’s had no choice but to put up with the fallout from bein’ my twin. With women who scream at him in public because I didn’t call them back. Hearin’ come-ons and put-downs just because we look alike. Guys pickin’ fights with him because they think he’s me and I’ve done plenty to piss lots of folks off around here. It ain’t never been fair and I never cared until last year.”


Skylar waited for him to find the words to finish.

“Dag dyin’ sucked. But you know what was worse for me? Watchin’ my brother, who’d always been the backbone of our family,” Kane’s voice dropped an octave, “seein’ Kade losin’ hope. He cut himself off from everybody. I’d never seen him hurtin’ so bad and I’ve never been so ashamed of myself for havin’ a part in it. Yeah, I know he should’ve come clean with you. He made a mistake. Probably threw him for a loop because he hardly ever screws up. He always does the right thing.”