“Does there have to be a party?” Skye dropped backward onto Phoebe’s bed and let out a sigh that might have echoed across the mountain range had the windows been open.
Phoebe glanced up from where she was painting her toenails, an odd expression on her identical face. “I’m sorry. Did I hear correctly? Skye Colton doesn’t want to go to a party in her honor?”
Skye bit her lip. She had no doubt Skye wanted to attend. It was Jane who felt particularly ambivalent. And these days she identified a whole lot more with Jane than her previous self. “I’d have been happy with dinner with the family.” Instead, Mara and Phoebe had decided her return was the perfect excuse to fling open the doors to The Chateau and celebrate. “Speaking of family, when are you going to give me the details on how you landed Prescott Reynolds?” She rolled over and propped her chin on her hand, kicked her stiletto-sandaled feet in the air behind her.
“When I’m sure your recently amnesiac brain can absorb it.” Phoebe had developed a new expression in the days since Skye had been home. A cross between disbelief and wide-eyed concern. “Did you put on any makeup?”
Skye groaned and flopped back over. “Yes, Mom. I just didn’t paint it on as usual.”
“You also aren’t wearing your Spanx. Mom will be horrified.”
Skye looked down and pushed two fingers into her stomach. “I’ve got another five pounds to go before she can start using the F word.” Still, she’d had a bit of a struggle with the gold beaded dress. She’d stood in front of her mirror for countless minutes waiting to feel...normal.
“No one is ever going to use that word for you.” Phoebe stretched out her feet and wiggled her toes. “You really liked it out there, didn’t you? On that ranch?”
That ranch had become code for Leo Slattery, who, thanks to Daria, Skye hadn’t had to fill her family in on. She didn’t want to talk about Leo, because the moment she did, she’d have to accept just how much she missed him. So much she’d curled herself up in a tight ball every night and cried herself to sleep.
“Shouldn’t we be heading down soon?” She popped off the bed like a tiddlywink and headed over to the mirror where Phoebe was trying to arrange her hair. Skye bent down, put her face right beside her sister’s, just as they always had.
“Skye.” Phoebe lifted a hand to Skye’s cheek. “I can see it even if you can’t. You miss...the ranch. Why wouldn’t you, given the awesome tan you got riding all those horses.”
“Just one horse, actually. Ginger.” Another pang of longing chimed inside. “But Duke, oh, he was a beauty. Teyla and Bullet were like naughty children, but...” She trailed off.
Phoebe let her go. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do now that you’re back? You going to sell your story as an exclusive? I bet it would make an awesome TV movie. That online magazine you were supposed to be reporting for—”
“Not interested.” The idea of sharing what had happened to her was nauseating. Actually, the idea of sharing any of her life these days made her wonder if she’d ever been connected to reality. She didn’t want the spotlight anymore. She didn’t want anything other than... “I don’t want to be the family face anymore.”
Phoebe arched an outlined brow. “Okay. What do you want to do?”
“You’ll laugh.” She looked down at an errant thread on her dress. One tug, one little pull and she bet the entire dress would collapse. Kind of the way she felt about her life right now. She needed something to focus on. Something to feel good about. Something to do!
“I will not laugh.” Phoebe’s brows knit. “And I won’t tell Mom if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I want to go back to school. I want to take some business classes, maybe some design. I don’t know, the history of architecture. Landscape design. I found I’m actually pretty useful. I’m not as stupid as people think.”
“No one thinks you’re stupid, Skye.”
“No one thinks I’m a rocket scientist, either.”
“You’ve helped me and Mom run The Chateau pretty successfully. You’re incredible at party planning.”
How did she explain to her twin that party planning didn’t come close to the beauty of a Colorado sunset or watching a golden horse race across the horizon? How did she tell a family that was so happy to have her back that she was utterly and completely miserable?
“I think you just need a reminder of how important you are to this place,” Phoebe announced. “Grab my shoes out of the closet, will you? The black glitter pumps?” She shimmied out of her robe and reached for the knee-length black evening dress.
“Sure.” When she returned with the shoes, Phoebe was sitting on the edge of the bed watching her. “What?”
“You’re not happy.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I know you better than anyone else in the world. Because we shared very cramped quarters for nine months one time.”
“Eight and a half,” Skye corrected her.
“Something’s changed for you, Skye. You’re different.”
“Having amnesia for months will do that to a girl.”
“It’s not the amnesia. It’s Leo.” Phoebe’s face softened. “Oh, Skye. Don’t cry.”
Skye shook her head, tried to blink the tears away. “I don’t want to talk about him.”
“Because you love him.” Phoebe pulled her down on the bed beside her. “Anyone can see that.”
“How can I love a man who lied to me?”
“From what I heard he thought he was protecting you. That’s what Daria told Dad at least.”
“Daria needs to learn to keep her mouth shut.” Just how long had the deputy been standing outside the kitchen that day, anyway?
“She cares about you, Skye. We all do. Tell you what.” She turned Skye’s face toward hers and wiped her thumbs under her eyes. “Let’s get through this party, and then you and I are going to have a talk. A nice long talk about men and love and all that wonderful stuff.”
“Can there be ice cream?” Skye sniffed. “Real ice cream, not that fake, low-calorie stuff?”
“I think I can rustle some up. Come on. One party. Then we’ll figure out what to do about you and Leo.”
Leo couldn’t remember the last time he’d worn a suit. He didn’t even own one, but at least his grandfather had a few and one of them even fit. The black bolo tie felt as if it was strangling him as he pulled his truck up to the valet parking at The Chateau and instantly understood what Trapper had been talking about all these years. The place looked like it had been plucked out of historic France and plopped into the mountains of Colorado.
The line of cars was nonstop, and if anyone noticed the difference between the BMWs, the Mercedes-Benzes and his ancient pickup, no one said a word. Not the valet who took his key, nor the attendant who directed him to the main lobby. Part of him felt as if he should have dipped himself in 24-karat gold before stepping foot inside. He removed his hat, giving his fingers something to do other than hide in his pocket.
The invitation he’d received from Russ Colton himself couldn’t have been more surprising. Not that the Coltons wanted to celebrate Skye’s safe return, but that Skye’s father even knew who he was.
“It’s not a firing squad, so relax.” Daria sidled up next to him and pushed an open beer into his hand. “It’s good to see you here.”
Grateful for a friendly and familiar face, Leo smiled. “I got the impression refusing the invitation wouldn’t have gone over very well.” Given he was hoping to expand his presence in the Roaring Springs business world, alienating Russ Colton didn’t seem the smart move. But he was fooling himself if he didn’t think Skye was the reason he’d come.
“Everyone is looking forward to meeting you,” Daria said.
“Are they?” He drank some beer and wished for a buzz that would deaden his nerves. “Can’t imagine why.” Did everything in this place have to glow? It was sensory overload to his eyes. Not that it wasn’t beautiful. It was. And quite...glamorous. Everything he’d always suspected Ja—Skye to be.
“You kept Skye safe and protected, Leo. You helped get their daughter home. Believe me, Russ and Mara are completely predisposed to liking you.”
“You seem awfully in the know when it comes to the Coltons.” Leo couldn’t help but frown, especially when he saw a flicker of uncertainty cross Daria’s pretty features.
“Hard not to be when you live in Roaring Springs. Okay, let’s start you out on an easy one. I see her brothers over there. Let’s introduce you.”
“She has three brothers?” Leo swallowed more beer. “Older or younger?”
“All older. Don’t worry. They’re harmless. For the most part.”
Thankfully, Leo found Daria was right. Blaine, Wyatt and Decker were completely welcoming and appreciative for all he’d done for Skye. Their significant others were especially complimentary and enthusiastic as he was welcomed into the throng that was the Colton family.
He was deep in conversation with Wyatt Colton, discussing his plans to expand his ranch’s stud servicing, when he stopped. He felt the charge in the room, the change in energy he had met so many mornings in the kitchen before he’d snuggled against it in bed. Bottle halfway to his mouth, he turned as Skye and her sister, Phoebe, descended the staircase.
The murmurs around him faded into the distance. He barely noticed the knowing smiles exchanged between the Colton brothers and their women. How could he when all he could see, all he wanted to see, was Skye?
He stayed where he was as she made the rounds, her parents following at a distance as they followed up with greeting their guests.
“They make quite the picture, don’t they?”
The unfamiliar voice had Leo nodding. He glanced over and did a double take at finding one of his favorite actors standing next to him. “You’re Prescott Reynolds. Leo Slattery.” He held out his hand. “I’m a big fan.”
“Back at you. I heard what you did for Skye. I’m sure you’ve heard it enough tonight, but thank you.”
“I did what anyone else would have,” Leo said for what felt like the millionth time.
“It’d be nice to think so but no. Not everyone would have. There are plenty of people who would have taken advantage. Sold the story to the tabloids, exposed her to that maniac who attacked her. You went above and beyond.”
“It was an easy choice to make.” He knew when she saw him. She stopped speaking, her eyes widening for a moment before she took someone’s hand and begged off. The way she walked toward him, the way the shimmering fabric of the gold dress swirled around her ankles, caressed her curves, had his hand tightening around the neck of the bottle. He kept his eyes on her face, looking for a hint of what to expect. In that moment, he regretted coming here. They’d made a clean break—a heartbreaking one, but a clean one. And yet he hadn’t been able to stay away when the opportunity to just see her again had presented itself. “Hello, Skye.” Skye. Not Jane. Because Jane was gone.
“Leo.” She stood before him, her red hair spilling over her shoulders like a fiery sunset. He could remember how it felt to have those curls tumbling through his fingers, as she wrapped herself around him, clung to him. Soared with him. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“We wanted to keep it a surprise. Leo, it’s so nice to finally meet you in person. I’m Mara Colton. Skye’s mother.”
“She’s our mother, too, but we’re second-rate these days,” Blaine joked, and got an elbow in the ribs from Matilda.
“We wanted to thank you in person.” Russ Colton offered his hand, which Leo accepted with barely a glance. He couldn’t stop looking at her. She was perfect. Utterly and completely heartbreakingly perfect.
“I’m just glad everything worked out for the best.” How he choked the words out he didn’t know. But he saw a bit of the light go out in Skye’s eyes. “I appreciate the invitation, but I’m not able to stay. I have a friend staying with me, and he’s not been feeling well. I need to get back soon.”
“Of course.” Russ nodded. “Thank you for making the time. Mara, shall we?”
“Oh, yes, I suppose...” She cast worried eyes on her daughter. “It was lovely to meet you, Leo. Please, I hope we can speak again soon.”
Leo nodded.
“Leo.” Skye moved toward him. Her brothers suddenly cleared their throats and found an excuse to leave. Even Daria walked off and joined Phoebe and Prescott by the stairs. “It’s good to see you.” Skye reached out to touch him, but seemed to think better of it. “Is it Trapper?”
“Is what Trapper?”
“The sick friend. Is he all right? Or...” She trailed off and that’s when he saw it. The suspicion. The doubt. The distrust.
“I didn’t lie.” His temper flared, but instead of snapping at her, he shifted his attention to a spot over her shoulder. “Trapper came back two days ago. Caught a nasty virus and he’s been holed up in the bunkhouse, trying to get better.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear it. I saw a recipe in your grandmother’s cookbook...” She stopped. Sighed. Her chin wobbled a bit as she tried to force a smile. “It’s not going to work, is it?” She didn’t have to say anything else. He knew precisely what she meant.
“No. It’s not.” Leo looked around at this place she called home. There wasn’t an inch that didn’t sparkle and shine; there wasn’t any part of it that didn’t encase its occupants in the finest and best life had to offer. And she fit. So beautifully, so perfectly. Skye Colton just...fit.
This was where she belonged. Here. Not with him on a ranch, tending the horses and planting seedlings and sipping whiskey-laced tea by the fire.
“Leo,” she whispered as he took a step toward her. He knew people were watching them. Suspected what had happened between them. Who was he to disappoint those wanting a show? He bent his head and kissed her. Slowly. Deeply. Deliberately. Memorizing every moment because he knew it would have to last him a lifetime. When he raised his mouth, he ignored the silence that had descended. He ignored the eyes on them and looked only at her as she blinked up at him.
“Goodbye, Skye.”
And he walked out of her life.