Page 88 of No Apologies
“I…” She took a deep breath for courage and then started with the real reason she was here, “I can’t give you all of the details but Colt is in trouble. He was attacked Saturday night. He was beaten and he’s hurt pretty badly.”
“Oh my God! Is he okay?”
Just thinking about him lying in that bed threatened to tear her apart again. When she’d left this morning, he’d been awake but groggy still. Nessa had come back to check on him over the past few days and been pleased that he seemed to be doing well. She’d said his concussion was mild and that despite a couple of broken ribs that it was mostly superficial cuts and bruises. He would be up and back to his usual self in a few days which didn’t give her much time to finalize her plans with Lincoln.
“He will be. I’m going to make sure of it.” She blew out a breath, “The thing is, the best way I can help him right now is to buy out his silent partner at the shop.”
There was a long moment of silence, “Wait, you’re buying part of his business?”
“Kind of.”
Her mother winced, “Skylar, honey, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Neither am I but I have to help him and this is something I can do. He needs the money and I have it. It’s really that simple.”
“Did he ask you to do this?”
“No. He would never ask me for money, for anything. He doesn’t even know I offered it. I made the deal with… well with his silent partner. I’m buying him out of the business to keep Colt safe. It’s better for everyone this way.”
“Sky…”
“I love him. I do. Mom, I love him and I can help him so I have to do it.”
“Skylar.” Her name again in that concerned, motherly tone made her shake her head, trying to combat any argument.
“No. Don’t do that. Don’t tell me it’s a mistake. You said yourself that you knew Dad was the one when you’d give anything to be with him even though he didn’t ask. Well, Colt didn’t ask but I’m willing to give this, to do this. You have to understand that!”
Her rising voice earned her another sigh, “Honey, calm down. I’m not saying you shouldn’t help him. I only think you should talk to him about it first. Mixing business, money, into your relationship is trouble… particularly when it’s as new as yours is with this boy.”
“I couldn’t talk to him about it.” She bit her lip, “He would have said no.”
“Would have said?” Her mother winced, “You’ve already done it then, haven’t you?”
“Yes. I went to the bank before I came here. They’re drawing up the paperwork to transfer the money as we speak. I have to go back to sign it in an hour.”
Her mother’s face softened again, “Did you do it before coming here because you were worried your father and I would tell you no too?”
“Maybe.”
“Skylar, you’re a grown woman and it’s your money. Your father and I gave it to you and we trusted that you would use it for something that was important to you when the time came.” She started to open her mouth but her mother held up a hand to silence her, “If this is what you choose to use it for, I’ll support you. So will your father. We love you and if you love this boy that much then he must really be something.”
Her throat felt tight, “I do. He is.”
“Then all I need to know is… does he love you the same way?”
Skylar bit her lip to stifle another flood of tears. She couldn’t tell her mom that she didn’t know. Couldn’t tell her that he’d only told her he loved her for the first, and last, time when he thought he was dying.
But then she thought about how Colt had tried to push her away. He’d told her that she deserved better, deserved more. He’d told her that she made him want to be a better man and despite how he felt, he’d put her first. He’d tried to protect her, even when he wanted her for himself, even when he’d been injured. She’d been the thing he was worried about even when he was fighting unconsciousness.
“Yes.” She nodded.
Melanie smiled softly, “Then I hope you’ll talk to him about what you’ve done. I don’t know the boy but he is a man and they tend to react badly when they think we’ve made their decisions for them. You’re doing something kind, impulsive and a little crazy, but kind. Don’t let it come between you.”
“Thank you mom.”
She wiped a stray tear from her cheek and managed a small smile. Her family was amazing. They would support her, no matter what. They loved her, unconditionally. They worried and protected and babied her because they cared so much but when it came down to it, they knew they’d raised her to be a smart, compassionate, independent woman and they trusted her decisions. If she chose Colt, then they would do their best to make him part of the family too.
“Don’t thank me yet.” Her mother smiled in return, “I expect your young man at the next Sunday dinner after he’s recovered and is well enough to attend. I want to meet the man my daughter has given her heart too.”
