Skyler's Wanna-Be Wife by Liz Isaacson

Author:Liz Isaacson [Isaacson, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AEJ Creative Works
Published: 2020-02-11T06:00:00+00:00

“Do they know why you called the meeting?” Skyler asked as Jeremiah continued setting out plates, forks, and knives.

“Nope,” Jeremiah said. “They know what I sent on the text. Family meeting. Brothers only. Tuesday night.” He looked up, obviously seeing Skyler’s nerves. “It’s going to be fine.”

“I just haven’t done many of these,” he said. “You don’t think Rhett will feel…ambushed?”

“I can’t remember the last time Rhett worked here,” Jeremiah said. “He works a few days a week next door, if that. For the most part, he’s taking care of his land, house, and family. And I know he just picked up a new case for the state, and the prep work for those takes a lot of time.”

“Why did he buy this place then?” Skyler took the salt and pepper shakers over to the table and returned to the counter for the two plates of butter Jeremiah had prepared.

“He needed a fresh start,” Jeremiah said. “That’s what we all need when we come here.” Jeremiah paused and looked at Skyler. “You seem to be doing a lot better, Sky. Are you?”

Skyler looked right into Jeremiah’s eyes, the way Dr. Haskell had asked him to do. “Yeah,” he said. “I’m doing a lot better.”

“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” Jeremiah said. “But what was it that drove you away?”

Skyler’s first instinct was to shrug and bury the true reason behind an excuse. Or an “I don’t know.” Heaven knew he’d said that dozens of times when he didn’t want to truly answer a question.

He pushed back that instinct, and said, “I had some hard things happen in Dallas. Really hard things.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Skyler said. “Not as public as yours, and you know, Jeremiah, you’ve been a good example for me.” His emotions surged, and Skyler’s mouth felt too sticky. “My girlfriend stole money from me over a period of two years, finally loading up my brand-new truck and leaving town in the middle of the night.”

Jeremiah opened his mouth to say something, but promptly closed it again.

“Yeah, that’s how I felt,” Skyler said. “And when the federal agents showed up and accused me of embezzlement? That wasn’t fun either.” He turned away from his brother, unsure of what reaction he’d get from Jeremiah. His older brother was so perfect in so many ways. Sure, he’d had a few years there that were dictated by anger, but that was understandable.

Your situation is understandable too, he thought as he set the two pitchers of sweet tea on the table and turned back to Jeremiah.

His brother stood right there, around the other side of the island from where he’d been working. “I’m so sorry.” Jeremiah took Skyler into an impromptu hug, right there in the homestead.

Skyler gave a nervous chuckle, though it wasn’t the first time he’d hugged his brothers. But Jeremiah didn’t laugh, and the awkwardness quickly passed. Jeremiah stepped back a few seconds later and looked at Skyler. “You thought you weren’t good enough for us, is that it?”

“Maybe a little,” Skyler said, though he’d been nearly overcome with inadequacy.

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