She slipped down the stairs and yelled, “Heading out to the barn,” before either of them in the living room could respond.
Good hard work is what she needed to get her mind off of Luka Shaw. She mucked stalls. Fed the animals. She raised pygmy goats that she kept in a covered pen to the side of the barn besides training the horses.
Skylar was sitting on the ground caressing their soft hair when she heard a truck coming up the drive. Sounded like Brett’s truck, she thought. She rose from the ground and the little goats followed her to the edge of the pen. She peered over the edge and saw Brett’s black Ford parking behind Luka’s expensive vehicle.
Skylar shooed the goats back and walked out into the yard. She covered her eyes with her hand while her other hand was on her hip. “Luka?” He asked her pointing to the expensive Escalade when he was close to her.
“I think he’s moving in,” she said resignedly.
“Serious?”
“I can’t get him to leave.” He laughed at her. Skylar didn’t think it was too funny. “How’s my sister?” She folded her arms across her chest and waited for his response knowing before he answered it wasn’t going to be good. She could see it on his face.
“She threw me out.” He wasn’t any happier than Skylar was today but for different reasons.
“Do I need to ask why?” He shook his head no. She turned and headed towards the tractor.
“Where are you going?” Brett asked.
“I have fences to fix. Ride along with me. We’ll talk.”
He climbed up behind her on the tractor. A wagon with supplies was trailered behind them. They were quiet until they reached the first part of the fence that needed repairs. Brett slipped down and took his shirt off. He tossed it over the seat where she had just been sitting.
Brett was a smaller version of Luka at just over six feet two. Leaner musculature as well. His hair was just as dark as Luka’s but his eyes were brown like Jacob Shaw’s.
He walked over to the fence and looked at it. He had helped her repair many parts of this fence over the years. They went to the wagon and picked up a board together before going back to the spot where the board had rotted from weather and age. “How long have you liked Ramona?” She asked.
“Since I was seventeen,” he answered distractedly.
He dropped his end of the board and pulled out the old rotted piece of timber. Then he helped her slide the new one in. She walked over to the wagon and grabbed a hammer and nails. Skylar took them to Brett who was better at nailing than her. Her nails always went in crooked then he had to get them out for her and re-nail it anyway. She saved them time by letting him do it in the first place. “She turned fifteen, sprouted breasts and a fiery temper and I was hooked.” He nailed the board in place.
“Luka thinks we’re too close.”
He straightened and looked at her. “What?”
“He said we’re too close to see what is going on sometimes with the other one. That is why I never saw your feelings for Ramona.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe but he at times had difficulty with our relationship too so I don’t really know how impartial he is.”
“He did and so does she,” Skylar said to Brett.
He finished hammering the nails into the board then he turned and looked at her. “She does. She thinks I’m in love with you and she won’t be second choice for anyone. She made that emphatically clear before she threw me out.” He shrugged nonchalantly but Skylar knew him. She knew he was upset by this setback with Ramona.
“I tried to explain I’ve never had the desire for you only the caring but she threw me out anyway. Said that actions speak louder than words. I ran after you, she pointed out.”
“You did.” Skylar was being sympathetic with Brett.
“Because I care about your feelings. I thought you were crying.”
“I was mortified,” she clarified. “Not crying.”
“Whatever. Where is the next part that needs fixed?” He asked looking down the length of fence that ran her property.
“Two feet down.” He picked up the rotted board and threw it in her wagon. He grabbed another and told her to meet him down there. She climbed up on the tractor and glanced down at Brett. “Last night isn’t the first time you’ve slept with her is it?”
He shook his head no. Then he walked away from Skylar and she let Brett go. She started up the tractor and drove down to the next location. Then she turned it off and jumped down to the ground.
“Is that all you want from Ramona is sex?” She had to ask him that question. He tossed the rotted board to the ground a little harder than was necessary letting her know that he didn’t appreciate her question. “I’m sorry Brett. I had to ask. I’ll talk to her.”