Tied Up, Tied Down (12 page)

“Well, aren’t you a little banshee today, Miz Eliza Belle? How about if Auntie Indy takes over for a while, hmm? Mama’s ears need a break?”

She watched as India lifted the angry baby out of the carrier and tried to calm her down.

Eliza was having none of it.

Her heart clenched at her baby’s continued distress. “Maybe it is something serious.

Should I take her to the doctor?”

“It’s your call, Sis. She’s your baby. You oughta know.”

Skylar burst into tears. “But I don’t! I’m the worst mother on the planet!” She knew it wasn’t fair to bust in on poor India, making her deal with a hysterical mother and a screaming baby, but she had no one else to turn to.

What about Kade?

The thought of calling him, confessing her ineptitude with their daughter, letting him see how completely she’d lost it…well, she cried even harder at exposing that flaw, when he already thought she had plenty of other flaws.

That was the other thing. Why didn’t Eliza fuss around him? Not that he’d been around the last two nights, and dammit she missed him. She sniffled and the sobs kept coming.

India was gently bouncing Eliza in her arms, eyeing Skylar warily.

“So what? I’m crying.”

“You never cry.”

“I never do a lot of things I should. I’m so tired of everybody thinking I’m some kind of robot. Of everyone thinking I can handle everything.” She started bawling harder. “I 92

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can’t! How do women have cranky babies and demanding jobs and confusing relationships and run a household by themselves without going insane?”

“I don’t know, but I’m wondering if a stiff shot of whiskey wouldn’t be the best thing for you right about now.”

That caused Sky to laugh through her sobs and Eliza’s wails. “Great advice coming from an alcoholic.”

She smirked. “At least I didn’t suggest you snort a line of coke or smoke a joint.”

A loud pounding sounded on the door that separated the business spaces. A muffled voice inquired, “Indy? You okay?”

India walked over and twisted the lock. The door opened and AJ McKay stepped through. “I heard a baby crying.”

“Crying is putting it mildly.”

“Poor thing.” AJ looked at Sky. “You okay?”

“Frustrated.”

“I imagine. Mind if I hold her?”

“Knock yourself out. Or knock her out, whatever works,” India muttered, and passed Eliza to her.

AJ placed one hand under Eliza’s head and neck and the other on the baby’s butt.

“Such a mad face on such a pretty girl. What’s wrong, cutie-pie? Just having a bad day?”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with her. I’ve tried everything. And I-I…” More tears fell. She wanted to scream in misery right along with Eliza.

“I’m sure you have.” AJ nuzzled Eliza’s cheek and cooed, “Yes, sweet baby, she’s a great mama to you, isn’t she?”

“She’s not very happy with her mama today.”

“Sometimes those people who make us the happiest can also make us the most mad,”

AJ said. “It’s a trade off.”

That observation startled Skylar.

India said, “Eliza’s mad all right. Look at how hard she’s shaking.”

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A thoughtful look crossed AJ’s face. “Skylar, do you mind if I try something with her?”

Sky wiped her eyes and shook her head. “Please. If you can help her…”

“I’ll see what I can do.” AJ sat in a chair and stretched Eliza out on her lap, belly up.

Holding her head with one hand, she rubbed her thumb from the base of the baby’s skull to the bottom of her neck. She massaged the left side and right side, speaking softly to Eliza as she continued to gently rub and Eliza continued to shriek.

After several long minutes, which seemed a lifetime to Skylar as her precious baby wailed, the cries tapered to whimpers. The whimpers ended with a hiccup. It became quiet enough they heard Eliza sigh deeply.

Skylar felt that sigh clear to the marrow of her bones.

India peered at the infant. “It’s a miracle. What did you do?”

AJ blushed. “Nothing, really. Massaged her neck. We learned when babies are learning to hold up their heads, it can create extra pressure on the tendons in their neck.

When they get all tense, they seize up, mostly in their neck, where their vocal cords are.

They scream, it hurts and they scream more.”

“Thank you.” Skylar stared at the twisted Kleenex in her hand. “I feel like such an idiot. I didn’t know that.” Tears welled up again. “There’s lots I don’t know.”

“Hey, I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t gone to massage therapy school. Trust me, my sister had the same issues with all three of her kids, so it’s not you.”

Sweet words. AJ was the sweetest woman around.

AJ continued to rub Eliza’s neck and the baby’s long lashes fluttered closed. “As long as you’re here…I have a bone to pick with you, Skylar Ellison.” Those silver eyes locked on hers. “Why didn’t you tell me Eliza was Kade’s baby? All this time and I had no clue you were carrying a McKay?”

Ooh. Not so sweet now.

“Kade didn’t even know,” India pointed out.

“You bet your behind he didn’t, because no way would Kade have let you go through pregnancy and childbirth alone. I’ve known him all my life and he is not that 94

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kind of man. Cord told me the only reason Kade took that job up in the north country was because he’d had a bad break up with a woman. I never imagined that woman was you.”

Skylar bit back the retort,
I never imagined he’d pretend to be his twin brother and
knock me up, either.

“And if you’d bothered to tell any of us you were pregnant, we would’ve made sure he received the message.”

“Am I going to be defending my decision to the entire McKay family for the rest of Eliza’s life?”

“Probably.” AJ straightened Eliza’s jumper. “We’re all overjoyed because you birthed a girl McKay. Keely has been the only girl for four generations.”

“Kimi mentioned that.” Kade’s mother had called a couple of times to chat after Kade had taken Eliza to see her grandma. Kimi was a real spitfire. She claimed she had to be tough to survive being married to a wild McKay man and raising two more McKay hellions. Sky developed an instant rapport with Kimi, even when Sky shied away asking questions about Kade and his childhood, because she didn’t want to seem nosy.

“My sisters-in-law have hope the next McKay out of the chute, so to speak,” AJ

grinned cheekily, “will be the stem-less variety.”

“What about you, AJ? Since Channing and Macie have both birthed boys, you itching to be the one to break their streak?” India teased.

“God no. Ky is plenty for us to handle right now. Besides, Cord and I’ve only been married since December. We’re breeding horses for the time being, not kids.”

Footsteps echoed from the back room. A deep male voice asked, “India? You seen my wife?” Cord McKay crossed the threshold.

Skylar stared. Good God. Was every single one of the blasted McKay men so sinfully good-looking? No question this man was related to Kade—same dark hair, same vivid blue eyes.

But Cord only had eyes for AJ. Hungry eyes. “Hey, baby doll. I was lookin’ for you.”

“And you found me.”

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“Appears you found your way to the babies again,” he murmured and angled over her shoulder to examine Eliza.

“I can’t help it. Isn’t she the sweetest thing?”

“Yes, she is. Least that’s what her daddy says.” Cord’s eyes met Skylar’s, almost in challenge.

Sky’s mocking look challenged him back. “Kade is a sucker. He’s already promised to buy her a pony.”

“I imagine so.” He thrust out his hand. “I’ve seen you around, and I know India, but we’ve never been introduced. Cord McKay.”

She shook his hand. “Skylar Ellison. Do all you McKay cousins and brothers look alike?”

“The wonder twins notwithstandin’, I don’t see the resemblance, but other folks do. I imagine we all oughta wear name tags tomorrow, so you don’t get us mixed up.”

“What’s going on tomorrow?”

“The big rodeo. Kade and Colt are competin’. Everybody’s talkin’ about it. I figured you’d be there so Kade could show off the baby.”

“He hasn’t mentioned it, but he’s been pretty scarce the last couple days.”

An awkward moment followed.

“Well, I’m sure Kade’ll tell you about it when he finds time.” Cord set his hand on AJ’s shoulder and squeezed. “I came to remind you we gotta get Ky pretty quick.”

AJ stood and handed the sleeping baby to her mother. “Thanks for letting me have my baby fix. See you tomorrow.”

The couple barely cleared the backroom when AJ gasped and a low masculine laugh answered. The connecting door slammed.

“Those two. I swear they’re always doin’ it in her studio. I think it’s the only chance they have to be alone without rambunctious Ky underfoot.”

“Kids do have a way of messing up the best laid plans.”

“Sounds like you have some experience with that?”

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Rather than respond, Sky wandered. She was too restless to sit and half-afraid if she quit moving Eliza would wake up. Her thoughts wandered to Kade.

Why hadn’t he told her about the rodeo? Because he’d planned on taking Eliza, but not her? Because he expected come Saturday she’d pass on his intriguing offer and that part of their relationship would be over? They’d be friends, Eliza’s parents and nothing more to each other? That thought made her sort of ill.

“Sky? You okay?”

“Not really.Something’s been brought to my attention and I’m asking for your honest opinion.”

“Shoot.”

“Do you think I’m controlling?”

“Do you mean in control, or manipulative of others?”

“In control.” Sky faced her sister.

“Yes, you are in total control, at all times, of all things.”

“Is that bad?”

India shrugged. “Not necessarily. Unless you’re unwilling to bend a little, to loosen up once in awhile. We both know that’s not in your type-A personality, especially given your past association with jerk-off men. Why do you ask?”

“Kade mentioned he thinks I have control issues.”

“He’s right.”

India’s automatic agreement jarred Sky. “You’re siding with him?”

“I’d never side against you, Sis. Never. I am really proud of you for being such a great mom, even if I’m surprised you aren’t more controlling and psycho when it comes to Eliza.”

“What?”

“I honestly was scared you’d become one of those mothers who obsesses over every little thing.”

Sky’s stomach pitched. “You saying I don’t care?”

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“No. You love Eliza fiercely, but it’s not an insane I-need-to-control-every-minute-of-this-kid’s-life kind of love that I expected from you.”

“I’m really like that?”

“With most things, especially your business. Case in point: you’ve finally hired an office manager after I nagged you incessantly, but do you let her manage? No. You still do it all, which drives me batshit. How long will Annie have to work for you before you decide to give her more responsibility?”

“I—”

“Let me finish. I know you weigh pros and cons from every conceivable angle. You never jump headfirst into any situation.” India cocked her and challenged, “How many baby books did you read when you were pregnant?”

Forty. “Where is the relevance in that question?”

“You asked for an opinion, I’m giving you mine. So knowing how you are, how you’ve always been, it really blew my mind when Kade came back into the picture and you trusted him with Eliza from the start. No second-guessing his parenting abilities. No

‘trial period’ for him to prove himself to you or your daughter. You just flat-out accepted him.”

That
was
an atypical reaction for her, and Sky admitted, “He’s taken to fatherhood in a way I could only hope for. He is so great with her. Better than I am at times.” Like today.

“So, how did the topic of you being controlling come up with Kade? Does it have to do with Eliza?”

“No. It’s more…personal.”

India’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sleeping with him?”

“You mean sharing a bed? Or—”

“You know what I mean, Sky.”

“Yes. I’m sleeping with him.”

“Has he asked you to marry him again?”

Surprised, Sky said, “How did you know about that?”

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“When I stopped in at your place, I ah…grilled him about a couple of things, he told me he asked you, and you said no.”

“Well, the only reason he asks me is because of Eliza.”

“
Asks
?” India repeated. “As in he’s asked multiple times?”

Skylar nodded.

“You’re one hundred percent certain that the only reason Kade McKay is with you is because of your daughter?”

“Most likely.”

“Hah! I think you’re wrong. And here’s where I’m gonna piss you off. You’re using Eliza as an excuse. After all the shit that’s happened to you with men, you don’t believe any man would want
you
without an ulterior motive.”

Skylar snapped, “Excuse me, but that
has
been the case in every goddamned relationship I’ve ever been in.”

“Does Kade know about Ted?”

“Do you really think I want to share that humiliation with him right off the bat?”

“No, but he needs to know.” India softened her tone. “Would it really be so bad to open yourself up to Kade? To trust him? To let down your guard? And yes, let him have a little bit of control in your relationship?”

For the first time since Eliza’s birth, Sky wondered if she’d ever be able to break that sheet of glass she kept between herself and the rest of the world. Why did the wall of defense she’d built feel like a prison rather than self-protection?

“Sis?” India prompted.

“It terrifies me to think of giving Kade control even temporarily. Part of me worries he’ll keep it and I’ll never get it back. I’ve been there, Indy. I’ll never make that mistake again.”