Chapter 30
30
SKYE
Skye sat in her room, staring out of the window at the view across the fields. What a morning it had been. Life-changing. Wanting to share her news with Gran, she decided to give her a call.
‘But that’s incredible,’ Gran exclaimed when Skye finished telling her all about meeting with Sandra and then with Carlos. ‘To think that he knew nothing about you all this time. Although, I hope you don’t mind me saying, but I think that was unfair of Annie not to have told him she was pregnant with you. Or even after you were born, or when you were little. It doesn’t sound like her and I can’t help wondering what happened between the two of them to make her keep your birth a secret from the man you say she seemed so happy with, at least in that photograph Sandra showed you.’
Skye had been thinking exactly the same thing. ‘It doesn’t sound at all like Mum.’ She gave her comment further thought and, recalling all the times her mother changed the subject or got miffed when Skye broached the subject of her father, began to change her mind. ‘Actually, I think Mum made up her mind when they broke up that she was going to keep me for herself. And that’s exactly what she did.’
Neither of them mentioned how often Annie forgot about spending time with her when she was a little girl, or when she was older for that matter. ‘Who knows.’
‘The most important thing you need to focus on,’ Gran said, ‘is your relationship with Carlos going forward. No one can change the past, so it’s pointless fretting about what-might-have-beens.’
‘That’s true. Oh, and did I mention I have three half-brothers? I’ve only met Bruno, of course, but he seemed lovely and not fazed about discovering he has an older sister.’
Her gran didn’t reply immediately and Skye was about to ask her what was on her mind, when she spoke. ‘I presume you’ll ask Carlos or Bruno to take a DNA test, just to be certain?’
‘I suppose so,’ Skye said. ‘But if Carlos was the only man in Mum’s life back then I’m not sure whether it’s necessary.’ She told her grandmother about finding his name in the notebook.
‘Ah, I see. That does change things then.’
She thought so too. ‘I wish Sandra was back from holiday so I could ask her more questions about Mum.’
‘Try not to expect too much. It’s clear your mum kept things from those close to her.’ Skye knew her gran probably struggled to accept that Annie had kept so much from her. ‘She probably kept more secrets from Sandra.’
‘True. I’ll try to keep a check on my expectations.’
‘I don’t want to put a downer on things, sweetheart. I’m just trying to think of all eventualities so you can protect yourself against getting hurt. Your mother did enough of that to you while she was here.’
Skye knew that if anyone else heard Gran speak in this way they might think it harsh, but she was used to her directness and preferred people to say what was on their mind. After so many years of her mother avoiding awkward conversations, it was the way she preferred people to deal with her.
‘I know, and I love you for caring about me so much. Thank you.’
‘No need to thank me, love. You’re a wonderful girl and deserve only the best.’ She hesitated, then added an obvious smile in her voice. ‘Talking about the best, how are you getting along with that firefighter chap? He sounds as if he’s taking good care of you.’
‘He is,’ Skye said, her heart racing at the thought of him. ‘Although, as you know, I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.’
‘That you are, Little Miss Independent,’ Gran said, making Skye smile. ‘I’d better go, dear. I have a pie in the oven and I have a horrible feeling it’s catching. I’ve invited a couple of friends for supper and they won’t be impressed if I serve up burnt offerings. Much love and call me again soon. Keep me up to date.’
‘I will. Bye, Gran.’
Skye ended the call and sat back on her bed. She felt much calmer now, having shared the events of the morning with her grandmother. It was time to go downstairs and continue her work on the farm.
She bumped into Joe as she entered the barn, catching him as he was about to exit.
‘Oof, sorry,’ Skye said as she slammed into his chest. ‘I should learn to look where I’m going.’
‘It’s fine. Anyway I could say the same thing.’
She sensed something was a little off and realised he didn’t seem as cheerful as he had done earlier. ‘Is everything all right?’
Joe leant against the doorframe, resting the palm of his hand on the top of the broom he had been using to sweep the cement floor. ‘It is really.’
‘You don’t look fine.’
He sighed. ‘I suppose I’m aware that as each day passes this bubble you and I are living in is closer to bursting.’
She folded her arms. ‘I know what you mean.’
His expression brightened. ‘You mean, you’re dreading Lettie and Brodie returning to the farm as much as I am?’
Skye narrowed her eyes. ‘I’m not much of a mind-reader so don’t quite know how deep your dread is and even though me not looking forward to them coming back here makes me feel guilty I also don’t wish what we have going on here to end.’
He gazed into her eyes for a couple of seconds, then said, ‘And what do we have going on here?’
How to put it into words, Skye wondered. ‘I’m not sure,’ she replied honestly. ‘But just being here with you and the animals has been amazing. I’ve loved every second of it and…’ She wished she could just say how she felt. How much she fancied him, wanted him to kiss her. ‘Oh, you know what I mean,’ she added hopefully.
He lifted the hay bale he had just filled, flipped the end of the rope through a ring and tied it securely, causing his T-shirt to rise and expose his toned stomach. ‘I think I do,’ he said, checking the net was secure.
Her stomach did several somersaults and she couldn’t tear her gaze from him.
He lowered his arms and pulled his top back down automatically. ‘Is everything all right?’
Realising he wasn’t sure why she was staring at him like she was, Skye closed her mouth. ‘Er, fine. Sorry, were you saying something?’
‘No.’ He seemed unsure.
Her heart racing, Skye decided one of them needed to make the first move and, feeling brave after such a challenging yet incredibly surprising morning, she reasoned that now was as good a time as any to take a chance. It wasn’t as if they had time to waste if they hoped to make the most of being here by themselves. Anyway she would rather be rejected than regret missing the opportunity to move her friendship with Joe to a more romantic level.
The image of his toned stomach fresh in her mind, Skye stepped forward and slipped her arms around his waist. Hearing Joe’s sharp intake of breath before he smiled down at her, Skye didn’t need to wonder if she had made the right choice to go with her instincts.
‘So we are on the same page then?’ he said, taking her in his arms.
‘It seems so.’ When he didn’t say anything else, or make a move, Skye wondered why not. ‘Are you going to kiss me then, or not?’ she whispered, taken aback that she had voiced the words instead of keeping them in her head.
Joe didn’t speak but, putting one of his hands behind her head, pulled her gently towards him as he lowered his lips to hers.