Chapter Four
Saturday morning the skies were overcast, leaden-gray clouds gloomily foreshadowing a day only a true San Franciscan could
love.
Skye woke in good spirits; she had enjoyed herself last night. Unwillingly she admitted that Jordan was good company, but
made no attempt to analyze her feelings regarding his kiss. It had been her moment of reckoning; she had wanted that kiss.
As for his surprise visit and the dinner, it had just been his way of settling a debt, she supposed. She had bought the pizza,
and he was simply returning the gesture. He was probably on his way back to Los Angeles by now, and she could close the door
on this short episode, remembering him fondly.
The Saturday-morning housework took almost two hours, and with the last load of wash folded, Skye sat down with a good book.
The latest study on child behavior she had purchased had come highly recommended, and she had been looking forward to reading
it.
Yet despite how hard she concentrated hardly a word filtered through her thoughts.
Somehow the picture of the violinists strolling into the restaurant kept flitting through her mind.
Skye couldn’t refrain from laughing all over again.
No wonder Jordan had looked so pleased when she had teasingly said all they needed were violinists. She had fallen right into his trap.
The old seaman had thought they were lovers. Jordan Kiley probably had lots of lovers; he was definitely a man of the world.
She wondered why he had never married, but suddenly realized that for all she knew he could have a wife conveniently tucked
away. Somehow the idea wasn’t feasible. No, he was too straightforward and candid to cheat on his wife. She didn’t doubt he
was an experienced lover, but believed that for all his experience he didn’t know love as God intended it to be. Jordan Kiley
was like so many others, seeking to fill a void in his life that could only be satisfied by a relationship with God.
Reading was useless; setting aside the book, Skye changed into her jogging clothes. It looked like rain, but that didn’t bother
her. She often jogged in the rain; the cool drops splashing against her face were refreshing and invigorating.
She followed her usual route, running around the green at the Marina. The sultry breeze rolling in from the Pacific teased
her. The ironic thing was the wind seemed to be whispering Jordan’s name. As if to free herself, she tossed her head back.
Her long hair, driven from her face, flowed gracefully behind her. Yet the action did little to dispel Jordan’s presence from
her mind. If she listened carefully, she could almost hear his husky voice calling her.
“This is silly,” she said aloud. To allow this one unnerving man to throw her now was like succumbing to a temporary kind
of madness. She had long before accepted God’s plan for her life and didn’t regret being single.
As if to outrun her thoughts, Skye jogged twice as far as normal and was exhausted by the time she stopped to walk the remaining blocks home.
Walking the last few blocks home gave her body a chance to cool down after the long run and was as vital as the warm-up exercises she ritually performed before taking to the streets.
Yet she didn’t feel herself cooling down.
It was as if her body and her mind were working against her at a fever pitch.
Memories of Glen bobbed to the surface of her mind, happy ones that she’d long ago locked away.
Skye couldn’t help wondering if the short time she’d been with Jordan had done this to her.
From past experience she realized she needed to keep herself busy, push the memories away.
After a short shower back at home Skye changed clothes and left almost immediately, although she had no real destination in
mind.
“Anyone home?” Skye knocked loudly on the varnished door before letting herself in.
“Skye?” Peggy Garvin came from the kitchen, a large terry-cloth apron tied around her slim waist. Bursting with the news of
her pregnancy, Peggy threw her arms around her sister-in-law.
“Brad told you, didn’t he?” she said, hugging Skye close.
“Of course. He never could keep a secret for long,” Skye said, returning the affectionate hug. She stepped back and carefully
studied the happiness in Peggy’s eyes. “You show already.”
Peggy’s hand automatically rested against her flat stomach as her gaze swept downward. “Do you really think so?” she asked.
“Not there, silly,” Skye chided. “It’s that radiant gleam.”
“I know, I know. I don’t think I’ve been more pleased about anything in my life. What are we doing standing here? Let’s go
into the kitchen. I’m baking cookies. Chocolate chip—your favorite.”
“These smell good. Mind if I help myself?” She didn’t bother to wait for permission but bit into the melting morsel, savoring
the chocolate flavor.
Peggy pulled another sheet from the oven and carefully lifted the cookies with her spatula onto a waiting rack.
“This is the last of the batch. Let’s have some tea; I picked up a new flavor at the store the other day.
How does cherry almond sound?” Stretching her petite frame to reach the top cupboard, Peggy brought down her china cups. “Only the best for us,” she declared.
The aroma of the tea pervaded the room as they chatted.
“It’s so good to see you, Skye. How have you been?”
“I should be asking you that question. How are you feeling?” Although her attention was directed to Peggy, her fingers were
making lazy circles around the rim of her teacup. “You’re taking good care of yourself, aren’t you?”
“Heavens, yes! Oh, Skye, the Lord is so good. I’m still having trouble believing I’m really pregnant, after all these years.”
Some of the enthusiasm left Peggy’s eyes. “Now, if only Brad could find a job.”
“Speaking of my dear brother, where is he?”
“He told me he was going to help a friend move, but I know differently.” Peggy shifted uneasily. “He’s out again looking for
a job, any job. With a baby on the way Brad feels such a sense of urgency.” Her fingers tugged nervously on her bottom lip.
“I guess I do too. My moods swing from elation and ecstasy to doubt and worry.”
Skye had the same feelings herself. Although very pleased for her brother and his family, she couldn’t chase away a sense
of unease. She realized her family was in God’s hands, but reminding Peggy of this sounded trite and overused.
“Do you remember the Joyce Landorf series we saw at church last year?” Skye asked.
Peggy nodded.
“I guess this is what she meant by being stuck in a waiting room.”
“Yes, with both exits covered.”
It was Skye’s turn to smile. “You know, I’d do anything in the world to help you.”
“We know, Skye, and thanks, but Brad’s pride is at stake now. You’ve done too much already.”
Skye studied her sister-in-law seriously. “Don’t let pride get in your way, Peg.”
She paused, searching Skye’s face. “You’ve met someone, haven’t you?”
Taken aback by Peggy’s directness, Skye flushed slightly and lowered her gaze. “What makes you say that?” she said, trying
hard to hide any telltale inflection of surprise in her voice.
“You look, well . . .” Again Peggy hesitated, as if searching for the right word. “Happier . . . brighter, as if some spark
has been ignited again. Brad mentioned something, too. He said you’d obviously been dating someone because you closed up like
a clam the minute he asked about it.”
“I guess you could say I’ve met someone,” Skye admitted reluctantly.
“And?” Peggy probed.
“It’s someone from the hospital. He was in a car accident and has a broken arm. It was in traction for a while, but he’s been
discharged now.”
Peggy’s eyes rounded at the information and twinkled with delight.
“It’s no big deal, Peggy. Honest,” Skye stressed. “I enjoyed his company, but it’s not what you think. He’s from LA and has
returned home.”
“Is he handsome?”
Skye tilted her head thoughtfully and shrugged noncommittally. “I’d say he was, but not strikingly so.” Unconsciously she
stiffened; this was dangerous territory. Her own feelings for Jordan were a mystery. How could she explain them to another?
Peggy seemed to understand her indecision and smiled in return. “Anytime you show this much interest in a man, I can’t help getting excited. I don’t mean to pry, but honestly, Skye, Glen’s been gone a long time. Too many years for you to continue on the way you have been.”
A guarded expression came over Skye’s face. Glen’s name was rarely mentioned. Brad and Peggy had always been sensitive to
her grief. “What are you saying?” she asked brusquely.
Peggy sighed, almost as if she were unwilling to continue. “You’ve been living your life in a shell. For eight years there
hasn’t been anything or anyone who has been able to bring you back to reality, and it’s time you realized that.”
It was unlike Peggy to be so blunt. “That’s not true,” Skye said defensively, the tiny hairs on the back of her neck bristling.
“Glen and I shared something unique. Our life together would have been very special, but for you to insist I’ve built a wall
around myself is totally false.” She paused, gathering the strength of conviction. “I have to think very hard to clearly remember
what Glen even looked like.”
Peggy was watching Skye with concern. “We seem to have gotten off the track, haven’t we?”
Swallowing determinedly at the tight lump in her throat, Skye gave a wavering smile. “We certainly have. I came to congratulate
you and discuss Janey’s birthday present. I bought her a shell necklace, but how would you and Brad feel if I got her a puppy?”
“A puppy?” Peggy echoed, sounding aghast.
“Sally’s dog recently had a litter, and she’s offered me first choice. You remember Sally, my friend from St. John’s.”
“Of course.” Peggy’s eyebrows arched thoughtfully. “You know, it might not be a bad idea. With the baby coming it could be
just the thing for Janey. I’ll talk to Brad.”