Skye replaced the receiver back into the holder on the small hall table.
‘Is it wrong of me to be this happy about my close friend and her baby not coming home just yet?’
Skye studied Joe’s handsome face. He didn’t sound as if he felt guilty, but she now knew him well enough to believe that it didn’t sit right with him that he felt the way he did. She thought about the situation from Brodie and Lettie’s point of view. ‘No, it isn’t.’
‘You don’t think so?’
She shook her head. ‘How can it be wrong when we’re making Brodie and hopefully Lettie so happy? We’re giving them time alone together to get used to being a new family with the baby. There’s nothing bad about that.’
Overcome by a sudden rush of courage, Skye decided to be completely honest about her own feelings. ‘He’s also making the pair of us very happy.’
Joe stared at her intently. As the seconds passed, Skye wondered if she had taken a step too far and unnerved him. She opened her mouth to try and make what she had said seem less threatening to him. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin their relationship, as fun and as comfortable as it had become for her at least.
‘What I mean is…’ she began.
‘Please don’t try to explain,’ Joe interrupted. ‘I know exactly what you mean and I feel the same way.’
Surprised and enormously relieved, Skye exhaled sharply. ‘I’m glad to hear you say so. For a moment there I thought I’d said totally the wrong thing.’
He reached out and took her hands in his. ‘This time here with you has been exactly what I needed.’ Spud nudged his thigh, making them both laugh. Joe looked down at him. ‘Yes, and seeing you.’
Returning his gaze to Skye, he continued, ‘I feel carefree here. I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed. It’s felt like a breath of fresh air spending time here with you. So peaceful and—’ he stared at her for a few seconds ‘—getting to know you has been—’ he seemed to struggle to find the right words to explain himself ‘—joyful, refreshing? I’m not exactly sure what. You’re an amazing woman, do you know that, Skye?’
Touched by his words, Skye had to clear her throat to respond. ‘Thanks, Joe. I’ve loved being here with you too. I needed this and I don’t think I knew quite how much until now.’
He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. ‘Me, too.’
23
JOE
Skye peered past him. ‘Has your mother left already?’ Skye asked. ‘I’ve put the kettle on in case she wanted a cup of tea.’
‘No, she’s gone.’
Skye squinted, then placed a hand on his forearm. ‘Is everything all right between you both?’
‘Was it my scowl that gave it away?’ he joked, wanting more than anything to kiss Skye at that moment. Well, he mused, he wanted to do that most of the time, if he was honest with himself. Deciding not to push his luck, he went to speak, then his phone rang. Unsure where he had left it and not liking to ignore a call in case it was his mother having forgotten something, he gave Skye an apologetic smile. ‘I’d better see who that is.’ He followed the sound into the kitchen and saw that he had left his phone on the worktop. Picking the phone up and looking at the screen, he saw it was Paul, one of his colleagues from work. ‘This might be interesting,’ he said as Skye followed him into the room.
‘Hi, there.’
‘Sorry to interrupt you, Joe,’ Paul said. ‘I’ve just spoken to my mum about her time working at the hotel and she said she’d love to meet your friend Skye tomorrow morning, if that’s possible.’
‘I’ll ask Skye,’ Joe said, unsure how much time Skye and he might take talking with the woman and not wishing to be out when Brodie and Lettie brought the baby to the farm.
‘Sorry for the short notice,’ Paul continued, ‘but Mum is going away for a couple of weeks to stay with her sister, and tomorrow morning is the only time she’ll be free until she’s back on the island. You mentioned that your friend is only over here for a short time, so I thought I’d better call you straight away.’
‘Thanks, that’s very thoughtful of you, Paul. Skye is right here.’ He muted the call and relayed everything Paul had told him. ‘What do you think?’
She seemed startled for a moment before gathering herself. ‘Um, yes, I’d love to meet with them tomorrow.’
Glad Skye was taking up the opportunity, Joe said, ‘It’s very kind of you, Paul. And your mum. Thanks. We do have something we have to be at the farm for tomorrow but that’s not until late morning, so could we meet up, say around ten-ish?’
‘That sounds perfect. I’ll send you the directions to her house.’
Joe thanked Paul and ended the call, excited to share the news with Skye.
‘Joe, that’s amazing,’ she cried her hand immediately covering her mouth in her shock. ‘I’ll try not to get too excited but I am going to enjoy this moment.’
