Carlos cleared his throat. ‘I’m hoping that one day you’ll feel comfortable enough to call me Dad.’
Joe wondered how long he had been building himself up to mentioning this to Skye. By the look of concern on Carlos’s face it had probably been a while. Joe waited for Skye to react.
‘I don’t see why not,’ she said, clearly touched by his suggestion. ‘I think everything is still rather surreal for us all, but I am coming to terms with it. Slowly.’
Joe was relieved the evening had gone so well for Skye and for the others. Most of all, he was happy Skye had said she would come back to the island. This was brilliant news and exactly what he needed right now. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something to cheer him up.
After saying their goodbyes, he drove them back at the farm, tired but very happy.
Skye stopped before walking in through the front door.
‘What’s the matter?’ Joe asked, tensing and preparing for trouble.
‘I can hear voices, can’t you?’
Joe laughed. ‘There are four other adults apart from us living in the house at the moment so that shouldn’t be surprising.’
She shook her head slowly and raised a finger. ‘There. Did you hear that?’
He had no idea what she was going on about. ‘I’m not sure what you mean.’
Skye gasped and ran into the house. Concerned, Joe followed, catching up with her in the living room.
‘Melody?’ Skye asked, sounding surprised and looking elated. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘We were going to surprise you all tomorrow,’ Zac said from the drinks trolley behind the open door. ‘Then Melody found cheaper flights and so we decided to come over this evening.’ He held his hands apart. ‘Surprise.’
Skye laughed and ran over to Melody, hugging her tightly.
Joe went over to Zac and after a brief hug patted his friend on the back. ‘It’s good to see you again.’ He looked him up and down. ‘You have a good tan but you look exhausted.’
‘The tour was amazing fun but exhausting. I’m glad it’s over so I can catch up on some sleep.’
Melody pushed his shoulder. ‘All he’s done since he’s been back is sleep.’
‘I have done other things,’ Zac said, an unmistakable twinkle in his eyes.
‘Shut up, Zac,’ Lettie grumbled. ‘There are young ears here.’
Zac looked astonished at her comment, making Joe laugh. ‘Letts, the baby is far too young to pick up on anything I shouldn’t be saying.’
‘Will the pair of you stop bickering?’ Gareth grumbled. ‘It’s been peaceful here until you came back, Zac.’
‘Hah,’ Zac exclaimed. ‘That’s not what Lettie’s been telling Melody.’ He pointed to the baby sleeping in Brodie’s arms. ‘From what I gather, my little niece has been keeping you all awake with her demands.’ He raised an eyebrow at Brodie. ‘I wonder who Isla takes after?’
‘Zac?’ Lindy said in a threatening tone.
Joe felt Skye’s arm slip around his waist and draped his arm around her shoulder. Pulling her gently against him, he bent his head and whispered, ‘I’m really going to miss this family, you know.’
‘I was thinking the same thing.’
48
SKYE
Her last few days on the farm were passing far too quickly for Skye’s liking. Even though she and Joe made the most of spending every single second possible together, it wasn’t enough. There were far too few times when they were alone, and as much as she would have liked to spend another night with him it didn’t feel right now that Melody and Zac were back in the house. Too many people around them to dare risk being overheard.
Gareth and Zac had been helping her on the farm, and Melody when she wasn’t helping Lettie by taking the baby so Lettie and Lindy could go out shopping, or into the town to buy things for her or the baby. It was lovely spending time with them all, but it wasn’t the same as being alone with Joe.
