AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Glancing around, I spot some bushes and go behind them to change quickly.
"Don't peek," I say, instinctively, turning around to look at him, but there was no need as he's already facing away from me, covering his eyes and facing the tree.
I remove my clothes quickly, cursing my belly when his shorts are a little too tight to button. Thankfully, the top is baggy, so hides the fact I've left the button undone.
We spent the rest of the day playing by the lake, talking, and eating the picnic Nana prepared for us.
Before I realize it, my watch is beeping to let me know it's 2:00 and Pops will be collecting me soon.
"I've had such a great time. I wish I didn't have to go home." I frown as I hand Nathaniel the clothes I borrowed.
"We can come again tomorrow? Or we can do something different?" Nathaniel suggests as he twiddles his fingers and looks uncertain again.
"No, I had a great time. I'd love to do it again tomorrow. This time, though, I'll bring my own clothes… and maybe a towel," I add with a giggle.
"Yep, a towel would have been a good idea." Nathaniel laughs.
We take a slower walk back to where my pops is already in his car waiting for me.
"Sorry I'm late, Pops," I say as I open the car door.
"It's fine, I've not been here long," Pops says with a smile.
I give Nathaniel one last hug and arrange to meet him again tomorrow.
As we're driving away, I watch out the window and notice that he doesn't move from his spot or stop waving back until the car is completely out of sight.
***
Throughout the following weeks, my plans revolve around spending every single day with Nathaniel. Pops takes me with him up to the cabin, almost every day because he's needed as a ranger. On the odd day he doesn't go, Nana takes me. They both seem to understand how important Nathaniel is to me and want us to be able to spend time together.
"So, is your father on his way?" Nana asks when Nathaniel walks over alone. We were supposed to meet his dad today, since he's canceled on us the last three times we've tried.
"Erm, n ...no, not today ... he ... he had to go to work," Nathaniel says quickly, fumbling over his words.
"Well, perhaps we could take him some coffee and a piece of cake. We could swing by his work if you want," Nana offers kindly.
"No!" Nathaniel snaps, making both me and Nana jump.
"Is there something you need to tell me?" Nana asks with raised eyebrows.
"No, he's at work, but a different job," Nathaniel explains.
"A different job?" I question.
"Yeah, he's on a job, so he’s working somewhere else today."
"Okay, if you're sure," Nana says. Her tone sounds odd, but she doesn't push any further. "Maybe next time," she adds, opening the car door and signaling for us to get inside.
I assume Nathaniel's dad must have a very important job. Because whenever we ask him, Nathaniel says his father is always too busy to meet with us, or he cancels at the last minute.
Luckily, Nana doesn't seem to mind having Nathaniel over. She always takes us into town or on outings, but Nathaniel always has to be home early, so he hasn't stayed for dinner yet, It makes me wonder what he's hiding?
CHAPTER FOUR
NATHANIEL
AGE 13
