Blue Sky Days (4 page)

I tried to imagine myself in the dresses Daisy wore, the type that flowed to mid-calf, all feminine and flirty and breezy. They would probably look silly on me, but surely no sillier than a pair of jeans with socks and sneakers while everyone else wore shorts and skirts and sandals. Shaking my head, I rolled up the cuffs of my jeans and leaned back on my hands, turning my face up toward the sun. It was such a perfect day: the cloudless blue sky, a cool breeze to offset the heat of the noontime sun, and the mixed sounds of birds chirping in the trees and children laughing as they played.

I couldn’t remember the last time I sat outside like this, and I knew for a fact that whenever it was, I hadn’t enjoyed it as much as I was right then.
 
Chances were, whenever and wherever it had been, I was too busy thinking or worrying about one trivial thing or another to really enjoy the beauty around me.

I shifted to watch the people walking, running, and playing in the park below. There were no parks like this where I grew up. From my vantage point on the hill, I could see everything: two playgrounds—one large, with more climbing equipment and swing sets than I’d ever seen, and the other for babies and toddlers, with climbers that were low to the ground, and baby swings with enclosed seats. Wooden benches surrounded both playgrounds, and there was a pavilion off to the side with half a dozen picnic tables. Large trees like the oak I was sitting under grew all over the park, and there were several small flowerbeds at the far end, separate from the playgrounds. Well-worn paths curved along the bank of the river and around the forest, and as the park got busier, it looked like the paths were popular among walkers, runners, cyclists, and rollerbladers.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when I noticed a young man wander into the park and sit facing me on a bench near the foot of the hill. He stretched out his legs, looked around at the busy people, then pulled a book from under his arm and began reading.

I suddenly wished I had a book of my own to read. Nothing heavy or serious that would lead to deep thoughts, but something fun and frivolous, the type of book I’d never read before.

I realized I was staring at the guy below, watching him closely. I guessed he was probably a couple years older than I was—out of his teens, but not by much. He was wearing a white lightweight dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, dark green cargo shorts, and scuffed running shoes. A white baseball cap was pulled low to shade his eyes from the sun, but I noticed dark blond hair peaking out around his neck and ears.

As I watched him, I wondered what his face looked like under that hat. He seemed so relaxed, with one arm slung over the back of the bench and his long legs extended in front of him. He appeared to be engrossed in his book despite the chaos of screaming children running around him, or people constantly passing by on their way through the park.

Knowing I’d feel like a fool if he caught me staring, I forced myself to look away and turn my attention once again to clear blue skies.

I had just about decided to pack up and head back to Daisy’s when I snuck one last look at the guy on the bench and found him watching me. He grinned when our eyes met, and that’s when my stomach flipped. Even from that distance I could see how blue his eyes were, and notice the dimples that flashed in his cheeks as he smiled.

He stood up and began walking slowly up the hill, his book tucked under his arm. My heart kicked into overdrive and the sound of it pounding in my ears drowned out the noise of the park. I had a fleeting thought that if anyone was aware of my reaction, they would think I was crazy, but this was all so new to me. I wasn’t used to boys acknowledging me, let alone actually coming to talk to me. I didn’t know how to act around them, didn’t know what to say or do.

All these thoughts and more ran through my head as he made his way up the hill. I couldn’t really believe that he was coming to talk to me, and in the minute it took him to reach me, I had created a million different reasons why he could be climbing this hill. As he got closer and I got a good look at those beautiful blue eyes, I forgot all the reasons I had created and hoped he
was
coming to talk to me. Somewhere in the thirty seconds it took him to stop in front of me and take off his hat, the sound of my heart pounding in my ears faded, and the noises of the park returned.

After he asked if he could join me, I stared up at him for a minute, shielding my eyes from the sun, unable to speak. When he cocked his head to the side, his lips curving slightly, I nodded and motioned for him to sit beside me. A vague and distant part of my mind was screaming that I was going to embarrass myself somehow, but I didn’t care. In that moment it didn’t matter.

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?” he said, looking up at the sky and smiling, giving me an up close and personal view of the deep dimples in his cheeks and the cute crinkles at the corners of his eyes.
Those eyes
, I thought, my breath catching, wanting him to look at me again so I could feel that same lovely rush I had a minute before.

My tongue felt like a combination of lead and sandpaper in my mouth, so my reply was a very witty and intelligent, “Mmm,” accompanied by vigorous head-nodding.

He looked at me and laughed softly, obviously sensing my nervousness. He held out his hand and said, “My name’s Nicholas. Nicholas Shaw.”

I gave him my hand and he held it firmly in his own. “Emma Ward,” I said, finally finding my voice, along with my senses. “It’s nice to meet you, Nicholas.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Emma Ward.” He cupped his other hand around mine and didn’t seem to be in any hurry to let go. My senses left me as quickly as they had returned. As heat rose in my cheeks, no doubt turning my face crimson, Nicholas smiled slowly and gently released my hand.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before,” he commented, shifting around on the blanket to make himself more comfortable.

“I just arrived yesterday,” I said, willing my voice to remain steady and my brain to continue producing words. “I’m staying for a while with my Aunt Daisy.”

“Daisy Campbell?”

“Yes, do you know her?”

“Oh yeah, Daisy and I go way back,” Nicholas said with a quick grin. “I’ve actually known her most of the time she’s been in town. She’s been a great friend to my dad and me, and I’ve done some yard and construction work around the house for her over the years. She’s always said that the two of us are ‘kindred spirits’ because we’re not like everyone else around here.”

“Really?” I said, becoming more interested by the second. “How are you different?”

Nicholas chuckled. “Well…we both see life for what it really is—a wild and exciting journey that should be enjoyed and experienced in every possible way.”

I raised my eyebrows, and his grin widened. He turned slightly and stretched his legs out, crossing them at the ankles and leaning back on his hands. My eyes moved over his face and body as he did this; he was absolutely gorgeous but in an effortless kind of way. His ease of movement and grace led me to believe he was one of those beautiful people who don’t even realize they’re beautiful, and that made me like him even more.

“Have you seen much of Riverview yet?” he asked suddenly, bringing me out of my reverie.

“Just a glimpse of Main Street as I drove in, and now the park. That’s it so far.”

“Hmm…” He drew the sound out, glancing over at me with a twinkle in his eyes that made my head swim. “Well, I’d be honoured if you’d let
me
show you around. You busy tonight?”

“Tonight?” I squeaked.

He chuckled quietly. “Yeah. If you don’t have plans, I mean…and if you
want
to.”

“I…I…”
Say something you idiot
! I was suddenly regretting being so withdrawn and anti-social in high school; I had no preparation for a situation like this.

Nicholas didn’t seem to notice, or if he did, he didn’t mind that I appeared to be a bumbling fool. “Come on, it’ll be fun, I promise. We can wander around Main Street, maybe see a movie, then go to the diner for something to eat. My two best friends work there. I can introduce you to them so you’ll know more people in town.”

When I still didn’t say anything, his smile only widened. “I’m sure you get asked out all the time, but if you’re worried about me, I’m pretty certain Daisy will vouch for me.”

I laughed. “I’m not worried,” I said, surprised to realize it was the truth. Worried, no, but my nerves were a different matter entirely. “I’d love for you to show me around.”

“Great!” he said, jumping up. “I have to run into town right now, but I’ll pick you up at seven?”

I nodded my head, and with that, he took off down the hill almost as quickly as Daisy had a short time before. Pausing halfway down, he turned to wave before continuing on and finally disappearing from view.

The grin that spread over my face was uncontrollable. I had survived the encounter with minimal embarrassment, and I prayed I would be able to say the same later that night. I continued to smile, and with a happy sigh I fell back on the blanket, understanding for the first time what people meant when they said they had butterflies in their stomach.

CHAPTER 3

“I think I’m gonna be sick.”

It was later that day and I was sitting on the edge of my bed with my head in my hands, breathing heavily through my mouth.

Daisy’s melodious laughter echoed around my room as she sat beside me on the bed. “No you’re not, you’re just nervous. It’ll pass.” She put her arm around my shoulders and squeezed.

“I am nervous,” I agreed. “But do you know
why
I’m so nervous? I don’t know what I should do or say, or how I should act. I’m nineteen years old and this is the first time a guy has really noticed me or approached me. How does a person get to this age and not know how to act around guys?”

Daisy shook her head. “First of all, I’m sure it’s not that boys never noticed you before, it’s that
you
never noticed
them
. You were too busy concentrating on school, with your nose always in a textbook, so you didn’t realize boys were probably drooling over you everywhere you went.”

The giggle that escaped me sounded slightly crazed. “I don’t know about that, but if it’s true, it makes it even worse. Anyway, I shouldn’t actually be nervous, it’s not like it’s a date or anything. I mean, he never said the word ‘date’. He’s just being friendly. But I’ve never been out with a guy as a date or even as a friend! And if it’s
not
a date then why am I so nervous and why have I changed my outfit
four times
?”

“Will you calm down?” Daisy said, still laughing at my nearly hysterical babbling. “Nicholas Shaw is one of the nicest young men I know. The two of you will have a great time, whether it’s a date or not.”

I took a deep breath. “Of course. You’re right. It’ll be great.” I was afraid it was going to be a disaster, but I had to at least sound like I was sure of myself.

Daisy still looked as if she was holding back laughter when she stood up and got my hairbrush from the dresser. She came back and sat beside me, turning me so I faced away from her. With gentle movements, she began to play with my hair, no doubt trying to figure out how to tame my curls.

A moment later, she sighed and said, “You know, I always wanted a daughter.”

I was so surprised by this sudden confession that I turned around quickly, feeling the brush snag and tangle in my hair. “I didn’t know that. It’s not too late though, you’re still really young.”

Daisy chuckled. “Thirty-three. Which is still fairly young to have kids, you’re right. I’d want to get married first though, and it’s not like there are potential husbands banging down my door.” She smiled wistfully as she untangled the brush from my hair. “But I’m happy. I like my independence and living on my own terms.” She stood to pick up a handful of bobby pins from my dresser before settling back on the bed behind me. “Besides, you never know when things could change, right? Life has all kinds of surprises and gifts just waiting for us.”

I smiled and turned back around so Daisy could keep styling my hair. I had the feeling she wasn’t only talking about herself when she mentioned the surprises life has in store for people.

“I think you’d be an amazing mother,” I said, almost to myself, thinking of the impact Daisy had had on my life. She paused again, the brush halfway through my hair, and our eyes met in the mirror over my dresser. “If it’s any consolation, you’ve been more of a mother to me than my own mother ever has been. You’ve always been there for me, supported me, loved me. I couldn’t ask for more than that.”

My gaze had drifted down to my hands while I spoke, and I realized that Daisy had completely stopped brushing my hair when I heard her sniffling behind me. I turned as she wiped a tear from her eye with the back of her hand. “Thank you, sweetie. I couldn’t ask for more, either.” She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close.

“I always wanted a sister,” I said into her fragrant hair. “But you knew that. Remember we used to tell people we were sisters?” Daisy laughed and the vibrations echoed through my own chest. “You were like everything I needed all wrapped up in one amazing package.”

“Are you
trying
to make me cry?” Daisy asked, pulling away and giving me a playful swat on the arm before wiping her eyes again. “You know I felt the same way, and still do. And you know, you really didn’t miss out by not having a real sister growing up. The relationship between sisters can be very special or very trying. Or
both
. Your mother and I fit into the ‘very trying’ category. We’re such different people. And of course, it didn’t help that there’s a seventeen-year age gap between us. As the little sister I was always left behind, which, as I grew up, I realized was for the best.

“I always knew I was different, but I also knew I’d rather be different than be anything like Tilly. She was such a
snob
. All she cared about was boys and make-up and clothes and being popular. None of that interested me in the slightest. Then she met your father, saw dollar signs, and they were married six months later. And we both know the rest.”