The van jerked forward abruptly, making him swear. “Bloody hell, it’s like trying to ride a stubborn mule.”
“I’m glad I thought to put our coffee in cups with lids.” She gave him an encouraging smile. “Try again. You’ll get the hang of it.”
But he did not. He mixed up the pedals, the van jerking forward awkwardly. Daisy’s laughter rang out, making him smile as Frankie yelped, secure in his harness.
After a few more attempts, which included a close encounter with a bush and a slightly crooked parking job, Callan surrendered the driver’s seat back to Daisy.
“Mayhap I am better suited to horses,” he admitted, pride bruised.
When she touched his arm, their eyes met.
“You did really well for your first time.”
He nodded. “I will try again tomorrow so I may share the driving with ye, lass.”
CHAPTER 16
Daisy adjusted her backpack as she stepped out of the camper van, Frankie tugging eagerly at his leash, tail wagging a mile a minute in anticipation of the day’s adventure. The Berkshires in summer were beautiful, the air so fresh you could taste it, and filled with the scent of wildflowers and pine. Careful to lock the van after Callan got out, she looked around at the half empty parking lot.
“If we were here on a Saturday, this lot would be packed. Looks like we won’t encounter too many people today.”
They started down the trail, dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy overhead. The forest was alive with the sounds of chirping birds and the rustling of squirrels as they hiked, enjoying the breeze.
As they walked, Frankie darted between them, his nose to the ground, exploring every new scent and sound. She had let him off the leash, knowing he’d come back if she whistled.
While they followed the trail, they talked about the foods they both liked. She told him about the fascination with sports, and after a while she even shared a couple of her more pleasant childhood memories. Callan told her how his mother was always singing while she hung out the laundry or cooked.
That was the thing. Her childhood wasn’t awful, but nor was it what she’d call good. Like the time her parents returned from Morocco and took her to a hotel where they stayed for a week, soaking up the sun by the pool and playing games. A good memory.
Then there was the time they told her they were off to Spain the day before her birthday. Daisy spent her tenth birthday with the neighbor across the street who checked in on her a few times a day. She didn’t even get a cupcake to celebrate. A sad memory.
Now an adult, she understood their thirst for adventure but wondered why they’d bothered to have her. When she asked, her mom laughed and said it was the thing to do, to marry and have at least one kid and that she should be grateful for all the freedom she had compared to other kids.
As they walked, a rustling in the bushes caught their attention. A deer, its coat a soft brown, emerged cautiously, eyes alert. It was just as exciting to watch Callan as he went still, holding his breath, not wanting to startle the creature, as it was to admire the deer.
Then a branch snapped, and the deer bounded off. Eventually, they found a perfect spot for their picnic. A small clearing with a view of the mountains in the distance. Daisy spread out a blanket and unpacked lunch: sandwiches, fresh fruit, a bag of crunchy Cheetos which Callan loved, along with plenty of ice water for all of them.
Callan sat, stretching his legs out in front of him with a contented sigh. “’Tis verra beautiful.”
But when she turned to see what had caught his attention, he was looking right at her.
A buzzing sensation crawled up her neck as she blushed, handing him a sandwich.
They ate in comfortable silence, the only sounds the gentle breeze, birdsong, and Frankie munching on a dog biscuit.
“Imagine if we could just stop time, stay here forever,” Daisy mused, leaning back on her elbows.
Callan turned to her, his expression thoughtful. “I’ve spent so much time thinking about where I belong... but mayhap it’s not about a place or a time. Perchance ’tis about the moments we choose to cherish.”
Daisy reached out, squeezing his hand gently. “I couldn’t agree more.”
The way he talked, the things he said, she wanted to believe him, that he truly had traveled through time, but the skeptic in her wouldn’t get on board.
They spent the day exploring, laughing as Frankie attempted to chase butterflies and squirrels, and pausing now and then to admire the scenery.
As the day gave way to afternoon, they headed back to the camper van.
“Today was perfect,” Daisy said as they neared the van.
