Stepping into the Sky: Jump When Ready, Book 3 Read Online Free PDF Page B

better reception of the oldies station she
preferred. Nikki couldn’t help smile, remembering herself and the others trying
to convince Naomi that better technology existed now—that she didn’t have to
put up with the static and the occasional need to adjust the antennae. It had
also occurred to Nikki that there was a certain amount of irony in the fact
that Naomi had developed a typical teenager’s obsession with music while
ignoring the music being recorded today.
    Nikki knew, of course, that Naomi’s radio and her taste
in music were both throwbacks to the era she’d known. Nikki couldn’t imagine
how Naomi had found a station featuring artists like Elvis Presley, Fats Domino
and Buddy Holly but clearly she had. That the station actually existed surprised
Nikki a little. She’d just figured stations featuring music that old had all
gone by the wayside. But it was a real station and not just something streaming
from Naomi’s imagination, made evident from the commercials pushing present day
products. How they received the signal confounded Nikki, for some reason even
more than the fact that they could go on the internet. Why, she wasn’t sure,
since essentially it was the same concept.
    As Nikki walked into the room, Naomi stood at the kitchen
counter mixing batter while tapping her foot to the music. Nikki wouldn’t have
recognized the song before but now she knew it had been recorded by the Everly
Brothers.
    “How’s it going?” Nikki said.
    Naomi jumped back, the whisk flying out of her hand and
clattering onto the counter. “Jeez, you scared me.” She spread her hand against
her chest and laughed.
    Nikki couldn’t help laugh too seeing her wide eyes and
the trail of splattered mix. “Sorry. I guess that’s one of the pitfalls of
rocking out while you bake. You can’t hear people sneak up on you.”
    Naomi turned down the radio.
    “Here, I’ll get that.” Nikki grabbed a sponge and started
wiping up the mess.
    Naomi retrieved her whisk and went back to mixing.
“Actually, I’m not baking right now. I’m making crepe batter.”
    “I love crepes,” Nikki said. “Are they hard to make?” It
was kind of a silly question since Naomi was such a natural with food. Lately,
she’d been branching out even more, creating breads, muffins, croissants and
quiches to go along with the desserts she’d mastered.
    “The batter is easy,” Naomi said. “Not sure about the
actual crepes yet. What’s new with you?”
    For Naomi, the question wasn’t just automatic. She
remained genuinely interested in learning about those around her. The fact was,
Naomi was a great listener. Which, Nikki had to admit, was part of the reason
she’d decided to join her in the kitchen.
    “Not much,” Nikki said, “Just thought I’d hang out for a
while. If you don’t mind, that is.”
    Naomi smiled. She might have been changing lately too but
Naomi still smiled like a kid. Happy, open, not the least bit reluctant showing
how pleased she was to be with you. “Of course! Do you mind grabbing the crepe
pan? I’ll get the stove going.”
    Nikki opened the cabinet and squinted at Naomi’s various
pots and pans. Which one was the crepe pan? You needed a special pan to make
those?
    “It looks like a frying pan,” Naomi said. “Just not very
deep.”
    “Oh, yeah. I know,” Nikki said. “The one that looks like
a crepe pan, only it’s a crepe pan.”
    Naomi giggled. She knew Nikki too well and didn’t buy it
for a second. “There’s something you wanted to talk about, isn’t there?”
    The fact was, Nikki did tend to seek out Naomi’s company
when trying to work something out. And, as usual, she hadn’t gotten to the
point right off. Nikki knew that about herself—she could be a little
standoffish emotionally. Unlike Naomi, it took her a while to open up. Still,
Nikki felt hesitant telling her about what had happened yesterday. Mostly
because she didn’t want her to worry.
    Nikki passed her the crepe pan.