Page 22 of Gabriel & Skye

Brooklyn loves animals. In fact, his place is full of stray or abandoned horses he’s rescued and then can’t bear to part with. He also has a pet pig, Mandy, a donkey called Sawyer, and a couple of goats I don’t know the names of. Out of all the kids in the family, Brooklyn was always the one to bring home injured birds and animals. I always said he should’ve been a vet.

“I’m surprised you don’t have a dog,” I add, just as we get back to the table. “It’s like a zoo at your place.”

“What’s one more right?” He chuckles.

Eden turns around. “Hey, Gabe.”

I give her a hug. “How are you doing?”

She smiles. “I’m doing fine. What’s this about a dog?”

Georgia begins unloading things from the pulley before we can blink.

“I was just saying to Brooklyn that he should get a dog, too.” I give him a chin lift.

She smiles. Noodle is asleep in the little doggie pouch she has slung across her body. You wouldn’t even know she was there. “That’s not a bad idea.” She looks up at Brooklyn. “Then he or she could have play dates with Noodle.”

“I’m not getting a dog right now,” Brooklyn affirms. “We were talking about Gabe and Trin getting a new four-legged friend.”

“Oh, you’re getting a dog?” Eden smiles, the curls of her auburn hair bobbing as she talks.

“Yes. Trin has been asking me for ages,” I sigh. “The pressure finally got too much.”

“Hopefully she won’t want a Great Dane,” Brooklyn chuckles.

“Hmm. I hadn’t thought of that.” I rub my hand over my chin. “Anyway, Brook tells me you all went down to Georgia recently.”

“Yeah, we went to meet Kirk,” Blake helpfully puts in, hearing our conversation on her way past to help put out more cupcakes.

“Thank you, Blake.” Eden looks at her daughter quickly, her cheeks flushing slightly. I think she’s a little embarrassed. “And yes, we did, Gabe. It’s lovely down there.” Her eyes shift to Brooklyn as he pretends to be busy. I know sure as shit he’s listening.

“I took Trin when she was three for a little road trip. It’s exquisite,” I say. “How are things going, anyway?”

I see Brooklyn in my peripheral vision, giving me a warning look. Well, he can thank me later for getting information straight from the horse’s mouth. I’m not one to mess around with words.

“Things are good.” She nods. “He’s a nice guy. I guess time will tell. Ooh, that reminds me, Brook? I’m wanting to get my passport for a trip next year I’m thinking about taking.”

“Vacation?” he asks.

“Yeah. I haven’t had one in a while.”

“You and me both. Is Blake going?”

“Possibly. I don’t know the details yet, just something I’m thinking of.”

“So what does getting your passport have to do with me?”

“I need a copy of the divorce papers because my old passport is in my maiden name. I’ve misplaced mine. In fact, I don’t even think I got a copy after you lodged them.”

“Sure. I’ll take a look at home.” I know by his tone he’s wondering if Kirk will be going on this vacation she’s not saying much about.

I watch the two of them work together at helping set up the rest of the stall. She laughs at something he says and it makes me wonder why the heck neither of them sees what I do.I mean, Brook seems to be having some kind of back and forth revelation, but it’s plain as day to me.

“Hey, you just missed Skye.” Georgia-Blue breaks my reverie.

“What? In the two seconds that I was gone?”

“She’s setting up a stall with her Gran,” she says. “Did you call her yet?”

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