Page 28 of Gabriel & Skye

“He is, but we’re hoping one day he’ll make the time for someone special.” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

There’s no way I’m going to admit to her that I think her brother is cute. That’s called adding fuel to the fire. Anyway, he’s a douchebag — then I remember what Gran said about him raising Trinity by himself, and he became a little less of a douchebag instantly.

“I keep saying the right girl is going to come along any moment now,” Gayle adds, overhearing our conversation. “The trouble is some of my boys can be a little headstrong.”

Yes, it does already seem that way and I don’t even know them.

Though, my heart goes out to them knowing what I know now. It brings me back to the fact that you just never know what people have been through, or what they’re going through. And Gran is right. From what I’ve seen and heard, he’s done an amazing job of raising his daughter. They all have.

“A little is way ahead of the curve.” Georgia gives me an eye roll.

I laugh to myself. “Well, thanks for the goodies. I thought I’d just say goodbye before we head off.”

“So nice to see you,” Georgia says. “And good luck for Monday.”

I like Georgia. She isn’t backward in going forward, and I appreciate people who speak their mind. What you see is what you get, and I wonder if her brother is the same.

I’ve been raised to always be polite, no matter what. I guess that’s why I have a hard time sometimes saying no. It’s a personality trait.

“Thank you. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.” I smile and leave, wishing Monday was one day closer.

7

Gabriel

When Trin and I get back home, I duck into the distillery to catch up on a few emails I didn’t get to finish. That means Trin gets some time to watch cartoons on the iPad while I work. She’s a good kid and knows having electronics is a treat. I’m blessed in the fact she doesn’t rely on it or get pouty when I take the damn thing away.

I guess she’s more of an outdoor girl. She’s used to being on the farm, around the animals and at the distillery, where my mom or dad usually have her if I work weekends. I’ve taken her horse riding on Brooklyn’s baby, Bandit, through the grove down to the creek where we used to play as kids. One day she’ll have a slice of this land too if she wants it, as will Blake.

“Okay, you sit and watch Paw Patrol while Daddy catches up on work, okay?”

I sit her down in her beanbag on my office floor while I work.

It’s not long before we get an interruption. I know Callan is around because his friendly Amstaff, Sunny, comes trotting in and heads straight for Trinity. She discards the iPad to give Sunny some pats.

Sunny is very friendly and a big softie, especially when it comes to kids. But I’ve still taught Trin not to do anything annoying to Sunny or any dog she meets, like pulling on their tail or their ears, and definitely not climbing all over them. She sits on her little beanbag while Sunny laps it up, rolling on her back to get a belly rub.

Callan sticks his head around the door a few moments later. “Hey, Cuz.”

“Hey, Callan. What you up to?”

“Just doing some odd jobs to the barn while no one is around. Sometimes it’s the only time I get stuff done.”

“Tell me about it. How is everything coming along?”

“She’s a beauty.”

“I’ll come out and have a look next week. Georgia is going to get a professional photographer out as soon as it’s finished, then we can put it up on the website.”

“It’s sure gonna make for a beautiful venue,” Callan says. “At first I thought they were a little off with the fairies, but seeing it all come together, I think it’s really gonna work.”

“Maybe one day you and Celeste?” I raise my eyebrows.

“Funny thing about that,” he laughs a little nervously.

I look up at him. “What is?”

He bites his lip for a moment, watching Trinity give Sunny a pat fest. “I proposed.”

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