Page 84 of Gabriel & Skye

And this is why I’ve built a wall. A wall that’s so high I never let anyone over. But tonight I did. Tonight I took her to my special place and told her all about the constellations. One of my secret passions. The one thing that gives me that feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. A lot like the bourbon we create at the distillery. I love it. It’s in my veins. I live and breathe it. And it makes me wonder why I’ve never bought a telescope since I was a kid. It seems a little crazy. That I wouldn’t do something that gives me infinite pleasure. Why is that? Do I think I don’t deserve it? To be happy?

Have I wasted all these years being angry? Have I missed the boat?

A revelation sweeps through me.

Maybe I don’t.

Maybe I have put off ever finding anyone again that could get close enough, in fear of what they might do. I feel pain, then I feel anger. Even without realizing, as it seems she’s still controlling me. All these years later.

Well, no longer. I’m not going to let what happened to me rule my heart any longer.

I roll over. My revelations spark something inside of me that feels a lot like the phoenix rising from the ashes. Something inside me has changed. Like I flipped the switch.

And it’s all because of her.

* * *

“Please?” Trinity begs as we’re driving into town to go meet Macey and the pups on Saturday morning.

“Baby, I told you, it’s Skye’s day off today. I doubt very much she’d want to come with us to look at the puppies.”

She pouts. “She told me she did!”

I give her a pointed look. “She did?”

“Yes!” My daughter nods, folding her arms over her chest.

I try not to laugh. She reminds me of Georgia-Blue when she was that age. Stubborn as a mule.

“I think maybe we’ll look first and we might send her some photos?”

”Okay!” she agrees, seemingly happy with that for now.

At least it might satisfy her for the short term. I’m sure she’ll ask me five hundred more times before we get there. Macey from Stoney Creek Paws Shelter called me, as she knows I’ve been interested in a small dog for Trinity for a while now. With her being so young, I don’t want a big dog that could potentially bowl her over with excitement.

Three puppies from a Toy Poodle litter just came in from Nashville, which happens from time to time when their shelter gets too full. There is a wait list in Stoney Creek, and anyone caught buying a dog in this town better head for the hills, not when there are so many dogs needing a home in shelters around the country.

We’re lucky that we got the call, and we’re top of the list to look first. I know for a fact Trin will want to take all the dog’s home, but I just hope we gel with one of them.

The breed of dog isn’t so important, but I think with them being Toy Poodles and only a small breed, it’s perfect for us.

There’s two boys and a girl to look at. Trinity has been running around all morning doing a little dance and singing excitedly.

“You have to help Daddy though if we get a pup, remember?” I say.

“I will,” she promises. “I’ll help you walk the puppy and feed it!”

“Oh, wow, you will?”

“Yep, and I’ll cuddle the puppy, Daddy. Make sure it’s warm.”

“That would be so helpful, baby. Should we stop and get an ice cream on the way?”

“Yes, pwease!”

I smile. Seeing her happy and excited brings me joy. A lot of it.

It also brought me joy spending time with Skye last night, and I haven’t stopped thinking about her since. I wanted to text her and ask her to come, but I don’t want to be presumptuous. Though if last night was anything to go by, I think she’ll be fine with it. When we stop for an ice cream, I’ll send her a text and check how her gramps is doing.

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