Page 86 of Gabriel & Skye

“I’m not that busy.” She shrugs.

“See, Daddy! See! Skye can come and look with us.”

“You don’t have to feel obliged because I have a pushy daughter.”

Trin spies Aunt May holding her ice cream and lets go of Skye.

“Remember your manners, Trin.”

“Thank you, Aunt May,” she says as Aunt May hands her the ice cream cone and she takes a big lick.

“Sounds like you’re going to see the new puppy.” Aunt May gives Skye a wink.

“It’s sounding a lot like that,” Skye laughs.

“Would you like a tea?” I ask her, remembering she doesn’t drink coffee. “Or maybe an ice cream?”

“Ice cream!” Trinity declares.

“I think I’ll stick with tea,” Skye says, with an appreciative smile. “But thank you anyway, Trinity.”

“I’ll get right on it,” Aunt May says, making her way back to the counter. “The usual for you, Gabe?”

“Please.”

Aunt May walks over to the coffee machine while we wait. Caroline has retreated to the back.

“How are you?” I ask Skye while watching my daughter, totally engrossed in eating her ice cream.

“I’m great. Last night was really cool. Thanks again. It took my mind off things.”

“It’s not a bad pastime when I want to get away from the world.”

“Thank you for sharing it with me. It’s just what I needed after everything.”

“How is your gramps? I was going to text you, but it was early.”

“He’s doing much better this morning, after a good night’s rest.”

“That’s great news.”

“I was over at the hospital just now. Hopefully, they won’t need to keep him in for too long.”

I smile. “I’m glad to hear that.” I pause. “So you really want to be dragged along to see the dogs?”

She chuckles. “I’d love to.”

I press my lips together, secretly pleased. I just didn’t want to make her feel obliged.

“Macey, the rescue co-ordinator, has the three pups at her place. She’s fostering until they get adopted,” I say.

“Trinity must be so excited.”

“She can hardly contain herself. She’s been bugging me for months about getting a dog. As you would’ve heard.”

“It’s exciting,” she says. “And I’m happy to help, since I’ll be at your place most days. I love dogs.”

“Thanks, and I’m glad you’re not allergic. I had planned on bringing the dog to work initially, so he or she wasn’t alone all day.”

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