Page 25 of Gabriel & Skye

“That’s very sweet,” I laugh. “What kind of dog is Gizmo?”

“I’m not sure.” She thinks hard.

“I thought you said he was a chihuahua?” Blake interjects. “You could get a chihuahua too, Trin? They could be friends.”

“Yes, I want a cheewowa; a friend for Gizmo.”

Everyone laughs again. Could this kid get any more adorable?

“Well, Gran and I better get back,” I say. “But you’re welcome to come and have a look at our stall. There might be some rocky road for you girls if your parents say it’s okay?” I smile, looking at Blake and Trinity.

“Yesss!” They both yell excitedly at the same time, then high five.

“You two are certainly a draw card to the Bassett cupcake stall. Adorable little things.” Gran beams at the two excited children.

“Well, we’re way over there.” I point to the stall on the other side of the square. It looks like Gramps and Travis stopped wrestling with the gazebo.

“See you later!” Georgia choruses, as everyone else follows suit. Then she adds in a lower voice, “I’ve already put a good word in for you with my brother.”

I laugh. “I might need it.”

“He may seem a little harsh on the outside, but he’s mush on the inside, believe me. In fact, he’s probably just a little frustrated… if you get my drift.”

I know she’s giving me TMI, but I find it a little hard to believe that Gabriel Bassett couldn’t have any woman he wanted. He’s gorgeous. He may be an ass, but I still have eyes in my head that work. But, this is also a small town where the ratio of men to women is three to one, so I guess that could explain it.

“See, it pays to know these things. That way I can have an advantage at the interview and not annoy him unnecessarily.”

“Oh, it does. Let’s exchange cupcakes later, and I can tell you all about it,” Georgia promises.

I’ve no idea what I’ve got myself in for when I say, “Sounds good to me!” A bit of intel before Monday might just be the trick, though?

I’ve already met his adorable daughter, so I can see there’s going to be no problems there. But when he sees it’s me — the woman who ruined his coffee — he might think otherwise.

Gran and I walk back to the table. Verne, the lady I just met from the local bakery, is next to us with all kinds of beautiful sweet treats, including her famous vanilla cream donuts and lemon bar croissants.

“I think we’re going to have to exchange some goods,” Verne chuckles when our rocky road comes out on display.

“We would love to!” Gran smiles. “I don’t think there’s going to be much left by the end of today, though. They’re coming in droves.”

Gran told me the annual fundraiser was for the kids’ camp at the local high school, which is something that really interests me. I wouldn’t mind doing something similar for the school when I get back to North Carolina. It’s such a fun day and all for a good cause. It isn’t like any schools aren’t in need of funding for something or other.

“How lovely of your granddaughter to get behind the event,” Verne goes on when we quickly exchange some of our goods for hers before a crowd starts heading our way.

“I love to get in on a good cause,” I say. “And meeting new people since I’m new in town.”

“You better believe it.” Travis grins from ear to ear, making his first purchase at Verne’s stall, even though she just gave us some freebies. “These are for later.” He winks.

I can’t help but smile. That’s Travis through and through. He always did have a sweet tooth.

“Everyone sure is friendly here,” I say to Gran as Gramps and Travis take a seat and pour some tea and coffee for us from the flasks they prepared earlier.

“They sure are. Gran links her arm through mine. “Not thinking of staying a little longer, are you, honey?”

“You know I’d love to, Gran. It’s so lovely here. It’s the first time in forever I’ve been able to just think without a million interruptions.”

“Well, you have a lot to consider over the next couple of months. Are you excited about your new job back home?”

Gran knows how hard I’ve worked to become a teacher’s aide. There’s a part of me that would one day maybe like to go back to school again and become a teacher. But the larger part of me is happy with what I’ve achieved for now, and as long as it gets me out in the field working with kids, I’m more than happy.

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