Page 85 of Gabriel & Skye

“What ice cream do you feel like, honey?” I ask as we walk into Stone’s Throw.

They have a small homemade selection with her favorite rainbow ice cream.

“Rainbow, pwease, Daddy.”

Surprise, surprise. I scoop her up in my arms and give her a cuddle. I immediately see Aunt May behind the counter with her daughter. They’re filling up the cake cabinet.

Trinity goes running up to them at the end of the counter.

“Honeybee, is that you?” Aunt May pushes her glasses to the top of her head as she greets my daughter with a big hug.

“It’s me, Aunt May!”

I can’t hide my smile as I greet her and Caroline.

“Daddy said we could get an ice cream before we get our new puppy,” she tells them.

“We’re just looking at the puppies, Trin, remember? We might get to adopt one, but we’re not sure yet.”

“That’s wonderful news.” Aunt May smiles. “You better tell me all about it, sweetheart.”

“And if you get a new pup, you come and show it off to us,” Caroline adds.

“We will definitely do that, won’t we, Trin?”

“Yep.” She nods her little head.

“You ask Aunt May and Caroline nicely for your ice cream,” I add, turning slightly as I hear the little bell chime when someone walks in behind us. Trin has barely finished asking for her rainbow ice cream before I hear her call Skye’s name.

I see a flash of red hair in my peripheral, which has me doing a double take.

Sure enough, Skye walks in right behind us.

My daughter dashes past me and launches herself into Skye’s legs, wrapping her arms around her.

“Hey, Trin.” She bends down to hug my daughter, her eyes flashing to mine with a smile.

“Hi.” I return her smile. Thoughts of last night come to mind again of those close moments we shared, and I know right here and now seeing her, it’s not going to be enough.

It never could with her. My feelings are starting to run away with me.

“Hi, Gabe.”

Before I can say anything else, Trin gives her a full rundown on what we’re up to.

“Skye, Skye! Guess what? We’re going to see the puppies!”

“Wow, no way! That’s so exciting.”

“And I’m getting an ice cream on the way.”

“Lucky you.” Skye smiles.

“Can you come with us, Skye?” She tugs at Skye’s skirt.

I internally facepalm myself.I cannot take my daughter anywhere.

“Skye is probably very busy,” I say as Aunt May comes around from behind the counter with an ice cream cone. My eyes flick to Skye. I see amusement dancing on her face with a smile that touches her eyes.

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