Page 33 of Gabriel & Skye

I miss my parents terribly. Trav and I both adore our parents. They were always supportive and encouraging growing up, so we’re really lucky in that respect.

I’m hoping maybe this Christmas we can all get together for a little longer like we used to.

Dad’s a cop too, but these last couple of years he’s had a desk job and works part time. He’s been talking about semi-retiring and trying to convince my mom, who’s a beauty therapist, to slow down a little too. I think it would be good for them both.

I do all my best thinking when I’m either laying in bed, or in a nice hot tub having a soak. My mind drifts to Gabriel Bassett, like it has done these past two days since I saw him in person. I was tempted to get the skinny on him from Travis, though I know they only recently reconnected. But I thought better of it after what Gran told me. I’ve no right to judge him over the coffee incident. He apologized for it. The man is busy, and I guess he’s used to getting everything he wants, when he wants.

I still can’t believe what happened to him and Trinity all those years ago. My heart hurt hearing they were abandoned. No one deserves that.

It doesn’t even seem like Gabriel is a bad person, far from it. And from what his sister and mom told me, it sounds as if he’s single.

My dating life is very uneventful, I just haven’t found the right one. It’s as simple as that, really.

Maybe I’ve been lucky this far that I’ve never had my heart shattered into a million pieces by anyone. It makes me wonder all the more why people do what they do. How could you just change your mind about wanting to be a wife and a mother? I guess it happens.

I’ve always wanted kids. And I hope to have them one day in the near future, when the time is right. Of course, for that I need a husband, or I’d at least prefer one. Because I didn’t find what I wanted to do earlier in life, I’ve kind of put my personal life on the back burner. My studies have been a focal point and because of that, I just put dating aside. Men are complicated creatures, and I’ve been a shoulder to cry on for several of my friends who’ve had awful breakups. I’ve seen how messy love can get.

I spend the rest of the weekend helping Gran potter in the garden and relax a little on Sunday afternoon, going over in my mind some interview questions that Gabriel might ask me. He might be the cute CEO of Bassett Brothers Bourbon, but I have to take this seriously and treat it professionally.

I wonder what his reaction is going to be when he sees me and quickly realizes I’m Travis’ little sister.

I am rostered on for another shift at the cafe on Tuesday.

I’m doing the early morning to afternoon shift because they were finding the early shift a hard one to fill. I don’t mind because I’m an early riser and I think it’s nice to get back home while it’s still light and I can go for a walk or do some Pilates.

I know it would be fun looking after Trinity too. She seemed like such a sweet little thing. I just hope Gabriel and I get along. That’s the hard part; we already butted heads.

By Monday morning I have a nice outfit ready to go; a white silky blouse with a tie up bow, a knee-length pleated blue skirt and my navy pumps. After spending a little more time than usual in front of the mirror — mainly fixing my hair into loose curls and taking extra care with my makeup — I’m good to go in Gran’s VW bug from the seventies. It’s dark metallic blue with a black soft top. She’s had the thing for as long as I can remember.

“Have a great meeting,” Grandpa says, right before I leave. He refuses to call it an interview, and if it were up to my Gramps, Gabriel should’ve already hired me with my family name alone.

I try not to chuckle at that one.

“Break a leg!” Gran hollers at me as I’m about to reverse out of the drive.

I wind the window down. “Wish me luck!”

“You won’t need it, honey.” She waves me off and I smile, feeling grateful for the day ahead. The sun is shining in all its glory and I know it’s going to be a good one.

I take my tea in my travel thermal mug and hum along to WSM radio when some of my favorite country tunes come on. Music always puts me in a good mood.

I’m jiving to Garth Brooks and before I know it, I’m halfway to the distillery.

I couldn’t think of a better place to be with the window rolled down, the sun streaming through, and some great tunes blaring out of the speakers.

It reminds me of being young all over again. Well, younger.

This is what it’s all about to me; making the most of every situation and not taking life too seriously. I made a vow to enjoy myself while I’m here in Stoney Creek. I don’t want it to be all work and no play.

This weekend I might even take myself out to the famous Moose’s bar for a drink. Maybe I’ll see if Georgia and the other girls I met on the weekend might want to go. It could be a fun way for me to let my hair down a little and get acquainted with some of the townsfolk. I’ve never been in town long enough to really form any friendships with anyone here. It’s usually a weekend flying visit, and I spent most of that time with Gran and Gramps, not with other people.

I decide if I see Georgia at the distillery, I’ll ask her about Friday.

When I pull up in the wide circular parking lot at the distillery, I take a last glance over my appearance in the rear-view mirror and smooth out my curls a little more.

Having bouncy red hair has always been a challenge, but somewhere between leaving high school and starting college, I learned to deal with it. Now I love it, even if sometimes it has its own agenda, like this morning.

I quickly swipe on some tangerine-colored lip gloss and I’m good to go.

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