Page 52 of Gabriel & Skye

“About the pretty eyes thing, or?”

“No, about the fact she’s already drawing you into the family picture.” He runs a hand down as his face.

“That’s very sweet of her,” I say. I want to ask him if it’s true; if he did say I had pretty eyes. I mean, kids don’t lie. To think he’s been talking about me makes me feel… all warm and fuzzy. And that is a very stupid thing for me to feel now that I’m working here.

“She’s a good kid. Very sweet.”

“Does she take after her dad?” I joke.

He tilts his head as he puts his coffee cup down. “I may be a lot of things, Skye, and you’ll come to know this if you spend a bit of time around here, but one thing I’m definitely not is good… or sweet, for that matter.”

I smile, because I’m realizing the more I’m around him, that statement couldn’t possibly be true.

I only have to look at little Trinity to know that.

13

Gabriel

I’ve got to hand it to my daughter; she sure knows how to poke her little nose in without even knowing what she’s doing. First drawing a picture of Skye, me, and her with the puppy, and then pointing out her pretty green eyes. She’s quite correct in her words; they were the ones I used, but I didn’t exactly expect her to repeat them to Skye. I guess I should know five-year-olds a little better by now. I think I skated over it the best I could, making it into a joke.

The last thing I need is Skye thinking that I’m talking about her. I’m technically now her boss and even though I do think she’s attractive, it may come across as a little creepy. She’s acting perfectly normal, but now I’m on edge.

Luckily Geraldine arrives before I can put my foot in it again, or before Trin can repeat anything else I might have said out loud unknowingly.

Geraldine is a very tall, orderly looking lady, but she’s a big softie at heart and thinks the world of Trinity. She greets Skye with open arms, literally. I’m sure she’s glad to finally see her replacement so she can go on vacation without feeling guilty. They were her words to me when I mentioned Skye would be joining us. She was genuinely happy, and I suspect there will be tears when she leaves on her last day.

“Goodness, won’t you look at her!” Geraldine steps back to look at Skye from top to toe, making Skye’s cheeks flush a little.

Skye laughs, a little embarrassed. “It’s nice to meet you, Geraldine. I’ve heard so many good things about you.”

“I’m glad they were all good!” she says, rounding the counter and putting her purse on the kitchen island. “And aren’t you a pretty little thing? A smart, educated woman with looks to boot. Goodness, Gabriel, did you have to outdo me with a knockout!”

I resist the urge to facepalm myself. If it’s not my five-year-old, it’s Geraldine having her two cents’ worth.

“I’d hardly say that,” Skye jokes as they get acquainted and I fix Trin’s hair for the umpteenth, trying to straighten her ribbon. “But thank you all the same.”

I finish my coffee and get some fruit snacks for Trin’s lunchbox and double check she has everything she needs.

“Did you want to pick the special place where I can put Bunnykins when we get home so he can wait for you?” Skye asks Trinity. If she keeps it up, she’s going to melt my own heart in a minute. I love how easy she’s being with my daughter and how Trin seems to have taken to her like a duck to water.

This prompts Trin to hopscotch around the living area and then the dining space to try to find the best spot.

“Maybe Bunnykins wants to sit on the couch and watch TV while you’re gone?” Geraldine gets in on the act.

“Yes! That’s a great idea!” Trin jumps up and down happily, and I’m glad it hasn’t turned into a meltdown at the fact she has to give up her new favorite toy for the day. I would hate for her to lose him at school and then have an even bigger problem on my hands. I don’t have a spare Bunnykins lying around.

“Then it’s settled,” Skye says. “I’ll make sure he finds a comfy spot on the couch, and he’ll be there when you get home this afternoon.”

“Yay! Daddy, did you hear that? Bunnykins is gonna watch TV.”

Like hell he is, but I don’t tell her that. “That’s great, angel. But it’s time for you guys to get going. Now, best behavior today because Daddy is going to work early, so Skye and Geraldine are dropping you off. Are you gonna show me what a big girl you can be?”

Trin nods enthusiastically as I zip up her backpack and pass it to Geraldine. “I think she has everything she needs.”

“Excellent, well, we’ll see you a bit later.” Geraldine smiles. “I’ll make sure I take the spare car seat out before next week and we’ll put it into yours,” she says to Skye.

“I have my Gran’s old VW,” Skye says. “But she’s a sturdy old thing.”

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