Page 56 of Gabriel & Skye

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Skye

I couldn’t have had a more perfect day if I’d tried. This is definitely a breeze compared to what I was doing at the cafe. Coffee making just isn’t my forte.

Geraldine runs some errands in town and I get a little more acquainted where everything is situated. Not that the quaint little town is hard to navigate, but I’ve never had a need to go to the post office — or the school — and places like that when I’ve visited Gran and Gramps.

We dropped Trinity off, and I met her teachers.

“Trinity seems like a great kid,” I say, as we’re en-route to the grocery store to grab a few things from her list of things to do. I recall in the job description he emailed me detailed a few points about running errands and a few light house duties with meal prep for Trinity as needed.

I don’t have any problem with any of it, I’m happy to help out.

“She really is a sweetie,” Geraldine agrees. “You won’t have too many issues. Trust me, she’s a good kid. Gabriel has done an excellent job this far. His family has helped out a lot, it wasn’t easy.”

“Gran told me about his past,” I say. “What a terrible thing to have happened.”

“And for the mother to never be in contact all these years?” she tuts. “It’s unfathomable.”

“It sure is. Do you and Hank have kids?” I ask.

“Yes, a son, Peter, and a daughter, Phoebe. They both live in Nashville. My daughter gave birth last year, so we have a gorgeous little granddaughter, too.”

“That’s so sweet Geraldine, what’s your granddaughter’s name?”

“Evelyn, she’s just an angel.”

“It’s good timing then. With taking a step back into retirement, hopefully you’ll get to spend some more time with your granddaughter.”

“That’s the plan.” Geraldine beams and she parks her car outside the grocery store.

It does feel a little strange shopping for Gabriel, but I guess he’s a busy guy and can’t always get to these things himself. I also get the impression Geraldine probably does more for him than what she needs to. “What about you? Any kids or anyone special?”

“Sadly, no to both. I don’t have any children, or a boyfriend. But I’d love to settle down with the right guy. I’ve always wanted to have kids.”

“Well then, that’s what you must put out into the universe,” she says. “You have to visualize how you want things to be. That’s what I hear anyway every time I tune into one of those self-help videos on YouTube.”

I smile. I can’t imagine Geraldine watching YouTube videos, but there’s no judgment here.

“Kind of like visualizing your future before it’s happened?” I ask.

“Exactly like that! I said the same to my daughter when she was down on her luck and couldn’t find a nice man. I told her to write down all the characteristics she was looking for in a partner and all the things she wanted. Then you have to look at your list each day and feel as though it’s already yours. Visualize that perfect person.”

“Interesting. Sounds like it worked for her?”

“It did. Four months later, she met a great guy, Chase. And they’ve been happy for over two years now, and welcomed their little darling last year.”

“That’s so sweet, Geraldine. Does Hank love being a Grandpa?”

“Ha! He adores it.” She claps her hands together. “We want to make the trip more often now that we’re retiring; after our vacation, anyway. And Phoebe and Chase will come visit more now we haven’t got work in the way. I’m excited to see Evelyn on a more frequent basis. They grow up so fast.”

“That must be a good feeling.”

“It is. I just wanted to get Gabriel sorted out first. I didn’t want to leave him stranded. He’s been very good to me over the years. I used to teach at Stoney Creek Elementary School back in my heyday. But I cut back a few years ago and started doing nanny jobs and after-school care.”

“It’s the best.” I was telling her about my studies when we were dropping Trinity off, and my change from nursing into teaching.

“From what I can already tell — and I have an affinity for these things, Skye—I think you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”

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