Page 6 of Gabriel & Skye

“I got her number from May. I’ll text it to you.” She scrolls through her phone. A few moments later, Skye’s number comes up. “You know, you could just ask Travis?”

It’s true since he was my childhood best friend, but they moved away before high school and I never knew his little sister. I’ve kept in touch with him over the years, and he’s moving back to Stoney to take on the sheriff's role after Geraldine’s husband, Hank, announced his retirement the same time she did.

“True, but I haven’t caught up with Trav in a while. I don’t wanna bombard him with questions about his little sister straight away.”

“Stop procrastinating, Gabe. I know this is a surprise about Geraldine, but she has that vacation in Florida coming up. You can’t hold on to her forever.”

“I’m well aware of that, thank you.” Sometimes sisters can be so annoying.

She holds up her hands. “Hey, I’m just trying to help. Once everyone in town hears she’s got qualifications in children’s education, they’re all going to want to hire her.”

She’s not wrong on that front.

“I’ll text her today.”

“Good. Oh, and don’t forget about the annual fundraiser this weekend. We’re having a bake’ n’ shake at the town square. Donating bourbon to a charity event isn’t exactly kosher, so we’re donating merch instead and baking cupcakes.”

Oh, joyous. “And you’re telling me this because?”

“As CEO, you’re expected to be there. Celeste, Trudy, and I will all be baking. And it’ll be a good way to mingle.”

I raise a brow. “Why do I want to mingle?”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re single, Gabe. Do I need to remind you the man to woman ratio in this town is three to one, and you’re not getting any younger.”

“Thanks for the pep talk. I think we’re done here.” I’m thirty-five, not a million years old.

“Don’t be grumpy. I’m just saying. You went from wild child to serious grump and have been that way for the last few years. You need to get out more, and before you look at me like that, the park and pre-kindergarten meetings aren’t mingling.”

“I think I hear the sound of violins playing.”

“Joke all you like, but you’re expected to be there. We’ll all get to wear the new uniforms and showcase the branding.” She’s excited, and that’s what matters. Though it is also raising money for the kids camp at our local high school, so I should probably put in an appearance.

“Whatever you say, since you’re unofficially running the place.”

“Puh-lease,” she laughs. “We all know I’d make a great CEO.”

“Yeah, we’d be broke in the first five minutes. You’d be buying everyone lunch every day, and pastries from the bakery and letting everyone clock off early, or bring your dog to work day. You're too nice, George, not that it's a bad thing.”

We wrap her in cotton wool, being the only girl. Having a daughter of my own now, I see why Mom and Dad were so protective, even in a small town where everyone knows everyone. We’re lucky to have such a great community, but you’ve still gotta be smart.

She smirks. “And you’re not, which is why you make an excellent boss. Not that I consider you my boss…”

“Here we go.”

She prattles on as I assail my ears and scroll through my phone to find Skye’s number.

I should text her and see if I can interview her sooner rather than later, and I’ve only got a few weeks before Geraldine leaves.

It’s a big step. I like things the way I like them. I hate change. If something throws me off course, it’s hard for me to get back on track.

But I have to do this.

Sooner the better.

2

Skye

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