Page 78 of Gabriel & Skye

If she wants to talk to me, she can. This kind of thing can be traumatic, and despite popular opinion, I can be a good listener.

She hugs herself, looking weary for the first time tonight. I’m about to ask if she’d like a coffee when Travis appears.

He gives me a chin lift as I give him a one-armed hug. “Glad to hear the old boy is in good shape,” I say.

“It was a scare, that’s for sure. He’s gotta take it easy for the next couple of weeks. The docs want to do some scans to make sure there’s also no head trauma from the fall.”

“That’s probably a good idea.” I glance at Skye. “I’m happy to wait for you guys and drive you home. It’s no trouble.”

Trav shakes his head. “I’m gonna stay for a little while, then drive Gran home. Skye, did you want to do the same, or Gabe could drop you home if you’d like?”

We can both see how weary she is. “I might just say goodnight and take you up on that ride if that’s okay, Gabe?”

I nod. “It’s no problem at all. Take your time.”

Trav pats me on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. You’re a lifesaver.”

“Happy to help.”

They walk back through the doors, and Trav puts his arm around his sister. They’re a close family, a lot like my own. It’s a sweet thing that Skye and Trav love their grandparents so much. There are so many older people in town that don’t see their kids or grandkids at all, and I think that’s really sad. I can’t imagine living away from my parents, although I understand not all families get along. We’re lucky in so many ways, and sometimes it takes a scare to make you even more aware of it. None of us are getting any younger.

I wait for ten minutes, and Skye reappears, pulling her shawl over her shoulders. “Are you cold?” I say, about to shrug out of my jacket and give it to her.

She waves it off.

“I insist, you’re freezing.” There’s nothing balmy about fall once the sun has gone down, not in Stoney Creek. I pull it off anyway, draping it over her shoulders. “I can’t have my new nanny freeze to death.”

She smiles kindly. “Thanks, Gabe.”

I put my hand on the small of her back as we leave and make our way to the parking lot.

It’s late. Past midnight now, and everything is quiet. We don’t pass another car all the way to her grandparents’ place.

“I don’t want to go home right now,” she says. “My mind is buzzing. I’ll just lie awake all night, thinking and worrying about Gramps.”

I have no fucking clue what that means. Where does she want to go? Then I have an idea.

“I’ll show you something really cool, if you’re up for it?”

She turns and gives me one of her precious smiles. “What did you have in mind?”

I grin. “You’ll see. But you’ve got to keep the whereabouts a secret. Only locals know about this trail.”

She giggles. “Really?”

I shrug. “We’ve gotta keep some things to ourselves, otherwise city folk would be out here, tearing up the track and ruining the place.”

“You make a very valid point.”

“Do you trust me?” My eyes meet hers.

“Of course,” she says without hesitation.

“Good. Hold on.” I turn off an unmarked track and down the dirt road that slopes up slightly. Although Stoney Creek isn't known for its mountains like other parts of the state, there are a couple of ridges and lookouts that attract tourists and provide an amazing view of the valley and creek below.

None of them know about this one though; they don’t even talk about it in the local paper.

“Gabe? Where are you taking me?” She laughs.

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