Page 34 of Beau & Autumn

“It’s Gayle,” she says, waving off the Mrs. Bassett thing. “Can I get you a drink?”

“I’d love one, thanks.”

“Is a Chardonnay okay?”

“Perfect.”

I see Beau waving his stick toward me, indicating he’s just finishing his shot.

I smile at him as Eden and Georgia both sidle up to me.

“Aut, you made it, that’s so good you did.” Georgia gives me a hug and stands back to look at me. “Mom’s right, you do look gorgeous.”

I smile, pressing my lips together a little shyly. “Thank you.” Little does anyone know exactly why I took so much time and effort getting ready, even if I was going for casual. “I love that tassel dress,” I say to Georgia.

She does a little twirl in her denim number with tassels hanging from the pockets. “Thanks, I’m just glad it’s getting warmer so I can start wearing my spring dresses.”

“Tell me about it,” Eden says.

She’s still all loved up with a glow to her cheeks.

“You get more glowy every time I see you,” I say, and I see her a lot because she’s one of my besties and all.

“Aww you!” She gives me a little hug. “I guess having the love of that man right there will do that to you.” We all glimpse over to Brooklyn, who’s hula hooping with Trinity and Blake in between his shots of pool.

Noodle comes trotting up to her mama as I bend down and give her a little scruffle. Daisy, the little toy poodle, comes bounding up. She’s such a cute, tiny little thing. I give her some attention too.

“Down Daisy!” Skye tells her firmly as she walks over and gives me a hug, trying to stop Daisy jumping up at me. Daisy dutifully sits and looks up at Skye, wagging her tail across the floor. “Hi Aut. Sorry we’re trying to get her to stop jumping when she gets excited.”

“She’s such a sweet little thing.” I smile.

“She sure is. Me and Trin have been taking her to puppy school, haven’t we Trin?”

Trinity comes hula hooping toward us as Gayle brings me back a glass of wine from the little drinks bar on the far side of the games room.

“Yes, Daisy has a best fwend!” she tells me.

I look down at the gorgeous little girl; she’s a Bassett through and through, with long dark hair and the signature blue eyes. “What’s her best friend's name?” I ask as she tries her best to keep the hula hoop swinging while holding onto her toy rabbit.

“Gizmo!” she announces. “That’s my best fwend Emma’s puppy.”

“Wow,” I say. “I bet she sure makes friends easy.”

“She wuvs Sunny and Noodle too!”

“I bet she does, sweetie.”

“Honey, do you think that’s the best place to be doing that?” Skye gives her a stroke on the head. From what I know Trinity and Skye really formed an affinity for each other in a short space of time.

“Uncle Bwook said we could.”

We all laugh. Of course Brook would encourage the kids to be hula hooping around a crowded family dinner.

“How about I grab a hoop and show you how to do it outside?” I didn’t realize Beau had walked over with his pool cue, and is now looking at little Trinity with his hand on his hip. He turns his tall frame to me and I smile. “Hey, Aut.”

“Hi Beau.”

“You look lovely.”

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