Chapter 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.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You can always use one of mine if you need to. I have the truck and the Lexus.”

“Alright, sounds good,” Skye says as Trin runs up to me and wraps her little arms around my legs. I bob down to scoop her up.

“Be a good girl for Daddy, princess.”

“I will!”

I give her a kiss and set her back down on the floor.

“Call me if you ladies need anything.”

“We will.” Geraldine grabs her purse as Skye takes the last couple of sips of her tea and they’re out the door.

I walk with them and lean in the doorway, watching them all get into the car.

That feeling of rightness overwhelms me again. It’s a good thing. I’m glad I’ve found her, even if it is only temporary. I need this to go well until I find another replacement.

I don’t want to worry about that now or put a damper on things, so I push it to the back of my mind for the moment. First things first.

The fact is, she’s here and things are going well, so I’d say that’s a win.

I wave them off as Geraldine toots the horn on her wagon and I catch a glimpse of Trin from the window, waving Bunnykins in my direction. A smile forms on my lips and I take an extra indulging moment to watch the car disappear.

* * *

I get to work a little earlier than usual as it gives me time to catch up and prepare some reports for when I sit down with Grayson. We have some discussions about the exports today and what suppliers are asking. I know he and Brooklyn have been cooking something up in the cellar, affectionately known as ‘the vault’. They think I don’t know, but my eyes and ears are everywhere.

I know it probably has something to do with Brook’s idea about adding to the bourbon flavors and making something a little edgier. He put the idea to Dad some time ago, but it didn’t come at a good time with the barn renovations and redesigning the Bassett logo and branding. It’s an interesting concept, even if I haven’t delved too far into it or his ideas. I didn’t take to the idea at first, the same as Dad. But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I am willing to hear Brooklyn out. I’m all about expanding and making more profit for the business, and this could be the way forward.

It all comes down to costs and profit margins.

I decide to head down to the rickhouse before my meeting with Gray. It’s two flights down from the main floor and everything you’d expect for the manufacture and distillation process of our three whisky types; straight Bourbon Whiskey, original cask strength, and our American blended rye.

It’s a copper still city down here. It’s fair to say they dominate the area, as well as the oak barrels that add a touch of character and infusion. We’ve used the copper stills for decades because of their durability, resistance to corrosion and heat conductivity.

Crafting a quality and exceptional tasting bourbon took time and patience when the business started with our grandparents. My great grandad had the concept and put the wheels in motion for my grandad, and so it was passed down the lines eventually to us.

We still honor the distilling traditions they used back then. BBB results from the careful blending of our mash bill to create our original four-grain straight bourbon whisky.

Brooklyn oversees the rickhouse and all the cellar operations with his assistant manager, Jarrod.

We grow the majority of the grains on the property, but we have had to source corn in the past due to the amount we need versus the amount we can grow. Often other grains are bought in from a variety of farms for that same reason.

To see how the company started out so small in one tiny, rustic outbuilding, to the two-story distillery with a huge production basement, retail store, offices and a tasting room, is a testament to everyone before us who has had a hand in BBB.

I love it here. There’s nothing else I’d ever want to be doing. I live and breathe the brand because I believe in it. I believe in the quality of the product and the memories that can be made over a glass of the good stuff and some good quality conversation.

That’s what it’s all about. Making memories.

When I get down the steps, I hear voices in the vault; that’s where we keep most of the aged barrels with our safe buried in the back, which contains our secret recipe that’s been passed down.

Jarrod and Brooklyn look up when I walk in. They’re pouring over some paperwork and talking about bottling tomorrow.

“Hey.” Brook does a double take, surprised to see me. I don’t get down here that much.

“Hey yourself.” I give Jarrod a chin lift.

“Time for a break,” Brook says.

“Don’t stop on my account,” I reply casually, like I have all the time in the world.

“Just getting shit done for bottling tomorrow. And we need to talk about the exports going forward. Gray’s been securing future business in Australia, so it adds a lot more to our plates than we already have.”

“Tell me what you need,” I say. “If you need another worker, we can increase the hours. It should be viable.”

“That would be a good start.”

Jarrod excuses himself to take a break while I walk over and lean on one of the barrels.

“Do you think you’re going to be able to keep up with production?” I ask.

“I think so, but that’s what we’re working out with Gray. The demand for how soon we can bottle and how our stock is looking with the new demand on exports.”

“Perfect. I’m going to sit down with Gray after this if you want to join in?”

“Sounds good.”

“How’s everything else?” I ask him.

“Just peachy, bro. You?”

“New nanny started today.”

He lets out a whistle. “You’re talking about that pretty little redhead from the Bake’ n’ Shake?”

“That’s the one. How did you know?”

“Georgia-Blue pointed her out, but you’d already split. How is she?”

“She’s fine. She had the credentials I was looking for.”

He gives me an amused look.

“What?”

“Credentials?”

“Yes, she’s a qualified nurse and has a degree in early childhood education. A pretty good start, if you ask me.”

“I’m liking everything you just said.”

“Don’t even think of hitting on my nanny,” I warn him. “Do you know how long it took me to even find her?”

“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me. Besides, I’ve got enough on my plate to worry about chasing down some hot new fox in town.”

Something about that sentiment irks me. Not the fact he finds Skye attractive, but that he already knows who she is. And that’s because GB’s been shooting off her mouth again.

“What do you have on your plate?”

“Eden,” he says simply, like that should tell me everything.

“Not this again. What’s going on now?”

“Blake”s been talking about this vacation to Mexico or some shit, but I really think Eden’s planning a getaway with lover boy, Kirk.”

“And that bothers you because?”

“She barely knows the jerk!” He screws up his face. “And now I have to try to dig out the divorce papers because she can’t find her copy, so she can apply for her passport. She was also thinking of going back to her maiden name, apparently.”

“I guess she might not want to stay a Bassett forever.”

He doesn’t look happy about me saying that.“Huh.”

“Weren’t you harping on about this on Saturday? If you have issues with Eden, you need to take it up with her,” I go on.

“It irks at me, okay? I don’t know why — I’ve been fine with it for years. But now things have taken a turn.”

“That’s because she wasn’t really dating anyone seriously.”

He considers this for a moment. “Surely this Kirk dude isn’t serious? I don’t like it.”

“He’s met your daughter, so maybe it is.”

He gives me a warning look to back off.

“Well, I’d keep your nose out of Eden’s business. For one, we need to keep her happy and get her onboard with the events for next year, and two, you don’t wanna start causing waves where there aren’t any.”

Brooklyn opens his mouth to say something, but then thinks better of it and closes it again. “You know when you just get that feeling.”

“Talk to her about it. You two talk about everything else.” I push up off the barrel. “I’ve gotta go meet Gray if you’re coming. Then I’m going to go home for lunch after I’ve done some emails.”

He gives me a strange look. “Go home for lunch?” Then a widespread grin takes over his face. “Oh, the nanny will be home. I get it.”

“She has a name. And no, not because of that. Though I do need to check how this morning went and make sure she doesn’t get too bored.”

“Who could get bored with you around?” he jokes, giving me a wink.

I disregard his sarcasm and start making my way toward the stairs. “That reminds me, what have you and Gray been secretly whispering about down here when you think no one knows?”

“I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”

“Cute, Brook. Real cute.”

He holds up his hands. “Look, you know how I had some ideas way back about some new and interesting flavors that might appeal towards a younger clientele? Well, I’ve been talking to Gray about that.”

“You know you can talk to me too,” I say, a little affronted.

He laughs. “Umm, you sure about that? You hate change.”

“I’m open to new ideas. You know what it comes down to in the end. And that goes on statistics, plus what facts you can give us, and then the family votes.”

“Fine, I’ll whip up a PowerPoint presentation for the fam.” He rolls his eyes.

“Not a bad idea.”

“I was kidding, Gabe. Geez.”

I shake my head as we both retreat out of the vault and back to the main stairs. “Well, come up with some kind of plan and we’ll take a look.”

“Already working on it.”

I’m not such a stick in the mud like he thinks I am, though I favor some of the old ways of doing things. Sometimes bringing in something new can be damaging for the brand — it can also be good if marketed the right way. But I’m eager to hear more. Whenever my brother is passionate about something, I tend to listen.

My thoughts flicker back to Skye. I wonder how they’re doing.

I might feel drawn to her, and that isn’t a bad thing. But something about the jitters I had in my gut this morning tells me I shouldn’t be having inappropriate thoughts about her. Nor should I be getting jealous that Brooklyn noticed she was cute. I’m not going to start crushing on my nanny. I want her to stick around, not run away.

That’s the plan, anyway.