Chapter 4

Skye

I’m nervous as I text Gabriel Bassett back. I’m kinda shocked to get the text from him in the first place.

I mean, he was kind of a jerk in the cafe, but somehow I think my coffee making skills are coming to an end. And if I can get a job as a nanny, it would be way better than screwing up Aunt May’s reputation.

It also occurs to me that Gabriel has no idea who I am. We were never formally introduced. So I don’t know if I gave a good enough impression at the cafe, or if he’ll overlook the fact that I can’t make coffee for shit. Though, he said the second cup was, and I quote, ‘perfect.’

I can’t deny the man is easy on the eyes. And those lips… holy shit, yes.

The fact I can’t stop having visions about peeling that man’s clothes off and tugging on his tie while he kisses me with those perfect lips kept me up most of the night. Not that I appreciate him sending his coffee back. Rude.

I’m grateful that Aunt May didn’t see the exchange. I just don’t think coffee and me are a good combination.

Mr. CEO

Great. I’m free the day after tomorrow at my office? How is 10 am?

I panic.

Do I really want to do this?

I mean, do I really want to spend the rest of summer making coffee and annoying people in the good town of Stoney Creek? I don’t think so.

Me

Sounds good.

I breathe in and out as I ask the very obvious question that I already know the answer to.

Me

Where is your office?

Mr. CEO

At the Bassett Brothers Distillery. I can send you directions, but it’s pretty easy to find.

Me

Sounds good, I’ll be able to find it. See you then

I click my phone shut so I don’t have to think about it anymore. There is nothing to fear here. It was one lousy mistake, and if Gabriel Bassett can’t see me for who I am and my skills in childcare, then he can go take a running leap.

The next day, I keep busy by helping Gran bake up a storm for the annual Bake’ n’ Shake fundraiser on the weekend. Gran is starting off with her famous moon pies, lemon meringue cupcakes, and rocky road. The woman is a machine.

I’m in charge of the marshmallow. Lord help us.

I didn’t get to see her much after I finished work yesterday. I went home to the caseta in the back of their cottage, where I’ve been staying

I caught up on some Netflix and some much needed sleep. I haven’t had a break since finishing my placement in North Carolina.

I’ve been looking forward to this for months; taking some time off and spending it with my grandparents. Mom and Dad said they will come down one weekend so we can all spend some time together. Travis hasn’t started his new job yet, but something tells me he’s going to be busy learning the ropes from Hank before he retires. People in this town tend to be set in their ways.

“I almost forgot. How were things at the cafe yesterday?” Gran asks me.

Oh dear. I supposed that question was always coming.

“It went okay,” I squeak. “May and Mike are really nice, obviously. I just don’t know if my coffee making skills leave much to be desired for.”

“Oh, honey.” Gran looks at me kindly, giving me a sympathetic smile. “You’re trying something new, that’s what it’s all about after all. Don’t beat yourself up.”

Gran is like the epitome of positivity, and won’t hear a bad word about anyone or anything. I love her to bits.

“I’m just not sure I’m cut out for it, Gran. I didn’t exactly gel with the coffee machine yesterday. But I’m pleased to say the breakup is mutual and I don’t even think we can be friends.” Urgh. Thinking back to the whole incident with Gabriel Bassett makes me want to go hide somewhere for all eternity.

Kill me now.

Now I’ve agreed to meet with the man for a job. I must be insane. Still, money is money and I can’t afford to take the summer off.

Gran laughs.

“I’m sure you’ll pick it up, Skye. Just don’t give up. You do well at everything you set out to do. Some skills take a little longer, honey.”

I laugh while I tackle the marshmallow filling for the moon pies. “You sure you’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

“Would I do a thing like that?”

“A thing like what?” Grandpa says as he walks in with Travis. They’ve been tinkering around out in Grandpa’s shed doing god knows what.

“Talking up my granddaughter,” Gran explains, giving me a wink.

“How did your first day go?” Grandpa asks.

“Urgh, I’d rather not talk about it.”

Travis chuckles beside him. “That good, huh?”

I give him a withering look as he tries to swipe some marshmallow from the mixing bowl with his finger. I smack his hand, but I’m a little too slow.

My brother is definitely sheriff material, when he’s not being annoying. He’s got the right build; tall, wide-set shoulders, and a kind face. So they say. I just know him as my big brother who’s like a gentle giant.

We are polar opposites, though. While he has dark hair, my hair is red. He’s tall, and I’m of average height. He’s no nonsense, and I like to make people laugh. We have the same green eyes, ones that sometimes seem too green to be real. People always ask if I wear contacts, which I don’t.

“Let’s just say coffee machines are the devil,” I announce.

Everyone chuckles.

I concentrate on sandwiching the marshmallow between the home-made cookies, placing them on the decorative tray for tomorrow.

“I heard Gabe’s looking for a new nanny,” Travis announces.

I don’t want to tell my brother about my embarrassing encounter yesterday, so I decide to play it cool.

“I heard. I’ve got a meeting on Monday at ten, though. I want to keep my options open.”

Trav laughs. “In Stoney Creek? Good luck with that.”

I give him a death glare. “Pipe it. Just because you’re the new sheriff in town doesn’t mean you get to be a smart ass.”

“Language,” Grandma chastises. “Your poor Grandpa’s ears.”

“Grandpa doesn’t have his hearing aid turned up. He’ll be fine.” I smile at him.

“Well, we’re more than happy to be the guinea pigs for the Bake’ n’ Shake, aren’t we, Grandpa?” Travis slings an arm around him, grinning from ear to ear because marshmallow cream is his favorite.

“More than happy,” Gramps chimes.

Luckily, Grandma swats them away and shoos them out of the kitchen. If they’re allowed to stay, there will literally be nothing left for the bake sale.

Of course, Gabriel freaking Bassett is all I can think about. I’m nervous about meeting with him. Even if this is a summer gig, I still want to do a good job. And the Bassetts have a really good name.

“Can’t we have a sample?” Travis calls from the next room. “You don’t want people saying that the mix isn’t right. The Hendry’s have a reputation to uphold.”

I giggle as Grandma shakes her head. “I know who he takes after. Your father was exactly the same as a child.”

“Right, but Trav’s a grown man.”

“I don’t think he got the memo,” she whispers.

“Definitely not.”

Grandma and Grandpa have a beautiful cottage close to town. They’ve lived here forever. Every childhood memory has this house included in it. They renovated a few years ago, so things have changed decor wise, but the layout is exactly the same.

I used to bake with Gran as a kid when I was old enough. Every Saturday morning, it was our ritual.

Then Mom, Dad and Travis would come over and we’d have a family feast.

Gran isn’t just great at baking sweets and desserts, she’s great at savory, too. In fact, anything she makes is amazing.

“Do you think the Bassett’s are going to bring bourbon to the bake sale?” I chuckle to Gran as she sets about making us all some afternoon tea. We can’t deprive the boys all afternoon. Laying some of the moon pies on a plate for Grandpa and Travis, it’ll shut them up for five minutes. We need them compliable for tomorrow, as we need them to set up the gazebo and trestle table.

Gran’s shoulders shake with laughter. “I sure hope not!”

I laugh, too. “I can just see it now. A shot of bourbon to wash your moon pie down.”

“Skye Evelyn Hendry!”

“It could work, Gran. All in the name of charity.”

“I don’t know if the local charity is that desperate for funding.”

“I think you’re right.”

We both laugh out loud.

I certainly hope that Gabriel Bassett is going to be there. I’d give anything for one more ogle of him before we get down to business.

I don’t know if I like the idea of him being my boss. He’s very serious. In fact, he hides his smile quite well. I wonder why that is. He has a fantastic face. If he smiled more, he’d be an absolute knockout. Not that he needs me to tell him that. I’m sure he could have any woman he wanted. Even if there aren’t a whole lot of women in this town, I’m quite certain they’d be lining up.

No. It isn’t good to be thinking of him in any other way, except my potential future boss.

A business transaction. That’s all this is.

I just have to get past the interview first.

* * *

The next day I’m up early, taking myself out for a power walk before getting ready for the day. I take the footpath at the front of my grandparents’ cottage and venture for half an hour around the neighborhood. It’s always a good start to the day and makes me feel good and more energized. After that, I make my kombucha tea and sit on the porch and gather my thoughts. I’m not really woo-woo, but I do like to have a few minutes of reflection most mornings to start the day off right.

I tell myself that everything is going to work out.

That I already have all the things I want.

I’m open to new ventures and opportunities.

All that good stuff that I read about in one of my law of attraction books. I have to say, that woo-woo shit works. I definitely fly by the seat of my pants and always have. I also try not to worry too much and just go with the flow.

Sometimes things don’t work out how you planned, but I like to believe that’s because something better is just around the corner. It hasn’t hurt me this far in my thirty years on earth, so I’m gonna roll with my usual happy-go-lucky attitude today.

I’ll get to meet most of the townsfolk and hopefully get to spy on Gabriel. I wonder if his kid will be there. Trinity. Such a pretty name. And five is such a good age. I smile to myself. I wonder if she’s exactly like him, and I wonder if the mom is in the picture. It doesn’t sound like it from what I’ve heard, but I make a mental note to ask Trav as much as I can, not that he’s been back in town long enough to know about gossip. He also doesn’t tend to listen to the hype, like all good cops. Which is what makes him so good at his job; he always listens with one ear elsewhere. He takes everything in and acts on gut instinct. I’m happy for him. He’s been through a lot with breaking up with his long-term girlfriend a few months ago, so I think this job opportunity came up at the right time. It’ll be a fresh start in a town I know he’s always loved.

Me? I had one long-term relationship a few years back, but then I threw myself into my career and finishing my studies, so I put love on the back burner. There’s been a few guys here and there, but nothing serious. Since I changed my profession, I’ve had a lot of making up to do, but I love working with kids and I know now that it’s my passion.

I sit back, take a sip of my kombucha, and feel good about where things are headed.

Deep breaths.

Everything is going to work out fine.

That’s my mantra today, and boy, am I gonna stick with it.