Chapter 7

Gabriel

When Trin and I get back home, I duck into the distillery to catch up on a few emails I didn’t get to finish. That means Trin gets some time to watch cartoons on the iPad while I work. She’s a good kid and knows having electronics is a treat. I’m blessed in the fact she doesn’t rely on it or get pouty when I take the damn thing away.

I guess she’s more of an outdoor girl. She’s used to being on the farm, around the animals and at the distillery, where my mom or dad usually have her if I work weekends. I’ve taken her horse riding on Brooklyn’s baby, Bandit, through the grove down to the creek where we used to play as kids. One day she’ll have a slice of this land too if she wants it, as will Blake.

“Okay, you sit and watch Paw Patrol while Daddy catches up on work, okay?”

I sit her down in her beanbag on my office floor while I work.

It’s not long before we get an interruption. I know Callan is around because his friendly Amstaff, Sunny, comes trotting in and heads straight for Trinity. She discards the iPad to give Sunny some pats.

Sunny is very friendly and a big softie, especially when it comes to kids. But I’ve still taught Trin not to do anything annoying to Sunny or any dog she meets, like pulling on their tail or their ears, and definitely not climbing all over them. She sits on her little beanbag while Sunny laps it up, rolling on her back to get a belly rub.

Callan sticks his head around the door a few moments later. “Hey, Cuz.”

“Hey, Callan. What you up to?”

“Just doing some odd jobs to the barn while no one is around. Sometimes it’s the only time I get stuff done.”

“Tell me about it. How is everything coming along?”

“She’s a beauty.”

“I’ll come out and have a look next week. Georgia is going to get a professional photographer out as soon as it’s finished, then we can put it up on the website.”

“It’s sure gonna make for a beautiful venue,” Callan says. “At first I thought they were a little off with the fairies, but seeing it all come together, I think it’s really gonna work.”

“Maybe one day you and Celeste?” I raise my eyebrows.

“Funny thing about that,” he laughs a little nervously.

I look up at him. “What is?”

He bites his lip for a moment, watching Trinity give Sunny a pat fest. “I proposed.”

I let out a breath. “Holy shit, Cal.”

They’ve only been back together a few months.

“When you know, you just know,” he says. “Though, I almost chickened out. I know how she feels after her last wedding disaster. But we’re solid. She knows how much I love her.”

They got back together when Celeste moved back to town after being left at the altar by her idiot ex. Turns out he was only after a green card which came through before the wedding took place.

Georgia is always harping on about fate, and if things are meant to be, then they will be. Judging by my cousin, and now Gray – whose one night stand turned out to be his new lawyer and now the love of his life. Maybe Georgia’s woo-woo theory could be right. Not that I’d ever admit to that.

It kind of reminds me of Brooklyn and Eden, now I think about it, and his words from earlier ring in my head. I’m sure as anything he’s not over that woman, even years after their divorce. The fact they still get along is a godsend for Blake. She’s lucky to have two parents who dote on her like they do.

“Congratulations, man.” As much as I am surprised, I’m truly happy for them. “I’m thrilled for you both,” I say. “You deserve it. You’ve been on your own a long time.”

He smiles gratefully. “Thanks, Gabe.”

“I assume she said yes.”

He chuckles. “Sure did. I had my grandmother’s ring from my mom’s side.”

“Sealed the deal, nice.”

“So, is the barn an option if we decide to tie the knot?”

“You know it, you don’t need to ask. Your wedding could christen the place, might be a good omen.”

“What omen?” We hear a voice behind us. It’s Beau. The youngest of us Bassett brothers. “And what wedding?”

He looks from me to Callan as he steps in my doorway.

I swear to God I never get any work done when I try to slip in here unannounced. It’s always this way.

“Callan proposed to Celeste.”

Beau is the gamer geek of the family. He’s tall like the rest of us, but not as dark, and a little on the lankier side of things.

“No shit.” He grins at Callan. “You’re getting hitched, cuz?”

“Looks like it,” Callan says.

“Congrats. You know, you could get married in the barn,” Beau suggests.

“Old news,” I say. “Though you might wanna check with Celeste first.”

Callan chuckles. “I think she’d love the idea.”

“Did you propose on your weekend away?” Beau asks.

Callan, Celeste and Sunny all went camping in the Great Smoky Mountains last weekend.

Callan smiles. “Nope, but I spent the whole time as nervous as shit about asking her. I proposed while we were relaxing in the spa, as it happens.”

“You dawg,” Beau chuckles.

“It was nice getting away though for a few days. I highly recommend it.”

“I’d need someone to go away with,” Beau says. “That’s a problem.”

“What about Autumn?” I suggest. “You’ve been friends with her for years. Hasn’t it turned into something more yet?”

Beau shakes his head a little sadly. “She has a boyfriend.”

“Hey, isn’t she a photographer?” Callan quizzes.

Beau and Autumn have been friends for years. She’s a few years older than he is and comes from quite an affluent family down in Memphis. They hit it off at a work venue years ago and have been friends ever since. I never really thought it was possible for men and women to be friends, but maybe I’m just getting old.

“Yeah, she is,” Beau confirms. “Why’s that? Wedding pics?”

Callan chuckles. “Maybe, though we’ve not made any plans yet.”

“Georgia was talking about getting some professional photos done for the barn when it’s ready,” I say. “Maybe we could get Autumn in?”

“Autumn will be your girl,” Beau says. “She’s quite brilliant at what she does.”

“I’ll let Georgia know.”

He looks back at Callan. “So you’re really gonna do this after a few months together, Cal?”

Callan laughs, running a hand across his face. “Cousins, listen. If I didn’t make this girl officially mine with a ring, I was gonna combust. I let her go last time. It’s not gonna happen again.”

I glance over my shoulder as I watch Trinity. “I like your spirit.” She’s patting Sunny gently, just like I taught her. She keeps giggling because Sunny’s trying to lick her on the nose. “Though, I think Gray and Hart are going to be next.”

“You’re all dropping like flies!” Beau grins widely.

He hasn’t had a steady girlfriend since God knows when. At least it gets Mom off all our backs. Now she can focus on Grayson and Hartley being all loved up. It takes the pressure off somewhat. It’s not like I didn’t want my happy ending. I wanted it so badly, it just didn’t work out for me. It tells me even more how ready I am to find someone.

I want my happily ever after; I just don’t know how to go about it. I don’t even know if that exists for me now. What would it even take for me to be able to trust a woman again? I mean, I’m over Tiffany well and truly, but what she did still haunts me.

It scares me to ever give my heart to anyone again.

I don’t know what that would do to me if I were betrayed like that again.

My fears have kept me single for a long time. Too long, some would say.

“Your time will come,” I tell Beau. “Mark my words.”

“What about you?” he throws back at me. “A CEO has to have some downtime.”

I chuckle. “Touché. I just haven’t had the time, though. I’m thinking of getting back on the dating scene. Apparently, it’s all done online now.” The idea makes me want to vomit. I’m not big on social media, not like Georgia and Beau, who live on their damn cell phones.

“Not a bad idea.” Callan folds his arms over his chest. “Sometimes it comes in the most unlikely places. Look at me and Celeste.”

“Well, you two were always meant to be.” I’m just stating the truth.

When I hear heavy footsteps coming up the hall, I internally roll my eyes. So much for getting emails done. I haven’t even touched one yet.

“Who was meant to be?” another voice appears in the doorway.

Grayson.

“Just talking about Callan’s love life,” Beau informs him as he walks in. “Since neither me nor Gabe have one of our own.”

“I keep telling you both that love can appear in the most unlikely of places,” Gray says.

I run a hand across my face. “Not you too.”

“All loved up and nowhere to go,” Beau laughs, giving Gray a shove.

“Trust me, I’ve plenty of places to go,” Gray jokes, shoving him back.

“Callan just popped the big one,” Beau announces. “Just in case you hadn’t heard.”

“I have heard.” Gray grins towards our cousin and gives him a rough pat on the back. “And I said it was about time.”

Callan laughs. “I was just telling the guys I had to take her off the market for good.”

“Makes sense,” Gray agrees. “I’m sure the girls are already at it now, planning out the wedding.”

“If Georgia has anything to do with it,” I mutter. “The whole of Stoney Creek will know about it before it’s been officially announced.”

“I think us guys need to celebrate,” Beau says. “Let’s get Brook and Huds over one night. It’s only right.”

Hudson is Gray’s best friend, but has been a friend of the family for years.

“Sounds good to me.” Callan shrugs.

“Maybe we can christen a fresh bottle of bourbon,” I suggest. “Brook and Jarrod have been bottling this week.”

“I’m sure Dad and Uncle Jack will be in on that too,” Beau agrees.

“I assume you sealed the deal with a diamond?” Gray asks.

“Sure did. It was my grandmother’s ring. Mom gave it to me a while ago for when the time was right.”

“Nice.” Gray clearly approves. Ever the romantic, despite his recent divorce. At least he came out the other end and still believes in love. I’m glad we’re in a better place now. I didn’t enjoy fighting with my brother, but I couldn’t see past my own nose.

Callan pushes off the door, saying he has to get back to work. Since he’s completed most of the internal work in the barn, he’s now working on the outside while the weather is still good.

He whistles for Sunny, who’s laying on her back sleeping with Trinity on the beanbag.

She slowly rolls over and flicks her sleepy eyes up to him. It’s then Trin notices Gray and Beau. She leaps off the beanbag and runs over to hug them. Gray lifts her up, and she giggles when he tickles her. She gives Beau the same death grip hug when Gray sets her down.

“Uncle Callan too,” I remind her.

“And Sunny!” she squeals after she hugs her uncle. Sunny jumps up at Callan’s side as he pats her head.

“Know anyone having puppies?” I ask, bemused.

That only launches Trinity into bouncing up and down again about getting a new dog.

I’m my own crown of thorns.

“Nope.” Callan shakes his head. “I can ask around.”

“I’ll keep my eye out,” Beau says.

“My new dog can play with Sunny,” Trin says, looking up at her uncle. “They can be best fwends.” She’s so cute the way she pronounces some words.

“They can, darlin’,” Callan tells her. “I bet Sunny would like that a lot.”

She giggles, running back to her bean bag as they leave.

“I’ll see you all later,” he says as we say our goodbyes, Sunny trotting out after him.

“How was the Bake’ n’ Shake?” Gray asks. “I hear there were enough Bassetts down there to sink a battleship?”

“Plus Aunt Patti, Celeste, Hartley, Trudy and Eden,” I go on. “But they did a great job. We donated some merch, and the cupcake stall went well.”

“Eden was there?” Gray asks. “I haven’t seen her in ages.”

“Yeah, she was there with Noodle, helping with the stall. Brook was there, too.”

“Any sign she’s going to come onboard and work for us?” he asks.

“Still early days.” I shrug. “Though we could get Brook on the case.”

I’m half tempted to ask my brothers what they make of the whole Brooklyn/Eden thing, but I keep it to myself for now. He admitted what he told me today in confidence. I’m sure he doesn’t want it spread around to our siblings before he’s even worked shit out himself.

“What about you, Beau? How’s things down your neck of the woods?”

“So-so,” Beau says. He’s happy-go-lucky like Brooklyn, maybe a little more on the aloof side. Nothing much gets him down. “Can’t complain.”

“No one listens anyway,” I add as Trin settles back down to watching Paw Patrol and I look at my computer screen. “Anyway, I gotta get back to these emails, then get Trin home for her bath and start dinner.”

“I’m just passing through. I’ll see you later,” Gray says.

“Ciao.” Beau casts a wave and they walk off together down the hall.

I’m actually looking forward to relaxing tonight. It’s not often I do. Our place is set back on the Northern side of the property, about a mile from Coyote Run. Me and Trinity call our abode the homestead, or ‘the homey’ as she nicknamed it.

I built the place just before Tiffany and I got married. It’s all modern, with sleek lines and a lot of glass, but blends into the backdrop perfectly.

It’s my place in the world that makes me feel good. Even if I have reminders of Tiffany. I did some remodeling after she left, adding more cabinets to the kitchen and re-tiling the bathrooms to more my taste. I took up the carpets in the bedrooms and replaced them with hardwood floors and large rugs instead.

I also repainted the whole house and replaced the laminate bench tops for granite.

Adding a stone fireplace — which is now a feature in our main living room — was the final touch.

Changing things in the house really helped me to move on, so I didn’t see Tiffany everywhere I looked. It wasn’t like I could get rid of the house; it’s here to stay. I had to make it work in the best way I knew how, which was transformation.

The best feature are the large glass windows that stretch around the perimeter. We have views of the property that span for miles. I often like to sit on the porch and watch the sunset in the summer months. There’s nothing like a Tennessee skyline to make you feel right at home.

I watch my daughter after I finish my emails and can’t help the feeling in my heart I get when she doesn’t know I’m watching. She’s absolutely everything.

“Time to go, baby,” I say eventually.

She sticks her little head up, Bunnykins still stuck under her arm for safekeeping, and packs her iPad away.

“Don’t forget your beanbag.”

We always leave it in the car because I never know where I’m going to be when I might need it.

She grabs it and drags it to my desk.

“You were such a good little angel today. Daddy is so proud of you,” I say as she climbs up on my knee and I give her a kiss on top of her head. “Daddy’s best girl.”

“I wuv you, Daddy.”

My heart bursts with the love I have for this little girl. I can’t even contain it sometimes. “I love you too, baby. Daddy’s girl.”

“Daddy’s girl,” she repeats as I pick her up with all her stuff, and we lock up for the day and go home.