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She’s wearing a pink tutu with a Minnie-mouse t-shirt and a sparkly plastic crown and a pair of pink sparkly sandals.
“Yep. I love my tutu, Uncle Gray-Gray,” she says, giving it a tug.
“Wait until Gran and Grandpa see you!” I place her on the ground as Gabe opens the front door, and she skitters up the hallway, yelling out for them. “Fuck, she’s cute,” I say to him. “Must take after her uncle Gray.”
“Must be the hours I dedicate to bringing her up,” he says pointedly. “And thanks, fucker, for throwing that file back on my desk.”
I laugh, throwing my head back. “What’s the post-it ‘see me’ shit, Gabe? I’m not your little office bitch you get to boss around.”
“Don’t start, okay. I wanted to go over some things with you and how we’re marketing the exports before you took the lead on that, too.”
I shake my head. “I’m expanding our empire, brother, not running the place. It’s a family venture, after all. We all have input.”
“So glad you’re back,” he mutters sarcastically, as we walk into the expansive living and dining area which adjoins the huge open-plan kitchen. Their place is set way back on the other side of the farm, and has views of the many rows of barley and wheat growing in the fields behind them on acres of land. The sunsets here on their back porch are stunning.
“Glad to be back.” I jab back at him.
Trin is already in Georgia-Blue’s arms and Beau, Dad and Brooklyn are all playing pool down the far end of the combined family room. Blake was coming but Brooklyn said she’s spending the weekend with Eden after a last minute change.
“I see the whole family’s here,” I say, as I give Mom a one armed hug on the way to the fridge to grab a drink. I give Patti a kiss on the cheek, too. They’re both hard at it in the kitchen with their aprons on and it smells amazing. They both insisted we didn’t need to bring anything, but I kinda feel bad now.
“Well, we have to be, considering Grayson Bassett is the hot topic of conversation everywhere,” Gabe says.
I tilt my head. “You cranky again?”
“Don’t start,” he warns. “Geraldine's retirement means I need a new nanny. Do you know how hard that is in Stoney Creek? To find someone trustworthy with appropriate qualifications to care for your one pride and joy in this life.”
I pat him on the shoulder, giving it a tighter squeeze than I need to. “Good luck with that.”
He huffs. “We had a good thing going with Geraldine. It sucks when the rug gets pulled out from under you.”
I can’t help but wonder if there’s a double meaning to his words, but I don’t bite this time. “I thought she told you a while ago she was planning on retiring?”
He sighs and ignores answering as I pass him a beer from the fridge. He knocks the top off, taking a swig.
Mom and Patti are gushing over little Trinity, who’s running around excitedly telling everyone about the new puppy they don’t have yet.
“Are you really getting a dog, bro?”
“A kid needs a dog, right?” He shrugs. “I mean, it’s a rite of passage these days, isn’t it?”
“I guess so. Maybe when you put the ad out for the new nanny, you could include ‘training new puppy essential’ in the job description.”
“I’m sure I’ll get a ton of takers,” he grumbles, stroking his chin, loosening his tie a little. I don’t know why he comes to these family dinners with his fucking suit on, but Gabe is who he is.
I shake my head. “You can relax, Gabe. You’re not at work now.”
“Maybe I can lighten my load a little, since you’re back in the saddle and can help pick up the slack with some of the responsibilities.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Do you have to turn everything into a contest?”
“I’m stressed, okay. I need a replacement ASAP for Geraldine. I can’t look after Trin and work.”
“Why didn’t you start looking sooner?” Georgia-Blue quips as she leans in on our conversation. She’s chopping carrot and celery sticks for the tasting plate she’s preparing, along with various cheeses and dips.
“Because I didn’t, okay, Georgia. I thought she might change her mind.”
“Okay, keep your hair on.” She gives me a wink and we all turn as Hudson walks up the hall looking ever the cowboy with his denim shirt and jeans with leather cuffs.
