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“She’s good for Gabe. I don’t think he’s as highly strung anymore. And he has something else to focus on other than work and Trinity,” Brook says.
“That’s so good, especially after what Gabe has been through. He deserves to find someone special.”
“Totally. I never thought I’d see the day he let anyone in again.”
“Well, I’m glad he has. He and Trin have been through a lot. By the way, Blake wants to invite Trin to come to the party too. I know the kids will be older, but I thought it might be a nice thing.”
“Ah, yes. The party.” He smiles. “I guess we better get down to the finer details.”
“I guess that’s why we’re here,” I chuckle as I chew on the end of my pen and we glance at each other.
He gives me a wink. “Let the planning begin.”
3
Eden
“Well, Georgia-Blue is going to come with my mom and dad,” he continues.
“Perfect, my folks will come too.”
“So what do you think of my place for the party, or would you prefer yours?” he asks.
“I think she wants to show her friends all the animals. Would you mind if we set it up at your place? Your mom offered us the barn to use since the renovations on the inside are all but done, then the kids have room to play and run around.”
“That might be a good idea. We could have the party in the barn, and then have a little petting hour at my place with the animals if they want to, plus the kids can check out the horses and stuff. Mandy is always up for some fun, too.” Brook’s eyes light up at the mention of his beloved animals.
I can’t help but smile at the mention of his pet pig. It shocked me when he became a vegetarian. But once Brook has his mind set on something, there’s no stopping him. I respect that. It’s put me off eating bacon, too. “Hopefully Sawyer won’t be too overwhelmed having a lot of kids over there,” I say. Blake has carefully explained to me the difficulties she’s had adjusting and accepting human help. It’s so sad when people mistreat animals.
“We can limit it to a few at a time. She’s really good with Blake, so I think it’ll be fine. She’s really settling in now,” he says. “I’ll keep watch and if she looks distressed, I’ll move the kids on.”
“I’ll try and find the gold balloons, and some sparkly themed stuff for the table settings. I might have to do a rush order on Amazon.”
“Sounds more like your domain than mine.” He smiles over his coffee cup and I feel that little flip in my belly again.
What the hell is that about?
For years we’ve done this; sat down together like normal human beings to plan Blake’s special day. It’s a ritual and something we both enjoy.
This year is no different to the ones before… But why is he looking at me so intensely? And why do I suddenly feel self-conscious around him?
His blue eyes seem really dark in color today. It sounds silly to say it, but the blueness varies depending on the day. Sometimes they’re bright like the sky on the clearest day, other times they’re as deep as the ocean. Today they’re even darker than I’ve seen them before. More like a storm. Yet, he isn’t angry about anything.
Maybe it’s the light in the cafe and it’s playing tricks on me. Maybe I’m also just imagining the intensity of his gaze?
“What would you like me to do to help, Edes?” he asks.
I think for a moment, tapping my pen against my diary where I’ve been making Blake’s birthday list. “I need a hand making a million sandwiches on the day with some other party food. Maybe you could help get some of the stuff the day before so it’s fresh? I’m ordering all the bread from the bakery as well as some sweet treats from Verne. She’s going to handmake Blake’s birthday cupcakes.”
“Sounds perfect. I can go collect them that morning. What can I do to help out leading up to her birthday?”
“Maybe you and one of the guys could set up the barn for the party and put all the chairs and tables out? I also need some party bags for the kids.”
“Consider it done.”
Brook is no stranger to anything I’m asking of him — he’s been hands on since the day Blake was born and the best father in the world to our daughter. It’s something I’m grateful for every single day.
I smile. “Other than the party invites, which me and Blakey are going to finish tonight, I think we have all bases covered now.”
