“It isn’t polite to stare, Uncle Ree.”
Fuck, I’m so busted, and by a seven-year-old no less. I shake all traces of those highly inappropriate thoughts from my head and focus on Gabby. “Sorry, kiddo.”
She leans in and whispers, “I don’t think Miss Griffin cares. She’s laughing.”
Can this exchange get any worse? I bite the bullet and offer Audria a wave. She sashays over to us with the grace of a prom queen. As if she didn’t already walk with enough flair to snag the attention of every man in Bam.
“Hey there,” she greets.
Gabby beams up at her like she’s responsible for creating the entire galaxy. “Hi, Miss Griffin. This is Uncle Ree. His real name is Reeve, though.”
“I see that.” She wrinkles her nose. “And I probably should’ve slid those pieces together sooner.”
“Gabby is a fairly common name,” I offer.
“Is not.” My niece juts out her bottom lip at my comment.
I ruffle her ringlets until she smiles again. “You’re the only Gabby who truly matters to me, peanut.”
“Good,” she mumbles. “I don’t like to share.”
Audria makes an agreeable sound. “Which is something we’re working on, yes?”
“I don’t wanna.”
“Only-child syndrome,” I mutter from the corner of my mouth.
Gabby’s gaze bounces between us before settling on me. A tricky grin I recognize from her mother appears on her quirky lips. “You’re already friends with Miss Griffin.”
I share a quick look with Audria. She shrugs, tacking on a wink. It’s reassuring that we can still talk in public without a problem.
“Yeah, peanut. We know each other.”
Her gap-toothed smile stretches wider. “Guess what, Uncle Ree?”
“Chicken butt?”
She sticks out her tongue. “You always answer with that!”
“Because it’s a funny joke.”
“No one thinks so except you,” she snarks.
I shoot her a stern stare. “Okay, fine. I’ll be serious. Tell me what you were going to say, kiddo.”
Gabby bounces on her toes. “Miss Griffin agreed to be your date for the harvest festival.”
Audria gags on nothing but air. “Oh, um… no, Gabby. That’s not quite right.”
My niece spins toward her teacher. “What do you mean? I asked if you had a husband. You said no. Then I asked if you were going to the festival. You had no idea what it was, so I told you all about it. Then you said it sounded like a blast, but you had no one to go with. My uncle isn’t married either. You can go together.”
“I’m not sure that’s a great idea,” Audria hedges.
My niece gapes at her. “Why not?”
I cross my arms, more than ready to discover her excuse. Audria sends me a pleading glance that borders on pitiful. All I can return is a smirk. This will be entertaining.
When she realizes I won’t bail her out, Audria glares at me. “Your uncle has another date, Gabby. He can’t go with me.”
Now it’s my turn to choke. Of all the things I could guess she would whip up, that wasn’t one of them. I swipe a sweaty palm down the front of my jeans. Before I can respond, Gabby whirls to pin me with a glare.
“Who are you going with, Uncle Ree? You told me we could go as a family.”
I hang my head as shame strikes a burning trail up my neck. “You’re my date, Gabby. I’d never choose another girl over you.”
“Well, I want you to take Miss Griffin instead.” She jerks her head like it’s a done deal.
“Look at you trying to share.” If only I weren’t the one being tossed around.
Gabby tugs on Audria’s arm. “See? I’m doing better already. Now will you agree to be Ree’s date?”
“I don’t know about that, kiddo.”
“Why not? My mom says he’s a catch—whatever that means—and I’ve heard Miss Trewd call him handsome. Knowing that girls like my uncle is kinda gross, but I want you to say he’s cute. It can be like the crush Abigail has on Charlie. And Uncle Ree has a really nice truck that plays the Frozen soundtrack super loud. I bet he’ll let you listen to whatever music you want. Oh, and if you’re extra nice to him, he might take you out for ice cream.”
Audria smiles strictly for Gabby. “He sounds like a great uncle, but—”
“No buts. Please?” She folds her little hands, begging with the skill of a girl used to getting her way.
When Audria glances at me again for moral support, I swoop in for the rescue. “How about I talk to Miss Griffin about it later? I need to get you home, peanut.”
Gabby blinks at me. “I forgot my backpack in the classroom. Keep Miss Griffin company while I’m gone.”
“So bossy,” I mutter.
“Mama tells me I get that from you.”
“She would say that.”
Gabby stomps her pink boot on the floor. “Just stay put, and get Miss Griffin to love you.”
I almost swallow my tongue. Love? Dear Lord, this girl is watching too many Disney fairy tales. She’s acting so innocent, staring up at me with pale-green eyes that remind me of her mother. Pure trouble and sneaky meddling pump through their veins just the same.
“I’ll wait right here.” That’s the only promise I’m willing to make.
It’s apparently enough to appease the little matchmaker. Gabby skips off without another word.
When she’s out of earshot, Audria lets loose a real laugh. “Wow, she’s a spitfire.”
“You met Jamie,” I remind. “It’s a tree-and-apple situation.”
“I can see that.” She peeks up at me from under her lush lashes. “How’ve you been, farmer?”
“Busy, but good. This is one of the most hectic months to be in the corn business.” I tug at the brim of my hat, earning a sliver of reprieve from her burning gaze.
She offers a slow nod. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”
My eyes seek hers without permission. “How’s teaching?”
The answer glitters in Audria’s bright expression. “Amazing. The students are so well-behaved. The staff has been very welcoming. This school is great, especially for a newbie. I feel right at home.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“Are you?” She quirks a brow.
A rumble rises off my chest.
