much where the teacher says what they're wanting and who can apply for which parts. That kinda thing. So can you pick me up?"
"At five?" I sighed. "No, honey, I can't. The office doesn't even close until then, and I'll probably end up staying late. It's crazy busy today. Plus, it's a half-hour across town. There's no way I could make it there before six."
"Mom!" she wailed. "But this could get me back in drama, and you promised that would be ok when we moved!"
The truck was moving again, up to the second window to pick up our order. When he stopped, Trent put it in park and looked over. "She needs a ride?"
"Yeah," I said.
"Yeah, what?" Gabby asked.
"Hang on, honey." I pressed a hand over the phone. "Drama thing. What do you think the chances are of it slowing down so I can sneak out early?"
Trent grimaced. "I dunno, but I can pick her up if you can't. Might be easier for me to get out than you today. Either way, if it's something you want her to do, one of us will make it happen."
"I dunno, Trent, that's asking a lot."
He jerked his chin at me. "Don't trust me with your daughter? Worried I'm not a safe driver?"
"No, but..."
"Then stop making excuses. Tell her no, or tell her one of us will pick her up. We'll figure it out before then. Kinda how things work in Wolf's Run, Elena. Hate to break it to you, but all for one, or something like that."
"Thank you," I told him before moving my hand. "Gabby? If I can't come get you, one of the neighbors will. Trent, most likely. I'll text you before they leave so you know what car to look for, and you'll text me as soon as you're in it, ok?"
"Really?" she gasped. "Thank you, Mom! Oh my god, thank you so much! I'm going to tell Samantha, and they're doing "Alice in Wonderland", so this is going to be extra cool. I love you, bye."
And she hung up on me. For a moment, I had to look at my phone to realize what had happened, then I just sighed and put it back in my purse. "Well, I think that made her day."
"Good." He paused when the window opened for food so he could pass things across. When we had it all settled and were once again moving forward, he picked up like there hadn't even been a pause. "Just so you know, it's ok to ask for help. I don't care if that's a ride for her, your washing machine, or anything else." His goldish eyes met mine for a split second before returning to the road. "You're a part of the team now. It's kinda like getting a big family dropped on your head, whether you like it or not."
"Yeah," I agreed. "I'm kinda starting to figure that out. It's just that none of you asked for my family when I got hired."
"We also aren't opposed. Gabby's a good kid, and it kinda seems like her dad isn't around that much. I mean, Seth will definitely drop a few inappropriate F-bombs in front of her, but that's really the worst you have to worry about. Honestly."
"Thanks," I sighed. "I just wish I knew how to get her father to give a damn."
"Don't." He smiled at the road. "The way I see it, it's his loss, and he's just making it that much easier for me to prove I've got a little father-figure potential. I mean, that girl's mom is smokin'."
"Trent!" I gasped.
He just laughed. "Bad time to mention that I was the biggest drama nerd in high school? But seriously, I kinda get where Gabby's coming from on this. When she needs help, just call me, ok?"
"Yeah, I think I'm going to take you up on that. Thanks, Trent. I mean it. The compliment included."
The only problem was that the man looked a little too proud of himself. Clearly, his intentions weren't completely innocent. Then again, were mine?
CHAPTER 21
Unfortunately, it didn't slow down after lunch. If anything, I was even further behind than I'd been before I left, since I now had voicemails and emails to respond to. Still, somehow, we managed to survive. At a quarter after four, Trent peeked his head into the office to tell us he was taking off. Ashley asked why, and he just pointed at me.
"Picking up Gabby from a drama thing," he explained. "Pax said he'll pitch in