Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“No.” I tap-tap-tap the side of the metal building. “Just checking the place out.”
His look says he’s concerned I’m a crazed lunatic on the loose. Lucky for him, that’s only mostly the case.
I come to regret my hasty decision to branch off when another ten minutes pass and there’s no sign of them. They’re really taking their sweet time talking shop, and the spot I’m posted up in has absolutely no shade. By the time I get out of here, I’ll have a weird tan line from my sundress. I dab at my forehead with the back of my hand and am grumbling under my breath when an older man leaves the building I’m standing near and spots me.
He’s wearing a work shirt similar to what a mechanic would wear, gray with an embroidered name badge that reads Crawford—Sawyer’s grandfather. The one who built the chapel. For how old he is, he looks pretty fit. Tall and sturdy, though the sun has done a number on his skin and his thin white hair isn’t long for this world.
He eyes me with one eye winked in speculation. “What are you doing out here? You one of them wedding people?”
I hold my hand up like a Girl Scout. “Guilty.”
He hums but doesn’t sound impressed. “Why aren’t you in the tasting room with them?” His finger points to the big building they all disappeared into. “I bet that Queenie’s talking everybody’s head off. You with her?”
This makes me smile. “That’s my mom.”
He chuckles and assesses me again, his eyes wrinkling in the corners. “That’s right. You look just like her apart from the eyes.” Then he continues, “Well if you’re lost, it’s just through those double doors there. I can show you if you need.”
“Appreciate it, but I’m not going in.”
I’ve really piqued his interest now. “You piss someone off? Been banished to this heat?”
Oh, hilarious. He thinks I’m in timeout.
I laugh. “No. I’m just avoiding your grandson. He’s in there, isn’t he?”
He gives me an earsplitting grin. “Avoiding Sawyer? Now see, that’s curious. Is that kid giving you trouble?”
“Pfft. More like the other way around…”
“What was that?”
“Oh nothing. Never mind. I’m happy out here. I like what you did with the old barrel room, by the way. Where’d you purchase all that stained glass?”
“I made it.” He stands up a little straighter, affecting a proud stance.
“Did you really? Must have taken you forever.”
He shrugs. “Gotta have something to do to pass the time now that my son and grandson run the place. Why don’t you like him?”
A laugh bursts out of me. “I didn’t say I don’t like him.”
“It’s written all over your face. That or something else I can’t read right. Either way you’d better get it figured out because they’re headed over.”
He’s right. Queenie and Dana have exited the tasting room along with Sawyer. Instead of waving farewell and getting on with business, he falls in step with them. SERIOUSLY?! Surely, he’s a busy man. Grapes can’t pick themselves!
I don’t wait around to see what will happen. I take action.
I step forward and motion dramatically toward the car. If it were possible, I’d get behind Dana and shove her along faster. “Ready to go?! Dana, how’d you like—”
“Can I talk to you for a second, Madison?” Sawyer’s voice makes me squeeze my eyes closed with pent-up fury (and other emotions).
“Wish I could but I’m on the clock and my boss is a real stickler—”
Queenie cackles. “Don’t be ridiculous, Madison. Take five. I’m going to review a few things with Dana before we head out anyway.”
“Should you really be out in the sun this long though, Mom? A woman your age should stick to places with A/C!” I’m having to raise my voice now because they’re ignoring me as they walk away.
When they proceed to keep on keepin’ on, I prop my hands on my hips in annoyance. Meanwhile, Sawyer looks pleased as punch to have me all to himself.
Wait, that’s not true! His grandpa!
I whip around to see Crawford Garnett grinning ear to ear. He holds out his hand as if wanting me to hurry up. “Now, go on, Madison. Tell my grandson why you don’t like him, and make sure to speak loud enough so I can hear.”
CHAPTER 7
This is totally absurd. I can’t talk to Sawyer. Not in front of his grandfather! Not at all! This is what I get for not leaping out of that speeding car earlier when I had the chance. What’s some light road rash compared to this awkwardness?
I can’t look at Sawyer. With the sun shining overhead, he’s lit up like a golden statue, too handsome for words. The backward baseball hat is also throwing me for a loop. If I give in to the urge to check him out, I’ll forget Kendra’s plan and accidentally demand he take me out on a second date just so I can have the pleasure of enjoying his company for a little while longer.