Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 59713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 299(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
“You’re going to have overnight guests?” I asked.
He nodded, looking out over the land toward the sunset like he was seeing the bungalows already in place and ready to welcome people.
“We’re hoping people will want to come for the weekend. Maybe honeymoons and anniversary trips. Bachelorette parties. Even weddings eventually.”
“That will be amazing,” I said. “I’m sure there are a lot of people who would love to come somewhere this beautiful to celebrate important moments in their lives.”
For the rest of the walk to the restaurant, I listened to Alex tell me about his brothers and grandparents. He shared memories of the vineyard from when he was younger and talked about the plans they had for it now. We made it to the restaurant, and I wished the walk was longer just so I could keep enjoying the quiet and conversation with him.
A woman with a sweet smile greeted us at the door to the restaurant and led us to a table set up for us on a stone patio outside. Lights strung around the patio created a romantic ambience, and my heart fluttered in my chest. Almost as soon as we sat down, a man who looked very much like Alex appeared at the side of the table.
“Camilla, this is my brother Derek. He’s the chef here,” Alex introduced. “Derek, this is Camilla.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Derek said. “I’ve put together a special menu for the two of you, along with wine pairings. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy your dinner.”
The rest of the evening was like a dream. The meal Derek put together for us was amazing, and each wine selection was perfect. When it was over, Alex took my hand to help me to my feet, and we walked along another path to other areas of the vineyard I hadn’t seen before dinner.
As we strolled along, our fingers linked loosely between us, I yet again wished the evening didn’t have to end. The path looped back to where Alex parked his car, and he opened the door for me again. He drove me back to my apartment and walked me up to the door. Part of me wanted to invite him inside so I could spend more time with him. But I knew what that would look like. That night had to end there on the porch.
“Is this good night?” Alex asked, seeming to sense my hesitation.
I nodded. “I had a wonderful time. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you for coming with me. Can I see you again?”
“I would really like that,” I told him.
“Good,” he said with a smile. “I’ll call you.”
He stepped forward and rested his lips to mine in a soft, chaste kiss. When he stepped back, I smiled.
“Good night,” I said almost breathlessly.
“Good night.”
He backed his way down the sidewalk but wouldn’t go all the way to his car until I’d gone inside. As soon as I had the door locked, I went to the window and saw him wave as he got in and drove away.
CHAPTER 20
ALEX
I was shocked at myself when I first asked Camilla out. It was like my brain was working without me somehow, coming up with plans and doing things on its own without full consultation with my consciousness. But as soon as she agreed and we started spending time talking on the phone, I had no doubt that compulsive decision was exactly the right thing to do.
By the time I picked her up for our first dinner together, I was already sure it wasn’t going to be our only date. Before we even got to the vineyard, I was coming up with other ways we could spend time together. The dinner Noah made for us was the perfect way to make the evening linger. We laughed and talked over the exceptional food and delicious wine.
I loved watching Camilla drink the wine made from the grapes grown right on my family’s property. Even though I had absolutely nothing to do with the creation of the wine itself, I still took a tremendous amount of pride in what we produced.
And it was only going to get better. My brother Kane, the one responsible for cultivating and taking care of the grapes, then developing them into wine, had been working hard on his various styles and blends. He was determined to elevate the product of the vineyard to make it better every year. He didn’t talk about it much, but I knew he carried in his heart a desire to enter some of his wines in competitions and possibly start distributing very small batches to restaurants and discerning clientele.
Camilla warned me when we were served our first glasses that she didn’t know much about wine. She listened intently to what the server told her about the particular option chosen for the amuse-bouche Noah sent out, nodding as if she was absorbing every detail. But as soon as we were alone again, she modified her declaration about the wine to say she actually knew absolutely nothing about it and didn’t even understand what the man was saying.