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“Oh my God, stop with the sausage talk.” Lara rolled her eyes at Colton.
“If you’re packing—”
“Do not finish that sentence at the table, young man,” the mayor chastised her grandson.
It was Lara’s turn to smirk. I used the distraction as an opportunity to slip from the table and head for the front door. My hat sat on the front hall table; I scooped it up and placed it on my head. Underneath sat a stack of promotion postcards for The Stomp, held together with a rubber band. I knew they were from Rae. I left them on the table and walked out the door.
Chapter 23
Rae
I tipped my headback and did a slow pirouette under the newly hung cattle brand chandelier right in the center of the dancehall. It looked incredible. And reminded me of the afternoon at the swimming hole with Atley—a bittersweet triumph.
Georgie and I were the first to arrive for the final walkthrough with Harley and Annabelle. The transformation from a forgotten storage space to a beautiful event venue was complete. From furniture to lighting, the space looked ready to welcome the town for the soft open.
I got out my phone and snapped a bunch of pictures of the chandelier for social media. I tried a few different settings until Imanaged a cool close-up of two brands and a cluster of crystals. A reflected rainbow cut across the shot.
“How is the queen of Hill Country wine PR?” Wilson joined me under the chandelier.
“Good. My cost per click is down and engagement is up.” I should have been flying high, but everything with Atley weighed me down.
Last night I’d hit a new low. I tried to watchJeopardy!Playing along, shouting out my answers in the form of a question to Georgie. But the empty spot next to me on the sofa reminded me of who was missing. I turned the TV off before DoubleJeopardy!The lump in my throat made answering the questions nearly impossible.
“Tickets are selling like snow cones in a heat wave.” Wilson patted me on the back.
His genuine excitement cut through some of my funk, and I managed to smile. He was right, I was kicking some serious ass with my first winery event.
“Hi y’all!” Annabelle and Harley called out in unison as they entered the dancehall. Annabelle had her iPad and Harley had a large to-go coffee cup from the Bluebonnet Café.
Atley followed behind the contractors, murmuring a general greeting to the room, his hat in his hands and Major at his heel.
An excited yip and flurry of toenails on the wood floors proceeded the attack of the hairless wonder… Georgie. With his purple Mohawk leading the way, he raced to greet Major as fast as his chicken legs would carry him.
“Oh, that is the cutest damn thing I’ve ever seen.” Annabelle pointed at Major, who’d lain down and rolled over so Georgie could sniff his belly.
“They are bros,” I said, not daring to look at Atley or else I might follow Major’s lead and lie down at his feet, roll over, and beg for his attention.
“I guess so.” Harley’s shoulders shook with mirth.
The two dogs took off running laps around the dancehall, under the tables and chairs that had been delivered and set up yesterday to prepare for the soft open on Saturday. All five of us stood watching until Major belly-flopped in front of the bar and Georgie snuggled in next to him.
“I guess they missed each other.” My voice had a brittle quality I hated.
“Yes, ma’am.” Atley’s baritone was even deeper than normal, like he was only half awake. Neither of us was brave enough to look directly at the other.
Wilson and Annabelle talked about unpaid invoices, and I tuned them out.
Instead, I fixated on Atley’s hands, holding the crown of his hat. His magic fingers gently cradled the cream-colored straw. The memories of his hands on my skin crowded out all other thoughts. He’d given me a better understanding of my body, an appreciation for the power of surrendering to desire. And most of all, a confidence in my sexuality that would keep me from ever accepting a dull, lifeless relationship like I had with Matthew again.
I dared a glance at his face. He watched the dogs as they lounged on the floor. I took the opportunity to study him. The sexy web of crinkles at the corners of his unreadable gray eyes gave him an aloof lone ranger vibe. The slight shadow of a near beard on his cheeks was a rare treat as he normally kept clean-shaven. My eyes lingered on the V of tan skin exposed by his shirt collar; I vividly recalled kissing that exact spot while unbuttoning his shirt.
I missed him.
Not the sex—well, not only the sex. I missed the man who ordered lights for the guest house path. Who surprised me with a sunset trail ride and bought me the best tacos in Elmer. Whofilled his DVR with episodes ofJeopardy!for me to watch. Damn him for being a good guy.
“As you can all see, the last items on the to-do list for the main room are now complete.” Harley waved her hand at the chandelier and toward the bar.
We all moved toward the long bar. Shelves lined the wall behind it, and below the marble top, new ice makers, refrigerators, sinks, and dishwashers had been installed. The bar itself gleamed, polished to a rich glow and fully stocked with the new glassware. All ready to go. The barstools Gabriel and I selected in Austin sat waiting for thirsty customers ready to taste Blue Star wines.
