I just wish theywantedto be wooed. I wish they’d call.
Elisa picks up on my hesitation, and in a soothing tone, says, “Don’t worry, Zoe. They’re not going to ignore Mayor Esposito’s endorsements.”
I let out a small sigh. “I hope you’re right. Thanks again, Elisa.”
After we disconnect our call, there’s a knock on my office door, and River pokes his shaggy golden head in. “Hey, cuz, ready to do the once-over?”
I brighten. “Absolutely!”
I fish two beers from the fridge, hand one to River, then follow him as he leads me out the back patio doors into the vibrant blue afternoon, the sun dangling lazily like a marigold over the green mountains. River’s crew has been working daily for the last month on the new infrastructure, but they’ve been saving the best for last—the viewpoints.
Bluebell Vineyards, nestled in a valley of rolling hills carpeted with forest and creeks and lush, untamed land, has an amazing vantage on the mountains that surround us. But not everyone is content to stroll our vineyards, gazing into the distance as they go. Some people need a destination to feel the freedom to wander, and I’ve long wanted to put in seating areas to encourage people to stop and bask awhile in the beauty. As we walk up the newly graveled trail to the first overlook, my heart twinges with happiness. The platform is nothing extravagant. A simple wooden stage with steps that seem to spring from the ground themselves, flanked with beautiful budding perennials that Hannah planted herself.
But the view is nothing short of magical. The platform’s few feet of elevation lifts your gaze above the vineyards sloping below to the dip and swell of mountains beyond.
“Well done, River,” I say, my heart opening like a blossom toward the slowly setting sun. I take a long swig of the pale beer, its bubbles like tiny fireworks down my throat, feeling a satisfaction deep in my bones.
“Hannah knows how to pick ’em.” River clinks his bottle against mine before we sit down on the platform. The wood is sun-warmed beneath me, but the May breeze tickles my legs dangling over the edge. He stares into the valley, a look of profound yearning etched in the lines around his eyes, like he could look and look and never be filled up for want of it all. “I love that woman so much, Zoe.”
I reach over and squeeze his hand. “I know you do.”
That sweet, earnest gaze lingers for a second before my goofy cousin reemerges. “I can’t help noticing that our wedding’s only two weeks away, and yet, you’ve failed to RSVP with the name of your date. A man can only ponder for so long, Zoe. Which lucky interim vintner will it be?”
I snatch my hand back. “Whatexactlydo you think you know?”
River raises both eyebrows. “Well let’s see. I know the woman you’ve held a torch for since you were a kid now lives on your property, you let her adopt agoat, and you’ve apparently consecrated your union by way of pink balloon humping in broad daylight.”
“Baahlzebub isn’t adopted, he’s a long-term foster.” I lift my chin. “And it was an innocent balloon race.”
“Well, the foster goatyou’ve namedate half your fence. Don’t worry, I fixed it, and from what I heard, that balloon would beg to differ.”
“Would it now?”
“Come on, you’ve got it bad for Laine. What’s holding you back?”
I huff out an incredulous laugh. “Okay, first of all? You need to stop listening to Teddy and Diego—”
“They’re reliable sources!” River interrupts indignantly.
“You should hear what they say aboutyou, man-child.”
River shrugs. “Like I said, reliable.”
“Second, Laine works here. What if something happens, and it ends badly? Think Laine’s gonna keep making my wine once she realizes what a—”
“—wonderful woman you are? Yes.”
I furrow my brows. “You’re a terrible interrupter, River. You’ve gotta work on that, or Hannah will leave your ass forme.”
River stops to ponder that for a second. “Duly noted.”
“Third of all, Laine and I have finally gotten to where we don’t want to rip each other’s heads off. You saw her with the pruning shears that day—she couldn’t handle the tiniest bit of feedback! All that drama out west made her so afraid of trying and failing, she was barely functional, but we’re working through all that. If we’re going to have any shot at winning the showcase, Ineedher to come through for me.” I pause long enough to polish off my beer. “I can’t endanger our vineyard’s future on some temporary horniness-induced insanity.”
It’s quiet for a beat, then two, then River gingerly lifts his hand. “May I speak now?”
I shove him in the arm.
“I’m tryin’ not to lose Hannah to my spectacular lesbian cousin.” He clears his throat. “If I may point out the painfully obvious?”
