AllFreeNovel
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"I know," I whisper, "Please stop lying to me."
He pulls me into his chest, and I can't help but melt, just like I always do. One "I'm sorry," and I am back in his arms, piecing him back together. His scent reminds me of our apartment, though, a potent mixture of leather and spice, masculine but still sweet. I snuggle closer into his chest before jerking at the sound of my mother's voice.
"Hanna, who might this be?" She asks, and Jameson's brow cocks, a curious type of slant.
"Mom, don't be ridiculous. This is my boyfriend, Jameson Banks."
Jay holds his hand out to hers, and she takes it begrudgingly, judgment written all over her face.
"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Mason."
She forces her lips into a tight smile, "Dinner is at six. Your father and Adam are out getting a soil sample on the North end of the property."
I sigh, hoping that the vines aren't dying. That will send dad into a mood. "I'm going to show Jameson around. We won't be late for dinner."
She nods, raking her hands down the front of her apron, disappearing into the house.
We hop into one of the UTV's, and I take Jameson for a ride around the property, purposefully avoiding the north end where dad and Adam are.
"This is the store?" He asks, noticing all the cars parked around the building.
"Yeah, we call this the pavilion. It's where the wine is sold. There's a small cafe and a large tasting room. We use it as a venue for events."
He laughs, "Sounds fancy."
"The fanciest," I chuckle, flooring the UTV, taking off through the fields to the back of the property line, "This is where the magic happens. The presses, all the equipment, and barrels are in there. My dad spends the majority of his life back here."
"Has this always been his thing, family business?"
I let out a howl of a laugh, "No! My dad's father was a doctor here in town. Dad always jokes about being the disappointment. He was the only one of his siblings to opt-out of medical school."
Jameson eyes me, "What a rebel."
I smile, "Not hardly, my dad spent fifteen years in the Air Force before we moved back here so he could be a farmer."
"So you moved around a lot?"
"Yeah, a few times. He flew fighters, and we barely saw him. He was so consumed by his work that mom did most of the parenting until we moved here in high school."
"Wow, that must've been hard."
"It was, but I understood why he did it. He took me up a few times in small planes. I can't describe the feeling."
"I can see how that would be freeing, like an escape," He smirks, turning to me in the seat.
"Wait until you spend five minutes with my mother, and you'll see why he'd want an escape."
He laughs, "I can't wait."
"You'll wish you never said that."
