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“Which means the organizers are holding out hope they can get their hands on Luisa Reeve before then.”
I’d had the same thought.
“Looks like they’re in for the night,” reported Blackjack when he and Atticus returned close to dinner time. Tank and Magnet were responsible for the next eight-hour shift, patrolling the grounds.
“Happy New Year’s Eve, everyone,” Tank said, waving as he walked out the door.
I couldn’t say I’d forgotten the holiday; I just hadn’t thought about it. What I did think about—or who—was Tryst. He lingered in the back of my mind constantly to the point where I found myself inventing reasons I needed him to come to Napa. None sounded plausible enough for me to request his presence. However, I still wished he was here.
My husband hadn’t been one to celebrate holidays. Like me, he spent so many on a mission in some corner of the world where it was difficult to decipher one day from the next.
“If you don’t mind, I think I’ll take a walk,” I said to Zeppelin, who was monitoring the three computer screens where the security feeds appeared in real time.
“Take all the time you need.”
I didn’t know Zeppelin well enough to ask him whether he typically celebrated the new year, in the same way none of us brought up working on Christmas. In our business, the mission always came first.
As I walked across the lawn of the Barrett estate, I looked up at the cloudless sky. The air was clear in Napa, and tonight, the stars were on brilliant display. Tryst and I had spent many nights staring at the constellations in the same way I was now. While I could remember every moment visually, I had a tough time recalling what we’d talked about. All I knew for certain was I’d never been bored. Not for a single minute I spent with the man.
I carried my mobile in my hand but was still startled when it vibrated. I smiled when I looked at the screen and saw it was Tryst calling.
“Were your ears burning?”
He chuckled. “I could ask you the same thing. How goes it in Napa?”
“Seemingly calm presently. Press and Luisa are enjoying a quiet evening. They both need it so badly.”
“I agree. What about you?” he asked.
“I’m out walking, looking up at the night sky, remembering all the times we spent doing the same thing at your ranch.”
“I miss you.”
His blunt statement left me breathless. “I miss you, Tryst.”
“I’ve been trying to think of a reason to join you in Napa.”
I laughed. “Me too.”
“Ah. It warms my heart to hear you say so.”
“Where are you?”
“In Angus House.”
“Come again?”
“It is one of the cottages on Butler Ranch. Laird told me tonight that he and Sorcha have decided to give them names.”
“How very Scottish of them.”
He sighed. “What I would give to see your smile.”
“It would be quite easy. We could have a video chat instead of a phone call.”
“Yes, that’s right. I am not as technologically advanced as you youngsters are.”
“You say that as a guest on the estate owned by one of the most technologically advanced men on the planet, who is also at least twenty years older than you are.”
