AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He wouldn’t even accept my apology.”
Pops raised an eyebrow.
“Or my brownies,” I grumbled.
“What do you meanor your brownies?” Grams asked.
“I made ‘Let’s make peace’ brownies, and he’s all ‘I don’t like brownies. I don’t like chocolate,’” I imitated him, bobbing my head, using a deep baritone moronic voice.
“Who the hell doesn’t like brownies?” Grams spouted.
“Right?” I looked at her, then over to Pops, and we all started laughing again.
“There’s something up with him.” They exchanged a look, and Pops raised his eyebrows at me. I glared back. “Now, don’t get started with that crap again. I have sworn off men, remember?”
“I’m just going to suggest you try again,” he said. “Maybe without a bribe.”
I scoffed. “Seriously, who doesn’t like brownies? Something is wrong with him.”
My mind was running in circles. I couldn’t figure out how I would get on Michael’s good side without losing my dignity again. I grabbed a windbreaker and made my way to the vines.
I walked the rows, touching and talking. I believed wholeheartedly in talking to plants and treating them like friends. Something Pops had instilled in me when I was young. I reminisced back to the lesson from my childhood.
“The plants respond to your voice. It makes them happy to hear from an old friend, just like people. Talk to them, Siena. When you work, share your stories and your life. And they will respond in kind. You will see them grow and flourish, just as Grams and I have with you.”
Looking back, I didn’t know whether or not he was blowing smoke up my skirt, but I talked to plants just the same. Everything appeared to be going well. The weather forecast looked favorable, and the plants looked healthy. I wrapped up my inspection, bid my friends farewell, and made my way to the tasting room.
My grandfather’s words about making peace with Michael ran around and around in my head while I worked. He had a valid point about Michael being our neighbor. Pops was always one to make peace, not war. And since I didn’t intend to move back home for good, I knew I had to make amends with him. I had to follow my grandpa’s mantra.
As I was taking a glass from one of the last customers, a devilishly tall, dark-haired man caught my eye. I felt a flutter in my belly as I did a double take, then immediate embarrassment over being excited about seeing Michael. But it wasn’t him—just another tall, dark, and handsome stranger.
Michael was a mixture of pleasure and pain. Pleasure because he, like Jenny had pointed out, was a “gorgeous specimen.” Pain, well—he was just a pain in my ass!
The man walked to his female companion, wrapped an arm around her, and kissed the side of her forehead. Her smile was so full of love as she looked at him. It made me heartsick for all I’d lost recently.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Jenny bumped my hip with hers.
“Huh? Oh, no,” I laughed. “Just lost in my head, I guess.”
“About?”
“The winery. Life. Love. Michael Blaire.” I sighed, leaning against the counter.
“Ooh,” she crooned, “let’s focus on that last one!”
“Uh. No, thanks!”
“Well . . .” She tapped her chin, thinking. “Life and love always make good topics, but they’re a little deep for me right now. So that leaves the winery or Michael Blaire.”
I rolled my eyes. “I am not discussinghimat work.”
Jenny’s eyes widened as a deep voice inquired, “Talking about me again?”
Siena
Iturned to find myselfface-to-face with Michael and swallowed the lump in my throat. Just my luck!Play it cool,I commanded myself.Don’t be a bitch. And for goodness’ sake, don’t bring up the brownies.
“Ha ha,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Not this time, anyway.”
