Blush, Book 3 the Crescent Lake Winery

by Lucinda Race

  “That’s sounds nice, but what about after that?”

  “It will be at the gazebo, which has views of the vineyard. It’s a nice place to relax and talk. I’m going to suggest we have a do-over date on the boat. I want to pick up where we left off.”

  “And where were you?” Jane’s smile reached her eyes.

  Feeling the blush splash across her cheeks, Peyton said, “I’m ready to be intimate with Jack. We had come close two weeks ago, but the next time we’re together, it’s going to be a very special night.”

  Jane beamed. “I’m happy for you. I know there hasn’t been a steady guy in your life since you were assaulted.”

  “No. I wasn’t ready until I let Jack back into my life.”

  “And now you’re ready?”

  “Yes, but I did need a nudge from Mom to make plans with him today. I didn’t want to leave Owen so soon.”

  “Your mom’s right. Part of being a good mother is to be happy.”

  Peyton pushed her hair off her face. “I feel like the two of you are pushing me out of my comfort zone.”

  “Not pushing, Peyton. Giving you a firm shove. You’re ready to spread your wings, so test them.” Jane gave her a thoughtful look. “We’ve talked several times about your attentiveness to Owen as a coping mechanism for the past.”

  Peyton gazed out the window and laced her fingers together. “I want to be a great mom, and I think I’ve been the best I can considering this wasn’t the path I chose. But I’m starting to see by spending time with Jack and Owen, I can be a mom and a woman who has needs and deserves a loving man in her life.” Her mouth formed a small O. It was as if a light bulb just went off over her head like in a cartoon. “I’ve been using Owen as a speed bump.”

  “Interesting analogy.”

  “So how do I change that pattern?”

  “Recognition of the issue is the first step toward making a change.” Jane folded her hands in her lap. “You have a lunch date today with a handsome man, and it’s a date you initiated.”

  “I do and did.” Her eyes opened wide. “I’ve started to flatten my speed bump without even realizing it.”

  Jane grinned broadly. “So, did you pack a picnic?”

  “Heck no.” Peyton laughed. “I’m going to pick up lunch from the deli. I want to date him, not scare him off.”

  19

  With a large paper bag in one hand and a small one in the other, Peyton struggled with the tasting room door. She had plenty of time to get lunch set up before Jack was supposed to meet her. She set the bags down on a table and flicked the switch that turned on the bar lights. The large bag ripped and one container tumbled onto the tabletop. She caught the potato salad container before it fell to the floor. Hopefully Jack was hungry; she had enough food for a small army, but sometimes he could eat like one.

  The room was cool and she plunked down in the chair to think about her earlier epiphany. Dealing with a dose of unfounded guilt, she had been using Owen to slow things down with Jack. All she needed to do now was figure out why. Was she worried he would hurt her again, that he saw her as a damaged woman or had she never gotten over him and that was what scared her?

  The sound of footsteps on the concrete floor in the warehouse caught her attention. She glanced toward the stairwell. Kate stuck her head in the room. “Peyton, is that you?”

  She got up and flicked on another set of lights. “Just me.” She gestured to the bags. “I’m having lunch with Jack in the gazebo.”

  Kate crossed the room and peeked in the bags. “I would have whipped up something for you.”

  “You can’t cook for us all the time. Besides I’m great at picking up takeout; you know I hate to cook, and I’m not very good either.”

  “I’d be happy to give you pointers anytime.”

  She smiled at Kate. “Thanks, but it’s fine. I manage.”

  “I’ll take off. Have fun.” Kate gave her a quick hug. “I like this look on your face. You’re wearing happiness well.”

  * * *

  Peyton grabbed a tray from behind the bar, loaded on the containers for one trip to the gazebo, and tossed the ripped bag in the garbage. She set the table in the gazebo with plates, silverware, and water glasses from the bistro. She had just finished when she heard a UTV approach. At the stroke of noon, Jack pulled up next to the tasting room door and killed the engine. Right on time.

  With a huge grin, he jogged across the parking area and stepped inside the spacious wooden structure.

  “Hi. You look pretty.” He kissed her and held up his hands. “I’ll be right back; I need to wash up.”

  She felt a warm glow flow through her. “I’ll be here.”

  A few minutes later, Jack came back and pulled a chair close to her. “This is a nice treat. One I could get used to.”

  “Lunch in the gazebo?”

  “No, seeing you more and more.” He kissed her. “What’s for lunch? I’m starved.”

  “I wasn’t sure what you’d be hungry for, so I brought a little of everything.”

  He raised his eyebrows, his eyes darkened with desire.

  She laughed at the double entendre. “Jack, stop.” Butterflies bounced around her insides and a flush crept over her cheeks.

  “I love that I can make you blush so easily. It’s charming.” He picked up his glass and took a sip of lemonade. “How was your morning?”

  “Good. I saw my therapist.”

  “How did that go?”

  “It was interesting.” She was evasive, as she didn’t want him to know that she had been using her son as her wingman. A smile tugged at her lips. “And enlightening.”

  “Well, it sounds like you got something out of it, which is good.” His finger trailed down her jawline. “What prompted you to text me?”

  She loved the way he touched her. Casual but intimate. “I woke up thinking about you. The last couple of weeks, I’ve been focused on Owen.”

  He placed a finger across her lips. “It’s where you needed to be, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  She kissed his finger and took his hand. “I was thinking that we should have another date on the boat.” She tipped her head. “If you’re interested.”

  His eyes brightened. “Are you saying you want to pick up where we left off?”

  Her stomach did a pleasant flip. The way he was looking at her caused her blood to warm. “That’s the idea.”

  “Tonight?” The question was more of a statement.

  “It’s a date. Two in one day—I think that might be a new record for us.”

  “Maybe next we should plan three dates for tomorrow.”

  “I think that would just be an all-day event.” She handed him a container. “We should enjoy this delicious-looking lunch before you need to get back to work.”

  * * *

  Jack loved watching Peyton as they lingered over lunch. He still couldn’t believe they had a second chance. At the time, he had hoped they could have a long-distance relationship but instead of giving him some time to deal with family issues, she never tried to connect—and neither had he.

  Between bites of his BLT, he asked, “Hey, can I ask you something?”

  “What’s on your mind?” She wiped the corner of her mouth with a deep-purple cloth napkin and placed it in her lap.

  “When we were dating before”—her face remained neutral—“and I had the opportunity to go to California, why did you break it off with me?”

  She arched a brow. “Correction. You broke up with me.” She jabbed a strawberry on her plate. “Do you remember when you convinced me to go to Columbia?”

  “It had a great architecture school and I was in the business program.”

  “But it wasn’t my first choice.” She lowered her gaze and avoided his eyes. “We were going to be at school together—you were going to get your MBA and I was going in as a freshman. It was going to be so much fun. Then out of the blue, before I had even unpacked my dorm room, you announced you were leaving and going to C
alifornia. I wanted to be able to talk to you. Before we could, you were gone and I was devastated.”

  Jack shook his head. “That’s not how I remember it. I was tired of business courses, and Dad was always on my back. I wanted to get dirt on my hands, make a difference growing the grapes, not trying to figure out how to sell the finished product.”

  “I know I’ve asked you this before, but why didn’t you talk to me?” Her eyes were filled with hurt from the past. He could see the lingering pain and uncertainty in them.

  “It was an amazing opportunity, and if I took too long making a decision, it would have been withdrawn or Dad would have convinced me not to go.”

  “I’m not saying I would have said not to take it. But it wasn’t like you applied and on the same day got the offer. It’s a process. You could have said, ‘Peyton, I’m thinking of going to California. What do you think?’ But you made your decision and then told me. How would you have felt if I had done that to you?”

  He was quiet for a moment. She was right. That had been uncool and he couldn’t blame any of that on his dad. It was all on him. “I’m sorry. I assumed you’d be happy for me, but I didn’t put myself in your shoes.”

  “Jack, at the time I was lost, at a huge college without a single friendly face. And I’m not exactly a social butterfly.”

  “I was pretty selfish back then.” He placed a hand over hers.

  “Yes, you were.”

  “Ouch. I deserve that, but in my defense…”

  She cocked an eyebrow.

  He held up his hand. “I did it to piss off my father. He was pushing me to be a replica of Don and I wanted—no, I needed—to be my own person.”

  “Your dad always pushed your buttons. That didn’t mean you should have taken off without talking to me. We were in a relationship.” Her voice cracked. “Did it mean more to me than it did to you?”

  His heart broke for what they had lost. “No. I was in love with you. I never meant to hurt you. If I had realized what I was doing, well, I wouldn’t have.” He squeezed her hand and was reminded how fragile things could be and that she had been hurt. How would she feel if she knew he had been married for a few months?

  Tears glistened in her eyes and she blinked them away. “I couldn’t bear it if you did something like that again. I’m not saying you need to discuss every detail of your life with me, but if it affects me, and now Owen too, just do me the courtesy of talking to me first before you change the course of all our lives, and promise me you’ll always be honest.”

  “I will.” He brushed away a tear that lingered on her cheek. “Can you forgive a young and stupid guy?”

  “I already have. That’s why we’re here now.” She rested her cheek in the palm of his hand.

  He slid closer and put his arm around her. Their foreheads touched and they sat quietly.

  Jack spoke softly. “I really am sorry.”

  She pulled back and looked at him with a somber expression. “That was a long time ago. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last couple of years, it’s that we can’t change the past. All we can do, today and every day, is be our best.”

  “Have you put the mistakes of my youth in our past?”

  “Yes.” There was a husky warmth in her voice. “Now, about our date tonight…”

  “Why don’t you meet me at the marina at five thirty? That will give me enough time to wrap up the workday.”

  “Sounds like a date.” Her voice and eyes highlighted her excitement.

  Jack’s cell phone rang. The name Corine was displayed across the front. He grabbed it from the table before Peyton saw it and slipped it into his pocket.

  “Don’t you want to answer that?” she asked.

  “It’s nothing important. I’ll call them back.” Had she seen the name on the display?

  Anxious to divert her attention, he said, “I’m looking forward to tonight. I’ll take care of everything since you brought this amazing lunch.”

  “I can’t wait.” Her kiss tasted like sweet lemons.

  He slipped a hand around her waist, wanting her to be closer. “Neither can I.”

  Jack drove back to the field and pulled his cell phone out of his shirt pocket. Corine hadn’t left a message. Should he call her back? He wished he had someone to talk to about this mess, but no one in the family knew he had been married and divorced. Normally he’d talk to Anna, but she was still in France. The time difference wasn’t an issue; it was only eight over there. He paused and dialed.

  Anna said, “Hi, Jack. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, everyone’s fine. I just wanted to say hello. It’s been a while.”

  “Hello. But I know you and if I were to guess, you’re sitting near one of the fields in the truck.”

  “Close. The UTV.” He chuckled. “How’s Colin?”

  “Everything’s good here. We’ll be home at the end of August. I can’t believe that’s less than two months away.”

  “Good. I’ve missed working with you; it’s not the same with Dad.”

  “I guess you’ll appreciate me a little more now, huh, little brother?”

  Her teasing lightened his mood. “While I’ve got you, I wanted to ask your advice about something.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “When I worked in Napa, there was a girl I was pretty serious about. I wasn’t in love with her or anything, but I never told anyone back here and she’s called me a few times saying she wants to meet.”

  “You never told Peyton about her, did you?”

  He could hear the reproachful tone in her voice. “I never talked to anyone about her. We were only together about six months.” Of which a couple of them were as a married couple, but he wasn’t going to get into that on the phone.

  “I think you should talk to your ex and find out what she wants and then tell Peyton. Don’t go into this new relationship with any secrets.”

  “It was over before it began, sis.” He watched as a hawk glided on the wind currents, looking for prey. It was how he felt about Corine calling him.

  “Then there’s no reason to avoid the woman, but the most important thing you have to do is talk to Peyton. Secrets have a way of coming out.”

  He knew Anna was right and this secret could destroy their new relationship.

  “Thanks, Anna. You’re right. I’ll tell Peyton right after I talk to Corine.”

  “If you need something else, give me a call. Otherwise, we’ll see you soon and be ready to put your dancing shoes on. There’s an engagement party to plan.”

  “Yeah, I still can’t believe you decided to get married during next year’s harvest. Pretty bold for an enologist.”

  When she laughed, she sounded like the sister he remembered, full of life and very happy.

  “Living in France the last year has taught me a few things, and one is to seize the day. The family can take one day and celebrate the start of a new branch on the family tree.”

  “You’re right and I’ll be the first one to toast to the happy couple.”

  “Thanks, Jack, and don’t forget to take care of things in your life. I expect Peyton to be in your arms, dancing at our party.”

  “Thanks again, and maybe it’ll give her an idea or two.” He sat there, just taking in the view and the sounds of the vineyard after he and Anna had hung up.

  He decided to call his ex-wife back. It went to voicemail.

  20

  A soft tap on the door interrupted Peyton as she was getting dressed for her date with Jack. “Mom? Can I come in?”

  Peyton eased open the door. Owen was standing in the middle of the hallway.

  “You look pretty.” His face brightened. “Do we have a date with Jack tonight?”

  “You don’t.” She brushed the hair out of his eyes. “I do.”

  “It’s a grown-up thing?”

  She turned Owen around in the doorway and pointed him toward the kitchen. “Yes, it’s for grown-ups tonight.”

  He dragged th
e toes of his sneakers down the wood floor as he walked down the hall. Peyton frowned. “Pick up your feet, please.” She closed the bathroom door and fixed a smudge of mascara on her eyelid. Now she was ready.

  After retrieving her petal-pink leather handbag, she breezed into the kitchen, where Owen and Mom were making dinner. She kissed the top of his head. “Be good for Grammie.”

  Mom looked up. “Don’t hurry home. Everything’s under control.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  She only had to bring herself; Jack was taking care of everything else. Turning, she took one last look at Owen and Mom. She blew her son a kiss. He would be fine.

  Peyton skipped lightly down the front steps. To her surprise, Jack had parked his truck in the driveway, effectively blocking her car. He leaned against the door all casual-like, dressed in a black T-shirt that hugged his six-pack abs and bulging biceps, and jeans that clung in all the right places too.

  “Hey, you,” she said as she closed the distance between them. “I thought I was meeting you at the marina.”

  “It’s what I wanted you to think, but there was no way you were driving yourself to our very special night.”

  There went the butterfly parade again. She leaned in to give him a lingering kiss. Oh my, she thought. He smells like the breeze on the lake and all male. “You’re sweet.”

  He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in close. “Are you ready to go?”

  “I think so.” She hoped her voice didn’t betray her nerves as she felt his heart. She knew what she wanted to happen, but it had been a long time since she had, even though they’d been well on their way the last time they had the boat to themselves.

  “Perfect. Then let’s take off before a certain someone catches us, to use his phrase, making goo-goo eyes again.”

  They stepped around the truck. He held the door open and helped her step up. Before he closed it, his eyes seemed to drink her in. She felt herself blush under his gaze. “You look gorgeous tonight.”

  Her mouth went dry. “Thank you.”