Blind Tasting 3

by Angela Ford

  Instead of a handshake, the woman embraced Becca in a warm hug. “Oh honey, have I got a Chardonnay for you. And this one is on the house. By the way, my name is Tegan Taylor and I own this shop.” Tegan released Becca from the hug. “Welcome to Vinegrove Rebecca.”

  “Please call me Becca. It’s great to meet you, Tegan. I just love the name of this shop. It’s adorable. Actually I love everything about this little town. And thank you for the wine,” Becca smiled.

  “Not a problem, Becca. And I’m sure you’ll be back since I’m the only wine shop in town.” Tegan winked.

  Becca laughed. “You bet. I like my Chardonnay.”

  Tegan grabbed a bottle of Chardonnay from the shelf. “So Becca…seems like you were burned bad so I won’t pressure you into joining my singles-wine-tasting night”.

  “I found my best friend in my bed with my fiancé,” Becca spat it out point blank. She figured that statement alone was all that was needed to get the picture of how badly she’d been burned.

  “Ouch.” Tegan placed the bottle in a bag and handed it to Becca. “This one’s definitely on the house.” Becca thanked her again and walked toward the door. Tegan called out to her. “If you change your mind, drop by for some wine and meet some new friends. Hope to see you again Becca.”

  Becca turned and said with a smile, “A good bottle of Chardonnay will bring me back.” Tegan gave her a thumbs-up.

  The sun was beginning to set and the crisp evening air began to cool off the hot day. Becca loved everything about the little town. She felt completely satisfied with her choice to move there. Everyone had been so friendly and welcoming. Tegan’s offer to the wine tasting night began to tempt her.

  Her next few shifts at the hospital were quiet, but Becca didn’t complain. The Big Apple was far too busy and had drained her energy. The small town of Vinegrove had been the perfect remedy for both her tired body and her broken heart. She hardly thought of Blake or Janet anymore. Her tears had ceased.

  Dr. Withers approached her in the doctor’s lounge at the end of her shift. “I hope you will enjoy the next few days off, Becca. You know this isn’t New York. Vinegrove allows you to have a life outside the hospital,” he said and smiled. Probably because she’d worked every day since she arrived in town.

  “I love that about Vinegrove,” she told him and agreed she’d take some time to settle in to her new home.

  “You should have some fun too, Becca. You’re young and single. Why don’t you take that singles wine-tasting night in tonight?” he suggested. She’d mentioned it to him the day after she’d met Tegan, when he asked if she’d met anyone outside the hospital. The two doctors shared personal and professional stories since Becca’s arrival. Some days it was so quiet at the hospital it was the highlight of their day, they both agreed, to have coffee and chat.

  “Oh I don’t know about that. I’m not ready to meet men,” she quickly answered.

  “You don’t have to marry them, Becca. But it might be nice to make some friends. Vinegrove can be quiet. It’s nice to have someone to go home to.” He sounded like her father. Dr. Withers was about her father’s age and raised three daughters of his own. Two remained in Vinegrove, married with children. He called his youngest daughter the adventurous one. Becca knew that she lived in L.A. climbing the ladder in the film industry. Her dream was to direct movies someday. Becca felt touched that he’d taken her under his wing and always gave her some fatherly advice. She knew he was probably right. Part of her was curious to see who showed up at the wine tasting— not that she wanted or needed a man. Then she thought of the two times she literally bumped into Chase Tanner. Her mind drifted and she pictured his dreamy eyes. His manly scent still lingered in her senses. His hands on her arms were strong yet gentle. Her thoughts went to his lips. She wondered what they would taste like. She knew better to think about him, but she couldn’t help but smile as the next thought popped into her head. Though she didn’t want commitments, he would be a worthwhile roll-in-the-hay.

  “What are you smiling about?” Dr. Withers interrupted Becca’s daydream. She felt the heat of the blush in her cheeks and tried to cover her recent thoughts of Chase Tanner.

  “You’re right. What harm could there be in making new friends?” Becca shrugged her shoulders in question.

  “That’s my girl. Be a good sport and have some fun.” Dr. Withers handed Becca a piece of paper with a phone number written on it. “My wife, Marion. She asked me to give you her number if you were interested in meeting some Vinegrove locals. Marion runs the Rotary Club. Enjoy your days off.” He waved goodbye.

  “You’ll call if something comes up?” Becca yelled out.

  Dr. Withers poked his head back through the door. “Yes Becca, I promise. Now go have fun and don’t think about work.”

  Becca walked with confidence toward Que Syrah Syrah. A touch of excitement mixed with anxiety to meet new friends, filled her thoughts with each step. Becca inhaled deeply as she opened the door of the wine shop.

  Six Months Later

  “I have a proposition,” Tegan announced after another swig from her wine glass. Chloe looked worried. Laura grabbed the bottle and filled everyone’s wine glass. The wine tasting singles meet had become the Tuesday night book club meet. Not a single male had shown the first night, or the second. In fact, the only ones who showed up were the same four women still attending the so-called book club—not that anyone had finished a book. The friendship of the four women grew over the past six months with wine, cheese, chocolate, and no men.

  “Proposition?” Becca reached for another piece of cheese and popped it into her mouth. She almost choked on it when Tegan announced they should change the name of the book club to ‘The Love List’. Becca cleared her throat and took a mouthful of wine. Chloe said the idea was creepy. Laura quickly reminded them of the creepy guys they’d met at the karaoke bar. The mention of that made them all laugh.

  Tegan handed them four pieces of paper marked, ‘The Love List Picks’.

  “We each pick a name of a single guy we know. One you didn’t think was right for you. But hey, he may be Mr. Right for one of us. Then we’ll draw names.”

  “Laura, how much wine did you give her tonight?” Chloe snickered.

  “I think she got into her stock before we arrived.” Becca smirked at Tegan as she was handed the piece of paper.

  “Maybe a little more than usual tonight.” Tegan took another swig and continued. “I love you ladies and our friendship but I’m tired of being lonely. The winery event is coming up and I always go with my parents. How sad is that?”

  Everyone reached out and touched Tegan’s hand.

  “Never thought I’d admit this, but I’m lonely. My heart took a beating from what Blake and Janet did to me. I love you girls too but I understand what Tegan is saying. Being single sucks.” Becca raised her glass. “I propose we give the love list a try.” Chloe, Laura and Tegan raised their glasses to Becca’s toast.

  Becca wrote a name on her piece of paper and tossed it into the basket. The other three did the same. Tegan suggested they draw together and counted to three.

  “Richard” Tegan announced her pick.

  “He’s my choice. I know him from the winery.” Chloe told Tegan she’d set up a wine purchase to meet him.

  “Chase Tanner,” Becca spoke next.

  “Oh! He’s my pick. I dated him once but never got past the first kiss. No sparks,” Laura added.

  “I met him once at a Rotary function and bumped into him twice. Though I rent his mother’s cottage, I’ve always dealt with his brother,” Becca told them.

  “A Rotary function? Well now, Miss Big Apple. I’m impressed!” Chloe exclaimed.

  Becca smiled warmly after they laughed at Chloe’s remark. “I’ve fallen in love with this town, Chloe. I’m proud to be known
as a local.”

  Another cheer with raised glasses filled the air.

  “Wait a minute. Isn’t Chase Tanner the firefighter known as the town slut?”

  Chloe laughed at her outburst, but Laura said, “That was high school talk. Both Tanner boys were. Chase just hasn’t been lucky to find Ms. Right like his brother.”

  Becca shrugged. “Well he is candy to the eye. If nothing else, I could use a good roll- in-the-hay.” She raised her hand to her mouth as she laughed, then blushed and blamed her comment on too much wine.

  Laura filled their glasses again, “We all may need more with this wild idea of Tegan’s.”

  Chloe laughed and announced, “Mitch Broden? Who’s he?”

  “He’s my pick.” Tegan told the ladies she grew up with Mitch and loved him like a brother. “He’s a corrections officer, owns his own home and is a sweet guy, Chloe. He’s perfect for you.”

  They all turned to look at Laura. She was the last to announce her pick.

  “Travis Jerome.”

  “He’s my pick.” Becca smiled, set her glass down and grabbed a piece of chocolate. “He’s a really nice guy Laura, but there wasn’t one spark. He moved here from Seattle.”

  Becca and her friends raised their glasses to their new secret adventure, ‘The Love List’.

  Chapter Six

  “There’s another fire in town?” Becca caught the end of the conversation at the nurses’ desk. She handed Denise the patient chart.

  “Que Syrah Syrah.” Denise took the chart from Becca’s hand. “Hey Becca, isn’t that your friend’s wine shop?”

  “Oh no!” Becca exclaimed and reached over the desk and grabbed the phone. “Tegan, are you okay?” Becca felt relieved to hear her friend’s voice on the phone. At least she wasn’t hurt.

  “Oh Becca, there’s not much left of it. The firefighters did their best to control it and save what little they could.” Becca heard her friend’s shaky voice cry out in pain. She knew how much the shop meant to her. Becca asked if she knew how it happened. Tegan just started to fill her in on the guy that attacked her at the winery event, when a mad rush of firefighters came through the emergency room doors. Becca quickly told Tegan she would visit her as soon as she could leave the hospital.

  Becca hung up and turned to find Captain Sullivan standing before her.

  “Dr. Rebecca Miller?” he extended his hand.

  “Yes, I’m Dr. Miller,” Becca confirmed.

  “One of my men had considerable smoke inhalation. He doesn’t usually like doctors, but asked for you.” Captain Sullivan led her toward the fireman.

  Becca opened the curtain and found two nurses hooking up an IV and putting an oxygen mask on the patient. The firefighter was covered in black soot and ash. As she got closer, she recognized him. Chase Tanner. She felt a flutter in her heart as his eyes captured hers, but remained professional.

  “Mr. Tanner, I’m Dr. Miller. Captain Sullivan tells me you don’t care for doctors.” Becca smiled. Chase shook his head to confirm what she just said. “But I’ve heard you will allow me to assess your condition. Is that correct?” Becca picked up his chart to record his vitals, then looked up to see Chase’s nod of agreement. He tried to speak, but it only made him cough more.

  “Try not to speak, Mr. Tanner. I would like to check your vitals, if that is okay with you. Just nod for me, okay?” He nodded. Becca recorded that his breathing appeared labored as she watched his chest wall move. She listened to his chest with her stethoscope and confirmed her initial assessment of labored breaths. Becca noted the patient was conscious and should be watched for acute respiratory distress syndrome. She turned to Denise and asked her to order an electrocardiogram (EKG) to make sure there wasn’t any evidence of cardiac ischemia.

  Becca then moved closer to Chase. “Mr. Tanner, I’ve ordered an EKG just to check on your heart and we are going to keep you here overnight to watch your breathing. Are you experiencing discomfort other than the breathing and coughing?” Chase moved his left hand and pointed to his left thigh. Becca reached for scissors and cut through the material. She pulled the material back and discovered a third-degree burn.

  “Mr. Tanner, you have a third-degree burn on your upper thigh. We need to clean and debride the dead skin. This can be done in a special bathtub here at the hospital. After your EKG we will get this cleaned up. It’s not too bad, so the cleansing and antibiotics should work. Do you feel any pain? If so, we can provide some pain medication for you.” Becca looked up and waited for another nod. Instead, she found him lifting the mask off his face.

  “Will you join me in that special bathtub?” He smiled then coughed again.

  Becca put the oxygen mask back in place. “I think you should concentrate on getting better Mr. Tanner and not flirting with your doctor.” Becca smiled and mentioned someone would take him for his EKG and special bath. “Alone,” she added, and he smiled. She told him she’d be back in the morning unless there were any problems, and then left the room.

  Becca noticed Captain Sullivan waiting by the nurses’ station. “Captain.”

  He turned.

  “Mr. Tanner is experiencing labored breathing and a third-degree burn on his left leg. We will run some tests to make sure everything checks out. I want to keep him overnight.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Miller. Can I check in on him before I go?”

  “You’re welcome, and of course,” Becca replied. She felt exhausted but Tegan was on her mind. Before she left, she wrote on Chase’s chart that she wanted to be called with the test results and notified of any change. She would be back in the morning to discharge him if the test results were good.

  Becca drove past the aftermath of what once was her friend’s adorable little wine shop. A tear fell upon her cheek. After a moment’s pause she put her car back in drive and headed toward Tegan’s home.

  “Sorry I didn’t get a chance to call back. I figured you might need this and a hug,” Becca held up a bottle of wine at Tegan’s door.

  “You ladies are the best.” Tegan opened the door wider so Becca could see Chloe and Laura.

  “I heard Chase Tanner was brought in with smoke inhalation and a burn. Is he okay?” Tegan asked.

  “He was flirting with me. I think he’ll be fine,” Becca announced.

  “So you asked him out?” Laura added.

  Chloe laughed.

  “What? Perfect opportunity Chloe,” Laura commented and poured Becca some wine.

  “Don’t you think that would have been unprofessional?” Becca thanked Laura for the wine. Still a little uncertain about Chase Tanner, she changed the subject quickly. No matter what those eyes did to her senses. “Was everything lost in the fire?”

  “Pretty much.” Tegan’s expression broke Becca’s heart.

  “Don’t worry, Tegan. We will get you back up and running. I have connections,” Chloe promised. She winked at Becca and Laura smiled. She knew the ladies were already up to something and she’d be filled in later. For now, they were there to comfort their friend.

  The brightness of the sun poured through Becca’s bedroom window. She stretched and moved slowly to the shower. With only a few hours of sleep, it felt like old times in New York. Her body adjusted quicker than her mind. It was in Vinegrove mode. Thoughts of Chase Tanner raced through her mind in the shower. She closed her eyes and pictured his emerald eyes. They brought out feelings inside her she’d never experienced, even with Blake. She shivered under the hot water. What is it about that man?

  “Your patient keeps asking for you.” Denise chuckled as Becca met her at the nurses’ station.

  “Which one?” Becca looked at her with a subtle smile.

  “The same patient who is on your mind.” Denise handed her a chart and walked away laughing. Becca flipped the chart over and saw Chase’s name on
it. She wondered if her thoughts of Chase were written all over her face.

  She took a deep breath and opened the curtain. “Good morning Mr. Tanner. How are you feeling?”

  “I’d feel better if you called me Chase.” He smiled.

  She locked onto his eyes momentarily before she shook herself away from the thought of crawling onto the hospital bed with him. She smiled back.

  “Chase, I have good news. The test results are fine and your chart says your breathing has improved. Are you having any shortness of breath?” She remained professional.

  “Only when you’re in the room, Doc.” He winked.

  She laughed. “I’ve heard you’re a charmer.”

  “Don’t listen to the town talk. I’m a nice guy.”

  Becca smiled as she wrote in his chart. “Well then, Mr. Nice Guy, you are free to go.”

  “That’s not good news.” Chase frowned and Becca looked confused.

  “If I leave, I won’t see you. Unless…” he reached out for her hand.

  The sudden touch and how it made her feel startled her. “Unless what?”

  “Unless you agree to see me outside of the hospital.”

  He left her speechless. She wanted to say yes. She wanted him. But now that the opportunity was in front of her, she froze. Becca remembered the love list, the promise to her friends, and her recent thoughts of him. Be strong Becca. This is what you want. Just say yes.

  “What did you have in mind?” she blurted out.

  “How about horseback riding through the Tanner property and a picnic for two?”

  Becca took a deep breath. “Sounds amazing.”

  He smiled. “Now that’s good news. When’s your next day off?”