by Darcy Burke
“A bit, but we were able to acquire about ten acres up the hill. We planted that last year. All pinot noir.”
She turned and walked back inside. “Plenty of space here for tables and events.”
He closed the door as he came in. “That’s the idea.” He went to the wall on the left. “The bar will be here—there’s a kitchen on the other side.” He went through a door, and she followed him.
She chuckled. “It needs a little work. A backsplash would be good.”
He smiled. “It’s in progress. For now, we only need the fridge, the sink, the dishwasher, and the microwave. This will be finished before they start on the tasting room.”
“Who’s they?”
“My brother Dylan’s contracting company. We get roped into doing a lot too—keeps costs down, and frankly, we like doing it.”
“Hello?” Hayden’s voice filtered into the kitchen.
Cam turned toward the door. “That’s Hayden.”
They moved back into the tasting room. Hayden held out his hand. “Good to see you again, Brooke. Thanks for coming today.”
“Thanks for having me. I really appreciate the tour.”
He grinned at her. “Just sell a ton of our wine, please.”
She peered at him and shot a glance toward Cam. “Do you have a ton to sell?”
“Not yet, but we will,” Cam said. “I’ll let Hayden tell you all about what he has planned. Let’s start on the mezzanine.”
The opposite side of the tasting room opened up to the fermentation level below, and a walkway with railings on either side stretched toward the receiving area and where they stored the sorting equipment.
Brooke strolled to the railing and looked down at the fermentation tanks, currently empty.
Hayden joined her and slapped his hands on the metal. “The railings are removable so we can move the grapes down into the fermenters.” She took her hands off the steel, and he chuckled. “Perfectly safe, I promise. Come on, let’s go down.”
Cam rolled his eyes. “Don’t scare her off, Hay.”
Hayden tossed him a teasing look over his shoulder as he started down the stairs. “That’s your job—but please don’t do it.”
Brooke descended between them. “You guys have been friends a long time, I take it.”
“Since first grade,” Cam said. “I’ve tried to get rid of him, even got him to go to France for a year, but he’s like a bad penny.”
Hayden snorted. “As if. You cried like a baby when I left and practically begged me to come back.” At the base of the stairs, Hayden waited for Brooke to step down, then moved closer to her. He lowered his voice, but not enough so that Cam couldn’t hear him, which was the point. “Don’t let Cam fool you. His brothers both left Ribbon Ridge for long periods—years—but Cam could only bring himself to leave for days, maybe a week, at a time and only because his work demanded it. He’s a diehard Ribbon Ridger. Since he left Blackthorn and his hectic travel schedule, some might even call him a homebody. I don’t think he’s ventured out of the state in the past two years.”
Cam came off the stairs and joined them. “Hey, I was tired of traveling. And I have too left the state. We’ve taken several research trips to Washington and California.”
Brooke seemed to be enjoying Hayden’s teasing, if the smile hovering on her lips and the glint in her eye were any indication. “I hear he hasn’t even been to France.”
Hayden nodded, his gaze full of false pity. “True story.” He chuckled. “Come on, let’s talk wine!”
Hayden guided her through the fermentation level. Her questions came fast and furious, and Hayden answered every single one of them. Cam didn’t say much—the winemaking was Hayden’s thing—but he appreciated her intellect and her passion for wine.
As they proceeded down to the settling level, Cam asked, “You sound like maybe you should have been a winemaker.”
She turned her head toward him, her eyebrow arching. “Really? I never thought about it. I worked at a tasting room part-time in college, and that turned into a full-time job when I graduated. From there, I went into sales and distribution.”
This sparked a conversation about southern Oregon wine and where she’d worked. By the time they finished up with the cellar, which included the barrel rooms and the bottling area, it was past time to meet Luke for the vineyard tour. Cam’s phone vibrated—a text from Luke asking where they were.
Cam looked across the bottling line to where Brooke and Hayden were chatting. “Luke’s waiting for us.”
Hayden gave her a sheepish look. “Sorry, I get a little carried away.”
Brooke shook her head. “Not at all. I asked too many questions.”
Cam went to the exterior door. “No such thing.” He texted Luke to meet them out back on the lower level. “We can go out this way.” He slid his sunglasses back on as he held the door.
Brooke preceded them into the sunlight and dropped her glasses back over her magnificent eyes. Bummer. He liked watching them animate and sparkle as they discussed winemaking.
Hayden gave Cam a slight elbow as he walked by. He turned his head for a brief glance that included arched eyebrows and wide eyes that clearly said, Dude, she’s cool, or something to that effect.
Cam knew she was cool. And smart. And attractive in so many ways that went far beyond her looks.
“Oh, I love this!” Brooke exclaimed as she moved toward the massive fire pit they’d just installed last month. She looked around. “Is this for guests? I don’t see an easy access point.”
Hayden put his sunglasses on. “For now, it’s just for us, but we’ll eventually add stairs from the upper deck and another deck, then more stairs leading down here. We may have evening dinners out here—but that’s down the road.”
Cam walked to the pit where she stood. “We reclaimed the brick from the house before we demolished it.”
“House?” Brooke asked.
“There was a mid-century ranch, which Hayden and Bex lived in for a while. We’d planned to use it for something, but it had…problems.”
“The extensive dry rot and the leaking pipes were problems. The rodent infestation was catastrophic.” Hayden shuddered.
Brooke made a face that clearly transmitted what she thought of that—disgusting. “Oh dear.”
“Unsalvageable as a whole, unfortunately, but we saved what we could.”
Hayden nodded. “Some of the wood will be used for the bar in the tasting room.”
“That’s so cool that you reused stuff.”
“Especially this brick,” Cam said. “It predates that ranch house, even. When we went to pull the brick out, we found one buried near the foundation with the year 1879 and the initials BNR.”
“That’s cool. What does it mean?”
Hayden grinned. “No idea. But my sister-in-law Alaina is on it. She and her BFF are history nerds, and they’ve been working on establishing a Ribbon Ridge museum.”
“That’s so neat. I’d totally go to that.” She froze for a moment. “Wait a second. Is that Alaina Pierce? I just remembered she’s married to one of the Archers.”
Alaina was one of the world’s most famous actresses, despite doing only a supporting role in a single film during the past two years. She’d been too busy being a newlywed and a mom.
Hayden laughed. “Yeah, that’s her. She’s completely down-to-earth. She’s just another Ribbon Ridger now.”
Brooke glanced between them. “Huh. How long does the indoctrination take? I mean, I’ve only been here a month or so.”
Hayden looked at Cam and shrugged. “Dunno.”
“Being a Ribbon Ridger is a state of mind. Time’s got nothing to do with it,” Cam said. “There’s a distinct pride that comes in living and working here.”
“What makes it so special?” she asked.
Cam tried to think of something specific—maybe the annual Ribbon Ridge Festival, which had taken place a couple of weeks ago—but there were too many intangibles. For him, it w
as the only home he’d ever known, and it was the only home he ever wanted. “Did you go to the Ribbon Ridge Festival?”
“I did. It was great.”
Cam wondered why he hadn’t seen her, but it was a widely attended event, drawing more and more people from the Portland metropolitan area every year. It was silly to think he’d pick her out of a crowd. Except now he knew he absolutely could.
“It’s gotten kind of commercial in the past decade or so,” Cam said, “but the festival started way back in the nineteenth century. They had horse racing, dancing, and even a quilting bee.”
“Sounds like something that museum you mentioned should highlight. Maybe you can bring some of that back next year.”
Cam suddenly wondered why no one ever had. “That’s a great idea. Hayden and I’ll get right on that.”
Hayden chuckled. “Yeah, sure. Right after we launch our wines, not to mention everything else on our plates.”
“Good point. Sounds like a job for Alaina and Crystal, though.” Cam looked toward Brooke. “Crystal’s her friend.”
“I figured. Maybe I’ll offer to give them a hand. Sounds fun. And maybe it’ll help me earn my Ribbon Ridge Club Card.”
Cam let out a bark of laughter. “We totally need those. We’ll get Alaina and Crystal on that too.”
Hayden pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Bex is bringing some food in a bit if you guys are hungry. I haven’t had lunch.”
“I ate before I came,” Brooke said.
Cam didn’t want her to go when the tour was over. He envisioned them sitting on the patio upstairs. “Then wine—I still have that Riesling in my fridge.”
She smiled at him, showing straight, brilliant white teeth. “I’m not sure I can decline that a second time.”
Luke came down the hill then, his hat pulled low over his eyes. “It’s a good thing I love the sun.”
“You’re in the wrong line of work if you don’t,” Cam said. “Luke, you remember Brooke Ellis.”
“Yep. Good to see you again.” He slipped off his sunglasses and shook her hand. “Ready for a sweltering walk?”
“Absolutely. I tried to choose the right footwear.” She held her foot out to show her hiking boot.
“Perfect. Though a hat would’ve been good.”
She nodded toward his head. “I see that now.” She looked over at Cam and Hayden. “Where are yours? You guys should know better. In fact, you should have a stock of them here—haven’t you heard of swag?”
Cam chuckled. “We’re looking at some—hats, shirts, all that. Maybe you can help me decide what to buy. Tell me what people will want when you go selling.”
“Sure,” she said.
Hayden pivoted toward the building. “I’ve got stuff to do inside. In the air-conditioning. Actually, Cam, I could use a hand.”
Cam preferred to go on the vineyard tour, even without a hat. “I was going to tag along with them.”
“Like you haven’t walked every inch of this vineyard a hundred times. Come on.” Hayden jerked his head toward the winery. “See you in a bit, Brooke.”
Cam had no choice but to reluctantly follow Hayden. Brooke and Luke were already on their way toward the vines before Cam could say anything. He trudged back inside into the cool dark of the bottling room.
He tossed Hayden a glare. “What could possibly be so urgent on a Saturday afternoon?”
Hayden laughed. “Absolutely nothing, dick-for-brains—and I mean that literally. Someone had to save you from yourself.”
Cam pulled the door closed behind him. “What the hell does that mean?”
“You were practically tripping over yourself. Where’s the cool ladies’ man we all know and love?”
Cam scoffed. “You’d give me shit no matter what, wouldn’t you?”
Hayden slapped his shoulder. “It’s what we do.” He walked out of the bottling room and started up the stairs. “But seriously, do you like her?” He glanced back at Cam as they ascended.
“Sure. She’s great.”
“I mean like-like her. Don’t you think it’s time you had a girlfriend again? I know we always give you crap about being a player, but you have sort of abandoned that way of life of late. I guess I thought that might signal that you’re ready to let down your guard.”
Cam scowled at his friend’s back. He hadn’t mentioned the reason for Cam having a guard in the first place, but it wasn’t necessary. They both knew why.
“I’m never doing that, and if you think I should, keep your opinion to yourself.”
They climbed in silence until they reached the fermentation level. Hayden stopped and turned. “Is it wrong for me to want to see you happy?”
“Isn’t this the same crap your family pulled when you came home from France to find Bex ensconced in your house and working for your brewpub? They were all happily paired off and wanted you to get right back with Bex.”
Hayden looked down at the floor, but Cam caught the smile pulling at his mouth. “Yeah, they did. And it pissed me off. But they were also right about me and Bex.” He looked at Cam again, and his gaze was sincere, caring even. “Maybe Brooke isn’t the right woman—believe me, I really don’t want you screwing up a good working relationship if she turns out to be a fantastic salesperson. But the right woman is out there. Jennifer was the aberration, not the norm.”
“Damn it. You had to go and say her name.”
“Dude, everyone eventually said Voldemort too.”
Cam knew Hayden meant well, but his love life was off-limits. “I think you should drop the conversation.”
Hayden held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. Just… I don’t want you to have regrets.”
“It’s far too late for that,” Cam muttered. “Listen, I’m heading up to my office for a few.” He started toward the stairs.
Hayden called after him. “I’ll let you know when Bex gets here with lunch.”
Cam nodded but didn’t turn. He climbed up to his office, feeling agitated. He hated that word—regret. Because he had plenty of experience with it. He strove to live his life so that emotion never knocked him down again.
Yeah, he liked Brooke, but he still didn’t want a girlfriend. Luckily for him, she didn’t seem interested—even if he was. He was content to flirt with her and keep things light. That was what he did best.
And that was what kept him out of trouble.
By the time they finished the vineyard tour, Brooke was hot and more than eager for that glass of Riesling Cam had promised her. Like Hayden, Luke had been an engaging and incredibly knowledgeable tour guide.
“I have the sense you pretty much live and breathe this vineyard,” she said as they walked back toward the building.
“Guilty. But then we all do.”
She could see that. The four of them seemed to have poured all of their passion—their very souls—into this endeavor. It was inspiring and honestly a little envy inducing.
“You guys are incredibly lucky to be pursuing your dream.”
Luke blew out a whistle. “Don’t we know it. He led her toward a doorway on the uphill side of the building. “You sound wistful. Selling wine isn’t your dream?”
“I love it, really.” She did. But it wasn’t really her dream. Her dream—to have a family—had been shattered when she and Darren had divorced. She realized she didn’t have a new dream, and that felt like a bit of an epiphany.
“But maybe it’s not where you see yourself in five or ten years,” he said.
She hadn’t thought about that. She’d been too focused on taking one day and then one week at a time. She’d stopped seeing a shrink when she’d moved north, but she still had tough questions she ought to explore.
Oh, get over yourself! Thinking about the future should not send you into a tailspin. Not anymore.
Luke opened the door to the winery as she silently chided herself. They walked into a vestibule with a staircase—the one that led up to the offices, she was fairly certain.<
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“Oh man, does that feel good.” Luke swept his hat off and closed his eyes briefly.
Brooke welcomed the cool rush of air-conditioning, despite the instant goose bumps rising on her heated flesh. It felt delicious. “Yes, it does.”
“This way,” Luke said, gesturing past the stairs to the main room.
A table had been set up, and a cute brunette was arranging food on it. She turned as Brooke and Luke approached. “Hi!” She brushed her hands on her jean shorts and came toward Brooke. “I’m Bex Archer.” She offered her hand, which Brooke shook.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Brooke Ellis.”
“So I heard. I’m so thrilled you’ll be working with the guys. They need a woman’s influence.”
Luke chuckled. “As if you don’t insert yours. And we have no issue with that.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
Bex tossed him a look of affront. “Hey, I’m too busy with my beer.”
“I meant no offense. Don’t listen to me. I’m overheated.”
“Then I’m just in time!” Cam called from the base of the stairs. He carried two bottles of white wine—the Riesling, which she could discern by the shape of the bottle, and another white.
Hayden came from the kitchen carrying a knife and some napkins. He handed the knife to Bex. “This is for the cheese.”
She gave him a quick kiss followed by a smile. “Thanks, babe.”
He smiled back at her, and it was obvious they were still in newlywed mode or just that sickeningly happy. Brooke had thought that she and Darren had been that happy once, and she supposed they had. But it hadn’t lasted.
Bex put the knife down on a cutting board with the cheese. “Help yourselves!”
There was a fruit salad, a chicken salad, little rolls and crackers, a charcuterie plate, two cheeses, and a spread that looked like fig.
Brooke’s stomach rumbled. Yes, she’d had “lunch” but decided a protein shake didn’t really count. Hadn’t she earned a second lunch after running a 10k and taking a brutal hike through the ninety-degree vineyard? “This is all for you guys?”
