A Kiss of Cabernet

by Pamela Gibson

  “Hi there.”

  Jake stood outside, his arms by his sides, a hopeful smile on his lips. His hair was shorter, and he had a stubbly spot on his head, like it had been shaved. A paler complexion made his brown, long-lashed eyes more prominent in his face. He looked like a puppy waiting for a treat.

  “Can I come in?”

  Speech failed. Heaviness in her chest took her breath away. She tentatively reached out and traced the tiny spot on his head, her eyes never leaving his face.

  “Take a breath, Paige.” She heard him say it, but she couldn’t do it. “You’d better take one soon, because your mouth is going to be doing something else in about two seconds. Come here.”

  He pulled her roughly to him, devouring her face with kisses, teasing her lips open and drinking deeply. His arms wrapped her in warmth and comfort, and she held on to his solid back, afraid her knees would give way and not hold her.

  Jake was back. Her Jake. If it was a dream, she never wanted to wake up.

  She tugged him inside. She drank in his features, trying to still her heart.

  “How are you?” It was a dumb question, but she really wanted to know.

  “I’m good.”

  “You didn’t call.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ve…been busy.”

  “But you’re here now.”

  “Yes.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his knuckles. “What are you thinking?”

  “That I want to keep kissing you. And maybe more. But Mariel will be a bit embarrassed if she walks into her house and the bedroom door is closed.”

  “Mariel will be out for several hours.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I confess. I arranged it with her.”

  “You did what?” Paige stepped back. “She knew you were coming and didn’t tell me? I am going to kill her.”

  “No, you’re going to come with me. I have something to show you.”

  “Where?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “I don’t think I can handle any more surprises.”

  “You’ll like this one.”

  …

  The Trinity Road between Napa and Sonoma Valleys was light on cars and heavy on beauty. Winding through the Mayacamas Mountains, the road climbed upward through oak forest to pine-studded hills. They were too far south for natural redwood groves, but the fallen leaves in November were like multicolored quilts that covered the ground.

  “How long does it take to get to the next valley?” asked Jake, reaching over with his right hand to cover Paige’s left.

  “Around forty-five minutes with other cars on the road. This time of year, people like to go slower and check out the scenery.”

  Jake glanced at his companion and smiled. It was great to have her next to him again. His hands kept straying over to touch her.

  As they descended into the next valley, they passed stately homes set back in trees and many dirt driveways; the only sign that they led somewhere were the mailboxes on the side of the road. When they came out at another state highway, they turned left and headed toward the town of Sonoma.

  “Jake, where are we going?” Paige raised her eyebrows and tilted her head.

  “Look for a sign that says Moon Mountain Road. It only goes to the left. Never mind. There it is.”

  The car took a quick turn left and started up another winding road. Signs pointed to a Christmas tree farm and another to the Monte Rosso Vineyard. Staring at the mileage indicator on the car’s console, Jake slowed, then turned right into a rutted dirt road. They bounced along.

  “Jake. You have to tell me what this is all about.”

  “I will. I promise. Hang in there.”

  Coming to a clearing Jake stopped the car and got out. Paige joined him, and they both stood and looked out at the magnificent views stretching before them almost to San Pablo Bay.

  “What is this place?”

  “Let’s walk, shall we?” Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her along through a stand of oaks, onto a level meadow. At one time, a vineyard had been planted. Its vines were red and orange, with splintered canes and wild branches. Large spaces indicated stalks had withered and died. Weeds grew between the plants that had never been trellised. Paige walked from one to another, lifting the canopy, crouching down to examine the trunk.

  “This is a very old vineyard. I’d say it’s at least seventy years old by the size of the trunks, maybe planted sometime after Prohibition ended. How do you know about this place?” She stood and came back to stand next to him, gazing out over the treetops below to the hills beyond.

  “Because it’s mine.” His voice was low, and Paige turned to look at him, cocking her head.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said it’s mine. I bought it. It doesn’t have the ghosts of your ancestors roaming it. This one’s only five acres—not what you’re used to—but it’s a vineyard in need of professional guidance if it’s going to flourish again. Your guidance.”

  “You want to hire me to fix this vineyard?”

  “No. I want to marry you.”

  Jake pulled her to him and didn’t wait for her answer. If she said no, he would keep her here until she changed her mind. She couldn’t say no. He brought his lips down on hers, testing to see if she pulled away. When her arms wrapped tightly around him and she opened to him, he knew her answer.

  She hugged him so tight he thought he would have bruised ribs. Stepping back, she looked at him, eyes bright with unshed tears.

  “You didn’t have to do this, you know. I would have married you anyway. But this is the nicest surprise I’ve ever had.”

  “I have an even better one.” He held her face between his hands, making sure he had her full attention.

  “What could be better than this?”

  “I don’t have Huntington’s.”

  He thought she would grab him and dance around in circles. Instead she looked into his face and then burst into tears, burying her head in his shoulder.

  “Hey, I thought you’d be happy.”

  “Oh God, Jake. I am. I am.”

  He held her until her shoulders quit shaking, then gently kissed her tear-stained cheeks. She was everything he’d ever wanted, and now he’d never have to let her go.

  They sat on a flat rock, side by side, in the late-afternoon sunshine, arms wrapped around each other’s backs, planning the house they would build someday. Paige would start on the vineyard right away. It needed new plantings, serious pruning, and tender care. Jake still had business to take care of back east, but she would go with him as often as she could and learn a little bit about city life. She told him it would be a great adventure for a country girl. Eventually, they would settle here, within a stone’s throw of the famous Monte Rosso Vineyard, a place known locally for exceptional grapes. That’s why he’d bought it.

  “If Garnet Hill goes back on the market someday, maybe we can buy it back. I got a brochure in the mail announcing Sven’s ‘new investment opportunity in the Napa Valley,’ but there was no completion date.”

  “There won’t be any. Sarah said the new law prohibiting development on prime vineyard land is going to the voters in November, and people in this county love their vineyards. Polls have it winning by a landslide.”

  They both laughed, a gentle peace settling over them.

  “I want this to be our home. I can do a lot of telecommuting. I want to watch the magic you perform in the vineyard.”

  “For me, anywhere would be home as long as you’re there, Jake. I don’t need Garnet Hill. I’ve let go of my obsession. I realize now that it isn’t the past that’s important, it’s the future.”

  His fingers brushed her cheek before leaning in for a lingering kiss. He wanted her badly, but he could wait. They’d have a lifetime.

  “And I want our children to have their father around,” said Paige. “We can have children, can’t we?”

  He formulated his answer with care, curious about her reaction. “It migh
t be less risky to adopt.”

  “Then we’ll adopt.” She said it lightly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

  God, how he loved this woman. How could he have thought he could live without her?

  The late afternoon was waning, and they got up to go back to St. Helena when Paige said she needed to help Mariel with a party. By the time they returned, Mariel was back at her apartment. She peered at their faces and started to laugh, hugging one, then the other.

  “I can’t believe you knew about this and didn’t tell me,” said Paige, her scolding tone belied by the sparkle in her eyes. “You’ve never been able to keep a secret in your life.”

  “So I’m a slow learner. Hey, you’d both better get dressed. The party starts at six,” said Mariel. “I’m going on ahead. You two can come when you’re ready and make a grand entrance.”

  “Why can’t we wear what we have on? We’re workers, not guests.”

  “Jake?” Mariel put her hands on her hips and shook her head.

  “I forgot one thing,” he said sheepishly, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a small box and handed it to Paige.

  A perfect emerald-cut diamond solitaire nestled on a velvet cushion. Paige gasped and looked at Jake incredulously.

  “It’s a family heirloom, and I want you to have it.” He lifted her left hand and slipped the diamond on her finger.

  Paige reached up and hugged Jake again. “I promise to take it off when I’m working in fertilizer.”

  Mariel lifted her hand to look more closely at the ring. “Wow, what a rock. Wait till Nana sees it. She told me yesterday that she saw a line of ants walking backward and that meant there was serious change in the air.” She walked out, leaving Jake and Paige alone.

  “I can’t wait to meet your grandmother.”

  “It will be interesting,” said Paige.

  He kissed her forehead, gave her backside a swat, and told her to get dressed or she’d be late.

  “For what?”

  “Our engagement party.”

  “Ours?” she squeaked. “That party with the beautiful decorations is for us? I don’t have anything to wear.”

  “Yes, you do. Look in the closet. Your sister took care of that, too.”

  “The woman is incredible. No wonder they pay her so much at the winery.”

  With another quick kiss, Paige scooted to the bedroom, stopping at the door. “What if I’d said no?”

  He thought for a moment. “I guess I would have had to propose to Mariel.”

  She laughed out loud, a deep, happy sound that filled the air with the promise of joy. He never dreamed that when he had come here to put his businesses in order and come to terms with his own mortality, he would find the woman who would give him love and hope.

  And put perfect balance back into his life.

  …

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  Acknowledgements

  I am fortunate to have the best editors in the world—Stacy Abrams and Wendy Chen. Thank you for making this book better, and thanks to Tara Quigley and Debbie Suzuki who answered questions promptly and kept me on track. The entire Entangled Team is awesome.

  A special thank-you to readers, editors, and agents who volunteer to judge RWA chapter contests. Your suggestions helped shape this story over time. Finally, I want to thank my family who never stopped supporting and believing in me. You rock.

  About the Author

  Pamela Gibson grew up in a small historic town in Southern California a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. She’s been a journalist, an appointed city official, and a mom and wrote several history books before turning to her favorite genre...romance. She loves the feel of soft sand under her bare feet, the smell of a new book, and the taste of an aged cabernet. She now lives in Northern California’s wine country with her husband and an ancient feline named Bubba. Perfect Balance, winner of many contests, is her debut novel.

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