by Lucinda Race
Sherry sat on the rock wall and took the hat from her head to wipe her face and neck with a bright-pink handkerchief. Digging out deep, entrenched weeds was hard but satisfying work. In some cases, she wasn’t sure what was a weed or a plant. Too bad she had never seen the gardens in full bloom; it would have made this project easier.
She could hear trucks rumble in the distance. There seemed to be a lot of activity beyond her line of sight, but sounds carried through the valley. Her thoughts drifted to Sam and she wondered what he was doing today.
The breeze rustled the tree limbs above her. She leaned back to enjoy the sun as it warmed her face. Being outside was a rare treat. She could hear the dogs barking and wondered if they were in the house.
After drinking some water, she got lost in working the soil. She had deliberately chosen the garden closest to the road since it was the first thing a visitor would see when coming to the winery. First impressions were everything. Crescent Lake Winery was becoming known for their tasting room and wines. They had been a part of the wine trail since its inception a few years previously.
She put a cassette tape in her portable recorder and listened to music. After a while, she glanced up and was pleased to see Sam headed in her direction.
“Sherry?” His eyes were masked by his sunglasses.
She got up from the ground and wiped her soil-covered hands on her jeans. She gave him a sheepish smile. “Hey, Sam.”
He looked at the flower bed. “This is my mother’s. What are you doing here?” His face was a mask as he waited for an answer.
“What she’d want me to do. Since I love to garden and you were nice to help me out yesterday, I thought I’d come over and see if I could get the flower bed in shape.” She looked around, wishing the ground would swallow her up, embarrassed to be caught on their property without permission.
His brown eyes softened. “That’s not necessary. Friends help each other out.”
She cocked her head. “We’re friends now?” she teased.
His smiled dimmed. “I thought we were.”
They had been school acquaintances, never close friends. They hadn’t run in the same circle. He had always been in the science lab, geeking out on stuff, and she was into every activity possible. Even a football cheerleader for two seasons and National Honor Society.
She stopped trying to be funny. “So, what do you think?” She gestured to the flower bed. “I don’t have anything to go by, so I’m not one hundred percent sure what’s a plant or a weed since there are some varieties I’ve never seen before. Either way, it will look better when I’m done.” He was still quiet, so she kept up a running commentary. “Later today, I am going to pick up some annuals for an added splash of quick color.” She flashed him a big grin. “Curb appeal. You know, for when you have customers coming to the tasting room.”
“It looks real nice. Thanks for doing this.” He glanced around. “It’s kind of quiet down here. Do you want the dogs for company?”
“I’ve got my tapes.” She picked up a small hand trowel. “Well, I’ll be finished in a while, and then I’ll take off.”
He turned and walked back up the hill. Over his shoulder, he said, “Thanks again.”
Sam didn’t seem his brash self today. She threw more dandelion roots on her growing pile of weeds. Dismayed, she wondered how she would get that stack cleaned up. The bucket she had brought from home had been filled hours ago. Only another ten feet and she was done.
A short time later, she heard the dogs again, only this time, they were growing closer. Had they somehow gotten out of their pen? Would they remember her from yesterday? Her heart skipped. What if they attacked?
They rushed over the knoll and headed for her at top speed. Frozen in her sneakers, she waited for them to leap with teeth bared. A sharp whistle and they skidded to a stop right in front of her. They were panting and if she hadn’t known better, she’d have thought they were smiling.
Riding a bright-green scooter, Sam coasted down the driveway and pulled up onto the grass. What was he doing back?
He strode over to her with a thermos and a small bag in one hand and a blue tarp in the other. A slow, sexy smile spread across his face.
“I talked to my dad and he said if you’re interested in working while you’re in town, he’ll pay you to clean up the rest of the beds.” He handed her a thermos. “Iced tea and one of the ladies from the tasting room made some oatmeal cookies. I thought you might like a couple.” He looked at the dogs. They watched the bag, their heads cocked to one side. “And don’t feed the pups, no matter how sad they look. They’ve had their treats already.”
She glanced at the dogs. “You’re leaving them here?”
“Yeah. We’ve had a couple of bears wandering around and with the boys here, nothing will venture close.”
She looked around. A finger of fear raced down her back. She had never thought about the potential wildlife out here.
“Hey.” His voice was gentle. “It’s just a precaution.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.” She looked back over her shoulder and wondered if a bear had been watching her this whole time.
He chuckled as if reading her mind. “They won’t hurt you unless they’re protecting their young. And momma bears are waking up with babies.” He jerked his thumb in the pups’ direction. “They’ll be on their best behavior.”
As if on cue, the dogs got up and walked over to Sherry and sat at her feet. She rubbed the tops of their heads and relaxed. She’d save the cookies for later to use as a potential bribe if needed. “I appreciate the snack and I’ll think about your dad’s offer.”
She shielded her eyes and pointed to the tarp. “And what’s that for?”
He flicked it open. “Put all the weeds on here and I’ll pick it up later and dump it.”
Well, that issue was solved. “Thanks. That’s a help.”
He gave her that smile again, the one that made her heart beat a bit quicker. “Can you bring the dogs up to the house before you go? The back gate is open. Just put them in there.”
She nodded. “Sure.”
He got on the scooter and took off without a backward glance.
“Doc, Moe, do you weed?”
The dogs looked at her like she was speaking gibberish and then pushed her hands on top of their heads so she’d pet them. With a laugh, she scratched behind their ears and said, “I need to finish, so go lie down.”
To her surprise, they each did as she asked, but they kept their eyes open and would look around as if taking their security job seriously.
Before long, she was finished and the weeds were piled on the blue tarp. It had been a good day’s work. Her muscles were sore, but in a satisfying way. While digging, she couldn’t stop thinking about the opportunity to spend the next few days bringing more of these beds back to life. She sat on her backside and looked around. She wanted to take Mr. Price up on his job offer. It was better than hanging around, contemplating life after graduation. She stashed her tools in the trunk, which now had a spare tire and a jack. With a smile, she opened the driver’s door and pointed to the back seat. “Boys, hop in. We’ll drive up to the house.”
They scrambled into the car but perched in the passenger seat. “Having you two around was kind of nice. Maybe you can hang out with me tomorrow.”
She drove toward the large colonial. This time, she took a good look at the wide wraparound porch. The front of the house cried out for the window boxes to be filled with colorful flowers and trailing ivy, and the porch could use pots of flowers on the stone steps leading up to the door. She bet when Mrs. Price was alive, it had all of that and more.
Chapter 3
Sam watched Sherry and the dogs get out of her car. She looked damn good in high-waisted jeans, and her puffy pink short sleeves showed off her slightly sunburned arms. The dogs jumped around her legs, clearly having fun with her. He knew they’d fall in love with her. She made her way around the back to the fenced-in yard and let them in.
Through the kitchen window, he said, “Calling it a day?”
Squinting into the sun, she smiled. “That bed is done except annuals. I’m headed to Blakes to pick up a flat or two and I’ll plant tomorrow.”
“Hold on; I’ll be right out.” He placed the glass in the sink and hurried out the side door.
Standing in front of her, he could smell coconut. “I like your suntan lotion.”
She wrinkled her brow. “Huh?”
“Coconut. I’m guessing it was in the lotion.”
“Thanks.” Her face relaxed. “Like I was saying, I’m going to pick up some flowers and swing back to plant them in the morning. Do you have any favorites?”
He thought for a moment and closed his eyes, remembering the riot of color in the flower beds years ago. “Mom loved petunias. Purple ones.”
“Then I’ll get petunias.”
“Want some company?”
He had time to play hooky. Even if he didn’t, he’d make time.
She looked down the road toward the winery buildings. “Don’t you need to get back to whatever it was you were working on?”
He shook his head. “A perk of being me. I can work whenever I need to or take off a couple of hours too. We’ll stop down and see my dad and then take off.” He thought he sounded arrogant, but it was true. Sam pointed to his truck. He wanted to take her hand but stopped himself. “I’ll drive.”
She seemed torn between wanting to leave or go with him. “Let me get my wallet out of the car.”
* * *
This isn’t a date. Relax. You’re just going to buy some plants. Sherry grabbed her wallet from the glove box and hurried over to Sam’s truck. He had opened the passenger door for her, but it wasn’t like he was standing next to it. It was just open.
He waited until she was settled before starting the truck.
“Are you leaving the dogs out?”
“Yeah, they can get inside through the doggie door.”
“Oh. Good.” She gave them another look. “They’re sweet pups.”
“Did they bark or carry on at all while you were working?” He dropped the truck into gear.
“No, they snoozed. Not much of a guard dog.” She flashed him a wide grin. “It was nice to have them with me. They were funny; when I said to get in the car, they hopped right in.”
“They love to ride.” She clasped her hands in her lap. Was she nervous?
Before the conversation could lag, he asked, “Have you ever been to the winery?” He drove slowly down the gravel road.
She looked at rows of vines. “This is incredible. I had no idea you had vines all over the place.”
He chuckled and slowed the truck. “The vines out there were some of the first my grandfather planted.” She could hear the pride in his voice. “I’m the third generation Price to grow grapes.”
“I had no idea they’d keep producing.”
“Careful saying that kind of stuff around Dad. He’ll give you a crash course.” He glanced her way. “If I see your eyes glaze over, I’ll get you out of there.”
“I’ll wait in the truck.”
He chuckled. “I don’t think so. Dad’s big on manners, and if he found out I left a pretty girl sitting in the truck, well—” He shook his head and grinned. “Don’t put me through that.”
She frowned. “You’d be in trouble?”
He reached out and touched her hand. It was electrifying. She hadn’t had this reaction with another guy. This wasn’t a date. He also hadn’t answered her.
“Earth to Sam.”
“Sorry. Did you say something?”
“I asked if your dad will be upset with you going with me.”
“Nah.” He grinned. “He might even be glad to see me take off for a couple of hours with an old friend.”
She eased away from that vein of conversation. “I’ve been thinking about different plant options for the beds since we could still get a frost.”
He pulled up in front of a large building with a few small windows overlooking the parking area. “Whatever you think is best.” He turned the truck off. “Here we are. The heart of the winery.”
She peered out the windshield. The second floor of the enormous brown barn had several large windows that overlooked the fields beyond the road.
“What’s on the first floor?”
“In the back, there is storage for bottled wine, and the front has the tasting room.” He pointed to a small wooden door. “That’s the entrance.”
She turned in her seat and looked around. “How would anyone know? That sign is tiny. You should paint the door a bright and inviting color, maybe like purple or burgundy.”
His head bobbed. “Good idea.” With his hand on the handle, he said, “Ready?”
She walked with Sam to the door. He held it open for her and she entered a large space. He pointed to the long wooden bar on one side and wine bottles on shelves on the wall. He explained that most people just had the tasting and didn’t linger. A few tables were scattered around the room. Bright lights illuminated the path to the stairwell that led to the second floor. Sherry took it all in.
Sunlight grew in intensity as they reached the top of the stairs. Sam said, “This way.”
They walked down the hall past several rooms that would someday have more employees; for now, they stood empty. Sam walked into a huge space with large windows. To the right, a man who bore a striking resemblance to Sam—the same height, blond hair, and brown eyes—looked up from a paper he was reading.
“Sam. I thought you were going out to the south fields?” There was a strong rebuke in his words.
“Dad, I wanted you to meet Sherry Jones. She’s my friend who’s been working in Mom’s gardens.”
The older man pushed his chair back and greeted her with an outstretched hand. “Donald Price. It’s a pleasure to meet you. It’s not often I meet any of Sam’s friends.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
His dad’s eyes grew misty. “I’ve heard you’re doing a wonderful job with my wife’s gardens. It was her passion.”
“I’ve finished one bed so far, sir.”
Sam watched as his father visibly relaxed.
He held up his hand. “Everyone calls me Donald.”
Sam could tell he liked her.
“I’m going to plant some annuals for color, and Sam offered to go with me.” She gave him a tentative smile. “Unless you need him here.”
“No, you two go and have fun. The fields can wait a day.” Donald sat behind the massive wood desk and picked up a paper.
“See you later, Dad.” They walked to the door.
Donald said, “Sherry, did Sam ask you if you wanted to work here until you go back to college?”
They paused. She gave him a wide smile which caused Sam’s heart to skip a beat. “He did, and I’d like that. But you don’t need to pay me. I like to garden.”
He shook his finger at her. Sam wanted to remind Dad he had just met Sherry and she’d have no way to know his overbearing ways were harmless.
“Nonsense. Never give away your valuable time for free.” He pulled out his wallet and held out cash to Sam. “Make sure you get whatever Sherry needs for plants, and if that’s not enough, tell Blake I’ll catch up with him tomorrow.”
“I’ve got money, Dad. We’ll be fine.”
“Sherry.” A gleam came into Donald’s eye. “Do you drink wine?”
She glanced in Sam’s direction and he shrugged; his mouth twitched with a repressed grin.
“Not really.”
“On Friday, come by after work. We’ll have a wine tasting.”
Her smile spread and reached her eyes. “That sounds nice. Thank you.”
* * *
The next day flew by for Sherry. Like yesterday, Doc and Moe were by her side while she worked. Despite sore muscles, she weeded and then planted the annuals. When she was done with the bed, she sat back on her heels and admired the riot of colors of pansies, petun
ias, and—since this bed was partially shaded—impatiens too, all which could survive a light frost. She half expected Sam to swing by at some point during the morning and was mildly surprised to realize she was disappointed. They’d had fun yesterday afternoon at the farm store. He was definitely not the guy she remembered from high school; could he have changed? She raked up the ground around the stones and paused. What if she had changed?
“Hello there.” The sound of Sam’s voice drew her attention. She could feel her smile spread.
“Hi. I didn’t expect to see you today after playing hooky yesterday afternoon.” Even though she hoped he would come around.
The dogs went over to him and he knelt down to give them some attention. “I was caught up with work and it was fun.” He looked up at her. “Have they been good company today?”
“They’ve been snoozing all morning, but having them around is nice.” Moe trotted over and leaned against her leg. She laughed. “I guess I have a fan.”
He smiled. “I think more than one.”
Did he mean the dogs? Why on earth was she even thinking like that? She was headed back to school, and then she was going to move to Buffalo or maybe even New York City. There was no way something could start up between them. Sam was never leaving the Valley.
“Are you going to stop over after you’re done tomorrow? Dad said he’s selected a few wines he wants you to try.”
“I should go home and change first.” She looked down at her clothes. “Gardening is dirty work.” Not that a little dirt was a bad thing; she felt her best when she was digging.
He stood and walked closer. Her mouth went dry and her heart skittered in her chest. He reached out and grazed a finger across her cheek. “There’s nothing wrong with getting immersed in the job. Happens to me every day.” He held his hand up for her to see. “Dirt.”
With a nervous laugh, she said, “Thanks.”
He took a step back. “I gotta get going, but do you want to have lunch with me tomorrow? I can come down here.”
