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The doubt remains but she shrugs and stands. “Do you have time to work on a grocery list tonight?”
Nodding, I rise as well. After Alice sends us on our way—I have a container with another two whoopie pies to take with me—Bailey and I step out into the clear, early evening air.
“Let’s get this over with. Follow me,” she says.
Until forever ends.
four
Bailey
What the hell am I thinking? Earlier I’d attempted to tame the instant lust I felt for this man when I’d seen him from a distance. Up close, I don’t know how I made it through supper without either collapsing into a pile of goo or making a total fool out of myself.
There’s still time for either outcome tonight. Or during the next four weeks. It would be wise for me to figure out his schedule then find reasons to be far away from the kitchen during those times. I’ve never considered myself a wise woman. And this man… this man seriously tempts me to forget the promises I made to myself when I lost my last job.
There is something familiar about him, but a wrongness in that familiarity that confuses me. Like I should know who he is. Or maybe it’s who he is supposed to be. I really don’t know and need to bury this dangerous train of thought. I don’t have time to figure out why some random guest on the ranch makes me question my strategic and ironclad plans.
The silence as we walk shimmers with an unnamed tension between us. It’s uncomfortable yet not. I am totally confused by this man. And my reactions to him.
Oh, the lust I understand and I’m pretty sure that’s not going away unless I do something stupid. Like imagining what I feel might be reciprocated. He stared at me all during the meal while attempting not to. My body felt the almost physical touch of his gaze and it was difficult to keep my reaction hidden. Squeezing my thighs together certainly didn’t help.
I can do this. Get him set up to use the kitchen then maintain minimal contact. Focus on creating the flavors to make the mead spectacular and worthy of bearing the winery’s label. There’s a delivery of grapes from another vineyard coming in a few weeks and there’s prep work to do to start the vinification process. There is no time for anything else.
“The key Alice gave you will let you in the delivery entrance to the kitchen. It won’t open any other doors.” There, that should be enough to keep him from wandering into the winery.
“Yep, she told me. That’s all I need.” His voice cracks the tiniest bit on the word ‘need’ and suddenly I’m aware of how my bra moves over my nipples making them more sensitive. No, I tell my wayward lady bits. Not happening.
“There’s staples like flour and sugar. Some spices. But not much of anything else. Everything was cleared out after the last event.”
“I’ll try to keep my list small.”
“That’s not necessary. I’ll get whatever you want.” We reach the public winery building and I lead him around to the back door. “Go ahead and use the key to see if it works properly. I had a little trouble with this door when I first got here.”
He nods and steps in front of me to open the lock. The breeze swirls around us, washing his masculine scent over me. Inhaling deeply, I recognize a subtle essence that must be him mixed with an overtone of sandalwood and patchouli. Two of my favorite scents. I stop myself from leaning closer just to breathe him in.
Pulling the door open, he steps back with a flourish. “Tah daah.”
“Light switch is on the right.”
Bright light fills the wide delivery area and I follow him in and shut the door. “Make sure this is always closed. Out here there’s a lot of little critters who would love to move in. It’s a constant battle.”
“Door closed. Gotcha.”
“The storeroom is on the left, walk-in cooler and freezer on the right. Go straight ahead for the kitchen.” I’m not about to clean up after this man should he be a messy cook so I point out the dishwashing area and the janitor’s closet as we pass the closed door. Like he knows what I’m doing, he gives me a wide grin.
“Wow,” he says when he steps into the kitchen. The facility hasn’t been used often and all the stainless-steel tables and stacks of pans shine with a pristine silver glint. “This is great. How is it connected to the winery?”
Gaze narrowed, I stare at him a moment but sense no ulterior motives. Mentally I berate myself. Not everyone is out to steal my ideas or use my talent to get ahead. I huff out a breath that makes him frown. Even that dour look heightens my interest. Down, girl. Keep it together. “The door next to that tall warming unit. Once the winery is in full operation, it’ll be changed to a double, swinging door.”
He crossed to the door and peers through the oval window cut in the top third of the door. “And that’s where you do your wine making thing?”
“That’s the public area for tastings and hosted gatherings. Where there will be food service eventually. The main operations are in the large building closer to the vineyard. I think eventually Alice wants to open up part of the production area behind a glass wall so guests can take a tour to view the process.”
“How do you feel about that possibility?”
Surprised at his question, I stammer a bit before settling on a truthful answer. “She’s the boss. But it makes me nervous. Being put on display. I’ll deal with that when it happens. For now I have a workroom in this building. At least there, when I’m creating new flavor profiles and mixtures of grapes… at least that won’t be available to anyone.”
The stress I put on the final word is a warning. His eyebrows arch slightly then he nods. He got the message. Returning to the center of the kitchen he says in a flat tone, “Let’s get started on my list.”
