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Pulling back, I stared into her eyes, seeing my own emotions mirrored back. "Goodnight, Paisley," I whispered, my voice husky with emotion.
She smiled softly, cheeks flushed. "Goodnight, Austin."
With that, we parted ways, the night's end filled with the echo of a newfound connection and the infinite possibilities that the future held.
5
PAISLEY
The next morning greeted Valle di Sole with a soft golden hue, painting the vineyard in a warm, inviting light. A renewed sense of purpose bubbled inside me as I set out to start my first day of work. A subtle blush graced my cheeks, memories of the previous night playing on loop.
Upon reaching the designated spot, I was met with familiar and unfamiliar faces. Marco, with his infectious grin, was chatting animatedly with two other people: a tall woman with raven-black hair and a slightly older man with deep-set, warm eyes.
"Ah, Paisley! Come, join us!" Marco called out, beckoning me over.
I walked up to them, feeling a tad nervous. "Hey, Marco," I greeted, then glanced at the two others, waiting for introductions.
"This is Lucina, but we all call her Lou," Marco said, gesturing to the woman. "And that's Geraldo, our resident storyteller."
Lou's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Ah, the runaway bride," she teased, a grin playing on her lips.
I laughed, rolling my eyes. "I see word travels fast."
"It always does," Geraldo remarked, chuckling softly. His voice was deep, carrying the weight of years and wisdom.
We quickly fell into a rhythm, working in sync with one another. The act of harvesting, which I initially thought would be laborious, felt therapeutic. With each grape cluster I picked, I felt a deeper connection to the land, the town, and its people.
As we worked, Geraldo started recounting tales from days long past. "You know, this vineyard used to be the lifeblood of Valle di Sole," he began. "Everyone either worked here or was in some way connected to the vineyard. My father, my grandfather, generations have been intertwined with these vines."
Lou chimed in, "Summer festivals were the best. The whole town would gather in the vineyard, and we'd have music, dance, and of course, wine." Her eyes gleamed with nostalgia. "Oh, the stories these vines could tell if they could talk."
I was captivated. Every story painted a vivid picture of Valle di Sole's rich history, how the town thrived on the vineyard, the challenges they faced, the celebrations, and the heartaches.
Marco added, "When we were kids, Geraldo used to tell us tales of the vineyard spirits, guardians of the grapes, ensuring every batch produced was perfect."
Geraldo laughed, "Ah yes, the 'Guardian Tales'. Kept you lot out of mischief. You used to be so scared to step into the vineyard after sunset."
Throughout the morning, the laughter flowed as freely as the stories. I felt a profound sense of belonging. The camaraderie amongst the team was palpable, and the shared history gave a depth to the vineyard I hadn't anticipated.
By the time we took a break, the sun was high, casting its golden rays over the vast expanse of grapevines. As I sat there, surrounded by new friends, laughing at Geraldo's stories, and sharing in the collective memory of Valle di Sole's vineyard, I realized that I was not just starting a new chapter in my life. I was becoming part of a rich tapestry of stories that spanned generations. And it felt like home.
By noon, the sun had reached its zenith, bathing the vineyard in a warm, golden glow. Geraldo produced a picnic blanket from somewhere, which we spread out amongst the vines. It wasn’t long before a smorgasbord of local delicacies appeared. Crusty bread, cheeses, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and of course, wine. The ambience was lively, with stories and jokes passed around like shared treasures.
It was while we were indulging in these local treats that I noticed a familiar silhouette approaching. Austin, with his characteristic gait, was making his way over. I couldn’t help but notice how the sunlight glinted off his tousled dark hair, and how those blue eyes of his seemed to reflect the skies above.
“Look who finally decided to show up for work,” I teased as he neared, raising an eyebrow in mock disdain.
He chuckled, a touch of sheepishness crossing his face. "Well, some of us have important business meetings in town," he replied, giving a playful shrug.
Lou, her gaze darting between Austin and me, smirked. “Must’ve been one hell of a meeting to keep you from the vineyard till midday.”
Austin’s eyes twinkled with mischief, but there was something else, a glint of... excitement? “Actually, it was about someone here.” He cast a meaningful glance in my direction, causing a flutter in my chest. "And it's good news."
Everyone’s attention shifted to me, their faces mirroring my own confusion. “Me? What did I do?”
Austin settled down on the blanket, reaching for a slice of bread. “Remember when I mentioned the vineyard brand looking for a new label design?” I nodded, recalling our conversation from the night before. “Well, I went to talk to the owner this morning.”
The weight of the statement took a moment to settle. The owner? Austin had talked to the owner about me? My pulse quickened. “And?”
