Cactus Cradle, page 2
Kate shuddered when she recalled how angry Zach and Dennis had gotten, and how stressful it was to try to get Texas juice to bottle in time to open the tasting room. It added a tremendous expense and threatened to shut down Zach’s dreams. Luckily, he was good with the locals, and many of them stepped up to help at the eleventh hour.
“I hate to ask this, but how is Peter’s tasting room doing?” Kate sipped her coffee tentatively, knowing that he ended up partnering with someone else bringing international wines to a room on Main Street.
“Harrumph.” Dennis sat back in his seat looking like he’d rather be bit by a rattlesnake than talk about him.
“It’s no competition with us, and we don’t ever see one another,” Zach responded.
Dennis leaned forward and eyed Zach. “He’s such an oily sucker, I wouldn’t put it past him to try anything for more profit.”
Zach shook his head. “Dennis, we’ve talked about this. What happened, happened. And it’s good we found out so early. Now we have a good partnership with the other local wineries, and we’ve made some excellent friends. There’s plenty of space in Fredericksburg for all of us.”
Dennis grunted just as the food came and Kate was hopeful that the conversation would pause long enough for them to eat in peace.
They finished their breakfast mostly in silence. Dennis asked Kate about her book, Lillie and Paul, and Emma. He had been the officiant at their wedding and had offered them a rental house on his property. It was such a blessing for Kate and Lillie. With an absent father, and their mother succumbing to cancer, his fatherly presence made them both feel like they had a real home there.
“Everyone’s doing great, they’re loving France.” Kate filled them both in on her recent conversation.
The waitress cleared the plates and, before Zach could, Dennis grabbed the check.
“It’s on me today.” He winked and nodded. “Pleasure seeing you again, Kate.” She stood and gave him a hug and peck on the cheek.
“I’ll be in touch with you later,” Dennis motioned to Zach as he stood and they shook hands again.
As he left, Kate and Zach looked at one another and for a moment, she thought she saw concern flash in his eyes.
“I’m not worried,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. “You know how people talk. And Dennis is biased. I wish he would be a bit more open, but that’s his line in the sand.”
“Nobody likes change, I guess,” Kate ventured.
“Especially not in a place with strong generational ties to the land. I totally get where Dennis is coming from, but I also think that he could be more open-minded about sharing the land as well.”
He walked Kate out to her car and then pulled her towards him. She breathed in his trademark aftershave deeply. Looking up at him, their faces were close together and he placed his firm lips against hers, giving her a kiss that sent shivers down her spine.
He then pulled away slightly and brushed her cheek. “Let’s do a sleepover soon?”
She blushed, nodding. The blood in her lips slowly returned to her head.
He waved goodbye as she got into her car. Seeing him in her rearview, she touched her lips with her fingers and marveled again at how such a fine man could be in love with her.
Five
Chloe had driven to town early to stop by Walmart and pick up some supplies for the tasting room. She wanted to create a collage of photos of their wine club members that they could hang on the wall to commemorate the tasting room’s first anniversary.
Standing in the frame aisle debating whether to go with wood or metal, she saw a flash of red out of the corner of her eye and turned to see the most drop dead gorgeous guy pause between aisles and then continue out of sight. He was tall, fit, with a luxurious crop of long curly red hair that hung over his forehead, making her want to swoon. He looked so out of place there, like a surfer in ranch country.
She laughed at herself and then headed up to the checkout. Standing in line waiting for a self-checkout to open, he came up behind her. She turned around and smiled.
He grinned at her, and she felt her cheeks flush so she quickly headed to an open register.
She was aware of him the entire time she was scanning her purchase. It looked like he was buying some paint brushes and some sort of sealant. She continued checking out, and then grabbed her receipt as she picked up her frames and headed towards the sliding doors.
“Hey.” She heard a voice behind her. She turned to look up into his deep green eyes.
“Um, hi,” she stammered.
“I’m new here, do you know where to get the best caramel latte?” he asked, his face open and bright.
“Um, yeah, I kind of figured you’re not from around here, being that you aren’t wearing cowboy boots or a hat.” She giggled.
He looked down at his Roxy t-shirt and shrugged. “Guilty.”
“There’s a great place called Sunday Supply that’s not far from here. They have the best coffee,” Chloe said, tucking a strand of her blond hair behind her ear.
“Awesome. Thanks.” He grinned again at her, then asked, “If you aren’t busy, do you want to join me? My treat.”
Chloe’s heart took a leap. She looked down at her Apple watch and saw it was an hour before she needed to open the tasting room. “Sure. I can get a quick one.” She nodded to her car. “I’ll meet you there?”
“Sweet.” He smiled wide and she caught his perfectly straight teeth. Sticking his hand out he said, “I’m Chase.”
She took his hand. “Chloe.”
She headed to her Prius and after placing the frames inside, closed the door and nearly squealed in delight. “Oh my gosh, he is SO cute!” She laughed at herself and tried to keep it together.
She texted her dad: Going to be a few minutes late for opening if that’s ok?
He responded immediately: No prob
* * *
After finding a spot on the street, Chloe walked around to the front of Sunday Supply and saw Chase standing there, his back to her, as he was taking in the scenery.
“Hey!” she said, a bit too brightly.
He turned around and flashed his million-dollar grin. “This place is super cool.” He stepped up to open the door for her and she smiled and walked in.
They ordered their coffee at the counter and then found a cute antique table in the back for privacy near a window that overlooked the garden. Beautiful butterflies flitted about the colorful flowers outside as they settled into their seats.
“I hope this isn’t too weird?” he asked as he leaned back in his seat, his long legs straddling the table legs.
“Oh, no.” She grinned. “I doubt murderers drink caramel lattes.”
They both laughed, and she noticed how comfortable she was with him, once she got past the initial flush of attraction.
“Where are you from?” Chloe asked him.
“California.” he replied. He heard their names and got up to fetch their coffee.
When he came back, Chloe accepted her coffee graciously. “I figured as much with your hair and clothes. You look like a surfer.”
He took a sip. “Oh yeah, I love to catch some waves. I grew up in Malibu, but moved to LA for school.”
“Oh, which school?”
“USC. Go Trojans!” He laughed, and took another sip before asking, “What about you? Are you from here?”
Chloe shook her head, “No, I’m from Boston. But I go to UT in Austin now. I’m just here helping my dad with his tasting room for the summer.”
“Dude. I am transferring to UT in fall!” he exclaimed. “It’s like our meeting was meant to be.”
They both grinned and toasted with their paper coffee cups. Chloe had a strange feeling that she would know Chase for a long time.
“I’m also here helping my dad. He’s a partner in a tasting room on Main Street,” Chase explained.
“Oh? Which one?” Chloe couldn’t get enough of his eyes.
“All Points Between,” he said, taking a long sip.
“Oh.” Chloe instantly regretted having asked.
“Do you know it?”
“Um, is your dad named Peter?” Chloe was tentative.
“Yeah! Geez, this is a small town.” He laughed.
“Oh, no,” Chloe said, and watched the smile on his face disappear.
“Why? What?” he begged.
Chloe fingered her cup, “Well, you see, I think he and my dad used to be business partners, and they had a falling out.” She looked up at him. “It was bad.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Damn. You know, I don’t know anything about my dad’s business. He keeps everything to himself.”
Chloe frowned. “Yeah, I don’t think we can hang out.”
“Wait, what? Seriously? That’s crazy,” he said. “I like you!”
She blushed at how open he was and felt torn. “Thanks, but if my dad found out, I don’t think it would go well at all.”
He held her stare for a moment, then looked out the window to watch folks entering the Hill & Vine for lunch.
Turning back to her, he was resolute. “Look, that’s their business. We’re gonna be buds at UT, and I don’t know anyone else here to talk to.” He paused and leaned forward. “How about we just keep it a summer secret?”
Chloe couldn’t resist his charm, nor the lock of red hair that seemed to hang constantly across his tanned forehead.
“Okay, as long as you don’t say anything, I won’t.” She grinned and held out her pinkie.
He locked his pinkie in hers and they swore on it.
Six
The phone buzzed against the metal dinette table. Kate rushed to wrap herself in a towel and stepped out of her shower to see who it was: Caroline.
Caroline was Kate’s ride or die friend from Pensacola. She had been by Kate’s side through her marriage and divorce, and she had become a sort of second mother to her and Lillie when their mother passed.
“Hang on! I just got out of the shower!” Kate called as she toweled off the excess water and then made her way back to the dinette to settle in.
“Helloooo! It’s just your favorite friend calling because you are too busy living a perfect life to call me back.” Caroline’s drawl was all out.
Kate laughed. “Yes, yes. I know, I’m sorry. It’s just been a bit hectic getting the final changes back to my editor.” She paused to take a breath. “How are you?”
“Oh, lawd. The usual. Laundry, cleaning, cooking, nagging. Rinse. Repeat,” Caroline said. “I’m ready for a vacation.”
Kate laughed. “Well, you know, you can always come here?”
“Don’t tempt me! Tell me, have you talked with Lillie? How’s baby Emma?”
“We caught up the other day. They are having a fabulous time getting pampered in Burgundy. Martine and Didier have been watching Emma so Lillie and Paul can catch up on much needed sleep.”
“Oh, fabulous, darlin’! Imagine spending a whole summer in France?” Caroline mused. “Maybe you need to write a book over there, and you need your dear friend to join you?”
“Now, that’s a great idea!” Kate laughed. “But, who would pay all my bills?”
Caroline was quick to reply, “Well, you’ll be famous soon, no doubt after this next book. Any news?”
“I sent the final draft last week and Margaret said something about fast-tracking it. I’m just waiting to hear what that means exactly.” Margaret was Kate’s New York literary agent, from Kate’s first major success, to a flop, and then back on the New York Times best seller list. Kate was grateful for her expertise and their friendship over the years.
“Of course, I trust her completely, but I am curious what she has up her sleeve,” Kate mused.
Caroline hummed in agreement and then got to her main point. “Now, tell me how Dr. Wine is doing?”
Kate blushed. “He’s good. Chloe has been helping him out in the tasting room for the summer, and they’re getting ready to harvest their first merlot grapes.”
“Ooh! Maybe I should come visit then? Help out with harvest?” Caroline asked.
“That would be fabulous! We won’t know until right before though. So, we can’t really plan ahead, but they said sometime at the end of July or beginning of August,” Kate said.
“Oh, good. During the hottest part of the season. Fantastic,” Caroline replied, her words laced with sarcasm. “Well, I’ll see what I can work out on my end.”
“I’d love to have you out here again. Maybe you can bring Rob this time?” Kate asked.
There was just a hint of delay in Caroline’s response. “Maybe. Well, I’d better be going. Keep me posted once you hear about your release date!”
They hung up and Kate wondered about Caroline’s hesitation when she brought up Rob joining her. Something about it made her question whether there was more to it. She shrugged it off, as Caroline and Rob had always been the power couple, throwing the best dinner parties in Pensacola, and were also model parents. Kate had always thought if she were to get married again, she’d want a marriage like theirs.
She finished towel drying her auburn hair and then began tidying up her trailer. Kate didn’t know how much free time she’d have before the book tour spun up, so she wanted to make the most of it. She was excited and anxious about this fourth release. Her last book made the New York Times bestseller list, and she wondered if this one would do as well.
She also needed to start noodling her next story. She had a journal where she kept her ideas, things she wanted to research, plots, characters, bits and pieces that may or may not make it into a book. She pulled out that journal and began thumbing through it for inspiration. This was one of her favorite activities—she would add images from magazines, words, phrases, and other notes, like scrapbooking. She flipped the pages and let her imagination carry her away.
* * *
Kate got up from her table, had a nice long stretch, and then looked at her clock. 2 pm. She was feeling restless after sitting so long, and her mind was full of all the ideas from her journal. A drive would be the perfect way to let her subconscious sort all the images and ideas. She grabbed her keys and water bottle, and then headed to her Durango.
She had driven the route from Spicewood to Fredericksburg so many times it felt like a habit. Practically on autopilot, she could relax and just coast along. The familiar signs and road markers along the way felt comforting. Even though Kate was technically living in a mobile trailer, she still felt roots in these dusty hills. This place had been good to her for the past few years, and she was grateful for the sense of belonging.
She drove through Main Street in Johnson City, going past the historic town square, then winding her way around until she turned onto Hwy 290. Soon after, she saw the terrain change with more vineyards lined up one after another. She saw new signs and realized that in the time since she had driven this road a week ago, another new winery had opened up. It was surprising to see just how many wineries had cropped up, crowding next to the older, more established ones.
She continued on and saw the signs for Slate Theory Winery. That winery started the previous year and boasted one of the largest multi-million-dollar barrel rooms. It was essentially a cave deep below the ground, and one of the most coveted places for tastings. It was situated next to Grape Creek Vineyards and Heath Sparkling Wines. Kate smiled at the memories of her and Zach doing tastings at Heath years earlier. She remembered the precious older couple they met who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and how Zach had fibbed and told them they had been together five years, when they had only met a few days before.
She slowed down as a Ram merged in front of her. Funny, she thought, how she and Zach had been so comfortable right from the start. The way everything had worked would be hard to not believe in fate. She looked down at her naked ring finger perched on the steering wheel and wondered if she would ever again be married. She honestly couldn’t say whether or not she’d want to, even with Zach being so seemingly perfect.
There was still something she couldn’t quite trust about marriage. About partnership. With everything she’d been through with her ex-husband, she was just so glad to be independent and happy. She would never have achieved success with her books had she stayed with him—he was just too needy and jealous.
She sped up again and watched the other buildings and vines drift past. She liked things just as they were. She hoped that would be enough for Zach as well.
She saw a huge white estate up ahead, like a compound. Arch Ray Resort. An RV resort and a winery? Kate shook her head at the enormity of it. She couldn’t tell how many acres, but it was clearly one of the largest parcels of land along 290. Construction was still underway for the winery, but she saw there was an amphitheater in back. The RV resort next door was situated on the Pedernales River and had more than 75 hookups.
Unbelievable. Just when she thought there wasn’t any more space, yet another winery popped up.
Seven
Kate was strolling along Main Street when she saw the sign for All Points Between tasting room. She realized this was the place Peter and his new partners from California had opened. Peeking through the window as she walked by, she saw a tall young man with red hair packaging up two bottles of wine as he talked to a couple. She saw shelves of bottles with signs from different regions all over the world. She quickly continued past hoping not to run into Peter.
Further down, she found herself in front of her favorite tasting room: Winsome Winery.
She could see Zach pouring a tasting of some white wine for an older couple, probably the Viognier. She loved watching him at work. He was so handsome and charming. His work with patients when he had his practice in the Northeast clearly set him up to do well with customers in the tasting room. He was patient, knowledgeable, and really enjoyed being around people.
