Tegan waved goodnight after she gave the date and time of their next chat. Dakota asked if she could bring anything with her. “We love food as much as we love our wine. And we love surprises.” Tegan winked. Dakota gave a thumbs-up before she left.
She smiled as she strolled back down Main Street. I’ve definitely made the right decision to move here. Whether or not my search is correct and this is where he is.
Chapter Three
“Tristan, are you in here?”
Tristan had been filtering the wine to remove any remaining solids. He’d just been about to test its quality with taste when he heard Chase call out his name.
“Over here, Chase.”
He hoped Chase would follow his voice so he didn’t have to stop his preparations to filter the wine for their casks. Tristan had recently taken on the role of manager for the Tanner Vineyard, yet he wore many hats in that position. Before he came to Vinegrove, he’d worked for a winery in Tuscany as their Viticulturist. His job covered everything from deciding what grape varieties to plant and the best time to harvest them. There were many aspects to viticulture and Tristan had spent the past fifteen years in Europe studying and then working the vineyards.
When Chase asked if he’d consider managing the family vineyard, he jumped at the opportunity. He hadn’t been in the States since he was eighteen. At thirty-three, he wanted to settle down and be close to family again. His parents had been taken from him too soon. The only family he had left were the Tanner boys. As young boys, the cousins were very close. His absence of fifteen years hadn’t changed that. He had family and a job he loved. All he wanted to add to the mix was a good woman to have children with and grow old in Vinegrove. The first few months had kept him busy as he settled in. He hadn’t had much time to even think about a woman. But Miss Country Girl hadn’t left his thoughts the past twenty-four hours.
“There you are. Drinking on the job again?”
Chase’s comment made Tristan laugh as he tasted. Wine sprinkled through his nose as he snorted out a mixed choke and laugh.
“The best perk of this job.”
Tristan set down the wine he’d attempted to taste.
“How was your shift?”
Chase quickly updated him with the menu he’d cooked for his fellow firefighters. Tristan laughed. “Sounds good, I should become a firefighter. All you guys seem to do is eat.”
Chase shrugged his shoulders in agreement. “That’s a good thing; it means there are no fires in Vinegrove.”
“True,” Tristan agreed and poured Chase a sample of his latest. Chase raised his glass to his cousin’s and then closed his eyes as he took a taste. He licked his lips and then smiled. That was enough to tell Tristan he had his cousin’s approval.
“And?” Tristan awaited the confirmed approval.
Chase opened his eyes and moved his glass toward Tristan’s for a toast. “Beautiful.”
“Now I know why I called you back. We need you, Cuz.”
Tristan grinned. He loved to please people with another winner.
“Oh, I’m the one that’s thankful you called. I’ve always wanted to come back here.”
He walked back to the main house with Chase. Becca’s car pulled up as they reached the front porch. Tristan waved to her as Chase raced down the steps and opened his wife’s door. He watched as the two lovebirds embraced in a kiss. He loved to see his cousin so happy. He only wished he could feel that too. Tristan’s hand had been about to turn the knob when he heard Becca call out his name.
“Tristan, I may have found the perfect woman for you.”
He chuckled before he turned back. Here we go again, he thought as he turned and smiled. It hadn’t been the first time Becca attempted to set him up on a blind date. He’d used the excuse that the winery came first. Chase’s comment saved him this time.
“Becca, stop playing matchmaker; I’m sure my cousin is quite capable of finding a date when he’s ready.”
But he was ready. The winery had kept him busy but since he’d met Dakota the day before, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He stepped down from the porch and surprised them.
“I might be ready. I met a woman yesterday.”
“Oh, do tell.” Becca pushed Chase aside.
“Oh, now I’m nothing special.” Chase’s comment made them laugh.
“Don’t be silly honey, you’re always special.” She winked at her husband and then turned quickly back for Tristan to spill.
“It’s just a thought, but I promise to keep you in the loop, Becca.”
She sarcastically chuckled that she’d leave it be for now. Her hands shook in the air as she climbed the steps to the front door. Tristan motioned for Chase to follow his wife. He loved being around family and working on the vineyard. Now, if he could convince Dakota to go out with him, life would be perfect.