“I’m sure he’ll be fine for a couple of days on his own. I’ll give him a call and let him know what’s going on.”
Chase reassured Tristan that they were only a call away if Reece ran into any trouble. The last batch had been bottled and their workers would be fine to run the winery. At least everything that needed to be done had been done. Three to four days away wouldn’t slow the process too much. Tristan figured he’d be able to bring it all back up to speed once he returned. He went to get up from the table as he announced he best call the airlines and pack before he spoke to his second-in-command.
“Sit back down.” Becca spoke like a mother. “Eat first.” She pointed to his plate. “Then you can pack. I’m all done. I’ll get in touch with the airlines.”
“Thanks Becca.” He smiled and then began to eat. He wasn’t the only one who enjoyed spoiling in this house.
Tristan waved to the lovebirds as they drove down the lane to the main road. Chase mentioned Reece would come by in a couple of hours. That worked for Tristan. He had to pop into town for a few things after he spoke to his workers. Becca had arranged his flight for that night and he’d leave by lunch time to get to the airport. Between the flight and time difference he’d make it in time for the service. He only planned to spend one night and then return. Within the hour, he had arranged what needed to be done at the winery and headed to town for the supplies he’d need for his quick trip.
With his mind elsewhere, he’d almost knocked a tray of coffee cups from someone’s hands. “I’m so sorry, I—” He paused when he looked up and saw his Miss Country Girl standing before him. Her ready-to-kill look took him back to the day he’d almost run her off the road.
“Again, you almost hit me,” she said. But this time, she laughed—not like the last time when she tore a strip out of him.
Maybe she has a soft spot for me. He hoped anyway. She’d been on his mind for the past week and he’d been working up the nerve to find a way to see her, not run into her—again. He smiled and tipped his Stetson.
“And is it possible that I may be forgiven twice?”
She chuckled and then replied in a sarcastic yet all-in-fun tone. “Okay. Twice forgiven but three strikes and you’re out.”
He let out a sigh of relief to keep the humor going. He only wished he’d had the time to chat longer with her. But he only had time to grab a coffee for the road and it appeared in her uniform she’d just scooted across the road to grab coffees and return to the hospital.
“Thank you, Miss Country Girl. I hope Vinegrove has given you the warmest welcome. I’d love to continue to apologize. Trust me, I don’t mean to run in to you or run you off the road. But I’ve only time to grab and go.” He paused. He hadn’t meant how that came out. “I–I mean grab a coffee and be on my way. I have a plane to catch.”
“No worries. I’m just doing a grab-and-go too.”
She looked down at the tray of coffees and they both laughed.
He held the door open for her. “Perhaps when I return we could actually take the time to sit and have coffee.” He’d wondered if he’d been too forward but it seemed to be perfect timing to see if she’d even like to spend any time with him. Tristan anticipated her reply with hope.
“I’d like that.”
He held the door for her and then watched her cross the road. Then he realized she hadn’t given him her phone number for a coffee date. But then again, Vinegrove wasn’t a big place and he knew she worked at the hospital. He questioned his hope. Maybe she agreed out of politeness. Either way, he had a plane to catch, the service of his dear friend to attend, and then return to get the winery back on track. He had too much on his mind to figure out what she really meant. He chuckled and headed to the counter to order his coffee to go. What’s the big deal? He’d ask her out for that coffee when he got back. If she declined then he’d know for sure that she’d been polite. End of story. His mother had always told him everything happened for a reason. And if it was meant to be, it would happen.
Chapter Six
She sucked in a deep breath. For the first time in twenty-seven years she was about to meet her father. Dakota’s first thought when she woke that morning hadn’t left her thoughts since. The first three hours of her shift had been agonizing. He hadn’t yet showed at the hospital. She’d overheard Denise tell another staff member that he’d be in after ten o’clock because the plane had been delayed the day before. He probably arrived home late at night and needed the extra rest. Still, Dakota had waited so long to meet him. She’d been excited, anxious, and nervous all at the same time.