Page 48 of Snowbound with the Vineyard Owner
This is a different Dominic than the one who first greeted me in the snowstorm—more open, more willing to engage. Whether it's the enforced proximity or some shift in his assessment of me, I findI greatly prefer this version.
"Is that why you left Napa?" I ask. "Too much of an echo chamber?"
A shadow crosses his face. "Partly. The California wine scene can be... incestuous. Everyone is following the same trends, chasing the same profiles." He stares into his mug. "After the fire, I couldn't bear the sympathetic looks, the whispered conversations that stopped when I entered a room. Everyone had an opinion about what I should do, how I should feel."
"So you came here to start fresh."
"To start differently," he corrects. "Not just rebuilding what was lost, but creating something entirely new." He looks up, meeting my eyes. "Something that would have been mine even if the fire never happened."
The vulnerability in this admission touches something deep within me. "I understand that drive," I say softly. "To create something that's unquestionably yours."
"Your wine program." He remembers our previous conversation. "The one your ex took credit for."
The reminder of Davis stings, but less sharply than before.
"Three years of work. I developed relationships with small producers, created educational materials for the staff, and designed tasting events that doubled our wine revenue." The words spill out, carrying the hurt I usually keep carefully contained. "And then Davis presented it all to the ownership group as our 'collaborative effort' right before partnership decisions."
"And they believed him?" Dominic's indignation on my behalf is oddly comforting.
"He's charming, connected, and—" I hesitate, the truth still bitter on my tongue.
"Male," Dominic finishes for me. "In an industry that still sees wine expertise as primarily a masculine domain, despite all evidence to the contrary."
His understanding surprises me. "Yes, exactly. They made him partner and gave me a promotion and bonus as consolation. When I objected, they suggested I should be 'grateful' for the recognition."
"So you came here hunting for Silverleaf." His gaze is shrewd but not accusatory. "An exclusive that would demonstrate your value."
I nod, unable to deny the transparent motivation. "Discovering the next great winemaker, securing exclusive distribution rights—it would force them to acknowledge my contribution. Pathetic, right?"
"Human," he corrects gently. "We all need to prove ourselves."
Before I can respond, the radio on the counter crackles to life.
"Hello? Dominic? Are you there, dear? It's Martha Washington."
Dominic closes his eyes briefly, as if summoning patience, before reaching for the handset. "I'm here, Martha. Everything okay?"
"Oh, just fine, just fine. George and I were worried about you with that dreadful storm. We lost power for six hours. Did you manage alright up there all alone?" The emphasis on the last word makes her fishing expedition painfully obvious.
Dominic's eyes meet mine, a spark of mischief in their depths. "Not alone. I have a guest waiting out the storm."
A brief silence, then Martha's voice returns with poorly concealed excitement. "A guest? How lovely. Anyone we know, dear?"
"Elena Santiago. Wine director from San Francisco."
"A lady friend. How wonderful." Martha's delight carries clearly through the static. "George, did you hear that? Dominic has a lady friend staying with him."
A gruffer voicejoins the conversation. "Give me that, Martha. You're embarrassing the boy." A throat clears. "Dominic, it's George. Roads should be clear by tomorrow afternoon. Sheriff's crews are working their way up the mountain. You need anything before then?"
"We're fine, George, thanks. How's your generator holding up?"
"Purring like a kitten. Martha's made enough stew for an army if you two get hungry."
"We appreciate the offer, but we're well-stocked." Dominic's tone remains polite but firm.
"Well, I'll let you get back to your...guest." George's knowing tone makes me hide a smile behind my mug. "Martha sends her best. Oh, and she says to tell Ms. Santiago that Angel's Peak Ladies' Society meets Thursdays at Mabel's if she's staying in town a while."
Chapter 12
