Page 48 of Backdraft
"I was offered the head of ER at Oak Creek Gen, which I couldn't pass up. The change in career path…" He shrugged and looked off over the fields. "Stuff happened, and I decided it would be best to make a change."
She was silent, but her eyes bored into him with an intensity that made him feel as if it was okay to spill his guts to her. He still wasn't able to move his lips to form words.
"It's okay, I get it. You don't want to talk about it." She picked up her sandwich and took a bite. "When you're ready to talk, I'm here."
He sensed a shift between them. They were slowly opening up and getting to know each other, but they still had a long way to go. He wanted to know her, and she wanted to know him. The only way to do that was by talking and sharing.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. It's not something I talk about much." He drew in a breath and let it out slowly. "It's something I felt responsible for, and it caused tremendous heartache. People died, and I was to blame."
He looked into her eyes and saw compassion.
"Could you have done anything differently?" she asked.
Taylor thought about it and nodded slowly. "Maybe, who knows really. Now, how about we finish up here and do that wine tasting. The sky looks like it's getting a little heavy."
We looked at the wine list.
"Shall we get a flight? Or just sample tasting?" I asked.
"How about we get a flight? You can drink most of it, and I'll taste some since I'm driving."
"I'll get smashed. But I’ll have you to take care of me, right?" That thought warmed me. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to rely on someone instead of always being the responsible one? Maybe one day.
"Of course I will."
“I did want to do some shopping too."
"Why'd don't we play it by ear? At least you have a designated driver." He smiled, and his blue eyes crinkled nicely under his heavy brows. The sun peeked out between a dark cloud and sparkled off his hair.
He was a damn good-looking guy, and I swear I was getting more and more smitten. The little sprinkling of silver around the edges of his close-cropped hair enhanced his attractiveness. He was definitely going to be a silver fox. At least, I thought so anyway.
"Okay, sounds like a plan."
A short while later, a wooden board with very nice wine glasses was placed before us.
"Those glasses are gorgeous." They weren't too tall and had a unique sunflower design twisted up from the stem.
"They are. I bet we could buy a pair in the gift shop. All right, I'll take the first sip, and you take the gulp." Taylor chuckled.
"Funny guy. Shall we start at one end and work our way across?" I picked up the glass on the far right. It was a pale white wine. I handed him the glass. He took a sip and wrinkled his nose.
"Too sweet and fizzy."
I took the glass from him, swallowed a mouthful, and looked up at the sky, concentrating on the flavors in my mouth.
"Not bad. But I see what you mean." I put the glass back down on the board. "Number two." The next one was a little more golden but not sparkling. It was a Pinot Grigio with fermented fruit. I think the menu said apricots.
Taylor tried it. Bobbed his head side to side. "Not bad. A little fruity for my taste."
I took the glass and sniffed the liquid. "You like this one at all?" I asked him and took a drink of the Pino. This time, it was me that wrinkled my nose. "Nope. That makes me want to puke."
He burst out laughing, and some people at the table across from us looked our way to see what was so funny.
"And, yes, I do like this one. I'm more of a red-wine drinker than white, but we still have more on the board."
I put the glass down and reached for the next one, it was a Rosé Taylor took it from me, our fingers touched, and the familiar electric charge sizzled between us. We both paused for a beat, and I thought how nice the afternoon was going.
He took the glass, drank, and nodded. "Yep, I like that. It's fresh and flavorful without biting back."
