Page 104 of Bottle Shock
“Oh, we love Red Mountain,” Maggie says, lighting up. “We used to go there on weekends just to look at the vineyards. The hills, the colors…” she sighs. “It’s a beautiful little town.”
I smile, unable to help myself. “He’s being modest.” I slide my hand over Gavin’s, my thumb brushing the back of his knuckles. “He’s an award-winning winemaker. One of the best.”
Gavin’s ears turn the faintest shade of pink, and Carl lets out a low whistle.
“Well now,” Carl says, impressed. “You didn’t mention that part.”
Gavin shrugs, embarrassed but smiling at me. “Anyway,” he drags. “My beautiful wife is a very talented actress.”
Maggie’s eyes widen as she leans forward. “Oh, really? Anything I might’ve seen?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Probably not. I was in a short-lived single-camera workplace mockumentary sitcom calledThe Dealership.It got cancelled pretty fast. After that, I ended up in Chicago working with comedy troupes—kind of likeWhose Line Is It AnywaymeetsSNL.”
Carl and Maggie exchange looks, either fascinated or at the very least entertained.
Maggie tilts her head, curiosity written all over her face. “So how did you end up in Red Mountain after all that? I imagine it wasn’t easy to leave behind. That’s quite a life you had.”
Gavin goes still beside me, hand tightening around mine.
“It was just time,” I say easily. “The lifestyle can be a lot and the money isn’t great. An old mentor of mine retired from her position as community theater director and recommended me for the role. After that, everything fell right into place.”
They both smile, nodding their head, but Gavin is staring straight at me. I can see the question in his eyes, wondering if there’s some truth to what I just said, or if I really am that good at thinking on the fly.
Two things can betrue at once.
I squeeze his hand back, just once, sayingI’ll tell you about it laterwithout speaking at all.
“That’s very brave of you,” Maggie says. “Starting again. Most people don’t let themselves do that.”
I nod, focusing on my food as a quiet settles over the table.
After a beat, Carl clears his throat. “So. The house.” He wipes his hands with a napkin. “I’m assuming you’ll be using it as a second home? Why Wallula Lake?”
Gavin shifts in his seat. “My daughter’s mom passed away. She never got the chance to know her. But she spent a lot of time here as a kid, and we thought having a home here would be a meaningful way for her to feel connected to her mother.”
Maggie presses her hand to her chest. Carl’s jaw tightens around emotion he’s trying to conceal.
“That’s a good reason,” Carl says finally. “A damn good one.”
Maggie’s eyes are soft. “We want this place to go to people who will love it. Not just use it, not just claim it—loveit.”
“Our kids both want the house,” Carl explains. “And we love them dearly. But neither of them is around enough to take care of it. They work out of state, they travel, they’re busy. They’re not married or settled down.” He gives a small shrug. “We’ve kept up with it as long as we could, but we’re getting older.A house like this needs hands on it. Feet on its floors. Someone who will remember to winterize the pipes and repaint the shutters when they need it. Really take care of the place.”
Maggie leans forward slightly, voice kind. “We want to sell it to someone who will appreciate it.”
Carl hesitates for a beat before adding, “We think our son came by today to try to convince us otherwise.”
Maggie waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry yourselves over it though. It’s our decision. And we take our time making decisions.” She moves to stand. “Who wants dessert?”
CHAPTER 29
Gavin
ONLY A WOMAN COULD COMMAND THE WORSHIP OF MEN
Ifucking hate this guy.
And I don’t throw the word hate around loosely, but some people are deserving of it, him being one of them.
