So Good: A Ribbon Ridge Novel (Love on the Vine Book 1) (15 page)

“The brick had the initials BNR on it.”

“Where’d they find this brick?” Kelsey asked.

“Near the foundation of a house they tore down on the winery property. They think it had to have come from an earlier structure.” Brooke frowned. “They’re planning to install it in the fire pit outside, but I think it needs to be somewhere protected.”

Kelsey smiled, her brow arching. “Like a museum?”

“Bingo.” Brooke smiled in return. “You should definitely talk to them. Soon.”

“I will. And hey, if you’re at the winery, try to put that brick somewhere safe!”

And just like that, Brooke’s mood took a turn down Disappointment Street. Yes, she’d be at the winery, but probably not soon, if she could help it. “Sure, I’ll do that. But you’ll probably beat me to it.”

“Well, with both of us after it, we’ll get it handled.”
 

Someone came from the back of the library and approached the front desk. Kelsey nodded at them. “Guess I should help this person check out a book. I’ll text you about getting together. It was really nice to meet you.”

Brooke pulled her headphones from around her neck. “You too. See you later.” She waved as she turned and left the library.

As she started up her run, she pushed herself hard so that her mind couldn’t stray to Cam. By the time she got back to the loft, she was hot and tired. But her plan had worked because she hadn’t thought to alter her path to avoid passing in front of his townhouse. And that made her smile.

F
or what seemed the hundredth time that morning, Cam caught himself staring off into space, rehashing what had happened on Saturday night. He’d spent most of yesterday on a friend’s boat, which had served to distract his mind from thoughts of Brooke and what he’d missed out on.

Had he really turned her away?

Yep, and his conscience kept reiterating that it had been the right thing to do. But that didn’t mean other parts of him agreed. He liked her. A lot. He wanted her. A lot.

But he also respected her, and he knew how much she loved her job. Still, she’d been the one to offer…

Thankfully his brothers took that moment to interrupt his pointless musings.

“What’s up?” Jamie asked as he sprawled in one of the chairs in front of Cam’s desk.

“Just working,” Cam said. He eyed both of them as Luke took the other chair. “What do you guys need?”

Jamie clasped the arms of the chair. “We wanted to touch base about the wine dinner. We’re about a month out, so things are going to start amping up.”

Cam leaned back in his chair and twirled his pen between his fingers. “I talked to Sara this morning, and she’s got logistics pretty well covered.”

“How’s the food coming?” Luke asked. “Shouldn’t we have a menu to advertise yet?” He shook his head. “What do I know? I leave the marketing and whatnot up to you.”

Cam snorted. “Thanks. We’re close. Kyle’s just finalizing the dessert.” As the executive chef at The Arch and Fox, Kyle was working on just the right recipes to pair with their wine.

“He better hurry. Isn’t Maggie going to pop any day?” Jamie asked.
 

They were expecting their first child in a couple of weeks. “Not quite yet, but yeah, the timing’s not ideal.” Cam chuckled. “He’s well aware. I’ll follow up with him this afternoon.”

Jamie slapped his hands on the arm of the chair as he sat forward. “Remind him of our budget. Kyle likes to splurge.”

“You know I won’t be able to stop him, and he’ll just insist on paying the difference.”

Jamie grinned. “He can afford it. Before I go, what’s the scoop on the guest list? I met a woman the other night that I’d like to invite.”

Cam exchanged an interested look with Luke before they both turned their attention to their little brother. “Not Madison?”

Jamie laughed. “No, not Madison. Leah’s the new CFO at Seven Wonders. She’s a business contact.” That was one of the largest wineries in the area.

Cam tossed his pen onto the desk. “We aren’t inviting a lot of winemakers. We’re focused on people who are going to buy or promote our wine.”

“I know, but her brother writes for Wine Spectator so…”

Cam leaned forward. “Say no more. She’s in. And great get. Any chance he’ll come?”

“I said we’d love to have him. We’ll see what happens.”

Cam rubbed his hands together. He’d invited someone from the magazine to come, but they hadn’t committed yet and at this point, he feared they wouldn’t. This connection might help. “Excellent. Brooke’s also working an angle at Wine Enthusiast.” She knew someone there and was pretty close to getting her to commit.

Jamie stood. “Brooke’s been awesome. She’s picked up some great accounts. Good find, bro.” He nodded at Cam before turning and heading out of the office. “Back to the grind.”
 

Luke didn’t leave with him. Cam looked at his middle brother and arched a brow. “No grind for you?”

“Always, but since Jamie brought up Brooke…” He let the question hang out there, and Cam had no doubt what he was getting at.

Still, he’d make him work for it. “What about her?”

Luke let out a quick chuckle. He leaned his elbow on the armrest. “You left with her the other night. What happened?”

“Nothing. She lives across the street from me. I walked her home.”

Luke scrutinized him for a moment, as if he could discern what had actually happened. Cam stared at him in stoic silence, daring him to try.

“I just wanted to know if I need to worry that you might drive her away.”

Cam flashed a purely sarcastic smile. “Oh, that’s nice of you. No, I won’t be driving her away. Our relationship is strictly professional.”

“Yeah, right. I see the way you look at each other.”

Cam stood, irritated by the conversation because their relationship was strictly professional and it sucked. “Can you drop it?”

Luke got to his feet. “Hey, I’m not trying to be a dick.”

Maybe not, but he was doing an excellent job.

“My bad. You guys seemed like you might make a good couple, that’s all.”

They might’ve, but if they tried and it didn’t work out, things would be awkward. No, worse than that. Things would be ugly, and he and Brooke wouldn’t be able to maintain this working relationship. And the winery was far more important to Cam than any sort of romantic entanglement. Which he didn’t need or want anyway.

Cam rubbed his hand over his eyes and looked at his brother. “Look, I appreciate you trying to be supportive or whatever it is you’re doing, but leave it alone. Yes, we were attracted to each other and we discussed going out. We decided the working relationship was too important to jeopardize, okay?”

“How mature of you both.” Luke laughed. “I’m not sure I’d have that kind of resolve.”

Cam chuckled, letting his irritation fall away. “Clearly. Wasn’t your girlfriend in Cali a coworker?”

“At first, yeah, but then she moved to another winery.”

“Was that a mutual decision?”

“Sort of. The boss found out, and told us to figure it out.” Luke glanced toward the windows. “He made it, uh, clear that he didn’t want to lose me.”

“Ouch. I bet she was pissed.”

Luke laughed again. “Yes, but not enough to break up.”
 

Cam knew that because Luke moving up here hadn’t even been enough to break them up. They’d kept up a long-distance relationship for a year or so before he’d finally called it quits. And he hadn’t dated anyone since. “You know, if you spent half as much energy on your own love life as you do speculating about me and Brooke, you might actually start dating.”

“Hey, I date. I’m just busy. Like you.”

“Exactly. Keep your nose out of my business and I’ll do the same.”

Luke threw up his hands. “So much for brotherly camaraderie or whatever.” He turned and walked to the door but paused before leaving. “You usually take this sort of poking better. It seems like Brooke means more to you than anyone you’ve…whatevered with.”

Cam stifled a scowl because he feared Luke was right. “Would you go, please?”

“I’m going.” He pivoted and went out the door, closing it behind him.

Cam went to his mini fridge and popped open a sparkling water. He stood at the window and looked out over the sloping vineyard. It was green and verdant amidst the yellows and browns of mid-August. A sort of oasis, and it represented their hard work.

That was what he needed to focus on right now, not Brooke. This introductory dinner next month was crucial.
 

And what the hell was he thinking, anyway? He wasn’t long-term relationship material, which meant an inevitable breakup. He liked her too much for things to end like that—and maybe that was the real reason he’d called a halt. Either way, it had been the right decision.

Chapter Ten

A
fter meeting Kelsey for a beer at Books ’N Brew, Ribbon Ridge’s kitschy bookstore that served coffee in the morning and Archer beer in the evening, Brooke and her new friend made their way down Main Street to the edge of town to Ruckus, Ribbon Ridge’s answer to a dive bar.

“Thanks for agreeing to come here instead of The Arch and Vine,” Kelsey said as they cut into the parking lot.

“No problem.” Brooke flashed her a smile. “I totally understand why you don’t want to hang out at your job on your night off. Plus, I’m the one that suggested something more casual than The Arch and Fox.” They’d agreed to go up and drink Bex’s beer another time.

The night was warm and dry, typical of August in the Willamette Valley. Brooke was glad she’d put her hair up, but she was still heated after the walk.
 

“Have you been here before?” Kelsey asked as they approached the door.

“Not yet. Do I need to be prepped?”

Kelsey laughed. “No. It’s just a different clientele from most of the other places in town.”
 

Brooke could see that, judging from the motorcycles and four-wheel-drive trucks in the lot as well as the neon signs offering Keno and video poker. It reminded her of the family friendly restaurant by day and bar by night back home, where her family had enjoyed many an excellent burger. “Do they serve burgers?”

“No, just basic bar food. Pretzels, hot dogs, fries, and nachos. Although, don’t expect their nachos to compare to The Arch and Vine.”

“I haven’t had them.” Brooke had only eaten at the Archers’ pub a couple of times. “They do have pretty good burgers though.”

Kelsey opened the door, and music blared at them. “That they do.”

Brooke walked in behind her. “Bar or table?”

“Definitely table.”

They scanned the busy room. The tables looked pretty full. But Kelsey pointed toward an empty booth in the middle of the far wall. It was still cluttered with glasses, indicating it had been recently vacated. Brooke nodded, and they wove through tables and patrons to reach their destination. Between the music and the conversation, a deep hum filled the place.

They each slid into opposite sides of the booth and set about scooting the former occupants’ detritus to the edge of the table.

“Why do I feel like I should bus this?” Kelsey laughed.

Brooke joined her, chuckling. “Resist the urge! It’s your night off.”