So Good: A Ribbon Ridge Novel (Love on the Vine Book 1) (35 page)

She stood on her toes and kissed him, her lips soft and gentle and so sweet. “I love you too. So much.”

He kissed her back, deepening the connection as he claimed her mouth with his. She twined her arms around his neck and held on tight.
 

When they came up for air a few moments later, she beamed up at him. “I have no idea where we’re going, but I’m so glad I’m going there with you.”

Cam swept her into his arms. “I know exactly where we’re going. The bedroom.” He carried her around the island before stopping short. “Shit. I left my wallet at home. I don’t suppose you have condoms?”

“Nope, and you don’t need one. Not really.”

He grinned at her and planted a fast kiss on her lips. “Well, I’m just going to consider that a little bonus.” He carried her into the bedroom and set her on the bed.

She looked up at him, her eyes searching. “You’re certain this is what you want?”

“More than anything.”

T
he Arch and Fox restaurant hummed with conversation and a palpable excitement. Brooke stood with Cam as they talked with the critic from Wine Enthusiast. She and some others in the industry had come for a special tasting that afternoon and had been enthusiastic in their praise.

Brooke could tell that Cam was flying high. Dressed in an impeccable navy pinstriped suit, he looked good enough to eat. She’d never before considered the pride in having arm candy but had to admit she enjoyed the envious stares of the women who darted him interested glances. Glances that turned to disappointment as soon as they saw him touch Brooke’s back or put his arm around her waist, which he did often.

All in all, it was a magical night. She’d been floating on air since Cam had come to see her last night, and she never wanted to come down.

She still couldn’t believe the time he’d spent researching her infertility and possibilities for the future. Darren had never done that. As if she’d needed any reminders that Cam was not Darren.

No, Cam was sensitive and caring and the most supportive man she could ask to have in her life. They’d made love and stayed up far too late talking about all of the procedures she’d tried and, to a lesser extent, his experience with his ex-girlfriend that had hurt him so badly.

Brooke found she wanted to look Jennifer up and punch her face in, much as Cam wanted to do to Darren. She smiled at that thought.

As the wine critic excused himself, Cam leaned his head close and whispered in her ear, “What are you smiling at?”

“You. Us. Last night. Later. Pick something.”

“All of it. I pick all of it.” He brushed a kiss against her flesh, sending a shiver down her neck.

Hayden and Bex approached them. Hayden smiled at Brooke, then looked at Cam. “You ready?”

Cam nodded, and they went to stand in front of the stone fireplace. Luke and Jamie joined them.

“Don’t they all look so handsome?” Bex asked. She was showing now, the gentle slope of her belly just visible beneath her dark purple dress.

“Very. Jamie and Luke better watch out. There are a lot of single women here. I’ve had to direct several death stares at a few of them because they wouldn’t stop checking Cam out.”

Bex laughed. “Oh, I still have to do that with Hayden. But you have to admit it’s kind of satisfying to have such a hot guy.”

Brooke watched Cam signal for everyone’s attention, and her heart turned over. “Definitely.”

“Thank you, everyone, for joining us tonight.” Cam looked around the room. It was filled with industry professionals, Ribbon Ridgers, and a lot of family. Brooke had come early and been introduced to every Archer and Westcott. She was pretty sure she’d need a flow chart later.

“As many of you know, this winery started as a bit of a dare.” Cam nodded toward his partners. “The four of us grew up together and never actually planned to do this. We were sitting around a table at The Arch and Vine, and we realized that each of us could contribute something valuable to a winery.”

Jamie piped in. “It was me, actually. It was my idea.”

Everyone laughed and no one louder than Cam. “That’s true. Yes, it was wee Jamie’s idea.”

Jamie rolled his eyes but grinned.

Cam turned to his youngest brother, and Brooke could see the warmth in his eyes. “And a damn fine idea it was.” He looked back out over the dining room. “So this idea somehow managed to find its footing. We were lucky enough to score this incredible vineyard, and Luke has turned it into something special.”

Luke glanced down but smiled. “Still working on it, but it’s coming along.”

“See what I have to deal with?” Cam said. “One brother who wants to hog the spotlight and another who wants to dodge it.” He shook his head, smiling. “But none of this would work at all without the winemaking skills of my best friend, Hayden Archer. Without further ado, I’ll turn it over to him because I know he has a ton of stuff to say.”

Hayden stepped forward, but Cam didn’t back away yet. “One more thing,” he said. “I want to thank everyone here. Your support and friendship means a lot to us.” His eyes found his parents, whom Brooke had met earlier. “Mom and Dad, thank you.” Then his gaze settled on her. “And Brooke—I can’t wait to see where this adventure takes us.” He winked at her, then took a step back. “Okay, I’m done.”

Hayden gave him a look of mock exasperation, then grinned. “Thank you, Cam, for dreaming up this event tonight. And to my sister Sara, who coordinated it.” He continued with more thank-yous, then briefly talked about the wine they’d be pouring with dinner.
 

Soon after, they all sat and partook of the fabulous meal that Kyle’s staff had prepared. Kyle had felt bad that he couldn’t attend, but newborns kind of decimated one’s social calendar.

At the end of the night, after everyone had left, Brooke sat in a corner where she took off her shoes and massaged her aching feet. She wasn’t sure where Cam had gone but knew he was finishing up somewhere.
 

Just then he came from the kitchen, his hand behind his back. He walked to her table and sat down.

She was curious what he was hiding, but didn’t ask. “You must be exhausted.” He didn’t look it; his eyes were still bright.

“I am. We can go. In just a minute. I have something for you.”

“Behind your back?” She craned her neck, fruitlessly, to look.

He brought his hand around and handed her a bouquet. A dozen white roses and one red one in the middle.

Brooke’s throat knotted. After a moment, she managed to speak. “They’re beautiful, and they mean so much. Thank you.”

“Do you know what the red one is for?”

“Because you love me?”
 

He grinned and scooted forward in his chair until he was at the very edge. “Well, yes, but that’s not all. That red rose is our child. I don’t know where he or she will come from or when he or she will come, but they’re out there waiting for us. I know it.”

Her breath caught, and she just stared at this amazing man who’d captured her heart, her trust, and her dreams so completely. “When you say it, I believe it.”

He leaned forward, his mouth inches from hers. “Good.” He kissed her, and she wrapped her free hand around his neck, pulling him.

He fell off the chair and into her lap.

“Ack! My flowers.” She giggled.

He rolled away and fell to the floor, sprawling at her feet. “I think I’m going to stay here. I am exhausted.”

She set the flowers on the table and lay down next to him, curling against his side. “Okay.” She splayed her hand over his chest. He’d long ago shed his coat and tie, and it wouldn’t take much to divest him of his shirt…

He wrapped his hand around hers. “Oh, you don’t have to stay, but I appreciate the offer.”
 

“Wherever you go is where I want to be. You’re stuck with me.”

He turned to face her. “Good.”

Then he kissed her, and she knew that nothing had ever been so good.

Epilogue

Late September, West Arch Estate

T
he vineyard was bustling with people and activity on this first day of the harvest. Every Westcott, Archer, their significant others, and even Brooke’s family were here to help. They’d hired some workers, but not many since everyone wanted to pitch in.

Luke was overseeing everything, which meant he was running this way and that, with Hayden acting as second in command. Cam supposed he should be helping to manage things, but he was content to just pick grapes and make out with Brooke when no one was looking.

He looked at her backside as she bent to pick fruit and wished they were alone in the vineyard. He thought back to the midnight picnic they’d had up here a couple of weeks ago. They’d drunk Riesling and made love under the crescent moon. Up here, the sky seemed so close, like you could wrap yourself in the stars. Actually, that was how he felt when he was with her—as if he were embraced by the heavens. Wow, had he turned into a lovesick sap.

And it felt great.

She stood up and glanced back at him, then turned fully toward him. “What?”
 

“What what?”

She set her hand on her hip. “You have this weird look in your eye.”

“Weird, really? Not lustful or infatuated?”

She laughed. “Okay, those too. But intensely so.”

“Well, I was checking out your ass.” He moved toward her and slipped his hand around her waist. “And thinking about that night we came up here to stargaze.” He leaned forward and nuzzled her neck, but she didn’t melt into him as he’d hoped.

Instead, she cleared her throat and whispered, “We have company.”

Cam didn’t let go of her waist but came around to stand by her side.
 

Evan Archer, Alaina’s husband, stood there, his gaze inscrutable, as it so often was. “Sorry to interrupt, but it’s lunchtime.”

“Thanks,” Cam said. “I’m hungry, as it happens.” He tightened his grip on Brooke’s waist, tickling her.

She tried to dance away, laughing, but he held her close.

“Yeah, well, if you want to stay up here for some alone time, I can try to make sure no one comes this way.” There was no innuendo in his tone, no teasing, just a straightforward offer to give them some privacy. He turned and left without another word.

Cam pivoted and pulled Brooke against him. “Evan is such a great guy.”

Brooke pressed her mouth to his. “Mmmm-hmmm. I like him and Alaina a lot.” Her stomach rumbled against his, and he laughed.

“I guess we should go eat.”

She pulled back and smiled at him. “Please? I’m starving.”

He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”

They walked down the hill to where tables had been set up under massive canopies. Bex and Sara and some others had put out lunch in addition to wrangling children. There was quite a spread of food and drink.

Cam and Brooke filled their plates and sat down at a table where his parents and her parents were getting to know each other. Brooke leaned toward him and whispered, “Is this weird?”

“Kind of, but it’s also sort of cute.”

Their dads had bonded over fishing and were even talking about taking a weekend trip together next summer.

“I guess we have to be in this for the long haul,” Brooke said as she scooped a bite of pasta salad.