Taking a Chance (17 page)

“Yes, I will try.”

“That’s not good enough, Maddie. I don’t want to have to wonder if you need more from me. I need to know.” He reached up and traced her jawline. “I want us to work. I don’t want to fail you and have you leave me because you needed more.”

“I think you would get along fine on your own, but I do appreciate the words.”

“You know I wouldn’t, but let’s not make this a competition about who needs who more.”

He put his arms around her and lifted her up with him as he stood. She wrapped her legs around him as he walked over to the edge of the balcony and lowered her to the railing.

“I could get used to starting my mornings this way.”

He leaned back and brushed her hair from her face. He tilted her head up and lowered his mouth to hers. Without breaking the kiss, he picked her up again and walked back inside the room. He laid her on the bed and moved his mouth down her neck.

“Can’t we just have someone deliver the wine to us and we can taste here all day?” He looked up at her with a mischievous grin.

Maddie laughed and the beautiful sound filled his ears making him want her more

“I don’t think so, besides, I don’t want you to get sick of me so soon. If you spent the entire day with me here in this room, I’m afraid you’ll be bored with me by tomorrow.”

“I seriously doubt it. I would be perfectly content to just sit and stare at you all day.”

“Well, then you can watch me walk to the bathroom, so I can go take a shower.” She laughed as she tried to roll away from him on the bed. Apparently misjudging his strength and quick reflexes he grabbed her around the waist and hauled her beneath him in one quick movement. She laughed again.

“I will think about it, but only if you kindly allow me to finish my good morning kiss.”

Before Maddie could protest, Austin dropped his head and brushed feather light kisses down her neck. “Hey, I thought you said you just wanted to finish your morning kiss.”

“Oh, I am. I never said how long it would take.” He shifted his weight to his side, and began slowly pulling her shirt up. “At least let me help you get ready for your shower.” He smiled down at her. “I can’t imagine you were planning on wearing your clothes.”

Maddie laughed as she tried to squirm out of his hold again, but as soon as he dropped his mouth to her breast, he felt her body still below him. The soft sigh of pleasure she released made Austin’s body buzz with need. When Maddie reached up to run her hand through his hair it took all his self-control to keep the moment playful. His body ached for Maddie, but he would not let things go too far until he knew she was ready.

“How will I ever get anything done with you around?”

“Baby, we will get plenty done.” He gave her a knowing smile as he had won that battle. He pulled her shirt the rest of the way over her head and threw it to the side.

• • •

T
hey did not have a car, but the winery was less than two miles from the B&B, so they decided to walk and enjoy the relaxing countryside. When they arrived at the vineyard, they both stood and watched in awe for a moment. The trucks, equipment, containers filled with grapes and the workers were all working in perfect synchronization as if all movements were choreographed. Everyone knew exactly where to be at all times. Frank smiled as he approached Maddie and Austin.

“Well, I see ya made it and ya brought a strong young man with ya.”

“Frank, this is amazing. You’re running a very smooth operation here,” said Maddie.

“Hi, Frank. Maddie speaks very highly of you. I’m Austin, the humble tag-along.”

Frank laughed. “Can’t say I blame ya young man.” He winked at Austin and turned back to Maddie. “They’ll be finishin’ up here soon. They’ll be back out tomorrow mornin’. We don’t like to pick when it gets too warm. Today is a bit sunny and the temperature has already risen. We’ll start again tomorrow even earlier. Did ya think ’bout our conversation anymore?”

Maddie smiled. “I did and my friend here thought it was a great idea too. I will get back to you next week. You are very generous to offer your time and training.”

“Do ya want to ride with me to the production facility? Need to make sure everything is runnin’ smooth ther’.”

“Sure, sounds great to me,” said Maddie.

Austin and Maddie spent the entire morning at the facility. Maddie could not believe how willing the family and crew were to teach. Just before lunchtime, Maddie found Frank to let him know they had to head back to the B&B, so they could get ready before their car arrived. He drove them back and thanked them for all of their help.

“I don’t know how much help we were, but I certainly look like I was working hard.” Maddie laughed. She had purple stains on her shorts, legs and arms and assumed the rest of her looked disheveled too. “I can’t wait to come back and help again.”

Frank gave her his number and email address. He promised Maddie he would learn how to send emails if she wrote to him. The thought of Frank pecking away at a keyboard typing an email made Maddie laugh. She would send him a letter, the old-school way of communication, and probably the one Frank would be most comfortable with.

Maddie gave Frank a kiss on the cheek and hugged him goodbye. He already felt like a grandfather to her. She had enjoyed the time she spent with him and he seemed so eager to teach her about the business.

• • •

M
addie and Austin got ready quickly. Maddie would have liked more time to clean up, but she did not really care. She was just excited for them to have an afternoon to spend together. The entire day was planned with reservations made at the wineries where they needed them. Frank had approved of her choices and made a few suggestions of his own. They were planning to have dinner at Rutherford Grill, a favorite of visitors and locals alike.

As they got in the car, Austin leaned over and gave her a long kiss.

“What was that for?”

“Just because I can. I can’t believe this is our first entire afternoon together alone.”

Austin was still a rock star, and even though it had not been a factor the last twenty-four hours, Maddie could not forget he would have to go back to that life. She did not want things to change. She wished they could stay there in the countryside and forget about the real world. Austin’s phone rang, which was enough to pull her out of the daydream.

“Hey, it’s Anthony. I’m going to see how he’s doing.” He turned as he picked up, “Hello, mate.”

Maddie sipped on her glass of sparkling wine as he talked to Anthony.

“How is he doing?” she asked as soon as he hung up.

“He sounds down. I think it’s a combination of knowing he will not be able to play for a while and being stuck in the hospital.”

“That’s too bad. I’m sure he’s going to miss playing with you guys.”

“He will. We’ve been friends since we were ten. He’s one of my best friends. The only reason why I was able to leave on Friday was because I knew I was going to see you. I wouldn’t have left his side for anyone else.”

“I didn’t realize you guys grew up together. Now I know where to get all the good stories.”

“Hey, that’s not fair. He’s sworn to secrecy anyhow.”

Austin put his arm around Maddie and she leaned into him as they rode. First stop of the day was at the Jordan winery in the northern part of Sonoma Valley. The driveway up to the Jordan property alone was amazing, but the property surrounding the main building was breathtaking. Trees dotted the entire property and the lawn was bright green and perfectly manicured. Off in the distance to the right of the mansion were rows of olive trees. The stone patio area was expansive and views from it were serene.

They went inside to check in for their tasting and found Frank had called ahead and had it changed it to a private tasting. They were escorted outside to a single table that had been set up on the patio. Frank had arranged for them to have food paired with the wine. She laughed as she realized Frank, most likely, had changed the course of their day.

After they had finished the tasting and before heading back over to the Napa Valley side, Maddie wanted to stop at Ferrari Carano to do a tasting in their reserve room. The property had gardens planted all around. The view from their patio area was also spectacular with rows of vines running up the hill behind the property.

Maddie took Austin’s picture in front of the giant copper boar statue in front of the building. She laughed and said she was going to make it her Facebook profile picture.

They took the stairs down to the reserve tasting room. Next to the tasting area a glass wall gave vision to a room with stacks of barrels lined up. When Maddie mentioned Frank, they were escorted into the area, so they could see the barrels up close. Maddie listened intently to everything they told her about the process, the number of cases produced, about each
terroir
and every other fact they shared.

As they were finishing their tasting, the woman asked how long they had been together and they laughed in unison.

“Actually, this is the first full day we have spent together since we met,” said Maddie.

The woman gasped. “There is no way. You appear more together than any other couple I have spent time with.” She smiled. “By the way, I don’t want to impose, but are you Austin Hunter?”

And there it was. The comment brought Maddie back to reality and her shoulders slumped. She did not want to go places and have people recognize Austin. Even though the lifestyle and recognition came with him, it was not something she was comfortable with and would change it if she could.

“Yes, I am,” he said matter-of-factly. The woman blushed and her smile grew wider. Maddie swore she leaned further forward to show more cleavage when she asked if she could get his autograph.

Maddie turned away and rolled her eyes. As she made her way up the stairs to the main floor she heard Austin say goodbye and ran up the stairs behind her. When she stepped outside, she took a deep breath. That would not be the last time it would happen, but it was the first and she had not been prepared. She also had to be honest with herself. Even though they had a deep relationship and loved one another, it had only been a month. That might not be enough when he went back to his life in the limelight.

“Mad,” he grabbed her hand as he caught up to her. “Is something wrong?”

“No, I just forgot that was going to happen when we go places. I can’t stand to see women act that way toward you. It just reminds me how much they are willing to give you. Plus, your last girlfriend was a reality star. There’s a lot of competition in my way.”

“You don’t have any competition. The only one I care about is you. Please just try to remember that. I can’t control what happens with other people. I can only focus on you and us and hope it’s enough.”

“I know. I’m not mad, but I need to get used to it, okay?”

“Deal.”

They finished the rest of their tastings throughout the afternoon and were now heading in for dinner. When Maddie gave her name at the host stand, the hostess nodded and took them to a quiet booth in the back corner of the restaurant. The table had extra candles and a vase of fresh flowers.

“Can you believe how amazing Frank is? He did add to our day.”

“He did, but my day was made just by being with you.”

Their waitress stopped at the table.

“Hi, I’m Lacey and will be your server this evening. Frank called and set up your entire meal including all the wine. Frank is a great man, and any friend of his is definitely a friend of ours. Unless you have any special requests, I will start serving.”

She smiled as she stood at their table. Her dark copper hair hung in two braids just below each shoulder. Her right arm had a dove tattoo with words inscribed below it that Maddie could not read from where she was sitting. Lacey’s face was freckled much more than her own, which Maddie imagined made her look even younger than she actually was.

“Thanks, Lacey. We’re ready to tackle whatever Frank has in store for us.” Maddie smiled back. “How long have you known Frank?”

“I’ve known Frank most of my life. I grew up in the Napa Valley and my grandparents were lifelong friends of Frank and his wife, Melinda. I was a bit of a wild child, but Frank took me under his wing and helped me grow into the person I am today.”

“Ah, so you know Frank very well. He’s a very kind man. So generous with his time, and he has such passion.”

“Yep, that’s Frank. I just worry he’s working too hard at the winery when he should be resting.”

“I agree with you. I think he’s determined to live forever to keep the place going the way he envisions it.”

“Let me tell you, if there was a way for someone to live forever, Frank would be the one to find a way. He loves that winery. It’s always been his life,” said Lacey. She paused but didn’t make a move to leave the table. “I honestly don’t want to intrude on you guys, but I just have to ask. Are you Austin Hunter?”

Austin nodded his head and offered a small smile. Something about Lacey asking didn’t bother Maddie. Lacey’s smile widened.

“Awesome. I just want to tell you I’m a huge fan of your music and not only do you have a fantastic voice, but I love your piano playing.”

“Thanks.” Austin glanced at Maddie. He offered a genuine smile. “That compliment means a lot.”

“Pfft.” Lacey waved her hand. “I’m sure you hear it all the time. Well, I better get moving if I’m going to feed you guys this evening.”

She turned and walked toward the bar to get them their first wine for the evening.

By the time they had finished their meal, they were both stuffed. Maddie swore she had never eaten that much in one sitting. Having a hard time even finishing her dessert was unheard of for her.

Austin leaned back into the booth and let a deep breath out. Maddie cocked her head to one side and slowly smiled at him. He pulled himself out of the booth and slid into her side. He put his arm around her and pulled her close, so her face was only inches from his.

“Hello, Miss.”

“Hi.”

“I was thinking you should come home with me this evening.”

“Well, I don’t know, sir. I think you may have to come home with me. I don’t believe you have a room.” She smiled slowly and caught the slight shiver that ran through him when he looked in her eyes.