Page 25 of Love Song, Take Two

On his way home after dinner at the George house, he made a few calls and tried to find something that would appeal to Micah. Thing was, he didn’t know all that much about her to begin with. He knew that she liked food—evidenced by the way she inhaled room service years ago and how easily she finished the pasta earlier that week—and she had good taste in wine too. Based off that, Fletcher got in touch with an old friend.

When The Rescuers had been at the height of their career, they were lucky enough to make friends with some pretty famous people. Kevin Shepley had been one of them. He came from a large family of vintners who owned one of San Diego’s biggest vineyards—Shepley Cellars. Kevin had hosted a listening party for one of The Rescuers’ albums and he and Fletcher had become instant friends. While he had no intention of driving them to the vineyard itself, Fletcher hoped that his friend would have a recommendation or two.

Not only did Kevin tell him about the Tasting Room, he told Fletcher that someone would be there to take care of them during their visit. Even though Kevin insisted their afternoon was on the house, Fletcher was going to make sure he paid for the experience. Outside of spending money on the store, feeding and clothing himself, the fortune he’d amassed as a drummer for one of the most popular bands of the 21st century was sitting in his bank account and growing moldy. Treating the woman of his dreams to a delicious day at a winery was a good way to spend his money.

If she knew exactly how many people he’d met along the way who owned businesses like this, she would either stick around forever or run a mile. This was one of the reasons why he didn’t date, because it was hard to decipher if the women he was going out with wanted him because he was Fletcher Kelley, or because he was Fletch. With Micah, he didn’t have to worry. She didn’t treat him like Drummer of the Year, six years running. Even with their history, she behaved like he was just another dude.

As he looked around the space trying to figure out where Micah had gone, a woman in a pantsuit and a severe hairstyle that stretched her face approached him.

“Mr. Kelley?” At Fletcher’s nod, she smiled and continued, “I’m Marguerite, welcome to Shepley Cellars. Mr. Shepley asked me to let you know that everything on the menu is available to you. We have a small group wine tasting starting in fifteen minutes, if you’d like to join that or you can order the wine flights instead and make yourself comfortable anywhere in the courtyard.”

“Nice to meet you, Marguerite. Did Mr. Shepley also tell you to refuse my card if I handed it to you?” Fletcher asked, pulling his credit card out of his wallet.

The woman blushed, but laughed. “He did warn me that you would attempt to make a payment, but please don’t. Mr. Shepley said that you’re an old friend and he’s honored that you’re here.”

“I’ll have to find other ways to make my payment.”

“We have a donation box, if that would be suitable. A large percentage of our daily earnings go to helping families all over the state. I won’t tell Mr. Shepley if that’s what you choose to do.”

“Thank you.” He chuckled and slid his wallet back into his pocket.

“You’re most welcome. If you need any assistance, ask for me. I hope you enjoy your visit.”

“I appreciate it, Marguerite, thank you.” Marguerite smiled and pulled open another set of glass doors, letting loud music and chatter engulf him.

He nodded at her and stepped through the doors, his eyes adjusting to the brightness outside. The courtyard was larger than he expected, with long strings of lights hanging from large trees. A heavily decorated Christmas tree filled one corner of the space, with tables of different sizes and heights dotted the rest of the area. Three counters were dressed up as bars in different sections, with a relatively big stage set up as well. There were already lots of people milling about, glasses in every hand. Waitstaff moved through the crowds with trays laden with more wine glasses. He had to admit that bringing Micah here had been a good idea, even if he had no idea where she’d gone.

It took him a few seconds to spot her, the bright orange of her dress a beacon in the sea of darker clothes. She was standing in front of a wall covered in an intricate and colorful mural. Even with her back to him, he could imagine the wide eyed look on her face as she admired the art. When he picked her up earlier in the day, Fletcher hadn’t allowed himself to check her out, because he knew that once he cataloged what she was wearing, it’s all he would be thinking about. Now, as he wove through the crowd, he drank her in. The sleeveless orange dress had ruffles over the shoulders, was cinched beneath her breasts and fell above her knees. Her well toned legs were bare and ended with her feet tucked into a pair of well-worn white sneakers. Her curly hair fluttered in the wind, drawing his attention to the tattoo in the middle of her back exposed by the wide neck of her dress. He’d already documented the smattering of tattoos along both arms, but this one shocked him—a purple mermaid tail bursting out of the waves.

There’s no way she knows the song is about her, right?

He intended to tell her, but Fletcher hadn’t decided when. Besides, she was from Sirena Beach, so the tattoo could be in honor of her hometown as well. Coming up beside her, he gently nudged her and saw her lips curve into a smile.

“I met this artist a few years ago at a Pride Parade and they were talking about how their art is inspired by the thoughts in their mind,” she told him. “Can you imagine having such colorful and vivid thoughts that you have to create something out of it?”

“Yeah, I can.” And I did.

“Well, you are a creative soul, so that doesn’t surprise me.” She turned halfway to look at him and he smiled.

“This is beautiful, though. I don’t know if my creations would have this kind of effect.”

“You clearly don’t understand the impact your music has on people, Fletch.”

“You wanna tell me about it, Mick?”

She grinned and turned back to the wall as she moved down a few feet. He dragged his eyes up and down her body before forcing himself to look away. His mind had already started playing a melody and his fingers itched to write down the words; because Micah George was inspiring another song.

“So, what’s the plan?” she asked, adjusting her bag over her shoulder as she examined another piece of the mural.

He moved with her, staying a few steps behind. “There’s a group tasting, if you want to do that. Or we can enjoy the courtyard, the wine flights, eat all the food and relax.”

“I love that wine flights are a thing now.” She stopped in front of a painting of a curvy woman that was naked, except for the flowers in her hands and around her feet. “The group tasting sounds too crowded for my taste.”

He smiled, stopping right behind her so he could attempt to see that piece of art through her eyes. “What do you see, Mick?”

“Myself,” she said softly, leaning back against him and Fletcher rested his chin on top of her head as they stared at the woman. “I see someone who has finally found a way to be comfortable in her skin, to love herself, to cut herself some slack and simply live.”

“Have you not been living?”

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