Page 27 of Summer with the Single Dad

And this time, a cold one.

CHAPTER SIX

She probably should have read up more on the island before venturing to some of the beaches. Particularly the secluded beach below Westhaven Winery, which turned out to be a nudist beach. Or rather a “clothing optional” beach. That was quite a shock.

Even though she was a doctor and had no issues with the human body no matter what size, shade, or shape, the shock of seeing a sea of naked old people spread out on the sand, basking in the afternoon sun wasn’t something she was prepared for.

Needless to say, she didn’t stay.

It was a beautiful beach, but the amount of naked flesh around her was distracting. She also didn’t feel like she could bring out her phone to take pictures.

“You didn’t stay down there very long,” came a gentle female voice behind her as she climbed into her SUV, having hoofed it back up the steep cliff trail from the beach to the winery parking lot.

Spinning around, and making sure she didn’t have an unwelcoming scowl on her face, Justine smiled, finding a pretty brunette with bright green eyes beaming at her.

“Uh, there is more flesh than I was prepared for,” Justine said with a forced laugh. “Kind of detracted from the serenity of the view, if you know what I mean?”

The woman shoved her hands into the pockets of her denim overalls and laughed. “Oh jeez. Yeah …” She glanced toward the sun. “I guess it’s warm enough now for the nudists to start tanning down there again, huh?”

“So that’s a thing?”

“Yeah. We have a pretty big nudist colony, or group, here. Mostly older people who have lived on the island for decades and don’t give a shit. It’s not great for tourism, but the beach isn’t our land, so we can’t do too much about it. Kind of just … roll with it.” She shrugged and extended her hand. “I’m Naomi. I run the winery with my cousins. You just visiting the island?”

Justine took her hand and nodded. “Yeah, staying at the cabins by San Camanez Brewery. Got in after a last-minute cancellation. I’m Justine, by the way.”

“Nice to meet you, Justine. Are you a wine drinker?”

Justine smiled, enjoying the woman’s blunt but friendly personality. “I’ve been known to enjoy the odd glass in the evenings. They say grapes are good for the heart, so who am I to argue with they?”

Naomi chuckled. “I definitely don’t argue with they. You on your way out or do you want to come for a tasting? We’re pretty quiet right now. So I’m happy to give you a private tour.”

Justine’s eyes widened, and her belly rumbled. “I was going to go grab something to eat, but I have a wine tour and tasting on my to-do list while I’m here. And big crowds aren’t my thing. So a private and impromptu one sounds even better. Thank you.”

“We have food, so I’ve got you fully covered. No crowds, great wine, and the perfect food to pair it with. Follow me.” Shoving her hands into the pockets of her cute overalls that cut her mid-calf, Naomi headed toward a big, barn-style building with cedar shake siding and an elaborately carved sign over the double doors that said, “Westhaven Winery.” “So, where are you visiting from?” Naomi asked, holding the smaller side door open for Justine so she could walk into the pleasantly lit tasting room. The bar and counters were all reclaimed wood and wrought iron. It was tasteful, rustic, but also chic.

“I live in Seattle, but I’ve taken a leave of absence from work. I needed a break, so I’m here for the summer.”

“What do you do for work?” Naomi asked.

“I was a doctor.”

Naomi’s dark brows hiked up. “Oh, cool. That must be really nice to take a break. I’m sure COVID caused a lot of burnout.” She ducked behind the bar and began pulling out various containers of diced up fruit, cheeses, crackers, meats, and breads. Before Justine knew it, a small charcuterie board had been put together in front of her very eyes, and apparently it was just for her. “Have you seen much of the island so far?” Naomi asked, setting up a foot-long wooden board with four circular cut-outs that didn’t go all the way through the wood. She placed four small stemless wine glasses in the cutouts, then proceeded to pour a half ounce of different wines into each.

“I’ve gone for a few runs, which have taken me a few places. Then I went for a hike the other day, and to Heaven’s Leap yesterday. The grocery store, of course, and Barrington’s Bees for honey. I’m taking it slow. I want to savor my time here and not do it all too quickly. I’ve never had nothing to do before. So it’s both weird and wonderful. If I wasn’t so conditioned to getting up at five to go for a run, I’d consider sleeping in.”

Naomi laughed. “I’m a creature of habit too. Even when I want to, or try to, sleep in, my body is like, ‘Nah, bitch. Get up. There’s shit to do.’ Or it’s my kids jumping on me and basically saying the same thing.”

Justine grabbed a green grape from the plate and popped it in her mouth, crushing the sweet fruit between her molars, and enjoying the juice that burst across her tongue.

“Okay, let’s start with this one,” Naomi said, pointing to the bubbly white wine on the left. “This is a prosecco that we make here from our own grapes. It goes best with something salty as all sparkling wines and champagnes do. So I suggest you either put a bit of caviar on a cracker or take a salty potato chip here. Whatever preference. I’m not a caviar person myself, which is why I also put out the chips.”

“I’m not a caviar person either,” Justine said, grabbing a kettle cooked chip from the small stack. She took a bite, then a sip of the prosecco.

It was like a party of flavors and sensations in her mouth. A party she never wanted to leave.

The way the fruity wine complimented the salty chip and vice versa, not to mention the effervescence across her tongue … she knew she needed to pace herself, but she was in too much bliss to not do it again. She grabbed another chip and took another sip, moaning as the same sensations eclipsed her. Her eyes closed and she smiled as she chewed.

When she finally swallowed and opened her eyes, Naomi was grinning at her.

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