Page 20 of Christmas Home

“That’s expected, too, but just so you know, they also have a nice setup in the hotel. You can walk over anytime and buy whatever you like.”

“Do they just serve reds?” Corey asked.

“No, actually. I didn’t ask for any of the whites since I have to drive us back to Crawford City and I’ll be tempted to drink too much as it is, but their whites are nice as well. Not quite the level of perfection as the pinot, but give our Logan some more time and he’ll have those perfected as well.”

“I’d like to meet this Logan,” I said and was interrupted by Corey.

“And Matt, I’d like to meet the artist.”

Jake patted Corey’s back companionably. “I’ll set it up. Meanwhile, I’d like to talk to you about your development, where the ever-present gossips aren’t as likely to hear.”

I nodded, figuring that was the real purpose behind this winery tour.

“Crawford City is growing fast, and we’re struggling to keep up with the housing demand. We all told you true, that we aren’t quite ready for an apartment complex. Even as nice asthe condos are, if I weren’t one of the owners, and my friend Jen hadn’t bought the second, the third probably would’ve been more difficult to sell than I’m comfortable admitting.”

I nodded, anticipating as much. “Do you think single-family housing is needed then?” I asked.

“I think it’s a need we can’t ignore any longer despite the town’s unflattering opinion of that property’sside of the tracks,” he replied, using air quotes on the last bit. “Things have changed a lot over the years. The bar and the motel blight the area, but as you know, nothing else is over there.”

“So, you think if we tear down the motel and close the bar, we’d change the town’s opinion, and people would readily buy in that area?”

Jake snorted. “You’ll not be tearing the bar down anytime soon. That old saloon is a local landmark of sorts. In the early eighties, the ladies of the town went on a crusade to close it down once and for all. As you can see, they lost.”

“But the townsfolk still think of it as blighted?”

Jake nodded. “Yes, for the time being. As the new owner of said bar, I know for a fact it’s about to go through some significant changes.”

“Well, that seems like half the battle’s won already,” I said, and I caught sight of Corey, who couldn’t quite hide his pleasure at the news. Both he and I had seen projects die in the suburbs where one establishment, hated by a community, could sink an otherwise beneficial project.

“So, you’d do the renovations soon? Perhaps in tandem with a new housing development?”

Jake winked at me and then looked at his husband. “A brilliant architect I know already has a few ideas about a potential development—”

Lance elbowed Jake and then laughed. “My sweet husband tends to speak before he should,” Lance said. “After hearing youwere looking at the property, we did start talking about what kind of development would do best in the area and how to help you avoid some of the pitfalls of the town council.”

I nodded skeptically and glanced at Corey, who was clearly as unsure as I was.

“Let’s do this. Give me a few days, and I’ll put together a proposal. Not that you have to use me, but I’m the only local architect left in the area now my mentor has retired,” Lance said. “There are plenty of Nashville architects you could use, but if you give me a chance, I think I have some ideas to inspire you.”

I couldn’t help but cock my eyebrow, and Lance grinned. “I’m not pulling a fast one on you. I promise no hard feelings if you don’t like what I’ve got to show, but please give me the chance.”

I knew Lance and Jake both held a lot of sway with the community, and considering they were also our ride back to town from the winery, there really was nothing I could do but nod and smile.

“Okay, business done. If you’re finished with the cheese and wine, we’d like to show you our favorite part of this property.”

“I’d like to buy a few bottles before we leave,” I said, and Jake nodded.

Corey and I took our time exploring the retail shop, and I selected several bottles to purchase. Although Jake said the whites weren’t quite as good as the reds, I wanted to try them all. I had always loved wine, more than I should at times, and I was impressed with this little shock of a winery. At the very least, I wanted to spend some money here to encourage them to keep up the good work.

Once our boxes of wine were loaded in Jake and Lance’s trunk, they led us down a path and up to one of the most beautiful little chapels I’ve ever seen. My family were Quakers, and the no-nonsense aspects of the meeting houses used by the Friends, as they were called, was the polar opposite of this place. It probablywould’ve turned the more ardent Friends off, but I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the beauty and spiritual elements of the space.

I was utterly smitten by this quaint little country winery. As we drove back to town, my thoughts drifted to the man who’d smitten me in a similar way. Clyde wasn’t a refined man. He had a strong accent, and despite his small build, his muscles were toned by long hours of hard work. He was so unlike the few men I’d dated in the past, and I found it refreshing.

I wondered what it might be like to bring him to the winery. Share some wine and cheese with him. Wander up the path to the adorable chapel. Maybe steal a kiss or five hundred. I chuckled at the romantic scene playing out in my mind.

There was something special about Clyde, but I got the impression that he didn’t think of himself that way. I wondered how I might go about convincing him otherwise.

eighteen

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