Page 18 of Christmas Home

“You need to lie down and rest,” Corey said, but a drink might be good too. Besides, if you still feel up to it, you told Jake Hudson you’re willing to go try out his friend’s winery. If youwant to stay on his good side—” He paused, and I knew he was thinking about my attack. “—I think you should go.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Can you arrange a time? I think I will go take that rest, although, to be honest, the shot would be better.”

“Being drunk on the job wouldn’t, though.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said and chuckled despite the fact my nerves were still frayed. At least I wasn’t still imagining all the ugly stuff I had been. Instead, I was thinking about a sweet, unassuming, handsome knight who’d come swooping in for my rescue.

sixteen

Clyde

Ididn’t think. Isaw Ruther freaking out and instantly knew he was having a panic attack. I had no idea what had led up to it, but I’d had enough of them to know how to spot one.

I went over just as his partner said something about medication. Anxiety medication, maybe, but I doubted he needed meds as much as he needed an escape. He excused himself a moment later, and before I could let Mrs. Cole know I was going to check on him, he was gone.

Shit, he shouldn’t be alone, I thought, and rushed headlong after him. Ruther calmed down easily enough, and despite my curiosity, I forced myself not to ask questions. I didn’t want to risk sending him into another panic attack.

Personal experience told me he just needed someone to sit with him while he got himself back under control. I didn’t think about Mrs. Cole or the restaurant until after I started back.Crap, crap, crap, crap, will I lose my job?I mean, in most places, that’s all it’d take.

I slipped back in the front door, and instead of an angry boss, I saw kindness and relief. “Thank you, Clyde. You did good,” she said, patting my shoulder.

I should’ve known someone with a kind heart like Mrs. Cole would see what I’d done as a good thing, not a lack of work ethic. I sighed with relief as I grabbed the bussing equipment and returned to work. Lunch rush was around the corner, and the dining room was a total mess.

I tried not to listen to the table of men who remained as I cleaned up, but I caught bits of their conversation. Something about a fire years ago at the Crawford family’s house that the librarian now owned.

The poor guy was apologetic, and I felt sorry for him, but I felt worse for Ruther. I remembered the scars on his foot and figured they were probably from that. He was back in Crawford City, maybe to address his past somehow? I had no idea, but I hadn’t had such a strong sense to protect someone since my nieces and nephew were little.

I sighed as I collected the rest of the dishes, bussed them back to the kitchen, and brought out the vacuum. No use dwelling on what I couldn’t fix, and that probably included me. At least I wasn’t just lusting after the poor man. I felt a kinship with him and a need to help him get through his troubles.

I mean, I still felt attraction, but nurturing always overcame other feelings inside me. As I vacuumed the crumbs of the morning rush, I couldn’t help looking forward to tomorrow morning’s break. Maybe I could become friends with Ruther and his…whatever Corey was to him. Husband, boyfriend, other? The way Ruther reacted to me in front of Corey suggested that whatever the relationship, it was open. I didn’t intend to get in the middle of that, but I felt connected to Ruther, so whatever happened, I’d be here for him, at least in the short-term. Not that the man needed me. The need was in me, though.

seventeen

Ruther

Despite dreading the winery,I smiled when Jake and Lance met me at the condo door. “You know, we need to invite you two up for dinner one night, especially since you’re staying right below us,” Jake commented.

“That’d be nice,” I said and meant it. “So, elephant in the room and all that, I’m sorry—”

Jake put his hand up. “No need to mention it except to say Chris feels horrible about making you uncomfortable. He’d like to make it up to you, but let’s leave that for now. Shall we go to the winery?”

Despite my resolve to behave, I cringed just enough for Jake to catch it. Fortunately, he chuckled and patted my shoulder. “You’re going to be pleasantly surprised, trust me.”

Corey had tried to beg off, but I squared him with a look that said if I had to endure it, he did as well. When he said he had to work, I simply reminded him his phone worked just as well in the car as in the condo. Ultimately, I didn’t back down like Iusually did. No, if I had to endure the Tennessee sweet wine, he would too.

The drive to the winery was breathtaking. We drove up hills that opened onto vistas through the trees. Cows grazed lazily in fields along the route. It didn’t feel real as we drove—more like watching a scene from a movie. I’d completely forgotten about the beauty of the area. Not that I had spent much time out here.

I quickly forced my mind away from those thoughts, knowing that line of thinking eventually led to a panic attack. One was enough for today.

Corey and I gasped as we pulled into the winery’s parking lot and saw the old mill. The water wheel was still turning in the creek that ran alongside. When we walked toward the entrance, I leaned over and whispered to Corey that the view alone made it worth the trip.

He shrugged, not convinced, even if he’d agree the picturesque setting was spectacular.

We were greeted as we walked into the mill by a young woman who appeared to be in her midtwenties. She hugged Jake and Lance, then shook Corey’s hand and mine. “Welcome. My name is Lia. Jake called ahead, telling me you were coming, so I’ve set up a tasting for you upstairs.”

At least the setting was first-rate. The problem was sweet wines, even those prized as dessert wines from Italy, did nothing for me. In fact, they made me gag.

I’d decided to forgo my crutches, since my ankle was feeling better, but climbing the stairs took more time than it normally would’ve. I wasn’t prepared for what I saw and the moment I was in the space, my mouth fell open. The second-floor room was open just as it was below, but original hand-hewn beams decorated the ceiling. Large picture windows stretched across the entire space, letting in lots of natural light. Then I spotted the artwork.

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