Page 39 of Love Among Vines

He paused with a bite halfway to his mouth. “When you say you’re poor?—”

“I mean I’ll be homeless in three months.”

His stomach clenched. How had she let the reins get so loose over the years? Sure, the winery wasn’t thriving, but they weren’t on the verge of shutting their doors.

He took a deep breath and searched for the right words. She didn’t need more criticism.

“I know I sound like an idiot.” That saved him from a response. Her cheeks were pink again. “It wasn’t always like this. I was actually making great money while I was in school. But then my parents died, and I had to settle everything with their estate. I used the life insurance to pay off the funerals and the mortgage and my student loans. And of course I thought I was entering into a partnership where expenses would be dividedand I would have some breathing room. But then I was totally blindsided and locked into an insanely expensive lease by myself for a year. I moved to a cheaper apartment, but I’ve been barely treading water ever since.”

The right words still evaded him. His heart ached for her. Sure, she had stumbled into a few pitfalls. But she was a good person. He could help her if she’d let him.

“That’s why I have to go back,” she added, voice barely more than a whisper. “I have to figure out where to go from here.”

He laid a hand on her arm, and his skin tingled at the touch. Maybe some honesty would help bridge that gap.

“I think we could help each other,” he said gently. “The winery has been…underperforming.”

She raised her eyebrows and looked around the kitchen.

“I know it doesn’t look like it based on where we’re sitting. I’m somewhat of an expert at budgeting, so we’ve absorbed a lot of hits. But with all the competition in the area, we’re not making sales like we used to. People who mean the world to me depend on me for their livelihoods. I need to try some new tactics. If you stayed in town, we could do a joint project. What about a paint and sip night?”

Jade straightened up and looked indignant for a second. Then her shoulders slumped. “I couldn’t even lead a paint and sip. We’d all just stare at blank canvases for two hours.”

“Why don’t you sleep on it?”

“Okay.” She climbed to her feet.

She was going to bed already? He hadn’t meant right this second. But maybe it was better if she went to bed. Then he wouldn’t run the risk of losing control.

She brought her bowl and spoon to the dishwasher and whistled for Penny. She disappeared outside for a moment, then returned.

“Rett?”

He turned to look at her. She had paused with one foot on the stairs.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Everything. For coming with me tonight. For dessert. And for believing in me.”

She darted up the stairs without waiting for a response.

Warmth coursed through his body. She would see reason in the morning. He was sure of it.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

JADE

Jade’s eyessnapped open just as the first streaks of pink filtered into the room. She bolted upright, startling Penny out of what appeared to be a deep sleep.

What kind of velvet-lined purgatory had she stumbled into? Oh, right. Rett’s house. The wedding from hell was finally behind her, but the memory had almost been superseded by the Penny incident.

It was time to go. She had embarrassed herself enough in this town.

Ten minutes later, everything was back in her suitcase and she had sent a text pleading with Kenya to wait. Ashley wouldn’t be on the party bus. The cheating twosome were probably already at the airport, headed to their lavish Hawaiian honeymoon. Good riddance. She crept over to the door and pressed her ear against it. Silence.

With any luck, she’d be able to slip out without Rett knowing. Would he even want her to come back for the anniversary party? Another manic pixie wine groupie was sure to stumble into his winery and effortlessly fulfill his wishes. She’d probably never see him again. All she would have left was a memory—a toe-curling kiss in the October humidity and the sweet sting of late-night apple dumplings.

---