Page 20 of Love Unforgettable
Chapter 8
Lexie
Once I get back to the ranch, I see that Daniel, my vineyard manager, has not only finished checking the vines, but has also repaired the broken trellising and run a perimeter check on the fencing around the property.
“No breach,” he says in response to my question about fencing.
“So, no way in at all?” I ask.
“No. It’s weird, Lex. I think the horse scaled the fence.”
“Aren’t those fences built to keep horses in or out or something? You think a horse scaled that fence?”
“I do. Horses jump,” he says.
“I mean, I don’t know much, or really anything, about horses, but is that possible?”
“Anything is possible,” he says with a smirk. “Horse came in from the northeast end, where those pastures are. The grass is trampled and cut.”
I like Daniel, he was a good hire. He’s smart, he knows his way around the vines like a pro and he’s handy with a hammer. I found him through an ex-convict rehabilitation program that Kat ran a while back. He’s been with me for over three years and has proven to be invaluable. It’s taken some time to train his palette where the actual wine is concerned, but he grows the hell out of the grapes. He’s as good with the vines as I am, if not better.
“I trimmed back the damaged plants, they’ll be fine,” he continues, pulling his leather cowboy hat off to wipe the sweat from his brow with his forearm. He reminds me a little bit of Indiana Jones when he does that. Especially when his face is shadowed with day old whiskers and his brown eyes are squinting in the sun. “How’s Sasha? You okay?”
“The horse got her good. Concussion, messed up knee, cracked rib. They say she’ll come out of it okay, but I always worry, you know? She’s getting up there in age.” I sigh. “Anyway, I’ve got dinner with Mavis in a bit, so I’m gonna go get cleaned up. You should go get some rest. You did a lot today.”
He nods and heads off in the general direction of the bunkhouse, where he lives. It’s convenient having him on site, especially since he rarely takes time off. Not a lot of friends, no special someone to speak of.
Ha, just like me.
I keep wanting to set him up with someone, but most women freak out when they hear he was in jail. It was for breaking and entering and robbery. He was young and dumb. He learned his lesson though.
I watch him as he walks away.
“Hey, Daniel,” I call out. He stops and tilts his head back toward me. “Have a nice night!” He raises his hat in response and keeps walking.
One of these days, you’ll break through that rough exterior of his, Lexie. One of these days.
I make a mental note to try and figure out where the horse from today came from. And another note to rip said horse’s owner a new one for messing with my vines and hurting my dog. I head back to the main house, check my email, and do some paperwork before getting ready for dinner with Mavis. I have a message from her saying that she is having a friend meet us for dinner. I think it’s sweet when she does that.
My phone buzzes with a call, it’s Kat.
“Hey, beautiful girl, what’s shakin’?” I ask.
“Brad’s on call, and Remi is still at the hospital with Bauer. Wanna come hot tub with me?”
“Wow, as tempting as it is, being your third choice and all . . .”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant . . . well, fuck, that is how it sounded, huh? Sorry.”
“No problem.”
“In my defense, you don’t usually hot tub with me, you know.”
“True. And I would but I’ve got dinner with Mavis. You want to come with us? She’s bringing a friend, might be fun.”
“Negative. But thanks. Call me after, if you’re in the mood and I’m still awake, we’ll hot tub then,” she says.
“You got it!”
