Page 34 of The Mountain Echoes
Celine said she was like this. Aria the gold digger. Aria the runaway. The selfish daughter who left her father in the dirt and came crawling back now that she wants her half.
“I wasn’t payin’ anyway,” she adds.
Amos’s phone buzzes. He checks it, frowns, and stands. “Damn. I’ve got to go. Kate’s gone into labor.”
“Congratulations.” I rise.
“Grandchild number three,” he says proudly. “Aria, I’m so sorry I won’t be able to drop you off and?—”
“I got this,” I cut him off. “Now, hurry along and be with your family.”
Amos again does the looking at me and looking at Aria business. Then, as if he doesn’t have time for this, he shrugs and leaves.
I walk around the booth and take his place, so I’m across from her.
“You know Amos’s kids?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t even know Amos…just on the periphery.”
“And, yet, you’re having a meal with him?” I am taunting her. I don’t know why, but I want to get a reaction from her, break that doll mask she’s wearing.
Unless…that’s who she is. Cold and unfeeling. Mercenary.
She doesn’t seem to be affected, neither by my tone nor my words. “He’sPapa’s accountant.”
“Right.”
“You don’t have to give me a ride. I can call Nadine and?—”
“It’s on my way; we’re neighbors after all,” I cut her off. I want to spend time with her. Get to know her. Find out what makes her tick.
She picks up her wine glass and takes a small sip.
“How’s the wine?” I ask.
“Good. Napa.”
“How long have you lived there?”
“A few years.”
“You work at a vineyard?” I probe.
“Yes.”
“Damn, woman, if you get any chattier, I may have to ask you to shut the fuck up,” I joke, but I can’t stop the steel from entering my voice.
I’m not used to people treating me like this—like I don’t matter, not since I became the owner of Kincaid Farms, not since I was a boy who had to become a man.
It grates on my nerves.
Shegrates on my nerves.
She takes another small sip. “It’s been a long few days. Do you mind if we leave now?”
Yeah, I do mind.
“Have another glass of wine. I’m drivin’.”
