Page 2 of So Right
“Well, the marketing stuff is absolutelynotmy forte, but yeah, I guess you could say I like to linger in the background.” He didn’t mind telling her that. It wasn’t a secret or anything.
“I totally get that. The spotlight isn’t my thing either.”
It was always nice to find a kindred spirit. “So we’re two introverts hiding in the pumpkin patch.”
She laughed, and the sound seemed to go with the gorgeous day—bright and cheerful, and it made him feel good right down to his soul. “That sounds about right, at least for me.”
“Is that why you’re picking grapes alone?” he asked. “Most everyone else is with a partner or a group.”
“I was with a group earlier. Before lunch. I’d reached maximum companionship.” She shrugged. “What can I say, I enjoy my alone time.”
Wow. Now his interest was really piqued. One of the primary issues in his last relationship had been his ex’s need for constant togetherness. He’d loved her—he thought—but he needed his space. “Me too,” he murmured. “But I suppose that means I should leave you to it.” He was loath to move, however.
“No, I’m good.” A faint blush swathed the elegant sweep of her cheekbones. “Since you’re here, I’d like to ask you something.”
He edged toward her, suddenly eager. “Anything.”Anything?
“I’m working on a research project at the library. With Brooke and Crystal.”
Brooke was his brother Cameron’s girlfriend, although Luke was pretty certain an engagement was imminent. “I’ve heard Brooke talk about it—the brick we found here, right?”
When they’d demolished the house that had been inhabited by the former vineyard owner, they’d found an interesting brick near the foundation. The letters “BNR” and the year 1879 were engraved in it, and determining its meaning had become a quest for Brooke, Kelsey, and their friend Crystal Donovan.
“Yes. We think it came from the original homestead that was on this property—the initials stand for Bird’s Nest Ranch. It was built in 1879. We found a photograph of the house, including the couple who lived here. We’re trying to find out more about them. We’d love to find the actual house, or the remains of it, anyway.”
This all sounded vaguely familiar to Luke, but he admitted he hadn’t paid attention too closely. Because he was busy. Geez, maybe he was a little too focused on his job. He could think of plenty of people who would agree with him. Maybe everyone. “Forgive me, and I hope this doesn’t make me sound like an asshat, but why are you all so interested?”
She lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. “Crystal’s a history buff, and I guess Brooke and I are just along for the ride. I think it’s fascinating. I’ve only lived here in Ribbon Ridge a couple of years, but the community is so close-knit and very hometown proud, I thought people would be excited to unearth some history.”
He definitely felt like an asshat, especially since those three women—Kelsey and her two pals—weren’t even from Ribbon Ridge, whereas he’d been born and raised here. As had his father. And his grandfather had moved here as a young man after graduating from Williver College, which was less than thirty minutes away. Yep, asshat status confirmed. “This sounds like a very cool project, and we’re lucky to have you all working on it.”
She brightened. “Thanks. I’m looking forward to including it in the historical section of the library.”
“Oh?” He didn’t have to feign interest, not when she talked about something that made her face light up like the Fourth of July.
“We have some space upstairs at the library that I’m going to use for exhibits. First on the schedule is a Ribbon Ridge retrospective. The county has been very supportive in helping us find documents and artifacts that will be of interest to the community. The Archer family has also been very helpful.”
Of course—they were Ribbon Ridge’s first family. “I’m surprised none of them are helping.”
“Well, they are. I mean, they’re providing documents and some of their own historical information and artifacts that belong to their family. Crystal’s best friend is Alaina Archer, and she’s as involved as she can be.”
Given that Alaina was both a famous movie star and expecting her second child, Luke imagined she had her hands full. “She’s not even an Archer by birth.”
Kelsey smiled. “True. But I have the feeling the family doesn’t care. They embrace everyone as if they’re part of the family. I’ve only spent a little bit of time with them, but they’ve made me feel more welcome and more comfortable than I ever have.”
Luke could understand and agree with that. He’d known them his whole life. His older brother, Cameron, had been tight with Hayden since grade school. And his older half brother, Dylan, was married to Sara Archer.
He studied Kelsey, picking up on what she said. “More than you ever have? That makes me curious.”
She looked off to the side then, and he had the sense this was a topic she preferred to avoid. As a fellow introvert, he understood. And would help her out of the awkward corner he’d inadvertently steered her into. “So this research project—what’s next?”
When she turned her head toward him again, there was a glint of gratitude in her gaze. Or maybe he just imagined it because that was how he would’ve felt. “We’re searching for the location of the house, starting with looking at maps at the historical society. Then we may hire an archaeological crew to find the actual house. Rather, the foundation.”
“So you know the house was here?” He didn’t like the idea of anyone digging around his vineyard. These vines were over twenty years old. No way would he let anyone kill them.
At her nod, he continued. “I, uh, I hope you don’t plan to tear my vineyard apart.”
Her eyes widened in horror. “Oh no, of course not! We wouldn’t want to harm your grapes. We don’t even know for sure where the house was located. Maybe it isn’t even in the vineyard.”
