Page 61 of So Right
“How’s it going with you two shacking up?” Ruby asked. Her eyes glinted with mischief, and Luke knew she was teasing.
Kelsey coughed, and Ruby handed her the wineglass. “You need a sip of this, dear.”
Kelsey took that sip and gave it back. “Thank you. Things are fine.” She sent a nervous glance toward George. “Uh, Noah’s back in Washington now, so I’m feeling better about everything.”
Ruby waved her hand. “I had to tell George about it. I hope you don’t mind.” She put her arm around George’s waist and looked up at him, her gaze sparkling with something different now. “I’m afraid we aren’t good at keeping secrets from each other.”
George slid his arm around her shoulders and chuckled. “Afraid not.” They were joined by more guests, and Luke did his thing. Then he and Kelsey were alone again for a brief moment.
He grabbed a bottle of water from the table and took a long drink before turning to Kelsey. “Is that okay with you? Your grandma telling George about all that? I have the sense you haven’t told many people.”
“It’s weird, but I’m actually okay with it. Before this week, I think it would’ve bothered me because, yeah, I’ve kept it to myself for the most part.” She glanced away, her gaze dipping to the tanks below them. “I’ll admit…I was terrified when I got that text the other day, but knowing that I’m not alone helps.” She looked at him again, and he took her hand.
“You are absolutely not alone.”
Another group arrived, and it was a steady stream until dinner. He and Kelsey sat at a table with mostly people they didn’t know, plus Luke’s parents. It was a fun, raucous party, complete with crowd-pleasing thank-you speeches from both Cam and Hayden. Luke could’ve said something too, but preferred to stay out of the limelight.
Dad, who sat on Luke’s right, leaned over and said, “Nice job tonight. Your mother and I are so proud.” She was on Dad’s other side and was chatting with the person on her right.
“Thanks, that means a lot.”
“I, ah, I noticed you and Kelsey seem rather cozy.”
Luke wondered if his dad was aware that they’d been intermittently holding hands under the table. He’d clearly caught the charged looks they’d been sharing. Shit, were they that obvious? “She’s a great girl.” What else was he supposed to say?
“Seems like it. Your mom would like to have you both to dinner soon. Should I deter her? I don’t want to push you into something prematurely.”
He wasn’t sure if he was ready for dinner with the parents. “I’ll let you know. We’re taking things very slowly.” And it was killing him.
Dad nodded. “I’ll stave your mother off.”
“Thanks, Dad, I appreciate that.”
Dad clapped his shoulder. “You got it, son.”
Dessert was served, and soon people began to get up. Luke leaned over to Kelsey. “I need to go help with the wine pickup.” Some people had preordered cases, while others had bought wine tonight.
“Oh, I said I’d help take payments,” she said. “I’ll come along.”
They’d set up a checkout area on the other side of the bridge, where they warehoused wine for club members. There was an exterior door there, which made wine pickup easy.
Kelsey sat with Brooke and Bex and took payments, while Luke, Cam, Hayden, and Jamie filled the orders. Their half brother Dylan plus a few other Archers jumped in to help, which was much appreciated.
By eleven thirty it was down to just the principal wine folks and Kyle.
Luke collapsed into a chair in the tasting room along with everyone else. “I’m beat.”
Bex kicked off her shoes and set her feet in Hayden’s lap so he could massage them. “Try being six months pregnant.” She let out a massive yawn.
“You guys should go,” Cam said. “We’ll take care of what’s left.”
“The hell with that,” Luke said. “The rest can wait until tomorrow. Unless we need to handle any food situations in the kitchen.” He looked over at Kyle.
Kyle shook his head. “Everything’s put away and cleaned up. I had a good crew in there tonight.” They’d hired some folks from The Arch and Vine and The Arch and Fox, the restaurant at the Archers’ hotel, to help out. “I should get home. Maggie’s going to need a break from Ripley.” Their son was just over a month old. He clapped a hand on Hayden’s shoulder on his way out. “Great event, little brother.”
Hayden smiled. “Thanks.”
Kyle took off, and Luke looked over at Kelsey who had her feet propped up on another chair. Those shoes were sexy as hell, but he imagined she couldn’t wait to get them off. The question was whether she’d let him do the removing.
