Page 89 of Finally Yours (Love & Wine)

Lauren

My morning is consumed with replanting an entire row of grapevines that were overtaken by last year’s drought. Things like this went on the back burner after the wedding debacle, and even though I could have delegated these types of jobs, there was something in me that couldn’t give up what I had done for so many years.

It was something Tommy and I did together, we always had and without question he joined me again today.

“Things feel normal again,” I said as we worked side by side in a quiet steady rhythm.

“Things are normal again,” he replied back and the conversation about what was once is finally laid to rest.

It felt really good to be out in the fields getting dirty and knowing that the normalcy of my life is back. My routine, something I thrive on, something I love, is creating exactly what I need and there’s a familiar buzz within my body, an aliveness in my chest.

I’m back in my office when Jack shows up covered in grease and dirt and grape stains, at exactly 11:30, the time that has become designated as our lunch hour together.

“How’s it going with the crusher?” I ask, trying to sound vague and casual. While knowing it’s a long process, I also wonder how much longer he’ll be around. I’m fishing for an answer to appease myself.

“Okay. It’s still a mess, but I think I should be able to have it up and running in a week or so,” Jack tells me, but continues as he takes in the look on my face. “But I’m going to need to stick around for at least two weeks afterward to make sure it’s working properly.”

I smile at him, and in the back of my mind I can’t help but think he’s dragging out his time here. There’s no way it’s going to take two weeks to see if the machine is working. He’ll know the first few cycles if it’s acting up, but I don’t question his logic.

While my sigh of relief isn’t an exhale of everything I’m holding on to, it is for the moment a relief of sorts.

A thought tugs at the back of mind as we eat, something Jack mentioned last night; an idea, a plan in the works, something that I gather is his attempt at salvaging what we’ve started here. We both know a long-distance relationship isn’t feasibly possible; the distance too vast.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Jack says plaintively, but a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.

“Like what?” I ask, feigning innocence because I know he can see the wheels turning in my head, he knows I’m obsessing over him leaving and his lame ass story about needing to stay several weeks after the crusher is repaired.

“Like you know I’m lying,” he admits and we both get a good laugh out of his honesty.

“You are lying, but I don’t care. If I get to keep you around a little longer then lie all you want.”

“Lu, I’ll stay as long as you want me too.”

His words make my heart skip a beat, fluttering in my chest and making my cheeks grow warm.

“We both know that’s not true. I think you’ve got twenty-four months max since you’re here on a J1 Work Visa.”

My words hit me like a ton of bricks, smacking me in the face and the first thing I picture is Ellen. Ellen had to sponsor his visa. She’s a damn liar too!

Jack’s riotous laugh rings out in my tiny office and he leans over my desk, his hand slipping so he’s cupping the back of my neck.

With his lips nearly touching mine he murmurs, “Guess you just realized Ellen set us up, huh?”

He presses his lips gently to mine, his tongue slipping out to trace my bottom lip and for a second I lose myself in him, forgetting that I want to murder Ellen in her sleep.

“You knew about this too?” I ask, my forehead resting against his, my thoughts clouded by Jack and his amazing mouth.

“Nah, but I hoped like hell you’d be here.” His words are placating and calming, and he brushes his thumb against my cheek as he pulls back. “Ellen’s last name isn’t Somerville anymore so I assumed your family sold the business.”

“You said you were going to look me up?”

“If you weren’t still here, I totally was going to look you up.”

“How?” I question, thinking after all these years I could’ve been married, changed my name like Ellen, left the state.

“Stalk you,” Jack jokes and once again that playfulness is back between us.

As soon as Jack leaves my office, I pick up my phone and call Ellen. There’s no way I’m letting this wait until she’s back from Disneyland. She set me up and she damn well knows it, and while things definitely turned out for the better, I didn’t need her inserting herself into my life. I was doing just fine on my own.

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