Page 55 of Geordie

Chapter twenty-six

Chocolate Morpheus

Geordie

Themorningisaseries of goodbyes. Lily moves about the kitchen in an introspective routine as she prepares breakfast for us for the last time. The sizzle of sausage as she breaks eggs over the hot grease in the pan, the aroma of coffee wafting about the kitchen, her loveliness, are things I won't forget.

Last night was the closest we've been without an issue between us. It was a roller coaster of reveals, but in the end I'm glad she came to me. I hope we can stay in touch, but once Connie and I start the surrogacy, and if Lily is having problems conceiving, it might be the worst time to grow a friendship. After our children are born, they might provide a bridge for something between us.

“Would you like me to drop you off at the winery?” she asks, setting a plate in front of me. “Ugh, I forgot the fry bread. It won't take a moment.” She turns back to drop slices of bread in the pan. “I thought preparing bread this way was gross when you suggested it, but now I'm hooked. I'm thinking of offering a version of this in the restaurant.”

The two yellow-yoked eggs, sausage, and beans on my plate even look sad that Lily is leaving. I fill her glass with orange juice from the decanter on the table as a polite gesture while she scurries around the kitchen getting my breakfast. “Yes, I would. Thank you for the offer.” It will allow me to be with her a little longer.

She drops a stack of crusty bread browned by bacon fat onto the table, and a plate with one egg on her place setting before taking a seat across from me. Lily doesn't eat breakfast. Sharing a meal with me in the morning was a way to keep me company when I was convalescing. “I straightened the guest room after I finished my packing. You'll find my bedding in the dryer,” she says, forking a bit of egg.

“Are you all packed? If there's anything you can't shift today, you can always come back, or I can send it to you.”

She sips her juice. “I only brought clothes and toiletries with me. I was able to get it all into my car without a problem, but thanks for the offer.”

Dread heavies my limbs as we pull into the small visitors' parking lot at MacTavish Cellars. I use most of my upper-body strength to propel myself from her car. Lily leaves the driver's seat to retrieve my crutch from the trunk. She smiles up at me, handing me my wooden companion. “You probably won't need this much longer.”

I take the crutch from her, settling it under my arm. “Lily, thank you again for your help. If there's any way I can repay the favor, please let me know.”

Her arms are around my neck for a hug I hadn't expected. I awkwardly place my hands around her waist, pulling her to me.

“If you ever need help, swallow your stubborn pride and call me,” she says, giving me a wink.

She pulls her body away, as I let her slip away from me. “I will lass, take care.”

She climbs into the black roadster, dropping the top. She races the engine as a joke, then waves and pulls the car towards the exit. I wait, leaning on my crutch, watching her disappear in the distance, certain something has shifted in my life.

Meeting with Layla about our employee issues and a conversation with Connell about the next harvest has me restless, so restless that I dawn my kilt to help in the tasting room. This time I'm less of a burden. I'm able to move about without assistance, talking to customers, pouring wine in a noisy, vibrant atmosphere that helps me to concentrate less on Lily, Connie, or my damned healing. When I feel the throb in my knee or ankle, I lean against the bar, taking pressure off the complaining limb and smile at a bonnie lass, give restaurant recommendations to tourists, or debate the merits of Pinot Noir to a loudmouth guy that thinks he knows wine after one trip to Bordeaux. It feels good; it feels normal, like when Lochlan and I opened the tasting room.

My wine-tasting room therapy session lasts until my next meeting. I hobble on my crutch back to my office. I continue to be bored for the rest of the afternoon listening to vendors pitch their services. I ease back into my chair and prop my leg to relieve pressure. I'm not looking forward to explaining for the millionth time why I have to do this to a new person who doesn't know about my accident. The clock says I have ten minutes before the vendor from a company that specializes in winery management software arrives. We've outgrown our current software and have been thinking about changing companies. The splash page on their website looks impressive. I've called it up to prepare for the meeting. This will be a walk-through on the benefits of this software, and I can't think of a less interesting hour.

There's a pounding on my door. If this is the vendor, he or she is off to a terrible start. “Come in. No need to break the door down, it's open.”

Lochlan strides through the door with a grin. “I see you didn't damage your hearing in the accident.”

I push to my feet to throw my arms around him in a welcome hug. We stay in a bear hug for a few awkward seconds until he slaps my back a couple of times, then releases me. I fall back into the chair, looking at my cousin, who seems to be happier. “Chasing Kenzie around the globe seems to have changed you completely. I thought you'd forgotten how to smile.”

“It's been a treat since the hand fasting. We've never been closer or happier.” Lochlan drops into a chair. “I know her quest for volleyball gold will end soon, but we might continue our travels even after the games; Kenzie has always wanted to see Japan.”

“I'm happy for you. Is Kenzie with you?”

“She is. We've taken a suite at the hotel Izuki. She settling in, but says she wants us all to meet for lunch.”

A call comes in on my desk phone. “He's here?” I ask, changing the phone to my other ear. “Unfortunately, I'm in a meeting with Lochlan... I would appreciate it if you and Connell would take the meeting for me... No, I think this is better... I'll be interested to hear your feedback.”

“Trouble in paradise?”

“Nothing I can't handle. Where are you taking me for lunch?”

We sit in the hotel Izuki bar waiting for Kenzie to appear. Lochlan has just given me a rundown of their travels for the last month when I see Kenzie appear at the far end of the room in a beige sleeveless shirt dress that enhances her tanned body. The joy at seeing her, I've almost forgotten that I can't run across the room to give her a hug of greeting. Instead, we stand as she approaches, and I get my hug anyway. God, I've missed Kenzie and, although I'm close to my cousin Lochlan, I miss her practical advice. “You look wonderful. Lochlan has been recounting all the success you've had in your matches.”

“We've been lucky, Livy and I.”

Lochlan slips his arm around her waist. “Don't let her fool you; it's all talent and hard work. She's brilliant on the sand.”

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