“Sarah isn’t part of this?” RJ asked.
Clay pulled the UV to a stop. “To a point. I love the growing part of the process. Taking care of the vines, etcetera. Sarah helps but she loves the production and distribution part.”
RJ got out of the UV and took some shots of the vines and closer shots of the grapes starting to form. Turning around she noticed a hill just off to the north. “What’s the view of the vineyard from up there?”
Clay turned to follow the direction she was pointing. “It’s pretty good. Gives you a nice view of this vineyard. Thinking of taking pictures from up there?”
Nodding, RJ decided she’d find a day next week to get overhead pictures from up there. She continued to take in the area. “I wish I had a way of taking a moving picture capturing the entire panoramic view surrounding the vines.”
“We could do that.”
RJ turned to him with a frown. “How?”
“We have a drone with a camera mounted. Logan and Brand use it to look for lost cows.”
Excitement rushed through her. She was already developing the imagery she could create for their websites. “Do you think they’d let me use it for that purpose?”
“Only one way to find out. Talk to Logan,” he told her with a strange smile on his face.
Her stomach jumped at the thought of Logan. She had spent the night chastising herself for letting a little kiss make her afraid to be around him. She was determined to put the incident into perspective and not let him bother her. Maybe if she spoke with him today, it would give her the weekend to settle the rest of her nerves.
“Okay, I’ll try to catch him. Where to next?” she asked making her way back to the UV.
Clay got in beside her then turned, hooking his arm around her headrest. “I thought I’d take you over to the older vineyard and then I’ll take you to the wine cellar next, but can I talk to you about something else first?”
“Sure,” she replied nervously. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, but I’m a little worried about Sandy. When she came home last night after working on wedding stuff she seemed kinda sad. I asked her what was wrong.”
He left that hanging long enough for RJ to prompt him for an answer. “And, did she tell you?”
“I know part of it was that she didn’t have anyone, other than you, from her side to invite to the wedding. She told me she had no one other than you.”
RJ felt tears starting to form in her eyes. She was familiar with those same feelings. “I know. We just hid ourselves away from others as a form of protection for so many years. It’s a hard habit to break.”
Nodding and holding her attention, he continued, “I reminded her that she now has me and my entire family. But that made her cry. She said she’s only now realizing that leaves you totally alone in Denver.”
RJ turned her head to stare out at the vines, willing the tears that threatened to fall away. She and her sister were so close, how could she have expected Sandy not to worry about her like that? “I don’t know what to say to help her with that.”
“RJ, I’m telling you this not to make you sad or feel guilty, but because Sandy’s happiness is everything to me. I wanted to suggest something that might help both of you be happier about this marriage.”
RJ tilted her head slightly. “What do you mean?”
“I know you’ve created a great clientele and business in Denver. But what would you think about moving your business up here? I did a little research and there aren’t that many professional photographers in the area. Granted, the area isn’t a big city, more a bunch of local communities surrounding the Grand Junction area. I think you could stay very busy working with businesses as well as individuals.”
A little shock and a lot of excitement ran through RJ as she started to grasp what an opportunity like that might look like. It was true there wasn’t much besides her business holding her to Denver. But she was a cautious person. “Hmmm. It’s an interesting thought and I’m intrigued. But I need some time to think about it and do research on my own. Please don’t tell Sandy though. I’d hate to have her get excited and it not work out.”
“Sure,” he said with a big grin on his face then turned forward. “Ready to continue the tour?”
By the end of the day, RJ felt she had some great preliminary shots of both the lavender and wine parts of the family businesses. She had showered and was treating herself to a glass of Rocking Bar wine that was provided in her cabin. Sitting at the little table with her tablet she started outlining her theme and potential shots for the more focused photo shoot. She was so focused she didn’t hear a vehicle drive up, so she was startled when someone knocked at the door.
“Hey, Rizz,” Logan greeted when she opened the door. And before she could remind him she didn’t like to be called that name he held up his hand stopping her. “I know you don’t want anyone to call you that. But I’m not just anyone and I do.”
Rolling her eyes, she gave up. The man was determined to call her Rizz. “What can I do for you, Logan?”
“Well, seeing as how you spent a lot of time running away from me yesterday, I decided I’d corner you in your own den so to speak.”
“I did not run away from you yesterday,” she told him with a great deal of indignation. “I was busy.”
She was wary of the smile he gave her and a little flushed from lying so badly. Deciding to take charge she tilted her chin a bit. “Regardless, I wanted to talk to you anyways. Want to come in?”
When his eyebrows went up she gave into a little smile. Standing back, she ushered him in with a hand gesture. The room immediately felt even smaller. He seemed to fill the space with more than just his physical form.
“I’m having a glass of very nice Rocking Bar Merlot. Would you like one?”
“This is going to make me sound traitorous, but I’d rather have a beer if you have it.”
Laughing she went to her stocked fridge and grabbed a bottle for him. “Here you go. Have a seat.”
Taking a seat at the table he pulled his hat off and took a swig of the cold beer. “So, you first. What did you want to talk to me about?”
“I was talking with Clay today about some photo ideas I had. I told him I wish I could do an overhead type shot that covered the vineyard and surrounding area. He suggested using your drone for the type of pictures I’m thinking about.”
“I guess that’ll be fine. Do you know how to operate one?”
“Uh, no. Is it complicated?”
Logan saw an opportunity to spend more time with RJ and wasn’t about to pass it up. “Yeah, it can be. You’re trying to operate the camera along with the drone itself. You can do damage to it if you’re not careful.”
Frowning, RJ felt a little let down by that.
“But if you’re sure it’s going to produce what you’re looking for I’d be glad to assist and fly it for you.”
Excited about what that meant for creating something spectacular for the MacBrides, she gave Logan a huge smile. “Oh, that would be wonderful. I’ll build it into my shot plans. I promise I’ll be respectful of your time.”
That smile went straight to his gut. He wanted to see her like this all the time. Last night he’d laid in bed thinking about what he knew of her so far. He didn’t doubt for a moment that Sandy would hand his ass to him if he hurt Rizz. He knew there were no guarantees when it came to relationships and he was just as vulnerable to being hurt. What he did decide was, for him, the risk was worth it. She pulled at him like no other. He couldn’t walk away from that without seeing how far it could go.
“Great. Just let me know and we can work it out,” he said pausing to gather the words he wanted to say. “Now, my turn.”
His words wiped the beautiful smile right off her face. He almost backed down. Almost. “I won’t lie to you. When I couldn’t connect with you yesterday I went to Sandy to see if she knew where you were hiding. I asked her what upset you at the dinner table.”
RJ went stiff
as a board. “What did she tell you?”
“First, you need to understand I could have said nothing and you wouldn’t have been any wiser. But I don’t want any barriers between us, including barriers caused by keeping secrets. I’m attracted to you on many levels. You’re sexy in this uptight way that just drives me crazy. When you smile, my gut clenches. When we kissed, I wanted to haul you over my shoulder and find a very private place. So, when you got upset at the table and then avoided me I was concerned and frustrated. I want the opportunity to know you better. I want to see what’s there.”
RJ’s mouth opened then closed as she stared at Logan. Then as if in a trance, she blinked several times. She had been handed lines several times in her life but this one was the sincerest. Excitement and fear grabbed hold of her, rendering her speechless.
“I’m drowning here, Rizz.” Standing up he started to pace. Then stopped to look at her again. “Your silence is scaring me. Can’t you be honest enough to talk to me? That kiss wasn’t one sided.”
RJ had never been so tempted to risk hurt as she was now. The man was always on her mind, and some of her dreams proved he got under her skin also. Could she do it? Could she take the chance at something with Logan? Old fears and her natural instinct to hold herself separate rose up. But, what if? “No.”
“No?” Logan exploded, a surprising pain crushing his chest.
RJ shakily stood up. “No, the kiss wasn’t one sided.”
Logan’s blood rushed with relief. He crossed the room grabbing her shoulders between his hands. “You’re willing to spend time with me and see what this is?”
RJ cautiously lifted her hands to rest them on his chest casting her eyes up to his. “Yes. But you have to understand, this is hard for me. I don’t do relationships. Heck, I barely date.”
“Darling, I do hard very well.”
A laugh bubbled out of her. “Was that supposed to be a double entendre?”
“You decide.” With that Logan gave into the urge to possess her lips. He captured them softly. The spark lit and he released her shoulders to wrap her fully into his embrace pulling her tightly to him. His tongue searched for entry and was rewarded when she shyly opened her lips. His body grew hard. His lips demanding. His hands stroked up and down her back cupping her rear and pulling her tight to his straining body.
The ringing of her phone jarred them. When Logan lifted his head, he was pleased with the flush of pleasure on Rizz’s face. Easing back a little, he watched her eyes clear. The phone rang again.
“Ex…excuse me,” RJ stuttered as she pulled free of his embrace to go answer the phone.
Logan saw a look come over her, and actually felt the chill of her walls rising back up when she saw who was calling. Not good, he thought, as she ignored the call. “Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, but I need to return this call and I’d rather do it privately.” Came her brisk reply.
“Rizz.” He didn’t know if he was trying to ask her something or tell her something so he left it at her name.
“Please. Could you go?”
“Alright. Can I see you later?”
At her negative head shake, he asked, “Tomorrow?”
“I head back to Denver in the morning. I won’t be back until Monday.”
He came to stand in front of her and cupped her cheek. “Monday is mine then.” He held his breathe as he could see the confusion come back into her eyes.
“Okay.”
Exhaling, he kissed the tip of her nose and walked out.
* * *
RJ was still sitting at the table when her sister came in. “Hey, what are you doing over here?”
“Mom called me and I expect she called you also.”
“Oh, yeah.” RJ sighed. “How did she find out about the wedding?”
Sandy plopped down in the other chair at the table and reached for RJ’s wine glass. After taking a fortifying sip she scrunched her face. “I accidentally told her.”
RJ blinked. “Accidentally?”
“Yeah, Clay answered my phone and looked like he’d been clobbered by a two by four before tossing it to me. When I realized it was mom, she lit into me. Who was that? Why is he answering your phone? Why don’t you call me and tell me what’s going on? When I told her who Clay was it sort of came out that he was my fiancé.”
“Great.”
“Well, I’m proud of him and what we are to each other. She was going to have to find out sometime.”
“Yeah, but after the wedding was preferable.”
“I know. But once I said that, she wanted details. Then, of course, she started crying because I didn’t tell her and how this time was special between a mother and daughter. I sort of caved and said she could help.”
“Well, I got the ungrateful child lecture and how I’ve poisoned you against her. But she wanted my financial help getting her up here for the wedding.”
Sandy’s eyes filled with tears, “What do we do now? She’s going to tell the whole family, who are then going to expect an invitation. I don’t want any of them here.”
RJ stood up and pulled her sister into a hug. “I know. Let me think on it this weekend. We can discuss when I get back on Monday.”
Sniffing, Sandy nodded. “I’m so sorry. Clay’s upset that I’m upset. Maybe we should just elope. Then I won’t have to deal with this.”
Pulling back from the embrace RJ teased, “And deny me the privilege of walking you down the aisle and being your maid of honor. No way!”
Sandy gave a watery laugh. “You think I’m asking too much from you?”
“Naw, I’ve got this handled. Go home to Clay and I’ll see you Monday.”
“Love you,” her sister said on her way out.
RJ shook her head deciding a good night sleep would help with trying to figure this out.
10
Monday couldn’t come soon enough for Logan. Clay, who was worried about Sandy, told him about the calls both the sisters had received from their mother. Logan suspected Rizz would try to shoulder the problem and keep most of the pressure away from Sandy. But she needed someone to help lighten this type of load for her. He was just the person. He just needed to convince her to let him help.
He'd reached out to her that morning by text and learned she planned to be on the road by nine to miss rush hour traffic in Denver. Looking over the property he loved, he could appreciate the fact he didn’t have to deal with things like rush hour. He’d probably suffer a big bout of claustrophobia if he had to live in the city. Glancing down at his watch, he calculated that Rizz should be arriving in another hour.
He already told Sandy he wanted the afternoon with her. She had just smiled and wagged her finger at him. He planned to take her on a picnic to one of his favorite spots. Not knowing if she rode, he opted for the UV. Besides, Rizz seemed to have an unnatural affinity for them. Heading back to his house, he grabbed a quick shower, packed up the UV and headed over to her place.
He was surprised to find her car already parked in front of the cabin. Impatient to see her, he hopped out of the UV and went to knock on the door. She opened it just before he was getting ready to bang on it again. She stood there with a look of apprehension, but still so beautiful.
“I missed you,” he declared as he reached out with one arm to wrap around her waist and pull her closer. When she was about to say something, he silenced her with his lips. God, she felt good. She remained passive for a moment. Elation filled him when she slid her arms up around his neck and opened her mouth, inviting him in.
Before he lost control, he pulled back from the kiss. He absolutely loved the way her eyes glazed over when she was aroused.
RJ cleared her throat and stepped away from his body. “Is this where I say Are you happy to see me or is that your gun?”
Busting out in laughter, he hugged her tight and whispered in her ear. “I’m very happy to see you.”
RJ smiled back at him. “I just got here. I didn’t realize you’d planned on so
mething the minute I arrived.”
“Darling, I been waiting all weekend to see you again. I wasn’t planning on waiting any longer. I thought we could go on a picnic and I could show you other parts of the property.”
“That sounds like fun. Let me grab my camera.” She hurried away to gather her things but returned quickly. “Ready.”
Logan walked her over to the UV and watched her eyes light up when he asked, “Want to drive?”
As he directed her where to go, he held on tight. She seemed to have no fear cruising over bumps and ditches with the determination of a seasoned off roader. When they’d gotten to the area he wanted to picnic, he told her to slow down so they could find a good spot.
“Wow. I just love driving these things,” she exclaimed as she got out to look at the view. “Double wow. This is amazing. What part is your land?”
“All of it,” her replied as he pulled out the basket and a blanket.
“All of it. You’re kidding. I won’t lie. I did some research on your family when Sandy first called. But looking at a number of the acres you own, and then standing here… well, it’s overwhelming.”
After setting the basket and blanket down, he came to stand by her. “I suppose it can feel like that. My dad would bring us out to one of these mesas and point to the land. I remember he always said it was a great responsibility as well as a joy to be a caretaker of it.”
RJ turned to him and laid her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry you lost him so early.”
Logan nodded. “Ready to eat?”
“Sure.”
They spread the blanket and arranged themselves on it before diving into the basket. There was fried chicken and coleslaw. Besides water, he’d also packed a chilled bottle of white wine for her and a couple of beers for himself.
“How was your weekend?”
“Good. I feel good about the pictures I got for my clients. You?”
“Same, we managed to get part of the herd vaccinated. We’ll be working the rest over the next few days.” Logan cleared his throat. He needed to ask her about her family. He knew if Sandy was still as upset as Clay indicated, Rizz wouldn’t be any better. “I heard about your mother calling you both.”
The MacBrides Page 6