The Truce (Butler Ranch Book 2)

by Heather Slade

“I can’t, Alex. Where are you going now? Are you going to Los Cab, or are you going home?”

  “Home. I need to pack.”

  “Give me an hour and a half and I’ll meet you there.”

  “No, Maddox. Go have dinner with Lena, and I’ll see you when I get back.”

  “Just a little over an hour, Al, and I’ll be at your place.”

  She shook her head and got in the car.

  Lena would just have to understand that whatever she wanted to talk to him about was going to have to wait. Alex was more important.

  When Maddox walked back into the dining room, Rory Calder was sitting in his seat at the table. He and Lena seemed very comfortable, and Lena didn’t. The exchange reminded him that they both denied knowing each other when they met at the Sea Chest, but something told him that wasn’t the case.

  “There he is now.” Rory stood when Maddox approached the table. “Trouble in paradise?”

  Maddox shook his head, and waited until Rory moved aside to take his seat.

  “I invited Rory to join us. I hope you don’t mind, Maddox.”

  He wanted to laugh out loud at the irony of the situation.

  “No, I don’t mind. In fact, I’ve got something pressing I need to take care of—”

  “Does this have something to do with the trouble at Los Cab?”

  “No idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Rumor is they’ve got a bond issue.”

  Maddox did his best not to react, but inside he was reeling. Could the wine stored in his caves belong to Los Cab?

  “I’m going to give you some friendly advice, Calder. The westsiders are a tight-knit group. If one of our fellow winemakers is in trouble, we come together to help them in a private way. I strongly suggest you don’t mention anything to do with Los Cab or any other winery affiliated with the collaborative in a derogatory way ever again.”

  “As I told Alex, Calder Wines is in a position to make them a very generous offer.”

  “Let me guess, she shut you down the same way I’m about to?”

  Maddox could’ve sworn Rory snickered, but at this point, it didn’t matter. All he cared about was getting out of the restaurant and on his way to Alex’s.

  Alex thought about leaving tonight, just so she wouldn’t have to deal with Maddox, but she was almost too tired to drive to Cambria, let alone head up north.

  Before she made plans to leave, she also needed to talk to Peyton.

  Got a minute? She texted.

  Peyton answered about twenty minutes later. Of course.

  Gotta get outta Dodge for a bit.

  Whatever you need to do. How long?

  At least two weeks.

  Not a problem.

  Alex was beginning to feel like shit about leaving. Neither she nor Peyton had been putting in enough time at Stave. Fortunately they’d been in business long enough that it could roll along on its own.

  You sure?

  Do what you need to do. No wine dinners until fall. I’m good.

  There were several years they didn’t hold wine dinners in the summer because the wineries and restaurants were busy with tourists anyway.

  Thanks, Peyton.

  Are we okay?

  Always.

  Earlier, Alex walked away, leaving Peyton standing in her front yard. Just like Stave had been in business long enough to withstand its two managers taking some time away, she and Peyton had been friends long enough that Peyton would know when Alex needed some slack.

  Twenty minutes later, Alex heard Maddox’s truck pull in her driveway. That was quick. Did he make Lena take her dinner to go?

  She met him at the front door when she saw his arms were full. “What’s all that?”

  “Dinner. You left Il Conti without ordering, and I figured you’d be hungry.”

  It was sweet, and unlike him. Maddox was always polite, Sorcha raised him to be, but thinking of little things like her being hungry wasn’t part of his modus operandi.

  “I ordered spinach goat cheese ravioli for you, with a salad, and a veal shank for me. We can share if you’d like.”

  Alex studied him for a minute. “What’s going on?”

  “With what?”

  “You.”

  I want to woo you, he wanted to say, but didn’t. If this was going to work, Maddox had to change. A strong word, but that’s what he had to do. At the very least, it was time he grew up.

  “Not a thing. I was hungry, figured you would be, too.”

  “What happened to the guy who’s been bachin’ in too long?”

  “You told me earlier that today was your day for assholes. I figured tonight I’d try hard not to be one.”

  Alex removed the takeout containers from the bag, and preheated the oven. She got placemats, plates, silverware, and napkins out of the cupboards and drawers, and set them on the bar in the kitchen.

  Maddox walked over to the closet he knew she’d converted for wine storage, and pulled out a Castoro Charbono.

  “I was drinking the Pear Valley earlier.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Of course you do.” Alex rolled her eyes.

  “What? I could see it when I walked up to the table.”

  “So observant.”

  “That’s one thing I don’t have to change.”

  Alex stopped in the midst of putting silverware on one of the placemats. “What do you have to change, Mad?”

  Shit. He hadn’t meant to say it that way. “Nothin’.”

  “No, please elaborate.”

  “I don’t want to talk about this right now.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t.”

  “Then you can leave.”

  “It’s going to sound stupid.”

  Alex raised an eyebrow, which made them both smile.

  “I’ve decided it’s time I grew up. Okay? That’s it.”

  “Interesting.”

  “That’s what I figured you’d say.”

  “Why, Mad?”

  He opened the bottle of wine, poured two glasses, and sat on the stool near the bar.

  “Because it’s time. I’m the oldest in my family, Al. That’s big. Just like Gabe, after my father, I’m the patriarch.”

  He rubbed his eyes. “Kade was a real life hero. There isn’t a single one of us that didn’t believe our big brother was capable of anything. There also wasn’t a single one of us who didn’t rely on him in some way.”

  Alex nodded and took a sip of wine.

  “Maybe the girls didn’t. I don’t know what their relationship with him was like, but Naught, Brodie, and me? We worshiped the ground he walked on. We also went to him for answers to every one of our problems.”

  “Now you think it’s up to you to fill the void.”

  “Isn’t that what Gabe does for all of you?”

  Alex didn’t answer right away. She got up and put the containers in the oven, took a drink of wine, and sat back on the stool.

  “Maybe at one time, but lately, today in fact, he was the biggest asshole in my day. I don’t know what’s going on with him.”

  “Calder said he heard there was a bond issue.”

  “There is, but I don’t know how Rory knows about it. Gabe insists it isn’t that big of a deal, and they’ll sort it out. I don’t think that’s all there is, though.”

  “What else?”

  “He’s really impatient, with all of us. Which reminds me, did he ever get in touch with you?”

  “Damn, that’s another thing I keep forgetting to do. I need to call him back. What’s he want to talk to me about?”

  “That’s the thing. He came by Stave, didn’t say as much as hello to Peyton and me, and then demanded I tell him where you were. When I told him I didn’t know, he left.”

  “Are you sure this bond issue isn’t bigger than you think?”

  “How would I know? When I tried to discuss it with him, he got nasty.”

  “How?”

  Alex didn’
t want to tell Maddox what Gabe said about her chasing Maddox her whole life.

  “He said he’d start treating me with respect once I started acting like someone worthy of it. Those weren’t his exact words, but close enough.”

  “You’re one of the most capable people I know, Al. How could your brother not see that?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess my point is, Gabe isn’t the same kind of man you and your brothers are. You may feel the need to fill the role you think Kade once did, but instead of just taking that on, talk to your siblings about how you’re feeling.”

  “Yeah?”

  “If Gabe would tell me what’s going on, maybe I could help. Instead, he doesn’t just shut me out, he pushes me away. Maybe he is trying to be our ‘papa’ and take care of whatever it is on his own, but that isn’t what I want from him, and I doubt my brothers do either.”

  “Thanks, Al.”

  “For what?”

  “For giving me a different perspective. One that makes sense.”

  She smiled again. “You’re welcome, Maddox.”

  The timer buzzed, and she took the containers out of the oven. Maddox took the lids off, brought the plates over, and dished a little of each for both of them.

  “This is nice, Mad.”

  “It is. Thanks for letting me come over.”

  It wasn’t as though she and Maddox never had a meal together, they did all the time, but this felt different though. Maybe it was because they were at her house, but it seemed like more than that.

  “Where are you goin’?” he asked.

  “Not sure yet. Heading north, and from there, I’ll wing it. Napa, Sonoma, Calistoga, Russian River.”

  “Sounds nice. Wish I could join you.”

  Alex smiled. “Maybe next time.”

  “Gonna be pretty busy the next twelve months.”

  “That’s right.” Alex punched his arm. “I have to hear about the Old Creek property from someone else? What the heck, Mad?”

  “I’m sorry, and believe me, there hasn’t been anyone I’ve wanted to talk to about it more than you. I’ve been leaving a trail of breadcrumbs of things I want to show you.”

  Alex felt her cheeks grow warm. “Really?”

  “Yeah, really. I’ve only spent part of a couple days there, but already I’ve stumbled on some amazing things.”

  “Like what?”

  “Nope. Not tellin’. You wanna know, you gotta come visit.”

  Was he really living on the property with Lena? It sounded that way. Otherwise, what would there be for her to visit? “No thanks.”

  “What?” Maddox held his chest. “That wounds me, woman. Why won’t you come visit?”

  “Think about it, Mad. I’ll give you one guess.”

  She could tell the moment he figured it out, and smiled at the look on his face.

  “Here’s the deal. Lena’s mother died a couple years ago. She had Parkinson’s, and Lena had moved in with her parents to help care for her. When her mother died, her father left, and she’s been living there alone since.”

  “Why doesn’t she leave? Don’t you own it now?”

  “I do, and that night at the Sea Chest she asked me if she could rent it back from me until she figures out where she wants to go and what she wants to do.”

  “Where’s her dad?”

  “No idea.”

  “Mysterious.”

  “Right?”

  “She bugs me, and not just because of you, Maddox. There’s something about her…”

  “I know. She seems…I can’t come up with the word. Weird.” Maddox leaned over and touched her face. “You had some basil…”

  “Thanks,” she murmured. His finger lingered, and brushed across her lips.

  “Alex…”

  “I can’t, Maddox. That’s the thing. We always do this.” Maybe now would be a good time to tell him what Gabe said.

  “Alex—”

  “No, Maddox.” She jerked away from him. “Don’t do this.”

  “What am I doing?”

  “If you’re here for sex, it isn’t happening.”

  “When was the last time I spent the night with you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Two nights ago. Did we have sex?”

  “No.”

  “No. We didn’t, and we’re not going to tonight, either.”

  “Are you leaving?”

  “No, I’m not. You are. Tomorrow. And I’m gonna miss the crap out of you.”

  Maddox helped her clean up the handful of dishes they used, and then looked through her fridge.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Seein’ what I should take home with me.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Why would we let all this great stuff go to waste, Al?”

  He made her smile. Gabe was wrong, there was more to this thing with Maddox than just her chasin’ after him, along with whatever else he was going to say before she slapped him.

  The next morning Maddox let Alex drive away first, and watched her car until it reached the end of the road and turned on Moonstone Beach Drive.

  Something felt off deep inside him, like the last thing he should do was let her drive away.

  15

  They had two to three weeks before Véraison began, and while there wasn’t much for Maddox to do in the winery, Naughton would have a hard time staying away from the Butler Ranch vineyards too long.

  Once the berries on the vines began changing from green to their harvesting color, and from hard to soft, the countdown to harvest began.

  Each grape variety ripened at a different rate, so Véraison occurred over a long period of time. Sauvignon Blanc was almost always the earliest ripening grape, and Cabernet Sauvignon tended to be the last. However, regardless of the varietal, Véraison typically signaled the six-week countdown to the first harvest.

  Where are you? Naughton texted.

  Stayed with Alex. Headed home now.

  Meeting at Old Creek?

  Yep. Time?

  Here waiting.

  There in ten minutes tops.

  Today their plan was to discuss which options were best for which vineyards in terms of Vitis labrusca and Vitis vinifera. Labrusca were grape breeds native to North America, vinifera were native to Europe.

  When Maddox pulled in, Naught was unloading Huck and Shazam from the trailer.

  “Thought we’d ride instead of walk today?”

  “Lotta ground to cover.”

  “Think we’ll stumble on anything important riding instead of walking?”

  Naughton shrugged. “No tellin’.”

  Hadn’t they walked every square inch of this property yet? Maddox was beginning to think the mystery of whatever it was Kade alluded to in his letter was a joke between his brothers to see if they could drive him crazy.

  Driving away while Maddox sat in his truck and watched was harder than Alex thought it would be. How much nicer would it have been to spend the day with him? He was so gentle with her last night, making sure he didn’t bump against her in a way that would hurt the parts of her body that were healing.

  This morning they made breakfast, Maddox packed away the food in her fridge to take home with him, and then they sat and talked until she decided if she didn’t leave then, she never would.

  He made her promise to call and tell him where she was staying tonight, and every night after that.

  “We don’t talk every day, Maddox.”

  “Is there a reason why we can’t?” he’d asked.

  She shrugged her shoulders then, but now the more she thought about it, the weirder it seemed. Why the sudden move toward a relationship that was more of a…relationship?

  Was it because he was afraid she was really going to find someone else and he’d lose his bed-buddy status, or did it mean he actually wanted more than sex with her?

  She had miles and hours ahead of her to ponder those questions, but part of getting away was not thinking about Maddox
or Stave, or even whatever was going on at Los Cab. This trip was about carving out time for herself.

  By the time she got to Carmel, Alex was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. Rather than make the hour-long drive to Big Sur today, she considered stopping for the night. She pulled into the L’Auberge valet, and was immediately greeted at her door.

  “Ah, mademoiselle Alex, bienvenue. It is so good to see you.”

  “Bonjour, Vivienne. Comment allez-vous?”

  “Tres bien, merci. Et vous?”

  “I’m well, thank you.”

  Vivienne’s family lived in the valley for many years before taking over L’Auberge last year. Alex hadn’t visited since they had, but everything looked beautiful. She peered out at the courtyard, full of beautiful pots of flowers.

  “Will you stay with us this evening?”

  “If you have a room available.”

  “Oui. The best.”

  Vivienne’s brother, César, fetched Alex’s bag from her car. Alex waved. “Hey, César.”

  “He’ll park your car in the garage,” Vivienne said as she led Alex to the elevator. When the door opened to the top floor, Vivienne led her down to the end of the hallway, and into a suite with a view of the ocean.

  “C’est beau, n’est-ce pas?”

  “Oui, but know if you continue speaking in French, you’ll lose me. I’m very rusty.”

  Alex met Vivienne in high school, in a French class. It had to have been the easiest grade Vivienne ever received.

  “How long will you stay with us?”

  “I’m not sure. Do you have guests arriving soon?”

  “Not until next week. Please join me in the courtyard for a glass of wine after you’re settled.”

  Vivienne closed the door behind her, and Alex climbed onto the king-size bed. From where she sat she could see the ocean both through west and south facing bay windows.

  She checked her phone. There were no texts or messages, but there was an email from her youngest brother, Mateo. Evidently her mother had called him about her surgery. Maybe she should call and see if he’d talked to Gabe or Eli.

  “Hey, Alex,” Mateo answered her call. “How the hell are ya, big sister?”

  Alex laughed. “I’m good. I just got your email.”

  “We haven’t heard from you in ages. We were beginning to think you forgot you had a couple younger brothers.”