“Are you all right?” There was a tinge of desperation in his words as he clasped her arms. When she nodded, he spun on his heels and was on Richard again. August pulled him up by the collar and punched him in the jaw. “You bastard! You were trying to bail her up!”
Through her tears, she saw her dad run down the expanse of lawn and stand beside the two men, his face red with anger.
“What in damnation is going on here!” her father bellowed. He looked up.
She wiped at her tears and pulled on the ripped sleeve of her dress.
“You…” It was her dad’s turn to launch into Richard. “You were trying to hurt my baby girl?” Her dad hauled Richard up on his feet again. His blow landed in the middle of Richard’s nose. There was a crack and then a lot of blood.
Richard cried out as he fell on all fours and began to crawl away. He stumbled to his feet and took off in a run. People from the party spilled out the door to fill the lawn, curious to see what the commotion was about.
“If I ever see you,” August warned as Richard disappeared around the edge of the building, “It will be more than your nose we break.”
Her dad scooped Tegan into his arms. “It’s okay, honey. I’m just thankful that August saw him out here with you.”
“I’m okay, Dad.” After a minute she broke free from her father’s arms and went to August. She rubbed her fingers over his battered knuckles.
“Thank you,” she said and kissed his knuckles. She sat next to him on the bench in silence listening to his heavy breath in the still night air.
Since the excitement was over, in a while the people headed back into the party. The music resumed and everything went back to normal.
“Can I take you home?” August asked. “Where’s your purse?”
Ben, the owner of the event center ran across the lawn towards them. “Tegan, the police just called. They have a man named Richard Banks in custody. A neighbor reported seeing him dump a can of gas on Que Syrah Syrah and drop a match!”
“What?” Tegan cried.
“Your shop. It’s on fire!”
Chapter Eight
As they came down the main street of town the night sky glowed orange from the flames that licked high. The fire department had arrived and there was a water hose trained on the raging fire.
“No… no… no…” Tegan sobbed as she stepped out of the truck and took an unsteady step.
“It’ll be okay.” August didn’t know what else to say. He removed his tux jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She had enough to deal with—he didn’t want her to be chilled. “You stay here, I’m going to see if I can help.” Being a small town with a limited city budget, he knew Vine Grove worked mainly with a volunteer fire service.
He sprinted across the lawn towards a firefighter, Tanner, he’d met a few weeks earlier. “What can I do?” August yelled over the commotion.
“There are more engines with more men heading here from Wildwood, but we’re short staffed until they get here. Can you drag that hose over across the lawn so it will be ready when they arrive?”
August nodded. He lifted the fire hose on his shoulder and ran across the lawn. When he dropped the hose, he fished out his cell “Randy? This is August, there’s a fire on Main Street, can you get over here? They need all the help they can get.”
He undid the loop in the hose and strung it back across the lawn to the hydrant. About the same time the other two engines arrived, so did his men. As more and more streams of water hit the shop, steam hissed from the smoldering embers. The firemen directed the volunteers to less dangerous tasks but none of the men were without a job.
They hit the fire early. It could have been much worse. In an hour the blaze was under control.
August approached Tegan who stood in the exact same spot he’d left her. The only thing different was her mom and dad were there now. She would need them.
“It looks like the fire will be out soon and most of it was contained to the front half of the store,” he said as he sat on the bumper of his truck. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving him spent.
Tegan put a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks for… everything.”
“How can you say that? Don’t thank me for anything.” He looked up into her beautiful face and his heart broke. He shook his head, angry at himself. “This is all my fault. I’m surprised that you’re still talking to me.”
“Your fault? What of this terrible night is your fault?”
“Richard. The bastard,” he grumbled. “He worked for me. I thought of him… as a friend. I thought I was a better judge of character, but I guess not.” August attempted to rub the tremble out of his hands. “I should have known what kind of a person he was.”
Tegan sat next to him. “Please… August. I don’t blame you for any of this. Richard was obviously unstable and he was drunk. I’m sure he’ll go to jail. Don’t beat yourself up.”
“I should have done more.” He looked down at her slender fingers. She rubbed a thumb over his bruised knuckles that were now covered in soot. “What if you’d come back to the shop… alone?”
“I didn’t. You were there both times I needed you.”
He brushed at the soot and black streaks on the sleeve of his white dress shirt.”
“I think your shirt’s going to be a loss.”
“I think you’re right.” He looked at her, helpless to convey his feelings. “I’m so sorry.”
“You said that and you don’t need to say it again. If it’s an apology you feel you need to give, I’ll accept it, but I don’t believe it has anything to do with you. What I do need is a hug.”
“That is an easy request.” He wrapped his arm over her shoulder and drew her in.
Tegan’s dad was talking to one of the firemen. She sighed and snuggled close. “We’ll rebuild. As soon as I can find someone, I’ll start.”
“We’ll start.” August kissed her cheek and pulled her closer.
Deep down he knew the events of the night weren’t his fault, but it was difficult not to feel the guilt weigh on his shoulders. This woman next to him was special. Precious. She could have been hurt or even killed by someone he thought he could trust. It wouldn’t happen again. He would hold her in his arms and keep her safe.
August would do what he could to make things right.
****
“Thank you and I know and you’re doing the best you can. Goodbye.” Tegan hung up the phone and felt sick to her stomach. She sat down in the first available chair. Had she heard the insurance representative correctly?
Her dog, Chianti, nudged her leg. She patted her head, but the dog’s affection didn’t help.
“Are you okay?” August stopped pouring coffee into a cup on her kitchen counter and came over. He squatted down in front of her and took her hands. “What did they say?”
“The fire insurance for the building is covered, but the policy lapsed that covered the merchandise inside.” She lifted the offending piece of paper and pointed. “My father had the policy divided into building and property. The building insurance was paid on time, but the other lapsed. Now, the insurance company is telling me that none of the merchandise I need to restock in the store is covered.”
August took the paper and scanned it. “Why would your father not pay this?”
“I’m sure he just lost track of the date. When they moved, he probably thought both sections were paid, not remembering the policies had different due dates.” She shrugged. “I should have done it myself, but it meant so much to Dad to let him take care of a few of the business things. Their mailbox was robbed a few months ago. I bet that policy reminder was in there. It may have been more than one notice, because after that, the post office routed their mail to the wrong stop.” She scrubbed her hands over the face. “What am I going to do? I don’t have that kind of money.”
“I can help.”
“I know you would, but I can’t.” She straightened. “Richard…” she swallowed, “the night he attack
ed me, he said that I was just after your money. I know it wouldn’t be like that, but I would never be able to repay that kind of cash.”
“Tegan.”
“You’re here. You don’t know how much that means to me.” She tried to smile, as he took her in his arms. “I’ll figure it out. I’ll concentrate on rebuilding the shop and then go from there. I’ll replace things a little at a time. Things always have a way of working out. Please don’t say anything about this to my dad, he would feel so terrible. I don’t want that.”
“I promise.” He wouldn’t tell her father anything… but the not helping? He knew he’d just told a lie about that part.
Chapter Nine
Six weeks later.
Tegan, Becca, Chloe and Laura stood around a single wood barrel in the middle of the empty store. The new addition of the store smelled of fresh paint and varnish. Tegan wiggled out the cork on her favorite bottle of The Desert Wind’s Cabernet and poured the rich dark wine.
She handed them each a glass. “Well ladies. We did it. With August’s help and all the work he and his employees did on the rebuild, my shop is open two months before I thought it would be. Now, tourist season is here, and I’ll be open.”
“What are you going to do about your stock?” Chloe looked around at the empty shelves and wine racks.
“I’m not sure,” she said. “I had to get the shop open and then I can think about the rest.”
“I suck at The Love List game,” Chloe sighed. “I gave you Richard, the guy who attacked you and then tried to burn down your shop. No wonder I don’t have a man. I’m terrible picking them for myself or for anyone else.”
“Richard’s trial date is coming up, but I heard he’ll probably get two to five years for arson. But, Chloe, the guy you round-about gave me was August, not Richard. I think that was who I was meant to meet that day at the winery.” Tegan said as she lifted her glass in a salute. “I don’t know what I would have done these past two months without him.”
“Where’s August?” Laura asked.
“I’m not sure.” Tegan shrugged. “He said to save him a glass of wine, and that he would come over as soon as he could and celebrate the ‘grand opening’ with us.” She laughed as she swooped a hand at the empty store. “Some grand opening. Well, Que Sera Sera for Que Syrah Syrah.”
There was the blast of a truck horn outside. Tegan walked over and looked out the window. A large panel truck with The Desert Wind Winery logo painted on the side backed up into a free spot. She opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. The other three girls followed.
August jumped out of the cab. He came around to the back of the truck and lifted the roller door. The truck was bursting with cardboard boxes filled with wine.
He walked towards her and took off his cowboy hat. He held up a hand in a defensive gesture.
“Before you get all mad as a cut snake, this is a business venture… not a gift. Let me explain.”
Two more trucks pulled up alongside his with the names of different wineries painted on the sides. Then a Vanda’s Antiques truck and then a Prius with The Vine County Crafters magnetic sign adhered to its door showed up. Every truck or car held someone she recognized. All the people got out until they made a semi-circle in front of her store.
“These are people from the community… your community,” August said. “You told me that you would do all of the store’s restocking on your own, but everyone needs help once in a while. We are all bringing you stock on consignment. We are just placing it in your shop. When you sell it, you give us back the same amount of cut as you would if you bought the merchandise wholesale.”
“I thought you hated the business side of business,” Tegan said to August.
“I guess after all those years of growing up the shadow of my father made some of his business sense sink in.”
Tegan moved down the wooden steps until she was level with the others. She looked around at the people, her friends, who were all smiling.
“We all care about you, Tegan,” Mr. Carmichael said. “I’ve known you since you were a kid. You and your dad came over and helped build my Ann a wheelchair ramp when she needed it. I’ve always wanted to pay you back somehow. Now from extra inventory at my Oak Ridge wine reserve, I can.”
“I’m in the Crafters Guild,” Mrs. Macintyre piped up. “I know the preconceived notion is that all of our crafts are crocheted toilet paper holders, but we have some pretty creative people who would love a permanent place to show their work. Jewelry. Leatherwork. Lawn art. I have the whole back of my Prius filled with a variety of things. I only took the good stuff.” She winked.
“And I have the antiques to fill in the displays you may need,” her friend said as she pointed to the dressers and glass front cases lashed into the back of her truck. “I have way too many pieces to fit in my store. You’ll do me a favor to take a few. I have the chance of selling twice as many things.”
Tegan looked around, a little overwhelmed. “I… I don’t know what to say?”
“All you have to say is that it’s okay. With all these people here to help you, we can get the shop set up for the real grand re-opening this weekend,” August said.
“Thanks. Everyone… thanks,” Tegan managed to get out.
With Tegan, Chloe, Laura and Becca inside the store directing the boxes, August and the rest of the people made a delivery chain handing the boxes one to the other until the trucks were empty.
The Hotty Dog deli arrived with free hot dogs and soda for everyone. Someone turned on the radio and everyone sang along to the oldies tunes as they helped Tegan unpacked the merchandise, arranged the display stands and then refilled them with wine bottles and merchandise.
Tegan thanked everyone over and over.
“You’ve always let me come in here and bend your ear. I’m happy I could do something to help you like you’ve always helped me.” Mrs. Macintyre kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be back in the morning. There are some silk painted scarves that would fill that last empty display perfectly.”
When Tegan came back after walking Mrs. Macintyre to her car, August stood in the center of the store and made a grand gesture with his hands. “Now this is more like it.” He smiled. A dimple appeared in his cheek.
Tegan joined him. He spotted the open bottle from The Desert Wind Winery still sitting on the barrel where she’d left it, and grinned. “I’m happy after all this effort today that you are drinking my wine and not two-timing me with another vintner.”
He poured them each a glass. He swirled the contents, inhaled, and then closed his eyes. “These were grapes from the first year I was in the states. Lovely. Black Cherry, Chocolate, Medium-bodied. Aromas and flavors of currant and red jammy fruit with hints of toasty oak leading to a long finish. I loved these grapes.”
She loved when he talked about his grapes like they were children. It was such a personal connection, it tickled her.
“I can’t believe this… today. I mean all of this. You organized this?”
“It was easy.” He shrugged. “I pulled in a few favors, but most was the community. Everyone wanted to help you out and many came forward on their own after hearing what I asked.”
“I have to know.” She grew serious as she eyed him over her glass. “Did you do all of this because you felt guilty about what Richard did?”
“No.” He took her glass and set it on the antique buffet. “I didn’t do this out of guilt, I did this out of love. I’ve fallen in love with you, Tegan.” He touched her cheek with the tips of his fingers. “I’m head over heels, fruit loop, out of my head in love with you.” He watched her for a long moment. When she didn’t reply, he said, “Please say something, flick off or not, but don’t leave me standing here.”
Emotions clogged her chest. “I never thought I’d hear a man say he loved me, and now that you have, I’m out of words.”
“As I have told you before. I don’t say words that I don’t mean. I love you, Tegan. I want to be a part of your
life, your shop, and your family and friends. I want to take you home to Australia so you can meet my family. I know we’ve only known each other a few months, but I’m pretty set once I make up my mind.”
“I told you not to help me.”
“I just loaned you things.”
“But your heart’s not a loaned thing?”
“No.” He grinned. “I hope you take my heart and keep it forever.”
She stepped close. “I’m happy you didn’t listen to me and you loaned me all these things. I’ll take your heart, but only if you’ll take mine. I love you, August.”
She wound her hands behind his neck and pulled him down to kiss him. Just a brush of his mouth to hers and her legs felt like Gummy Bears. No man ever made her feel the way he did. He took her face in his hands and gave her a tender kiss where they learned each other’s taste. August had magnificent lips, smooth and warm, and she could feel every dip and arc of his. He never took things farther than she wanted to.
August kissed her slow and sure. He was a man who clearly liked to take his time.
When they finally broke apart, they were both out of breath.
“I came up with this silly plan for this ‘love list’ with my girlfriends.”
“The Love List? With Becca, Chloe and Laura? Was I part of that?” he asked.
“Don’t tell them I told you, they’d kill me. I thought I’d made a huge mistake from the first day. My pick was Richard.”
“That’s why you came into The Desert Wind. He was your pick? Man, that’s bad luck.”
“But, because he was a jerk and you followed me out into the parking lot, I’m the one who’s lucky because I ended up with you.”
“You think I’m a good pick?”
“Yes.” Tegan kissed him gently. “My Love List experience was a very good one.” She smiled.
“I love you, Tegan.” He kissed her again. When he stepped back, his smile lit his eyes. “Now that it looks like I’m going to be around your shop on a permanent basis, I thought we could put the refrigerator over in that corner.”
Love Uncorked Page 4