by Tawny Amaya
******
CHAPTER 4: Bree
I put the shovel into the mulch and filled it up with the aromatic wood, taking it and spreading the new mulch at the base of the vines. The sun was high in the sky, and I was sweating something horrible, my t-shirt wet. Normally I did this type of work near sunset, but it kept my mind focused on a task and not on the man that had nearly run me over earlier. Jackson Temple. I couldn’t believe that he was actually here and all grown up. Oh my, had he been gorgeous! Tall and muscular, with dark wavy hair that seemed to not tame itself even after ten years. Under those aviator glasses, I imagined his bright green eyes, eyes that I had looked into numerous times over the years.
Sighing, I grabbed another shovel full of mulch and spread it around. Though I didn’t like to admit it, I had always had a crush on the golden boy. I mean it was hard not to given his good looks and charming personality. There had been one time, right before he had left college, where I thought he might actually like me more than just a friend. After all, we had practically grown up together.
Ten Years Ago
I hurried across the lawn, glad that the sprinklers hadn’t cut on yet. I only had one more day, one more to see him and I wasn’t going to let a little water make me miss this one opportunity. My heart was breaking at the fact that Jackson would be leaving for college and I wouldn’t see him anymore.
Nearly tripping over the sidewalk, I walked over to the garage, where I knew Jackson would be. He enjoyed tinkering with the car he got for his sixteenth birthday, always changing something with the sound or interior. Sure enough, I found him sitting in the driver’s seat of the Porsche, the music on low. “Hey,” I said, breathless from running.
“Hey Bree,” he said, motioning for me to join him.
I climbed into the passenger side and folded my hands in my lap, feeling the emotions rolling through my body. “A-are you ready for tomorrow?”
He sighed and drummed his fingers along the steering wheel. “I guess. You know, I’ve been nothing but excited about leaving home this entire year but now that it is here, I’m not sure if I can do this.”
“If anyone can do this, it’s you,” I said quickly, hearing the concern in his voice. “It’s just college.”
He turned to look at me, and I felt the breath still in my chest. “It’s not just college. My father expects me to take on a position in the company one day and I- I don’t know if I am ready for that.”
I knew how he felt. I had two years left in high school, but my father was already talking about me taking on more responsibilities around the vineyard, wanting to groom me for his position one day. I loved the vineyard and everything about it, but the thought of it being my responsibility was enough to scare the daylights out of me. “Well, I think you will be fine.”
He chuckled. “I can always count on you, can’t I Bree? What are you going to do without me bothering you?”
I wanted to tell him the truth, that I was going to miss the hell out of him. Not even my friends at school held a candle to Jackson. He wasn’t this stuck up rich kid who had everything, but I was afraid that once he left the estate, he might end up being just that. I was just a lowly servant in his parents’ employ, not even worth sitting in this car with him.
“Hey,” he said softly, his eyes alert. “Why the tears?”
I hadn’t realized I was crying, wiping them away with the palms of my hands. “I, it’s nothing.”
“I doubt that,” he said solemnly, his hand coming up to grip my chin so I couldn’t look away. “Tell me, Bree.”
“I-I don’t want you to go.” There, I had said it aloud. I didn’t want him to leave me here.
Something passed over his expression as he looked at me, my nerves all too aware of his fingers lightly grasping my chin, the electric charge, unlike anything I had felt before. We had touched numerous times over the years, pushing and shoving, hugging each other in passing, even grabbing each other’s hands, but in this confined space, with the soft music playing in the background, I could feel something shift inside of me. “Bree,” Jackson said softly, leaning forward.
My eyes fluttered closed as I felt his lips on mine, an explosion of sparks inside my head as I realized that Jackson Temple was kissing me. How many times in the recent years had I imagined this exact thing happening?
But it was over before I could even grasp what was happening, Jackson pulling away and clearing his throat. “Sorry Bree, I-I didn’t, I shouldn’t have done that.”
I opened my eyes, feeling embarrassed. “I-I have to go,” I said hastily, climbing out of the car and shooting out of the garage before the tears started once more. He felt bad about kissing me. He hadn’t meant to do so. Of course not. I wasn’t even remotely close to his level, and he would realize that once he left tomorrow.
I blew out a breath, realizing I hadn’t shoveled not one pile of mulch from the truck, lost in my thoughts. Jackson had left the next morning, and I had not seen nor heard from him since.
Well, except for today.
Frustrated that I had even thought up that memory, I stuck my shovel in the mulch and pulled out another pile. Back then I had been a starry-eyed teen who thought she could win over the rich boy’s heart. I had learned my lesson all too quickly and would be smart to remember that his social status and mine did not mix.
“Bree Wilkinson! Look at you, all grown up!”
I nearly dropped the shovel as I turned to see Mrs. Temple on the path, with Jackson right behind her. “M-Mrs. Temple.”
The older woman smiled as I pulled off my work gloves, smoothing my semi clean hand over my pony tail. “Bree, darling. I hope we aren’t bothering you. I’ve come to see this wonderful wedding venue I’ve heard so much about.”
“Of course,” I said, throwing my gloves on the mulch pile. “It’s just up the next rise. I can go get the cart.”
“Oh, I can walk,” the woman said, reaching for Jackson’s arm. “Come, let’s go see this venue.”
I maintained my smile, my eyes flitting to Jackson’s face for a brief second before looking away. I didn’t have time to moon over Jackson Temple. This venue was my baby, and I had to impress Mrs. Temple, or it could be my job.
******
CHAPTER 5: Jackson
Bree was nervous.
It was funny how some things you never forget no matter how long it had been, like the way Bree kept crossing her arms over her chest then dropping them as she chatted with my mother. I had seen her do that over a thousand times in the past, my mind instantly going back to the days where I knew everything about the woman walking ahead of me.
But now, I felt like I knew nothing about her. She had been sixteen when I left for college, barely old enough to drive and now, she was a businesswoman looking to take over this vineyard and turn it into some kind of wedding destination.
We crested the hill, and I took in the large structure before us, the aged look of the wood making it seem as if it had always been there. “It can hold over two hundred guests,” Bree was saying as we approached the structure. “And has both air and heat, which is not something you see in other places.”
“It’s gorgeous,” my mom breathed, taking in the venue. “You did a nice job with this Bree.”
“Thank you,” Bree murmured, a dull flush spreading over her cheeks. I just grinned, knowing that she had to feel like she was on top of the world. My mom wasn’t a harsh person by any means, but she only liked to give credit whenever it truly was due. “There’s a dancing patio on the other side, covered of course. I also installed an off side restaurant grade kitchen, and we have two rooms for the wedding parties.”
“You’ve thought of everything,” my mom said, giving me a grin. “I’m going to be the first to be married here. I’ve made my decision.”
I shrugged. “It’s your wedding.” I knew the first time had been a rushed job, my parents married at the courthouse because their families didn’t want them to get married so young. My mom still had the picture
beside her bed, even after the divorce.
“You’re right about that,” she winked, turning back to Bree. “I trust I can send my wedding planner to you then, dear?”
“O-of course,” she stammered. “I would be honored.”
“And you will come. And your father as well.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then it’s settled,” mom said, throwing up her hands. “How exciting. I’m going to find your father and tell him right now.”
“I’ll come with you.”
She waved me off. “No, you stay here with Bree and look around. I’ll be fine.”
I wasn’t going to argue with her. She thanked Bree for showing her the site and promised that she would be in touch before heading down the path toward the main house. “Well,” I finally said as she disappeared from my direct line of sight. “Looks like you impressed her.”
“Thank goodness,” she laughed, rubbing her forehead. “It took a long time to get this thing built. I would rather not have to tear it down.”
I chuckled. “I think it’s safe.”
She blew out a breath and then looked over at me. “Would you really like to see the rest of it?”
If it meant being in her company? “Sure.”
We walked up the remaining few steps to the building, Bree opening the door. “It’s not cooled right now. I don’t want to run the AC if I don’t have to.”
“I think they can afford it,” I said jokingly as I stepped inside, the air heavy with the smell of fresh wood shavings. It was large on the inside as well, with a loft area that overlooked the main floor. “What’s up there?”
“The rooms,” she stated, shoving her hands in her pockets. “I wanted the bride to have a choice of whether to come down the stairs or to come in through the doors. This way, she can choose.”
“Well I can assure you, mom will be coming through the doors.”
Bree looked over at me, a wry smile on her face. “I can’t, this is just crazy you know.”
“It’s crazy to be successful sometimes isn’t it?”
She laughed, pride showing in her expression. “I just, I can’t tell you how many times I had thought about what your mother would think about this place and my plans.”
“Well you got her attention,” I said, amused that she was worried so much about this place. “Besides, she thinks the world of you. You saved my life.”
Bree looked over at me, her eyes shining with laughter. “Come on! You exaggerate. You were not in any type of danger.”
I grinned, thinking about that day. Bored with the rain, I had snuck over to Bree’s home and coaxed her outside, both of us giggling as we attempted to find the supposed ghost of the estate. Somehow, we got ourselves locked in the garden shed behind her house for hours. Both our families had been scared shitless, thinking we might have drowned in the lake or worse, kidnapped, but it was her father that had found us. “I was scared shitless that day.”
She rolled her eyes endearingly. “Please. You were not scared. The only thing I remember you being is hungry.”
“I was always hungry.”
“Yes, you were,” she grinned. “Remember when I made you eat that bug?”
I laughed this time. Hell, back then I would do anything that she asked me to. Bree and I had some great times growing up. “You made my life easier here.”
Her grin faded and she looked down, fidgeting with her watch. “I was just the hired help, Jackson.”
I frowned, clearing my throat as I contemplated her words. I had never thought of Bree as hired help, yet here she was, about to embark on this venture for my family, making money for my legacy. “You were never just hired help, Bree.”
She looks flustered, and I immediately regret my words. I shouldn’t have said it, but it was the truth.
And now that she was back in my life, what the hell was I going to do about it?
******
CHAPTER 6: Bree
Later that evening, I walked up the drive, the smell of pizza wafting from the box in my hands. After my recent success with Mrs. Temple, I felt like celebrating and the only way to do it was with pizza. I was lucky that there was a pizza joint in the twenty-mile radius. Even better, one that delivered.
“You haven’t changed.”
Startled, I looked over to find Jackson standing beside his car. I hadn’t even heard him come down the drive. “Where did you come from?”
“Riding,” he answered, patting the side of the car. It was an expensive one, the top missing. Not that I had expected anything less. “What do you have there? Pineapple and mushroom?”
“H-how did you remember that?”
He shrugged, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses. “I can never forget that combo. It’s not right.”
I couldn’t believe he remembered. And the memories, he remembered them as well. Maybe I hadn’t been far away from his thoughts after all. Yeah right. This was Mr. city billionaire, not some man who had been pining away for me all these years. I needed to remember that. “Well, you don’t have to eat it.”
He chuckled, and I felt it all the way to my toes. Gah, he was gorgeous in the dying sun, dressed casually in a golf shirt and khakis, his hair windblown from his car ride. “I don’t. Would you like to take a ride with me and eat it on the bluff?”
The bluff had been our favorite place to escape to, first on bicycles, then in his Porsche. I had seen many a sunset on that bluff with Jackson. But we were adults now, and the bluff shouldn’t hold the same sort of appeal, right? “Do you even remember how to get there?” I challenged.
His grin grew wider, and I felt the heat on my cheeks. “Get in.”
Even though I was in my ratty shirt and shorts, I walked over to his expensive car and slid in the leather interior, the pizza in my lap. “Nice car,” I said as he slid behind the wheel and threw it in reverse. “A leg up from the Porsche.”
“And a hell of a lot more expensive,” he added as he tore down the country road toward the bluff. “It’s faster too. Care to push it to the limits?”
I shook my head no, my hair blowing all over my face. “I’m good.”
He laughed, and I sat back, a stupid grin on my face as well. Jackson was here, and he was spending time with me. We drove to the bluff and parked not far from the overlook, climbing out of the car with the pizza still in my hands. “So,” I started as we walked toward the memorable spot. “Tell me what it’s like to live in the city.”
“It’s fucking amazing,” Jackson said as we reached a grassy spot that overlooked the lake, the vineyard in the distance. “I wake up and think of how lucky I am to live there, amongst all those people.”
I sat on the grass, watching as Jackson sat as well, his hand draped over his raised knee. He totally looked like a city guy now, not the budding adult that had left me here. Opening the box, I held out the pizza. “You know you want some.”
He laughed and reached for a piece. “I haven’t had this pizza in ten years or more.”
I did the same, the tantalizing smell of pineapple filling my senses. “See? You’ve been missing out.”
His eyes changed then, growing darker and my breath caught in my chest as I watched the intensity on his face. It was like someone had taken the air out of the air, my heart starting to pound in my ears. What was I doing up here, with Jackson? Why was he constantly showing up at the weirdest times?
Tucking a hair behind my ear, I looked away, taking a bite of the pizza. What kind of man was Jackson now? He was, he seemed so worldly and was oh so gorgeous at the same time. I didn’t know what to do with him, truly. My boyfriends, well, they had been pretty lean in the last few years as I threw myself into building this venue, not really having time to spend with someone else in my life.
“God, this is fucking awful.”
Breaking out of my thoughts, I looked over at Jackson, who had a half-eaten slice in his hand now. “What?”
He cutely scrunched his nose, placing the slice back in the box. “I
don’t remember it being that bad.”
I laughed and finished off my slice, the ooey gooey cheese melting in my mouth. “You just have high expectations now.”
“I have expectations.”
Closing the lid, I sat the pizza box on the grass, reaching over to punch him in the shoulder. I was met with hard muscle. “Those are fighting words.”
He chuckled, catching my punch in his hand and closing over it. My breath stuttered in my chest as I felt his warm hand covering mine, the goosebumps popping out all over my body. “Oh yeah?” he asked before pouncing on me. The moment his body covered mine, I bit back a moan. He was heavy, but deliciously heavy, his hard planes pressing into my soft ones. His face loomed over mine as he pinned me to the ground, his grip not tight and easily breakable.
If I wanted to break it, that is.
“Now what are you going to do?” he said softly, his eyes searching mine.
Oh, I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to lean up and kiss his lips. Something shifted in his eyes once more, and I felt it all the way to my toes. He was going to kiss me. This had gone from a fun outing to something very serious in a heartbeat.
But then, Jackson climbed off me, standing abruptly. “Sorry. I got carried away.”
I sat up, my entire body tingling, forcing a smile when there was a fire raging inside. “No problem. I know you can’t take me anyway.”
A hint of a grin appeared on his lips before he reached out with his hand. “Come on. Let’s get you and your nasty ass pizza back.”
******
CHAPTER 7: Jackson
“Oh look! There are the Debrets. You remember them, don’t you Jackson? Their son got married last year.”
I looked at the old couple. Hell, I couldn’t remember half the faces here, but my mom was calling them out like she had a list in front of her. “Yeah mom, sure.”
She patted me on the arm, giving the couple a little wave with her fingers. “I believe they are expecting their first grandchild.”