by Linda Wisdom
“He already doesn’t sound at all like Denny,” Cathy said. “Thank God.”
“No one’s like Denny,” Ginna said with heartfelt sincerity.
Cathy reached across and covered Ginna’s hand with her own. “He was wrong, dear. None of it was your fault.”
Ginna blinked rapidly to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. Just the memory was enough to bring back a remembrance of times better left forgotten.
“That’s not what the doctors said.” She looked away.
“That I can’t believe,” Cathy protested.
“Then you tell me how Denny’s wife has one child by him and another on the way when I couldn’t get pregnant no matter what?” Ginna demanded. “We had the tests done, Mom. And as Denny said, it was me. Not him.”
Her mother’s comment on Denny’s opinion was less than favorable.
“Mom!” Ginna was alternately shocked and amused at her mother’s language.
Cathy brought the pan back within reaching distance.
“All right, but you’ll have to bring Zach out here sooner or later.”
Ginna knew it, but she still wanted to keep Zach to herself for a while longer.
“AREN’T YOU COMING with us?” Emma asked her father as she watched him knot his tie. She was bouncing up and down in the middle of his bed, her arms waving with her movements.
“That is not a trampoline,” he said firmly. “And no, sweetie, your aunt Lucie and Nick are taking you and Trey out for lunch, then you’re going to see that Disney movie you wanted to see. You’re going to have lots of fun.”
Emma dropped onto the bed. Her legs stuck straight out as she fiddled with the laces on her Winnie the Pooh tennis shoes.
“We have fun with you, too,” she said, resting soulful eyes on her father in a look guaranteed to inspire guilt.
Used to his daughter’s machinations, Zach felt no guilt. Not when Lucie, the moment he asked if she wouldn’t mind watching the kids today, had volunteered to take them to lunch and a movie the twins had wanted to see since before they’d gotten sick.
“We don’t want you to be by yourself, Daddy,” Emma went on.
“I won’t be, Peanut. I’m seeing a friend today.”
“Your girlfriend?”
He figured he could blame Lucie for that question. “Just a friend.”
“If you had a girlfriend, we could all go to the zoo and to the park,” Emma went on. “And she could take me to the store and find me clothes for kindergarten.” She warmed to her favorite subject. For her, entering kindergarten was the same as entering a top university was for an eighteen-year-old.
Trey wasn’t as excited about the prospect. He had a crush on his preschool teacher and wanted to stay where he was.
“I don’t do so bad finding you clothes,” Zach pointed out. “And you were the one who told me your aunt Lucie found that pink dress for you.”
“But she’s my aunt!” she said as if that made all the difference in the world. “You know what we need, Daddy? We need a mommy.”
His collar suddenly started suffocating him. “I think we do pretty good on our own.” But that didn’t stop him thinking about Ginna, who spoke so warmly about her own family. With his and Lucie’s brother.
Emma scooted forward and slid off the end of the bed. “Well, Daddy—” she switched to a long-suffering voice he swore echoed her aunt Lucie’s “—you better find me a mom in time for me to learn makeup and all the big-girl stuff.”
Zach thought about what type of “big-girl stuff” was going to creep into his daughter’s life over the next twenty years. He was finding it impossible to breathe. He loosened his collar.
He could see it now. His telling Ginna about the twins.
I have a daughter who’s four going on thirty-five and a four-year-old son who’s going on four and a half.
“Get your pack,” he wheezed. “We’re leaving for Aunt Lucie’s.”
He watched her saunter out of his bedroom. His little girl was growing up way too fast. He only hoped he’d survive her formative years.
GINNA BURST OUT laughing when she opened the door and found Zach standing there holding a white teddy bear, a tire gauge tied to its paws with red ribbon.
“Romantic enough?” Zach asked, handing her the bear.
“And practical at the same time,” she said, taking the bear out of his hands. “Thank you.”
“That’s a top-of-the-line tire gauge,” he said. “Only the best for you.”
“I can see.” She was visibly impressed. “Would you like to come in?”
The minute Zach crossed the threshold a white German shepherd moved in front of him. The dog’s expression wasn’t welcoming.
“This is Casper,” Ginna said, keeping her hand resting on the dog’s head. “Casper, say hello.”
The dog lifted a paw, which Zach took cautiously.
Casper gave him his best “I’m watching you” expression as he dutifully backed up. To prove it, he didn’t take his gaze off Zach.
“I don’t think he likes me,” Zach said, keeping a wary eye on the canine.
“Casper loves everyone,” Ginna insisted, leaning down to hug the dog. “I’ll just be a second.” She disappeared toward the back of the house.
“So, you into football, Casper?” Zach asked.
The low rumble coming from his throat wasn’t reassuring.
Ginna returned carrying a lilac-colored short-sleeved sweater that she pulled on over her lilac-print strapless dress.
“I’m sorry you had to wait,” she apologized, bending down to slip on her shoes. “It’s just been one of those mornings.”
“No problem.” Not when he got to watch her put on another pair of sexy high heels.
He’d never considered high-heeled shoes sexy until he saw them on Ginna.
Her loose curls were pulled back with lilac-colored pearlized clips. A light floral cologne drifted in his direction.
She picked up a small lilac leather bag and slung the narrow strap over her shoulder. She murmured something to the dog, who shot Zach a look filled with suspicion.
“What do you have planned, my handsome Mr. Stone?” she asked him, tucking her arm through his as he walked her to his shiny red Pathfinder.
“Not the beach,” was all he told her as he helped her into the vehicle.
She reached out and straightened the collar of his dusty teal-colored polo shirt, which he’d tucked into khaki-colored pants.
He grinned at her. She wrinkled her nose.
“Can I help it if I can’t keep my hands off you?” she quipped.
“Honey, that goes for both of us.”
As he rounded the hood to the driver’s side, he was grateful he had made the time to get the truck washed before picking Ginna up. He had also taken out the kids seats then ensured there were no toys hiding in the back or petrified French fries lurking under the seats.
“Pity, I haven’t been to the beach in such a long time.” She gazed at him under the cover of her lashes. “Now you have me curious.”
“I think you’ll like it, but I’ll warn you now it’s a bit of a drive.”
She buckled her seat belt and turned partway so she could face him.
“Good, then you can tell me what you’ve been writing for your column,” she said brightly. “Did you remember what I told you?”
“More than you’ll ever know,” he replied.
Under Ginna’s coaxing, he talked about some of the subjects he’d touched on without mentioning the column he’d written about his experience with the twins and the chicken pox. He’d managed to work the conversation around to her.
“My parents are having a family barbecue today,” she said.
“And you escaped?” he teased.
“I was very lucky,” Ginna replied. “There’s nothing like having screaming kids run rings around you to make your day totally insane.”
“I thought it only got insane if they screamed in your ear,” Zach said carefully.<
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“My brother and sister-in-law have twin girls. When they get going, we have stereo screaming.” She chuckled. “Please, don’t get me wrong. I love them dearly, but as I explain to Jeff and Abby, I am their aunt. I’m the one who feeds them sugar, gives them noisy toys and then sends them home to Mom and Dad.”
Zach winced. “I thought that job belonged to the grandparents.”
“Mine do their share. But they also have other ways to entertain the kids. The girls love to spend time with their grandpa when he shows them how to change an oil filter. After their grandma scrubs the grease off them, she lets them help her bake cookies.”
“I see. Equal opportunity entertainment,” Zach said with approval.
During the drive, he got her talking some more about her family. From everything she said, it was obvious she was very close to them.
Ginna exclaimed in delight as they drove through rows of grapevines and up a hill where a large sprawling old-fashioned house dominated the property.
“This is fantastic,” she said as he helped her out.
“Wait,” he told her as they climbed the steps to the front door, which was a design of grape clusters set in stained glass.
A silver-haired woman greeted them with a broad smile as Zach gave his name. She led them through several large rooms set up for dining. She didn’t halt until they were standing outside on a shaded patio. A table was set up on the edge of the patio, which overlooked a valley of grapevines.
Ginna immediately walked to the edge to look out. She spun on her heel to face Zach. The joy lighting her face told him everything he needed to know.
“How did you find out about this place?” she asked as he seated her at the table.
“A friend told me about it,” he replied. “They only serve so many people on the weekend, and I lucked out getting the patio table.” Along with some major begging and the fact that the owner was a fan of his column. “Our meal is at the mercy of the chef’s whims.”
Her expression was elated as she looked around. She smiled at the waiter who brought out mimosas for them. He left a basket filled with croissants and muffins with the explanation he would be bringing them some fresh fruit.
“And to think all I did was cut your hair.” She smiled at him.
“All right, pat yourself on the back,” he said with a mock long-suffering sigh. “I wash it, blow it dry and it falls into place.”
“What can I say? When you go to an expert, you get professional hair.” She gave a regal nod of the head. Her eyes lit up when a large bowl of fruit was placed between them. She chose a strawberry and leaned across the table to brush it across his lips. He obediently opened his mouth and bit down. She took the uneaten half and popped it into her mouth. When she offered him a piece of melon, his lips brushed her fingertips this time. She smiled and ate what he didn’t. She followed it with a bit of buttered croissant.
“Excellent choice, Mr. Stone,” she murmured, taking a bite of a muffin.
Ginna almost purred when plates of eggs Benedict were placed in front of them. She smiled her thanks at the waiter as he also placed another mimosa by her plate.
“Until I met you, I thought women only picked at their food,” Zach said.
She shook her head. “And miss out on wonderful food like this? I don’t think so.” She slipped off her sweater, then smiled as the waiter gallantly draped it over the back of her chair.
Zach attempted to smile, but he had trouble holding it. He wasn’t sure he wanted anyone else admiring Ginna’s naked shoulders. A shaft of sunlight chased its way across the table to finally settle on her.
Dammit, it would be so easy to fall in love with this woman.
She seemed to know when to make conversation and when to be quiet. She was sincerely interested in other people. He thought of teasing her that she’d probably sit down and have a talk with the devil if she was given a chance.
“It’s like another world out here,” she commented, sipping her mimosa. “This house was probably built a good hundred years ago. The vineyards have probably been here even longer. I could stay here forever.” She looked out, then laughed softly. “Look, Zach.” She gestured.
His gaze followed her arm and saw what had caught her attention—a brilliantly colored hot-air balloon seemed to hover over the vineyard before air currents carried it away.
“I heard they usually go up at dawn. And I know how much you like to sleep late,” he teased.
“I don’t recall you exactly rolling out of bed too early,” she retorted, stabbing another strawberry with her fork.
They took their time with their meal, all the while enjoying the view and each other. When finished, they strolled hand in hand along paths that afforded them views of the valley below.
At one point, Ginna turned to Zach and linked her arms around his neck. Her face glowed with happiness and too many mimosas.
“Thank you,” she whispered, reaching up to kiss him lightly on the mouth. “You have given me one of the most beautiful days in my life.” She kissed him again, but this time he held her against him.
Yep, he was definitely falling in love with this woman.
Chapter Eight
“It all went by too fast,” Ginna said with a sigh as Zach drove down the road, leaving the vineyard behind. She fingered the heavy green bottle that had been presented to them when they left. “Wasn’t that nice of the restaurant’s owner to give us a bottle of champagne?” Ginna asked, snuggling down in the leather seat. “He said he likes your column. I’m sorry, I still haven’t read it. I guess I’ll have to start reading it.” She hummed under her breath.
“It all has to do with guy stuff,” Zach warned her. “Not exactly interesting reading for women.”
“That’s all right. I really should read it. That way, I can make sure you took my advice on what’s romantic and what’s not. It’s just too bad it’s in a magazine geared for men.” She continued humming softly along with the radio.
“I guess it does sound odd. Writing a column for men that’s featured in a men’s magazine,” he said, tongue in cheek.
“There are women interested in reading what men have to say about us,” she informed him. “You can’t tell me that you men aren’t interested in reading what we women have to say about your sex.”
“Sex in general, or the male sex in particular?”
Ginna shot him a “Behave” look. “Don’t think you can easily confuse me. I only have a mild buzz. The orange juice helped keep the champagne at bay. Vitamin C and all that.” She waved her hands for emphasis. “I know you talked some about your column when we were in Hawaii, but I feel as though there’s more to it.”
“There is.” Since the day had started to cool off, Zach turned on the heater, adjusting the vents to blow gently on Ginna.
She leaned forward. “I knew it! Now you have to tell all.”
She noticed a peculiar expression cross his face. If she’d had her wits about her, she would have tried to dig in deep with more probing questions.
“A publisher approached me about my column,” Zach said finally.
“Publisher, as in book?” she asked.
He nodded. “They don’t want me to just compile my past columns. They’d like me to expand on them. Maybe use one column subject for each chapter.”
“On single men living in today’s world,” she clarified. “I guess it’s only fair since there’re so many books out there on single women living in today’s world. But what makes yours unique? Isn’t that what they look for? Something that’s different from the others on the market?”
He thought for a moment. “Maybe I’ll just let you read some of my columns. They’ll tell you more than I could.”
She sat back. “I look forward to it. Are you going to write a column about today?”
Zach shook his head. “No way. Some things aren’t meant for public consumption. But I’m tempted to write about how to handle a lady’s dog when said dog isn’t too polite.”
“Casper didn’t bite you, did he?” She looked worried.
“No, thank God!”
“Casper takes the role of my protector very seriously,” she explained. “I know it’s probably been a while since you read Peter Pan, but Casper would have made a good Nana, the nursemaid.”
“Except Casper is an athletic German shepherd while Nana was a large and fluffy St. Bernard,” he said.
She was impressed he was familiar with the popular children’s story, then remembered he’d said he had a young nephew. She couldn’t imagine any boy not wishing for a life where he didn’t have to grow up.
Except Zach had grown up very nicely.
Instead of doing the obvious of taking her to a restaurant on the beach where he could play on her memories of Hawaii, he’d done the exact opposite. It must have taken him time to find something as original as the elegant restaurant set among the vineyards.
Dining on the sunlit patio had been private, their waiter only appearing when they needed him.
She was sated with good food and mimosas.
A day she would have recorded in a diary if she still kept one.
Instead, she’d tuck today in her memory banks and bring it out on days when she needed the memory.
Zach was so different than any other man she’d dated in the past. Most importantly, he would never lie to her.
“ARE YOU SAYING he brought you a teddy bear holding a tire gauge?” Nora said as the two women stepped down into the bubbling mineral pool in the rear of the spa.
Since the salon and spa were closed on Mondays, the employees took advantage of the amenities and shared services on that day.
Today Ginna had come in to give Nora a weave and later relax with a massage from Phoebe.
They sat on the curved bench in a corner of the warm pool while Ginna told her friend about her brunch with Zach.
“He’s too perfect,” Nora declared. “There has to be something wrong. You said his clothes are clean and they actually match. His truck was freshly washed. No fast-food wrappers in sight. He took you to this incredible place for a brunch that sounds fantastic.”
“Tasted even better,” Ginna said, rolling a towel behind her head so she could rest it against the side of the rectangular pool. “The mimosas were—” she waved her hand languidly in the air as she searched for just the right word “—incredible. Everything else was beyond that.”