Entangled

by Melissa Brayden

  Becca didn’t balk at the warning. “It’s my favorite thing.”

  “I knew I liked you,” Monty said and led the way carefully through the gate. Stephen stayed outside the corral and leaned over the fence. She could see a small building in the distance with the door open for the dogs to go in and out, which made her feel good about the care they were clearly receiving. Her attention shifted when four energetic dogs bounded straight for her, dancing side to side, and jumping for her affection. She knelt down, not withholding, and was immediately greeted with kisses and whines as she did her best to greet each dog. “Hi there. Hey. Oh, look at you, Furry Face McGee.”

  Not far away, a few others looked on with interest, but held their ground. Monty pointed. “Those are the more shy ones.” As if overhearing, a white dog with large brown spots, including one over his right eye, approached and sat down. He didn’t make it all the way to Becca, but close enough. He was testing the waters.

  “Who’s this guy?” she asked.

  “That’s Skywalker, but we call him Sky for short. He likes his ears scratched and for things not to be too noisy.” Monty studied him. “We’re guessing he’s a beagle-Labrador mix, but it’s hard to say for certain.”

  Two of the more boisterous dogs began to wrestle, and Skywalker let out a distinctive bark that made Becca grin. “I’d say there’s definitely some beagle in there.”

  Stephen straightened from the fence. “About that. Remember how we said each had their own hang-up?”

  “Let me guess. He’s a barker?”

  Monty winced. “We prefer the term crooner, but yes, Sky can be quite vocal.” He furrowed his brow as a thought occurred. “You don’t have chickens, do you?”

  She squinted. “No chickens.”

  The men exchanged a glance. Stephen nodded at her. “That’s for the best.”

  She laughed and walked farther into the corral to meet some of the other dogs. They were all incredibly sweet. The little Jack Russell-dachshund mix that continued to prance around like she owned the world would be a good match for Becca. In fact, she was exactly the kind of dog she’d imagined for herself before arriving. Yet for reasons she couldn’t quite pinpoint, she just kept glancing back at Sky. He’d been following behind her everywhere she went as if to say, Don’t forget me, but always stayed a few feet behind as if he wasn’t quite sure he should intrude.

  “You like him, don’t you?” Monty asked from where he stood next to her, hands on his handsome cowboy hips. He patted Sky’s head, and the dog closed his eyes, savoring the affection.

  She stared at Sky and gave her head a puzzled shake. “There’s something about him that’s tugging at me.” She touched her heart. “But he’s bigger than I was hoping for, and according to you, maybe a little louder.”

  “That’s something to factor in. He’s not overly energetic, but he does like to play. He’s great with a ball.” Monty whistled at Stephen and made the throwing gesture. Stephen nodded, ran off, and moments later returned with a small orange rubber ball, which he threw to Monty, who threw it to Sky. To her amazement, he caught it in his mouth seemingly without moving a muscle. Then he did something remarkable. He didn’t return the ball to Monty. He brought it to Becca and set it at her feet and took three steps back.

  She stared at him in amazement. The moment felt important. “Did he just choose me?” she asked. Her hands started to tingle, and her cheeks felt warm in the fifty-five-degree temperature.

  “It’s very possible,” Monty said with a surprised look on his face. He glanced back at Stephen in amazement. “I’ve not seen him do that with a stranger. Did you see that?”

  Stephen nodded. “I did. He likes you.”

  She knelt down and stroked his soft head, admiring the brown patch that covered his eye. “Hey there, fella. Maybe we weren’t meant to be strangers. What do you think?”

  Sky blinked back at her happily. Everything about him said he was a gentle soul. She tossed a look over her shoulder at that Jack Russell-dachshund mix and knew full well she’d have a home in no time, with that spunk and those good looks. When she turned back to Skywalker, he brushed his tongue across her nose as if to say, Hello there, lady.

  She stood. “So, he barks, has an aversion to any and all chickens as well as loud noises. What else do I need to know?”

  Stephen’s face sobered. “He comes from a pretty rough life full of neglect. I’ll spare you the details, but know he needs some love in his life.”

  Becca went still and looked down at Sky and his big brown eyes. Bigger than she planned or not, she could give him that love easily. She already felt it. “Sold. I’ll take one Skywalker to go, please.”

  Sky barked his approval, which sealed the deal. They went inside, and Monty and Stephen went over all the essentials about caring for a dog like Sky, and even provided her with what looked to be a week’s worth of his favorite food and that orange ball for throwing. When they finished their talk, the men looked at the clock.

  “How about a glass of wine to celebrate,” Monty said.

  “Oh, I don’t want to put you out. You probably have ranch things to do.” Secretly, she was pleased to be asked. It felt nice after the adversity from earlier in the day.

  “C’mon,” Stephen said. “This is a momentous day. Your family just got bigger.”

  “You know? You make a valid point.” She enjoyed hanging out with them and eagerly accepted the offer. “It’s hard to turn down wine around here. It’s all so good.”

  “Welcome to Willamette Valley,” Monty said. “The wine pours from the trees like nectar.”

  As he poured three glasses, Becca squinted at the bottle. “Tangle Valley,” she said, recognizing the tangled vines on the label.

  Monty held up the bottle. “I don’t know if you’ve been, but it’s beautiful. Wine’s fantastic, too.”

  She accepted the glass of dolcetto, which she loved, but it was no Tangle Valley pinot. “I have been there and fell in love with the place. It’s right next to where I work. Well, where I will work once the construction finishes.”

  Stephen’s eyes went wide. “You’re working at The Jade?” He nearly came out of his seat like a giddy teenager at a concert. “I’m so excited to see something magnificent and luxurious show up at long last. I’m already planning a spa weekend.”

  She grinned, thrilled to finally, hear someone local have a positive reaction to the resort. “You let me know when you want to come, and I’ll set you up with a special package. Use my manager perks. What else are they for if not for the people who helped you find your dog?”

  Monty and Stephen grinned at each other. “You’re the best new friend we’ve made in a while. Stay for dinner,” Stephen said. “I make a mean apple pork chop, and then you and Sky can enjoy life together. Until you come back another time. And hopefully many more.”

  “I would love to stay. What can I do to help?”

  “Nothing. Drink your wine, get to know your dog, and enjoy yourself.”

  Sky barked four times and Becca laughed.

  She did enjoy herself. Dinner was not only fantastically prepared, but the conversation was never dull or slow. The three of them riffed effortlessly and laughed a lot. Monty and Stephen had met when both were attending college in San Francisco. They’d fallen in love and moved to Oregon to buy some land and never looked back. The Moon and Stars Ranch was how they made their full-time living, growing not only acres and acres of oats but fresh vegetables as well. It was a fantastic night. She’d done it. Becca had made a new pair of friends, and she really, really liked them. She tried not to celebrate outwardly, but it felt nice to spend time with other people, not that Carla wasn’t great.

  “You mentioned during dinner that you’re single. How is that possible?” Monty asked as they cleared the table together. He was so good-looking with his sandy blond hair falling onto his forehead that it almost hurt to look at him.

  She scrunched up one eye. “Probably because I’ve been married to my job for fa
r too long. I’m good at it, but sometimes in my line of work, the men ascend the rankings faster than the women, so I fought like hell to make sure I stayed relevant. Plus, my last relationship wasn’t the best.” Monty winced. “Yeah. Then when I heard The Jade was going up, I leapt at the chance to open the property. I like the idea of a slower pace as my priorities shift. I want to do a few things for me.” She handed a plate to Stephen.

  He studied her. “You could date.”

  “I could. Who knows? Maybe I’ll meet someone organically.” She tried not to think about Joey. “I’m not in a rush.”

  “Oh, I feel like a challenge has been extended,” Stephen said to Monty with a bounce of his eyebrows.

  Monty nodded back seriously. “Oh yeah. A gauntlet has been thrown down. We shall prove our skills.”

  She laughed. “No. No gauntlet. Nothing to prove either.” She winced apologetically. “Setups can be awkward. Forced.”

  “Or magnificent. You’re forgetting the potential. We’ll keep our eyes open.” Monty offered a wink. “You do the same with your mind.”

  “I’m terrified and trying not to be.” But there’s Joey, her mind supplied.

  When it was time to go, Becca felt a ball of excitement gather in her chest. Her palms were hot, and there was a smile on her face she couldn’t erase. This was the start of a new adventure, and her life would likely never be the same. Monty leashed up Sky and sat with him for a few moments, whispering to him privately. Becca was touched by the love these men showed each dog and grateful she’d come to them for Sky.

  Monty stood and grinned at her. “I think he’s all set for his new home.”

  Becca took the leash he offered her and knelt down. “Want to come with me?” she asked him.

  He didn’t answer outright, but the way he shifted his two front paws back and forth said he was excited. She gave him a few reassuring pets, kissed his cheek, and they were ready. She thanked the guys with hugs and promised she’d call with any and every question. In fact, they insisted.

  With Skywalker riding shotgun, Becca drove them home.

  Home, she thought happily with one hand on Sky’s warm back. Soft tunes played on the radio. The stars shone brightly overhead as if smiling down on the new little family. Yes, it was definitely starting to feel like home.

  Chapter Six

  Every time the door to the tasting room opened, the savory aromas wafting in from Jolene, the food truck outside, nearly brought Joey to her knees. Gabriella had been up early prepping everything she would need—homemade pasta, her arancini filling, cured meats. Her prep even included a crisply ironed white chef’s coat.

  “I can’t make good food if I don’t look good,” she’d said earlier that morning as she’d stood next to the pretty blue truck, admiring the sky.

  “You always look good,” Joey said, still a little sleepy. “You’re literally one of the prettiest people I’ve ever seen in person. Even first thing in the morning, which is not fair, so I hate you. I’m not apologizing either.”

  “So we’re fighting?”

  “We can be done now. I’ve forgiven you.”

  “That was close. I adore you, so it cancels out the hate. Bam. What do you think of that?” She placed a hand on her hip. “I do love the morning, though. I use it to plan menus. It’s perfect for creating.”

  “What are we having today?” They’d discussed a rotating menu for the truck, offering different items each week but using it to figure out what the fan favorites were for the eventual restaurant menu. They’d have the better part of a year before all the moving parts lined up and the restaurant was a reality. It would be small but memorable with Gabriella at the helm.

  “We’re starting today with arancini filled with a white wine risotto and fontina cheese, and the Goodfella, which is a slider topped with salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and a vinaigrette you’d elbow your infant for.”

  “I have no infant.”

  “Even better, because you’re not gonna wanna share the not-your-mama’s cannoli I’m serving today. The shells are, of course, homemade.”

  “Listen to you. You make trucks fancy.”

  “Gotta keep up with the delicious wine.” She gestured to the tasting room, just yards away. “I actually chose my flavors alongside Tangle Valley sips. I had a bottle of each of your varietals open. I didn’t get drunk, though.”

  Joey nodded. “Great restraint.”

  Gabriella closed one eye. “Maybe a little drunk.”

  “Well, that’s okay, too,” Joey said with a wink. She took note of the fact that Gabriella was very put together as she reported for work. Fluffed and sparkly. She even had her nails done, something Joey never gave much thought to but that looked beautiful on Gabriella’s elegant hands.

  Back in the tasting room, Joey celebrated Jolene’s reception. The food truck had only been open for a couple of hours now, but from the buzz she’d overheard at the bar, it was a smash hit. Their guests were gushing, and the advertising they’d done to promote the truck’s opening had paid off. Joey estimated they had triple their typical traffic for a Saturday. She’d even set up their outdoor bar for folks to purchase glasses of wine, and the line was never empty. She grinned to herself as she moved about the grounds, saying hello to guests and helping to clear stray glasses. She’d wisely scheduled several of her part-time pourers as reinforcements in the tasting room, which freed her up to move around and fill in as needed.

  “This place is hoppin’,” Loretta said as they passed each other in the storage room. She had two bottles of pinot gris in her hands and was headed in the direction of the tasters.

  “Right? It’s been a while since we’ve been this busy. I will not complain about my feet, which are already killing me. It’s good pain.”

  Loretta turned back from where she stood at the door. Her eyes carried that fierce sentimentality that she was known for. “Your dad would love this.”

  Joey felt the wistful pang, but she was also hit with something else. Pride. She hadn’t fallen on her face, and the winery was still up and functioning, and doing quite well.

  “Ton of people out there,” a voice behind them said.

  They turned. “Hey, Uncle Bobby.”

  “Think I’m gonna get a fourth cornhole game set up. People are waiting in line for a turn.”

  Joey shook her head. “Everyone loves a good game of cornhole with their chardonnay.”

  “Ain’t that the damn truth.” He gestured with his chin in Joey’s direction. “When the crowd dies down, I challenge you to a match.”

  Joey laughed, remembering playing against her uncle when she was a kid. It had been a while since they’d battled it out. “I’m game. But it’s good that we’re waiting until the guests are gone. Wouldn’t want to hurt your ego in front of them.”

  Her uncle’s eyes flashed steely and competitive like she knew they would. He was a total sweetheart until it came to competition. He’d toss his ball cap on the ground when he didn’t do well, his signature tantrum. “Oh, you’re trash-talking now. Reminds me of my brother.”

  “Always,” Joey said, standing taller. Loretta shook her head, enjoying their back-and-forth, before going back to work. Joey followed suit and headed out to the patio where Matt Tremore played on his guitar and sang a slow rendition of “Brown Eyed Girl” into the microphone. A crooner, that guy. She walked across the lawn to the food truck where she could see Gabriella and Lynn, the part-time pourer they’d placed on cashier duty today, laughing through the window with a couple at the front of the line. She continued her stroll and found Deacon, Madison’s assistant, gearing up for the next tour of the vineyard’s grounds. Madison was likely at work in the barrel room if she had to guess. She’d been pulling long hours since she’d arrived at Tangle Valley. That was Madison—a total workaholic, lost in measurements and sampling.

  “Oh, hello there,” Joey said to a medium-sized dog who approached her slowly on the edge of the patio, the part stil
l kissed by the sun. In another two hours, the whole thing would be overtaken by shade and markedly chillier. The dog’s tail wagged gently and he looked up at Joey with a curious stare. He was mostly white with brown patches all over his body, and a big round one over his eye. It suited him. Joey loved getting to see all the dogs on the patio week to week. She knew most of them. Not this handsome dude, though.

  “That’s Sky,” his owner said from somewhere behind Joey. “He’s a friendly fella.”

  Joey gave the dog a hearty scratch. “I can tell. He has the sweetest eyes ever.” She looked back and met the gaze of Sky’s person, and froze. Her body went warm and still when she saw Becca staring back at her, and then cold once she remembered the whole story. But Joey caught herself. She was the hostess here and treated every single Tangle Valley guest with respect. Today was no different.

  “Hi.” She forced a conservative smile.

  Becca sat forward and grinned back. “I know I’m not your favorite person, but I hope it’s okay that I’m here. I saw a flyer for the opening of the food truck, and well, it was such a pretty day out.” She gestured to Sky. “And this guy didn’t want to be left behind, so here we are. You don’t have chickens, do you?”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “Never mind.”

  “Well, we’re glad you came, regardless of…the rest.” That felt awkward to say. As fired up as Joey was about The Jade, she wasn’t the type to run headfirst into confrontation. Plus, her position didn’t lend itself to being inhospitable.

  “About the rest, I know you’re skeptical.”

  “I am,” Joey said, straightening. Sky returned to Becca and lay at her feet.

  “But we had such a nice chat the last time I was here. Is there no way we could be friends in spite of our differences?”

  Joey shifted her weight from one foot to the other, lost in those hazel eyes and the soft tug brought on by Becca’s bottom lip. The breeze caught her chestnut hair and tousled it. She wore a different jacket today, an army-green military-looking number that she rocked like no one else could.