Entangled

by Melissa Brayden

Chapter Thirteen

  “I’m about to throw this book across the room,” Joey declared in fury. “That’s about to happen, so you better prepare yourself.” From her spot on the couch in the Big House, she sat with a book in her lap and her feet stretched out. It was Saturday morning, and though Joey needed to head over to the tasting room in just a few minutes, she couldn’t seem to stop reading this anger-inducing novel.

  “Oh, I know exactly where you are in the book,” Becca said with a grin and sipped her coffee from one of Joey’s oversized mugs. She had the day off and wore jeans and a long-sleeved white shirt, looking relaxed and beautiful and like she should always be in Joey’s kitchen without shoes.

  “This is not okay,” Joey said, holding up the book in outrage. “And Parker Bristow wants me to forgive this character? Not going to happen. Uh-uh.”

  “Keep reading. It just might.” Becca came around the kitchen counter to stand in front of the island. “You’re really cute when you’re outraged, though, which means I have to come over there and kiss you.”

  Well, that melted some of her ire, and Joey lifted her face to receive a kiss she’d actually been craving all morning. “That helps.” Joey softened all over. “I can get mad about a lot of things, you know. Downright furious,” she said sweetly.

  “Oh, I’ve seen it. You once got a whole town worked up about a new, very well-intended business.”

  “That place had it coming,” she said in jest, pushing herself off the couch and forcing herself to close the damn book. It was just after nine, and they’d open at ten for what she expected to be a busy Saturday. She wanted to chat with Gabriella about the day’s menu so she could market it to the guests. She also needed to make sure their guitarist had everything he needed. Heaters would need to be arranged and set up for those who opted to drink wine with a view. She loved the fancy new ones they’d recently put out with actual fire blazing inside.

  “Leaving me?” Becca asked.

  “I must.” She held out her arms. “People need wine. I must make sure they have it. You good?”

  Becca held up her own copy of Back to September, the Parker Bristow romance they were reading together. “Gonna find out how it ends if it takes me all morning.”

  “I’m more than a little jealous, except I’m not speaking to the author anymore, so never mind.”

  Becca laughed and stole Joey’s spot on the couch, looking more than a little cozy with the sun shining in on her through the large picture window that looked out on the vines. She seemed so at home in the Big House these days. They spent nights together lately more than they didn’t, and normalcy began to creep in. Joey now expected to see Becca in the bathroom as she got ready for the day each morning or sitting on the back deck admiring the vineyard with a glass of red after her workday. Often barefoot, which Joey never knew she found sexy until Becca Crawford walked into her life. Similarly, she’d spent a great deal of time at Becca’s place and was used to Skywalker’s constant presence at her side, Becca’s overly complicated coffeemaker, and the way Becca’s sheets smelled wonderfully like her.

  She grinned, walked to Becca, and kissed her good-bye, lingering an extra few seconds or so. “Will you be by later?”

  “Count on it. Gabriella is doing a breaded zucchini dish with this marinara dipping sauce with fresh parsley and extra garlic that I’ve been dreaming about since she mentioned it yesterday.”

  “Oh, that’s right.” Joey’s mouth watered. She loved waking up to the wonderful aromas coming from Gabriella’s mobile kitchen. She’d miss them once the restaurant went up, but maybe there was a compromise in there somewhere. The truck, Jolene, had the vineyard guests clamoring for small bites to go with their wine, and Gabriella seemed to have bonded with her. Maybe she didn’t have to go away entirely.

  “We’re putting the mulled wine on sale today, too,” Joey informed Becca as she grabbed her bag.

  Becca covered her eyes. “That stuff is highly addictive. Does it have to go away when the holidays end?”

  “Well, yes. Because half of the appeal is its scarcity any other time of year.”

  “It’s like you were born for business.”

  “Maybe I should open up a hotel,” Joey said, placing her forefinger against her cheek. “I’ll call it The Amethyst, and Marla—my assistant—and I will manage it.”

  “Don’t you dare. I don’t care how cute you are.”

  Joey blew Becca a kiss and headed off to work, content in the knowledge that there was so much to look forward to when they closed shop later that day. Her life was so very different than just six months ago, but she was learning to embrace the positive, casting out her fear of change.

  As she made the short walk in the frosty air to the tasting room, she shoved her hands into her pockets and looked up at the blue sky. “What do you think, Dad? Do you like her?” She shook her head and grinned. “I really, really do.”

  Later that afternoon, she ran into two more people who shared the sentiment.

  “Well, if it isn’t the Moon and Stars cowboys,” Joey said, as she walked down the bar and smiled at the boys. Damn, they were good-looking, but even more so when you realized how much good they did for animals. Getting to know Skywalker and how amazing he was really drove home the importance of their work. “I’m happy you stopped in.”

  “We heard the mulled wine was back, from Clementine at the Biscuit. We had some at the Wassail Fest last year and couldn’t resist a detour.”

  She smiled at their subterfuge. “It had nothing to do with Becca?”

  “We might be checking in on her a little bit,” Stephen said. Monty tried to nudge him subtly but Joey didn’t miss much.

  She grinned. “You’re scoping me out.”

  Monty held his thumb and forefinger a short distance apart.

  She laughed. “Fair enough. I’d probably do the same for my friend. But you guys know me.”

  Monty tilted his head from side to side. “We know Joey, local friend and neighbor, but now you’re Becca’s Joey.”

  “That’s different,” Stephen said. “We’re here to see that Joey Wilder.”

  Joey nodded. “Why do I feel like I’m on a job interview?”

  “You’re not in the slightest,” Monty said.

  “Just a little,” Stephen deadpanned.

  “I should have dressed nicer.” That earned her a laugh. “Want to do a tasting since you’re here anyway?” Any chance to pimp her wine.

  “How about two mugs of the mulled wine while we pepper you with questions?” Stephen asked, clearly the one leading the mission today. From outside, she could hear their guitarist strike up a rendition of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

  “Deal.” Joey poured their wine, then held out her hands and gestured toward herself, not quite sure what was about to come her way.

  “Are you in the market for love?” Monty asked.

  The couple next to them at the counter swiveled in interest. With all eyes in near proximity on her, Joey swallowed. “I wasn’t. I was actually just barely holding it together. I still feel that way when I look at all I have on my plate. But”—she shrugged—“Becca makes it all feel better, and I guess I want to see where that leads.”

  The men exchanged a glance and turned back, both dripping with sympathy.

  Joey regarded them. “Look, I didn’t mean for you to feel bad for me. I’ve had plenty of that in life already, and it’s my least favorite place to be.”

  “But we do feel awful for you. You’ve been through a lot,” Monty said.

  “But not enough to get out of questioning,” Stephen added, holding strong. It really was sexy the way his hair curled a little in front like Superman. She wondered how they could use these guys in ads for the vineyard someday.

  “I would never presume.” Joey held up a finger because another group of hers was mid-tasting and ready to move on to their next varietal. She quickly took care of the cheerful group from Seattle, who were staying at The Jade coincidentally enough, and
returned to Stephen and Monty.

  They jumped right back in. “What are your long-term goals?” Monty asked.

  Joey considered the question. “Well, I plan to run Tangle Valley Vineyard for the rest of my life. It’s my legacy, and the place on earth I love more than all others. Outside that, some people would call me a mess. I can admit to that. I lost my mother to illness when I was eight.” She felt the emotion begin to rise uncomfortably in her throat. She resisted it with all she had. “My fiancée ditched me for another woman, and the whole town watched with popcorn and whispers. And now my father is gone, too. Something I never saw coming.”

  “Who could have?” Stephen said, shaking his head.

  “Now, I have a lot on my shoulders. Becca Crawford didn’t show up at the most opportune of times, but I also think that might have been by design, you know?” Monty nodded as she pressed on, trying to explain something she wasn’t sure she understood herself. “I needed Becca, and in a way, I think she needed me, too.” She sighed. “But if you’re asking for guarantees about anything, I have to be honest and say I don’t have any, guys. I’m operating at a one-day-at-a-time kind of place in my life, and it’s all I can do. But I know this. She matters to me.” She made sure to look each of them in the eye. “I’m not playing around with her heart, or leading her on, or just out for a good time. I’m earnest, and I’m trying. I just don’t have all the answers.” She lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “I’m doing the best that I can.”

  When she finished, Stephen set down his mug, his eyes wide. “Well, that’s all any of us can do, right? I’m satisfied with that.”

  “Sweetheart, I don’t know you,” the woman from Seattle said, leaning over, “but I’d let my son date you in a heartbeat.” The woman pointed at Joey and went back to her glass.

  “Thank you,” Joey said, surprisingly touched by the show of support.

  Monty smiled at her warmly. “I think you’re good people, Joey. You two want to come over to our place for dinner next week?”

  She nodded and felt a smile blossom. Relief settled in her chest. She seemed to have passed the test. “I’ll bring the wine.”

  “What is happening over here?” Becca asked loudly, standing behind the cowboys. “A couple of ruffians show up, and you’re serving them?”

  “They mean business,” Joey said, pointing at them. “I got a good grilling on the side.”

  Becca exchanged a wide-eyed, apologetic look with Joey. The cowboys looked like they wanted to shrink into their hats that now resided in their laps.

  “Well, well. So this is what it’s like having surrogate brothers.”

  “That’s exactly it,” Monty said, seizing on the characterization. “We care, is all. About both of you now.” A pause. “We’re also nosy. I can admit that.”

  Becca put her arms around them. “I appreciate it, boys, but I think all is well. I’m a big girl.”

  “So am I,” Joey said. “Well, most of the time. If you’ll excuse me, I’m needed down the bar.” Seeing guests in need of assistance, she set out to pour. As she discussed the wine, she stole glances of Becca, Monty, and Stephen as they laughed and cheered with their mugs. She grinned. There was a fantastic food truck out front, new wine being processed several buildings down, and sun shining overhead. So why was Joey absolutely terrified?

  * * *

  “You’re quiet tonight,” Becca said, coming to stand behind Joey, who sat with a notepad at the kitchen table. She picked up a handful of Joey’s hair and let it gently fall back onto her neck.

  Joey dropped her head back and looked up at Becca with a soft smile. “Just trying to get some of my thoughts down on paper. We have a busy season ahead of us, and I don’t want the plans I have to fall by the wayside. We should start the building renovation in the spring if everything goes according to schedule. I’d also love to look at adding that second tasting room, but honestly? I don’t know that it’s a smart move given our balance sheet.” She shook her head. “Money’s tighter than I would have imagined.”

  “Does that have you concerned?”

  “Yes and no. I feel like the deal with The Jade is going to help a lot. At least, I hope it will.”

  “Oh, I think so. I’m just waiting on the go-ahead from corporate, and then we’re set to place an order officially. They’ll be hoping for special pricing and an agreement that spells out all the terms.”

  “I anticipated as much and can certainly accommodate.”

  Becca grinned. “Great. I’ll have Carla get with you about some marketing materials to promote the partnership, and then we’ll be off and running.”

  “You don’t know how happy that will make me. Once that first order is in hand, I’ll sleep easier.” Becca had given her a sample order sheet so Joey could understand what they’d be looking at from a numbers perspective, and honestly? It was a hefty number of bottles each month. Without this standing order, she’d be a little more concerned about the state of things. So much of the equipment at Tangle Valley was older, and it was only a matter of time before she’d have to make those replacements, and fast, too. She needed a financial cushion for those occurrences. Still…things were too tight for her comfort level.

  “Tell you what. I’ll see if I can move things along.”

  “You think they might think it’s a conflict of interest?”

  Becca nodded her understanding. “I disclosed our circumstances. I think they’re more interested in what makes sense for the resort.”

  Joey placed a hand over her heart. “Well, that’s a relief.”

  “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Tangle Valley is going to flourish.”

  She smiled at Becca, loving the sound of that. “From your lips.”

  Becca spent the evening working, and Joey did the same. She hadn’t been wrong, though. Joey was especially quiet, even when they’d set aside their work. “You sure you’re okay?” Becca asked. “Want some coffee or tea? A bath?”

  Joey shrugged. “No. Just missing my dad, I guess. Feeling it a lot today.”

  “Come here,” Becca said and raised an arm from her spot on the couch. Joey snuggled beneath it.

  “This is better,” Joey said. “I like that you’re able to do that for me. Calm my rocky seas.”

  “Oh, I’ll rock your seas,” Becca said, attempting to make Joey smile. Her payoff was small at best. She didn’t know what had Joey on edge, but it felt like more than she was admitting to. All Becca wanted was to take it all on herself. She held Joey tight, smoothed her hair, and kissed her temple. “I’ve got you,” she whispered.

  She did, too.

  The next morning, she placed a call to Maria Rubins, her VP, to see about the status of her vendor proposition for Tangle Valley. Maria had loved the concept when she’d first presented the idea of a partnership and had asked Becca to submit it in writing, which she had.

  “Yes,” Maria said, followed by the sound of paper shuffling. “I do have an update on that front. There were quite a few backs-and-forths about it in Orlando, but I think we’ve settled on a green light, only they did make the call to go with another vendor, Fable Brook. They’re almost as close as the vineyard you recommended, but they have broader national distribution, which means the guests will be able to find the wines when they go home.”

  Becca blinked, unsure what to say. “Oh. I’m not sure I would agree with that choice.”

  “Honestly, it was Craig in Dining’s call. He did some research on the various wineries in the area and felt Fable Brook was the best match.”

  “I’m unsure of that.” She’d heard Madison and Joey speak about the steps that Martin Hollis skipped in winemaking, all in favor of commercialization. Fable Brook seemed to lack personality. Hell, even their label was dull. Solid tan with a boring font. The tangled vines on Tangle Valley’s label were as eye-catching and memorable as the wine. She’d feel the same way even if she’d never met Joey.

  Maria continued, “And I appreciate you being forthco
ming about your relationship with the vineyard owner out there, and though I didn’t bring it up in our discussions, I think for appearances’ sake this might be a good pivot, Becca. You know? Between you and me, and I do consider myself your friend, you now can breathe easier about it looking like favoritism.”

  Becca nodded, hating every word. She had divulged her relationship with Joey to Maria because transparency was important to her. But Joey or no Joey, Tangle Valley was by far the better partnership. Their proximity alone was a no-brainer, the winery itself was the most picturesque of places to send their guests, but most importantly, their product put Fable Brook to shame.

  “I hear you, Maria. I do. I just wish I’d been consulted.”

  “I trust Craig on this. Give it time. If it doesn’t work out, the deal is up in two years, and we can take another look at things.”

  Becca placed her palm on her forehead. “So I suppose that’s it, then.”

  “I’m afraid so. While I have you, can we go over some of the plans for Christmas Eve?”

  “Of course.” But Becca had downshifted and had trouble concentrating on anything other than the blow that had just been dealt. She saw her mistake now, and it had been to tell Joey about the possibility before it was a done deal. She’d been so confident that corporate would agree with her that she’d taken that leap. How was she supposed to go back to Joey and explain that there would be no deal? Not only that, but that the deal was happening with one of her competitors instead. When the call ended, she placed the receiver on the cradle and leaned back in her chair, realizing that she had an entire day to get through now and somehow had to regain her focus. It haunted her, the knowledge that she’d have to carry this information home to Joey, so much so that she made up an excuse about a late-night-early-morning combo and stayed the night on her own. She felt sick to her stomach when she clicked the light off. Sky, sensing her unease, nuzzled her hand sweetly. “I’m an idiot,” she stated to him plainly. “A big one.”

  * * *

  The Scoot was fairly quiet when Joey found a spot at the bar, close to five that evening. Becca had canceled their plans due to an unexpected work commitment, but Joey had been primed to get out. Now that she was on her own, she decided to pay Patsy a visit and see what new beers she’d picked up. It was a hobby of Patsy’s to discover the new up-and-coming craft beers and bring back a case or two to sell at the bar before placing a larger order.