Page 38 of Taming I Do
CHAPTER 10
DELILAH
“Thank you so much.”I shook hands with the vineyard owners, then the head winemaker, then a whole slew of others whose names and titles had all jumbled together in my head. As long as I kept smiling, maybe they wouldn’t notice that I’d lost track of who did what and who was related to whom.
Jasper and I had been given the royal treatment: a full tour of the vineyard, a step-by-step walk-through of the wine-making process, and a private tasting of every varietal the small local vineyard produced. My cheeks hurt from smiling, and I might be just the slightest bit tipsy from all the wine. I’d tried to take tiny sips but didn’t want to offend anyone, so I’d tried a little sample of everything.
“Ready to go?” Jasper asked.
“I am.” I slid off the tall stool and grabbed the edge of the table to steady myself.
“You okay?” Immediately, he was by my side, his arm behind me.
“Of course. I’ve just been sitting for so long.” I summoned a reassuring smile.
“Okay.” He leaned close, his breath warm against my ear. “But maybe you want to take my arm on the way back to thetruck? Just in case two hours of sipping wine might have messed with your balance a bit?”
“I think that might be a good idea.” I wrapped my fingers around the arm he offered, grateful to him for not making a scene. Truth was, I wasn’t much of a drinker. A nice glass of wine every now and then or a fresh-squeezed vodka lemonade sometimes hit the spot. But I didn’t like to feel out of control, not when so many people were always watching. I’d seen pageant winners taken down for a lot less than a drunken night on the town. My reputation was everything, and with the cosmetics line coming out soon, Stella kept reminding me that my behavior needed to remain beyond reproach.
Jasper opened the truck door for me. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” I pulled my feet in as he closed the door behind me. Such a gentleman. He might live in the country, but he had better manners than most of the big-city men I’d gone out with. If only we lived a little closer, maybe I’d be willing to take a chance on the cowboy with the impeccable manners and the big heart.
He climbed into the cab and fired up the engine. “I hope you don’t mind, but while we were at the vineyard, I asked my dad to move your trailer over to our land.”
“What?” I clicked my seat belt in place and pressed on my stomach, which had started feeling a little woozy with that bit of news. “Why did you do that?”
His strong hands gripped the steering wheel, navigating the truck onto the two-lane road. “I think it’ll be safer having you parked close by.”
“You think someone put crickets in the camper on purpose?” I’d suspected as much, but who would have it out for me? So far everyone in town seemed happy to have me there.
“I’m not sure, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. I had them park it up by the main house.” He glanced over, his teethscraping against his lower lip. Made me think about how those full lips had claimed mine last night. Suddenly the intimate cab of his truck heated up. I lowered my window a crack, trying to get some fresh air.
“Thank you.” I met his gaze for a hot second, then looked away. At least I wouldn’t be sleeping at his place. If people found out I’d spent the night, no doubt the small-town gossip mill would start churning out the rumors. I might have spent most of my life in big cities, but the pageant community seemed enough like a small town that I could imagine how it would play out.
We didn’t talk much on the way back. By the time we reached his family’s home I was ready for a quick bite to eat and the chance to change out of my dress. My trailer sat in the shade of a giant tree, about a hundred yards from the house. Someone had set up a big umbrella and a few camping chairs outside the door.
“Did your dad do this, too?” I asked.
“That looks like my mom’s work. Don’t get me wrong, my dad’s a good one to have in a crisis, but he’s not used to hosting guests.”
“That was so sweet of them.”
“They’ve got their moments.”
“Is it safe to go inside? I’d love to change.” I was used to spending my days in heels, but trekking through the vineyard had taken a lot more effort than a typical meet and greet. A pair of flats and some jeans waited for me somewhere inside the trailer.
“Not yet. That bug bomb we set off said to keep the area clear for at least twenty-four hours.” Jasper came around to help me down from the cab.
I didn’t need assistance but still took his hand. “Well, shoot. Can I get a room at the hotel in town for tonight?”
He led me up the sidewalk and opened the front door. “I believe my mom took care of that, too. You’re bunking with Abby tonight if that’s okay with you.”
Bunking with his little sister? My heart skittered around in my chest like a pat of butter on a hot skillet. I swallowed hard. “I’d appreciate it.”
“Good. Let me show you where we put your things.” He gestured to the steps leading to the second floor. Jasper held out a hand and I took it, taking my time on the stairs.
We entered a long hallway at the top. Half a dozen doors sat on my right and another few on my left. He turned to the right. “Abby’s room is this way.”
