A Kiss of Cabernet by Pamela Gibson

Author:Pamela Gibson
Language: ara, eng, eng
Format: epub
Tags: winery;Napa Valley;Catherine Bybee;Bella Andre;enemies to lovers;boss and employee;Kim Law
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Bliss)
Published: 2014-09-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“Barbera, with its hints of blackberry, is a perfect wine for a hearty pasta with sausage. Serve it at room temperature, and put a little in the sauce, as well as the cook.”

—from Paige Reynoso’s tasting notes

The heat was making clothes implements of torture. Paige carefully peeled off her jeans and put on a pair of shorts before driving into town. As much as she hated to confront her father, she was curious about what he knew about Jake. If there were rumors, she wanted to hear them. And if their relationship was worth repairing, maybe she needed to make the first gesture.

Tourists were out in force on the Silverado Trail, making progress frustrating as they slowed down to read signs leading to the string of wineries along the two-lane road.

Pulling into a modest neighborhood of older tract homes, Paige turned into the third driveway, parking under a large sycamore tree. Nicky ran out of the house to greet her.

“Aunt Paige, Aunt Paige. I hit a home run.”

He opened the door of her pickup before she could get out and threw his arms around her.

“That’s terrific, Nicky.”

“Can you come see me play Saturday?”

“Is yours the first or the second game?”

“The second.”

“Good. I won’t have to change my booth schedule.”

Extracting his arms from around her neck, Paige stepped out of the truck, and they walked together into the house. The smell of chocolate chip cookies made her mouth water. Nicky made a beeline for the kitchen.

“Hey, just one until after dinner, young man.” Paige’s mother was busy drying neatly stacked dishes. Watching her grandson carefully choose his treat, she shooed him out of the kitchen.

“Can you stay for dinner?”

“I’ll pass on tonight, but I’ll see you Saturday. I promised Nicky I’d go to his game.”

“I thought you were helping Mariel with her booth at the Harvest Fair?”

“I am, but my shift should be finished by then.”

“Here, take these cookies to your father. He’s been smelling them all morning. He’s in his study.”

The warmth of the cookies seeped through the plate as her mother placed it in her hands.

“Is he in a good mood?” She sounded like a teenager who had scratched the family car. Meetings with her father usually turned her backbone to jelly.

Mama’s tone was stern. “Your papa loves you. Never forget that.”

“I know. It’s just that he always makes me feel like I’ve been caught pilfering from the church poor box.”

She shook her finger under Paige’s nose. “He makes you feel guilty because you let him. Now go and take him his cookies.”

Paige opened the refrigerator and took out a diet soda, balancing the plate in one hand. She moved through the living room and entered her father’s study through the open door. He was hunched over a newspaper, muttering something.

“Sorry to interrupt. Do you want a soda or a beer?”

Her father shot her a glance, but didn’t greet her. He took a cookie and motioned to Paige to sit down. She chose the chair opposite his, setting the plate on the cluttered desk.

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