Straight Talk by Judith Keim

Author:Judith Keim
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Quail Publishing
Published: 2015-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

I awoke to the quiet murmur of voices in the kitchen, next to the guest room where I was staying. A sudden silence dragged on, erupting into soft groans. I pulled my pillow over my head, hugging tight, trying to drown out the sounds of Allison and Blake’s kisses. Even though the noises became muffled, nothing could erase the sensual images of me and Derek from my mind.

I sat up in bed and sighed. This kind of stuff had been going on for a few days. The guest house would be a far-better place for me. Allison and Blake needed their privacy, and I needed peace of mind.

Allison agreed to help me move into the white-shingled cottage that sat back from a narrow road not far from Allison’s house.

“You’re sure you want to do this?” she asked me, hoisting one of my suitcases inside the guest house doorway.

”It’ll be best for everyone,” I said. I’d had enough of their mushiness.

“Juan, our foreman, his wife, Maria and their family used to live here,” Allison said. “They left here a couple months ago. Their kids wanted to be closer to the town where they could participate in more school activities. Blake helped them buy a house and we took this over as a guest house for family and friends. But we were sorry to see them go. They were like family to us.”

She took my arm. “C’mon, I’ll show you around. I think you’ll like it.”

We walked from the front hallway through the living area to the large kitchen. It had been newly renovated. Cherry cupboards lined the walls and gray, granite countertops glistened above and around stainless steel appliances. I stood a moment, admiring it. A sliding door by the eating area opened onto a concrete patio edged with a variety of greenery, including herbs and flowers. Someone obviously had a green thumb. A much-used swing set stood in the corner of the large yard, and I imagined Juan’s children playing there.

“How many kids do they have?” I asked, curious about the family that meant so much to my sister and her husband.

“Two-plus kids–ages nine and six with another on the way.” A pretty flush colored Allison’s cheeks. She clasped my hands. “I wasn’t going to say anything just yet but I can’t wait any longer to tell you. Blake and I are trying for a family.”

“Oh, Allie, that’s wonderful.” I gave her a hug. “With you losing Daisy, I know how much this means to you.”

Her eyes glistened. “That’s a big part of it. I want to fill that void. Blake feels the same way.”

“I hope it happens soon.” I threw my arm over her shoulder, and we moved through the dining room and headed up the stairs.

Three bedrooms and two baths filled the second story. I chose to settle my things in the large corner bedroom where I had a nice view of the vineyard.

Allison stood beside me, looking out the window. “Funny, isn’t it? I never thought I’d end up here at a winery in California.

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