I believe he doesn’t mean it in the way you think he does, Sweetling.
Ledger cast a sceptical glance in Thorn’s direction. There was an unmistakable confidence to Lane and the blessing of Fated mates was quite a rarity. Ledger had checked. Shifters rarely found a Fated mate. He was extremely lucky, and Ledger figured it had something to do with Thorn being a vampire, rather than a shifter. He had no actual way of confirming that when vampires weren’t particularly well known about—if at all!
“Thank you. I take it this isn’t your first visit to the winery?”
Lane grinned cheekily. “Not at all, I’ve been coming for years. We love to stay in one of the houses overlooking the vines for a mini break. So peaceful and beautiful here.” He sighed wistfully. “We don’t often get the opportunity with work pressures.”
Derick eyed his husband with what looked like worry before he returned his attention to Calvert, who was speaking to a woman dressed all in red, with jet black hair that swung around her shoulders as she chatted animatedly.
“Are you in a rush today?” Ledger asked, mind racing. Perhaps they could get the winery restaurant’s chef to cater a meal they could eat out in the courtyard. Ledger had noted the outdoor furniture that could easily be set up.
“No, we have drivers today so we can enjoy the wine tasting,” responded Lane, a light of interest in his gaze as he stared at Ledger.
“Well then, it is such a beautiful day, allow me to organise a lunch for after the tasting, out in the courtyard.”
“How lovely,” Lane glanced at the dark-haired man in jeans. “Did you hear that Silas? Can you spare some time from the ranch to have lunch with us?”
His grin was like Lane’s, and it was then that Ledger figured out the relationship between them. Lane and Derick had eight boys, some of which were adopted. Silas, the oldest, was divergent or so he’d read in the tabloids.
“Popi, you’re just looking for an excuse not to eat in the bunkhouse.”
Ledger wasn’t one for reading the tabloids, but it was hard not to know a little about Derick, who flouted society's expectations around divergent shifters and married Lane, who was also divergent. Every divergent, like Ledger, understood just how hard it was to stand firm under the pressure of society's beliefs about mating with divergents. What he hadn’t read was Silas owned a ranch in these parts.
Lane gave a snort of laughter, looking unrepentant. “Why, of course I am.” Father and son grinned at each other. “Who wants to be sat next to someone smelling of horses when I can sit outside surrounded by the sweetness of the vines?”
“I’m with Lane,” the beautiful, dark-haired woman said.
“I’d expect nothing less from you, Monica.” Silas glanced at Derick. “Looks like you won’t be able to make that hasty retreat to Hazardville before Popi bankrupts you with all his wine purchases, Dad.”
“I think we’ll survive.”
Ledger winked at Lane before he could reply. “You haven’t tasted the newest editions to the wine list yet.”
Derick groaned good-naturedly as he came and slipped an arm around Lane’s waist, revealing the difference in their sizes. “I’ve a feeling I’m about to be fleeced.”
Thorn smothered a chuckle, but he was laughing in Ledger’s head. “We’ll be kind.”
The snort Derick gave in response said he didn’t believe him.
“Shall we get started? I’ve got a cheeky red, full-bodied and sassy on the palate that I’m sure you’ll love.”
“Why, I do believe he’s talking about me,” Lane giggled, tugging Derick closer to the table.
“No…” Ledger gave Lane a thoughtful look, “I believe you’ll be our vintage Vaughn champagne. Exclusive, expensive, divine on the tastebuds and with enough fizz to brighten anyone's day.”
A deep, rumbly laugh got every head turning to Derick. Ledger noted a couple of shocked looks, suggesting Derick rarely laughed like this. “I think I’m going to have to buy every bottle because I don’t share.”
Everyone laughed, yet Ledger got the feeling Derick wasn’t joking.
Four hours later, he was proven right.
Chapter Six
Thorn
“It’ll be interesting to see what is in town,” said Ledger. “I hardly got the chance to look around when I arrived and I’ve been so busy. I can hardly believe I’ve been here for two months and not gone into Bayfield. Although, I probably won’t see much tonight when the plan is to head straight to Ranch Down.”
Thorn stared at Ledger’s naked back, a sinking feeling growing inside him at what his mate said. This conversation had started after Ledger had gotten out of the bath they’d been sharing. Thorn had ideas about how the evening was going to end, just not with Ledger going out—alone.
