“To finding the formula,” I said, raising my glass.
She touched hers to mine. “To finding the formula.”
We drank, and I watched her close her eyes as the wine hit her tongue. She’d always done that, ever since we were teenagers sneaking tastes during harvest. Like she needed to shut out the world to really focus on what she was drinking.
“This is incredible,” she said.
“Wait until you try the food.”
Eberly had outdone herself. There was duck confit with roasted root vegetables, a salad with figs and goat cheese tossed in a citrusy dressing, and fresh bread that was still warm. All of it was perfect, so much better than if I’d taken her to a restaurant in town.
We ate in silence for a few minutes. Saffron spoke first.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Your shoulder.” She gestured at it. “How bad is it? And don’t give me the line about how it’s getting better. I want the truth.”
I set my fork down and flexed my arm instinctively. “Bad enough that I can’t compete this year. Maybe not next year either.”
“That must be killing you. Rodeo is?—”
“Was,” I corrected. “Rodeowasmy life.”
Her brow rose. “Was?”
“I was thinking about retiring long before I was injured.”
“Did Kick know?”
I shook my head. “That was the hard part. We’re a team. I’m the header, he’s the heeler. You don’t just go out and find a roping partner. It takes years to get as in sync as we are.”
“Won’t you miss it?”
“I’ve thought about it long enough to know I won’t.”
“I never thought I’d hear you say that.”
I chuckled. “Me either, but like with any professional sport, you age out quick.”
“Men older than you compete.”
I nodded once. “Men older than me might not have as good a reason to stay home as I do.”
Her doubtful expression ate at me, but the only way I knew to convince her I meant it, was by doing it.
She took another sip of wine, her gaze never leaving my face. “What will you do instead?”
“Stay here. Work the winery. Actually learn the business side instead of just showing up for harvest and then disappearing again.” I paused, then rested my elbows on the table. “Build something that lasts.”
“With your brothers.”
“Not just them…” I stopped myself before I could finish that thought.Maybe with you.
It was too much, too soon.
But she was watching me like she could read my mind anyway. “Who else?”
