“Welcome to the vineyard, both of you,” Sarah says brightly. “We’re so happy to have you here.”
“Nice to meet you, Sarah. And who’s this little cutie?” Axel leans in, gently tickling Olivia’s chin, eliciting a delighted giggle from the baby.
“This is Olivia, and it’s nearly time for her lunch. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll head inside and put the kettle on.”
Rick picks up a stick for the dogs. I’m tempted to tell him they’ll never leave him alone if he throws it, but I’m too late. He tosses the stick and the endless game of fetch starts.
I turn to Axel. “What brings you to the vineyard?”
He picks up my hat, whacking it against his leg to get off the dust before plonking it on my head, and chuckles. “To see you again.”
Duh!What was I thinking? That he stopped in to buy a bottle of wine?
“Well, I’m glad you came,” I say, holding his gaze. “I’ve missed you.”
He reaches out, fingers grazing my cheek. I lean into the touch, allowing myself a moment to simply enjoy being close again.
The dogs bark, and I turn at the noise. Rick is grinning from ear to ear. He tosses the stick one last time and the dogs race off.
Eventually, we make our way inside the homestead and to the kitchen, where Olivia sits happily in her highchair as Sarah feeds her sandwiches. As they take seats around the worn wooden table, I busy myself at the counter, firing up the coffeemaker and pulling out mugs. “How do you take it, Rick?” I ask over my shoulder.
“White is great, thanks,” he replies. There are shadows beneath his eyes, a certain weariness to his face that seems out of place for his age. He could definitely use some R&R.
“One white coffee, coming right up. Axel, black for you, right?”
“You know it.” Axel smiles and I feel a silly burst of happiness that I know how he drinks his coffee.
“And tea for you, Sarah,” I say, turning back to the coffee machine.
Soon I’m placing steaming mugs and a plate of biscuits on the table, and sliding into the chair next to Axel.
“So, Rick and I decided it was a great idea to take a trip together, get away from the city for a while,” Axel says. “I think a break will do us both some good.”
“That sounds fun,” I say. “Where are you going?”
Axel traces the rim of his mug. “Somewhere quiet. We thought it’d be nice to see some of the countryside.”
Rick shifts in his seat, his gaze fixed on the floor, then looks up. “I’ve been going through a rough patch lately, and Axel suggested a change of scene might be a good idea.”
I know how tough he’s had it and my heart goes out to him, but I also admire the fact that he’s owning his problems.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Sarah chimes in. “Sometimes, all we need is a little time away to clear our heads and find our footing again.”
Rick’s shoulders relax, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Axel thought we might do some bushwalking, and some fishing or maybe even some horse riding.”
“Oh! You ride?” Sarah asks.
“No.” Rick shakes his head. “But I’d like to. At least I think I’d like to. I’ve never been on a horse.”
“We don’t have horses here,” Sarah says. “We get around the property in the Gator.”
“What’s a gator?” Axel asks.
Sarah launches into an explanation of the off-road utility vehicles that we use for work, and how we also have a couple of ATVs.
As the conversation flows, I steal glances at Axel, still trying to come to terms with the fact that he’s here, sitting at the kitchen table. After we finish our coffee, I put the mugs in the sink then hold my hand out to Axel. “Want to take a walk? I can show you around the vineyard.”
He grasps my hand without hesitation. “I’d love that.”
