I narrowed my eyes at her. Her brows were raised with anticipation and I couldn’t resist answering her.
“You’ve been with me for more than a week. I’m sure you’re well aware of all my flaws and shortcomings.”
She smiled. “I know you’re stubborn, and exceptionally grumpy. You have no organizational skills, and you need a constant reminder that I am not going to break. I have yet to see any special talents, though.”
“My special talents are not appropriate to talk about with an employee.”
She let out a bark of laughter as her head fell back and I swore it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I wanted more of it. “Grouchy, did you just make a joke? Oh my god, is that a smile?”
“No.” I tried to school my face to get rid of the smirk I knew had formed. But my lips kicked up involuntarily.
Her eyes widened. “It is and you cannot get rid of it. This is the best day ever. I made the mean farmer man smile.”
Watching Rory doing a mini happy dance in the middle of a vineyard rated as one of my favorite things. I would do anything to have it be only me and her.
“Now you’re being ridiculous.”
Still, I loved the silly banter. The only other person I was that free with, was Calvin.
We’d reached the middle, and moved to the next row together, working side by side instead of from opposite ends.
“Anyway. I know you can herd cows and can more than handle yourself on a horse. Do you cook? Clean?”
Answering her seemed like the most natural thing in the world. “I stress clean. And I cook because I need to. Fixing engines is something I do in my spare time. Hate math, but I do love to read.”
“And the wings?” She gestured to my torso. “Your tattoos, I mean.”
“The wings I got for my mom and my brother. The eye on my chest is just symbolic. The compass is for my dad.”
Our conversation carried on for most of the night. Our words punctuated only by the snip-snip of the shears and rustle of the vines. We’d stopped for something to eat at around midnight. The wives of the farmhands had put out a decent spread and there was enough for everyone. Even some of the men around town who didn’t have much faith in Calvin, came to help.
It was nearly two in the morning when Calvin and his men had finished the south side and joined us in the last bit as we started to approach the centre rows.
Calvin and Allie had ended up in the same row as Rory and I. It was easy to tell we were all getting tired. Calvin and I hadslowed down, and the two women spoke even more to keep themselves awake.
Rory continued her questioning, wanting to get to know the other couple as well. Calvin, of course, was more than happy to indulge her.
“Then there's the story of the fence line at the western ridge.” Calvin looked up at me and smiled.
I knew the story well. It was not a time I wanted to repeat, but I was proud of how I handled it.
“What about the fence?” Rory’s frown darted between the two of us. “The one that looks different from the others?”
I was surprised she noticed.
Cal nodded. “That’s the one. Rafe won’t tell you, but we didn’t have two nickels to rub together a few years back, his dad was still around at the time. We built that ridge out of driftwood we hauled back up from the beach. I don’t think our backs have ever recovered.”
“Because wire cost money you didn’t have?” Rory’s face softened. She spoke to Calvin, but her eyes were on me.
Calvin shrugged at her observation. “Because selling the land was not an option. Rafe would rather bleed than sell.”
I swallowed at my friend’s announcement. He wasn’t wrong. I just didn’t realize I was quite so transparent. And I definitely wasn’t sure how I felt about him sharing that bit about me.
Still, it was not the first time we had helped each other during a difficult time, and it wouldn’t be the last. It was why I didn’t think twice about bringing my men and helping with the vines.
It was a little after four in the morning when Calvin cut the last bunch of grapes off the vine. The night had been long, but we managed to do what we set out to do. Ensured the grapes did not spend another day in the heat. Or turn to jam if we harvested during the day
Only once the flood lights were powered down and the last of the men had left, did I give in to the fatigue. I shoved the last metal drum into its space in the barn and walked out to find Cal and Allie talking to Rory.
