Chapter 12 Kinley
“You’re a weird boss.”
We were driving back to the house now. I was feeling oddly comfortable with Wyatt and decided to tease him.
He glanced at me before focusing back on the road. “Why?”
“Because you care,” I replied simply.
“You’ve known me for a week, Kinley. I might be a brute next week. You know, a Jekyll and Hyde sort of guy.” He was smiling now.
“Maybe. But I saw the way you are with the employees you have here. You know everyone’s families. You don’t mind that Jay had to rush out because his boy hurt himself at soccer.”
“He needed to take him to the doctor. How could I say no?”
“There are plenty of bosses who wouldn’t hesitate to say no.”
He shook his head. “Well, not in my company, and not even within Sterling Investments. Everyone deserves respect. Emergencies happen.”
“I wish more employers would see things that way.”
We arrived home half an hour later. I shivered as we headed inside.
“Go take a hot shower. I’ll get your stiff drink ready,” Wyatt said.
I bit the inside of my cheek. It was on the tip of my tongue to make fun of his bossiness, but I didn’t because it sounded like a very good idea. I certainly didn’t want to get sick.
“Yes, I will,” I said in a mock-serious tone.
His eyes flashed. He opened his mouth, but instead of saying anything, he just glanced down, then shook his head.
Hmm. I wondered what was going through his mind, but I didn’t push.
Instead, I headed straight to the shower.
I took off my dress and immediately jumped in, turning the water as hot as I could bear.
This was just what I needed. I’d been leaving my shampoo and shower gel in here instead of carting everything back and forth from my bedroom.
I shampooed my hair twice—I wanted to make sure I got all of that pond water out—then put plenty of conditioner in.
I closed my eyes, letting the water run over me. Showering was my daily spa. My water bill was higher than that of my sister and niece, but what could I say? I was like a duck in the water—shower water that was, not ponds or lakes.
After I finished, I quickly blow-dried my hair.
Since it wasn’t overly thick, it typically took me no time at all to get it dry.
The benefit of not having lots of hair. After I put a fresh dress, I glanced in the mirror.
I felt so much better. The chill was gone, and I didn’t feel like I might get sick anymore.
And I had a cozy evening with Wyatt to look forward to. I’d secretly wished for this every day, but we’d gone out with the team to various eateries in the area, so we hadn’t had the opportunity.
When I stepped out, Sage and Wyatt were chatting at the kitchen counter. There was a pot of stew on the table.
“Hey, Sage,” I greeted her.
“Why, hello, hello. How are you feeling?” Concern was etched on her face.
I stared at Wyatt. “You told on me.”
He held his hands up in defense. “She asked how the paddleboarding went. I just told the truth.”
“I don’t know who does that for fun,” Sage said. “That pond somehow never gets warm.”
“I know, right?” I said, happy someone got it. “I assumed it would be much warmer, especially with a wetsuit on.”
“Anyway, you’re lucky.” She pointed to the huge pot on the table. “I made enough stew for fifty people—I swear I have no idea of portion size—so have at it.”
“Why did you cook so much?” I asked.
“I got used to making huge portions back when my parents were still with me.”
Oh, damn.
“Now I freeze the leftovers,” she continued. “Then, when I’m in the mood for this particular dish again, I just take it out of the freezer.”
“That’s smart.”
I always found cooking for myself a hassle. I lived on salads, cold cuts, and the occasional stir-fry, but I rarely made pot roasts or stews.
“You want to eat with us?” Wyatt asked her.
“No, thank you. I had dinner about an hour ago. You know I like to go to sleep with the chickens and wake up with them too. You two have fun. I also brought a bottle of my favorite whiskey.”
I glanced at the counter and grinned. “A whole bottle.”
“Hey, you don’t have to drink it all up, but I’m just saying, I like Johnnie Walker better than Tylenol.”
Wyatt and I burst out laughing.
“All right, have fun, you two,” Sage said before leaving the cabin.
Wyatt started pouring whiskey into two glasses. “Tell me how much you want.”
He had ice cubes in his, but there were none in mine.
“Um, that’s enough,” I said after he’d poured about two fingers. “That’s a lot, isn’t it? Not sure how to evaluate it without ice.”
“It’s a decent portion.” After he handed me the glass, we clinked them.
“Cheers,” I said. “To trying out new things. I’m never paddleboarding again.”
He flashed me a completely adorable smile. What was it with this man and his smiles? His joy was contagious. He made me happy.
“Fair enough.”
We grabbed two plates and cutlery and sat down at the table.
“Do you often do team-building events with your employees?” I asked.
“No. I got lazy over the years. But maybe you and I can think of some things we can incorporate.”
You and I. That phrase had so much potential.
“Sure. I’ll think about something once I get to know everyone better.”
I put a generous portion of stew on my plate.
“I love that we have something warm to eat.”
He nodded. “That was my thinking too. I asked Sage if she had soup or something, and then she gave me this whole pot of stew.”
“I thought she’d want to eat with us.”
“She wasn’t kidding. Sage really does eat early. She has her own schedule.”
I took a sip of the whiskey before I dove into my food, and it had the desired effect. It definitely warmed me up.
“What an unusual recipe. It’s so good!” It was a mix of coq au vin and Southern spices.
Wyatt took a few mouthfuls, nodding. “Sage is a fantastic cook.”
“You’re thinking about the B&B, aren’t you?” I asked him.
He grinned. “How’d you guess?”
“She would thrive managing it, and then the winery could also serve as a destination. I mean, Napa is full of winery tours and such.” I was thinking out loud. “I can work up a cost estimation once we’re back in the office.”
Wyatt narrowed his eyes. “I’d rather you focus on the distribution. A B&B would be secondary.”
“All right. The boss’s wish is my command,” I replied, then cleared my throat and took another sip of whiskey. Damn, that had sounded a bit too flirty.
It was so easy to forget that Wyatt was my superior and responsible for my paycheck. Being with him was like hanging out with a friend, tossing around ideas.
A very smart and hot friend, a nagging voice said at the back of my mind.
I focused on my plate and ate quickly. I was starving. Once I finished my stew, a yawn escaped me. The exertion from the day was starting to catch up with me.
“I’m more tired than I thought,” I admitted.
“It’s been an eventful evening,” Wyatt said.
“For me,” I joked. “For you, it was just boring. You didn’t manage to paddleboard at all.”
“I had fun, though. I like that you’re determined.”
“Determined to make a fool of myself, that is,” I chuckled. “The thing is, I do like to try new things. I’m just not very good at them.”
“You’re a breath of fresh air, Kinley.”
“I could say the same about you.” Then a thought hit me. “Oh, I forgot to ask Sage about that dinner in the vineyard.”
“She couldn’t find anything. I spoke to her this morning.”
“Oh.” I pouted.
Why was I pouting in front of my boss? It was very unprofessional, and I wasn’t even tipsy.
I yawned again and got up from the table with my plate. “That’s okay. I’ll look something up for next time I’m here.”
Wyatt came with me, bringing his own plate.
There was no dishwasher, so I began washing mine by hand.
I grabbed his plate without even asking.
Our thumbs touched, and then I accidentally leaned too much into him, and the side of my body brushed his.
The brief contact made me feel even hotter than when I’d downed the whiskey.
An image flashed through my mind. What if this was our home and we did chores like this together?
Where on earth did that thought come from? I had no idea and quickly shook myself out of it.
“What’s wrong?” Wyatt asked.
“Huh?” I replied as I turned off the faucet.
He dried the plates with a dishcloth. “You shook your head.”
I swallowed hard. “Just stuff,” I said.
I was so proud that I wasn’t stuttering. My mind was getting me into trouble.
He cocked a brow but didn’t press. I was super grateful for that because I couldn’t come up with anything clever when I looked into those bold blue eyes.
I yawned again and said, “I think I’ll go to bed. Probably won’t be able to fall asleep, but I’ll look up some clothes for Emily.”
“You shop for her a lot?” Wyatt asked.
“Yes. She loves the clothes I pick out for her. My sister is a bit jealous, but she lets me have my fun with her daughter.”
“I’m going outside with another glass of whiskey.” He looked at me intently. Was it my imagination, or did he lean in? He certainly was closer than before. Oh God. What if I was the one who leaned in? I was all over the place this evening. “If you change your mind, you can always join me.”
I swallowed hard and gave him a quick nod. “Thanks, but I don’t think I have it in me tonight.”
“You sure you’re feeling okay?”
“Yes, just tired.” I yawned and then added, “By the way, I’m taking you out Sunday evening. Something to help wind down before we head back on Monday”
I had no idea where that suggestion came from, but I felt very confident about it.
Wyatt immediately straightened up. Huh, so he had been the one who leaned in.
“No can do.”
“Oh.” My stomach dropped with disappointment. “I just figured I’d do something nice for you, since you’ve been showing me around. But if you already have plans...”
“I do have plans. With you.”
I blinked. “I don’t understand.”
“I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“What is it?”
He laughed. “That’s not the point of a surprise.”
“True. But really, I want to do something in return for all you’ve done for me.”
“Kinley, I’m your boss,” Wyatt said. “It’s my duty to make someone new feel comfortable with my team and with me.”
His words were like a whiplash. That’s right, Kinley. He’s your boss. Nothing more.
“Well, all right, fabulous boss. Then I’m very much looking forward to the surprise you have for me. Are the others joining us too?”
“No, it’s just going to be the two of us.” The twinkle in his eyes was delicious.
I felt certain parts of my body tingle that had no business tingling.
I turned around and headed to my room. Something had shifted between us today, and I couldn’t quite explain it to myself. But I knew it was wiser to stay in my room for the evening rather than joining my boss on the porch swing to enjoy another drink.
Who knew what might happen.