Chapter Two – Cassia
What was she doing?
The right thing, the voice in her head answered.
And the voice was right, she was sure it was. How could it be wrong when, from the first moment she saw the advert for a fresh start, she’d known it was the perfect job for her? After all, she dreamed of pairing delicious food with extraordinary wine. And the Thornberg Vineyard certainly produced some extraordinary wine. And she was more than ready for a fresh start filled with warmth, laughter, and lasting relationships. If those actually did exist. And she was not afraid of a little hard work and family chaos. And with any luck, this new job would help her recapture her sense of humor.
Or was she simply trying to convince herself that the universe had aligned the stars for her? That she was meant to be here, in Bear Creek, working at the Thornberg Vineyard?
When in reality she was running away.
Cassia mulled that thought over for a moment, her fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel.
No, she wasn’t running away from anything. Least of all her low-down, cheating ex-fiancé.
Instead, she was running toward something, a chance at a new start, in what promised to be her dream job.
Shifting in her seat, she glanced at her phone, where she’d saved the Thornberg Vineyard ad. Its whimsical phrasing still made her smile, something she had not done in weeks. “Seeking the Perfect Match.” A cheesy line to be sure—but it had caught her attention in the middle of a lonely night when picking up the pieces of her broken life had felt impossible.
The only strange thing about the ad was that she had to apply in person. There were no other contact details, no telephone number, not even a name. She’d been tempted to look up the number and call ahead, but what if it was a test?
And anyway, if the job was a bust, at least the change of scenery would do her good. And what scenery it was. The tallest mountains she had ever seen, with vibrant green forests and in the distance a silvery serpentine creek.
The kind of place where people set down roots and made a home.
All she had to do was convince the Thornbergs that she was the perfect person for the job. No doubt competition would be fierce for a position like this. But determination coursed through her veins…alongside the anxiety.
She’d found the ad by pure chance, but surely others had seen it, too. People with more experience, and better qualifications.
All she had to do was come up with a USP. Yeah. Easy. But despite the long drive, nothing had come to mind.
Cassia Harper was not unique in any way. At least, that was how she’d been left feeling after her rather dramatic breakup with Dante.
Goodness, even thinking his name made her skin crawl. The memory of finding him with her so-called best friend still haunted her. The image of their tangled limbs on the couch she’d picked out for their new apartment was forever burned into her brain.
Tears pricked her eyes, and her stomach clenched at the total humiliation she’d experienced at the hands of the two people she’d trusted the most—her husband-to-be and her maid of honor. She fought the urge to let fresh tears fall, reminding herself she’d cried too many already.
Cassia gripped the steering wheel tighter as she navigated the winding mountain road. But when the GPS announced she was just minutes from her destination, she blinked away her tears.
Goodness, hadn’t she’d shed enough of them already? Enough to last her a lifetime. Or two.
She rolled down the window and sucked in a deep breath of the mountain air. The scent of pine trees warmed by the summer sun drifted through the open window. Was it her imagination, or was the air sweeter up here?
Or was that the scent of a fresh start?
Damn, she wanted this job. But she needed to compose herself. Turning up at a job interview with tear-stained cheeks, red eyes, and a blotchy complexion was not the first impression she wanted to make.
No, she needed to appear sophisticated, calm, in control, and ready to conquer the world. Or at least, the menu for the new restaurant they were planning to open at the Thornberg Vineyard. She’d heard rumors some time ago that the family-run vineyard was thinking of expanding but as far as she knew that was all it was, a rumor. Until she saw the advert.
Cassia pulled onto a gravel drive, following a wooden sign that read Thornberg Vineyard in elegant, carved lettering. As she drove deeper into the property, the landscape unfolded around her. It looked just like it had in the article she’d read about the place. Rows of vines nestled against the backdrop of mountains, a hacienda-style house with terracotta walls and a red-tiled roof, and several outbuildings that hinted at the vineyard’s operations. One converted barn stood out—likely the proposed restaurant mentioned in the advertisement.
“Oh,” Cassia breathed, momentarily forgetting her nerves. It was perfect. The house, the location…everything seemed lifted from a dream.
But she shouldn’t get ahead of herself. She still needed to convince the owners to put their trust in her. All she needed was the opportunity to prove herself.
Cassia parked her car in a small lot to the side of the vineyard reserved for visitors. As she checked her reflection in the rearview mirror, she hoped that by the time she left, she’d be more than a visitor. She would be a part of this place.
She turned her head from side to side, not liking what she saw. Ugh. Red and blotchy. Oh well, there was nothing she could do about that now. She’d just have to dazzle the Thornbergs with her ideas for the new restaurant. Her fingers shaking slightly, she pulled a tube of concealer from her purse and dabbed at the worst of the blotches before adding a fresh coat of lipstick.
“You’ve got this,” she whispered to herself, smoothing down her white blouse and navy pencil skirt. Professional but not stuffy. Perfect for a vineyard interview.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car, instantly enveloped by the rich scent of earth and grapes. The vineyard smelled alive and vibrant, and she breathed it in, letting the freshness ground her.
She was going to do whatever it took to get this job.
Shielding her eyes from the sun, she turned in a slow circle, taking it all in.
“Can I help you?”
The deep voice startled her, and Cassia whirled around to find herself face-to-face with a man who seemed as much a part of this landscape as the mountains themselves. She recognized him from her research of the vineyard. This was Kris Thornberg, a master blender of fine wines.
And as handsome as hell. He was tall—easily over six feet—and broad-shouldered, with arms that looked well-used to physical labor. His dark hair was slightly disheveled as if he’d been running his hands through it, and his warm brown eyes regarded her with curiosity. No, not curiosity. Something more. Something deeper.
For a moment he robbed her of breath, but then she forced a bright smile. “Hi, I’m, um…Cassia? I answered your ad for the new restaurant?”
Confusion flickered across his features, but the warmth of his faint grin made her knees wobble, anyway. He tugged his brows together. “A…new restaurant, you say?”
Cassia hesitated, a jolt of apprehension spreading through her. She got the distinct impression he had no idea what she was talking about. She forced a polite laugh, trying to hide her fears. “Yes, the…the one at Thornberg Vineyard? With the job listing for a sommelier? I came all this way for an interview… It said to apply in person, so here I am.”
Kris’s expression shifted into something akin to recognition, then mild panic. He swallowed hard, and Cassia’s stomach twisted. She’d made a terrible mistake and if she didn’t act fast, she was going to make a fool of herself. And worse, if this got out, it could dent her reputation. Just as Dante had dented her pride and self-respect.
Her instincts screamed at her to turn on her heel and run back to her car. But the sight of the vineyard, the quiet openness of the land, and the tinge of vulnerability in Kris’s gaze anchored her in place.
She was not going to run anywhere.
“Yes.” She nodded slowly. “I do have the right place, don’t I? The sign said Thornberg Vineyard.”
He nodded, still looking more than a little bewildered. “It is.”
“Okay.” She dug a hand in her purse and pulled out her phone. “And this is your ad.” She held out a screenshot of the ad.
“Oh.” His eyes widened. “ That ad.”
How many other ads were there for this job? Cassia tensed her jaw. This was not going well. Not well at all.
But then his expression cleared, and he smiled, shaking his head as if he’d just figured something out. “I’m Kris. Kris Thornberg.” He extended his hand. “My brother put that ad up. I’m sorry for the confusion. I didn’t realize he’d actually posted it yet.”
“Oh.” Cassia’s face turned red with embarrassment when a surge of electricity traveled up her arm as she slipped her hand into his. He tightened his grip on her hand, and she was sure he felt it, too, like they had an instant connection. “So you’re not hiring?” she asked when she finally got control of herself.
His eyes held hers for a moment longer than necessary, and something unfurled in her stomach. Longing. “Hiring? Oh, hiring. We are. Definitely. Just…” He glanced toward the main house. “The timing’s a surprise. My brother tends to jump the gun sometimes.”
Relief washed through her. “So I didn’t drive all this way for nothing? I was worried since the ad said to apply in person, which is a little on the odd…side.”
She had just called Kris Thornberg, the man she hoped would be her boss, odd. Good start, Cassia!
“No, ma’am.” The corner of his mouth quirked up. “Though I should warn you, the restaurant’s still more concept than reality at this point.”
Cassia couldn’t help but notice how his accent deepened when he said “ma’am,” a gentle drawl that hadn’t been there before. It was…charming.
“I don’t mind a challenge,” she said, lifting her chin slightly. “Actually, I prefer it.”
Something flickered in his eyes. Approval perhaps, or maybe even a hint of admiration.
She squared her shoulders, hoping to exude confidence she didn’t feel. “Could we talk about the position?” she asked. “If it’s still available?”
Kris’s lips parted, and for a moment, she thought he might say no or maybe laugh at her. Instead, he nodded slowly. “Yes. Of course. This way.” His voice held a tentative kindness that made her heart skip despite the confusion.
Clutching the folder containing her ideas a bit tighter, Cassia followed behind Kris as he headed off between a row of vines. Something definitely felt off here, but this was her best shot at a fresh start.
“I hope this isn’t an awkward time,” she said, hurrying to keep up with him. “I know you must be very busy.”
“No, it’s…” Kris ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not your fault. There’s just been…some confusion. That’s all.”
But there was no confusion about the effect Kris had on her. As they passed through the rows of vines, Cassia had to force herself not to stare at him. He moved with the ease of someone completely at home in his surroundings. His broad shoulders shifted beneath his worn flannel shirt, and despite her determination to stay professionally focused, she found herself appreciating the view.
But then they left the vines behind, and he led her to a large rustic-looking building she recognized as the place where Kris Thornberg works his magic . At least that was the caption in the magazine article. And boy, she would love for him to work his magic on her!
“Come on in.” Kris pulled open the door to the tasting room and held it for her.
“Thanks,” she squawked as she stepped inside and was greeted by the sight of large casks of wine, barrels lining the walls, and the rich, woody scent of fermenting grapes that filled the air. The space was rustic yet elegant, with exposed beams overhead and wide windows that bathed everything in golden afternoon light.
“This is beautiful,” she said, turning in a slow circle to take it all in.
“Thank you.” Pride warmed his voice. “The vineyard has been in my family for generations.”
Cassia nodded, noticing the framed photographs on one wall—black-and-white images of men who shared Kris’s strong jawline and broad shoulders, standing among rows of young vines. “Your grandfather started it?”
“Great-great-grandfather, actually.” Kris moved to stand beside her, close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him. “But my family settled here when the town was first founded.”
Their eyes met, and for a moment, Cassia felt as if she were falling into those warm brown depths. She quickly looked away, reminding herself why she was there. This wasn’t a date, it was a job interview. For a job that might not even exist.
“So,” she said, clearing her throat. “About the sommelier position...”
Kris winced slightly, his broad shoulders tensing. “Right. About that.” He gestured toward a small table in the corner of the tasting room. “Why don’t we sit?”
Cassia followed him, her heart sinking with each step. This wasn’t going well at all. The job she’d pinned her hopes on—her escape from heartbreak and humiliation—seemed to be evaporating before her eyes.
“So,” Kris began as they settled into their seats, “we’re still very much in the planning stages of the restaurant. I guess the idea is to showcase our wines with proper food pairings.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Cassia offered, trying to keep her voice steady.
“It is. It does. In theory.” Kris’s voice trailed off.
“Oh.” Cassia’s hopes dimmed further. “So you don’t need me.”
“Oh, I do. We do!” Kris replied quickly. “We definitely need someone with your…expertise. The timing’s just a bit...premature.”
She studied his face, searching for any hint of deception, but found only genuine embarrassment. “When were you planning to open?”
“Oh.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “No fixed date. Not as yet.”
“You really didn’t know your brother posted that ad, did you?” she asked, hitching her purse on her shoulder as she eyed the door. Maybe she should make a dignified exit for both their sakes.
A rueful smile crossed Kris’s face. “No, Cassia. I did not.”
“Then I should go. I’m sure we both have better things to do.” Although that was a lie. She had nothing else to do. She hadn’t realized until this moment just how much she had pinned her hopes on this job.
“No, Cassia. I don’t,” Kris said, as if he mirrored her thoughts. Then he leaned forward, his voice low. “Do you believe in fate?”
“Fate?” she asked, looking into his dark brown eyes.
“Yes.” He nodded.
Was he saying what she thought he was saying? That it wasn’t an accident she’d seen the ad? That they were meant to meet?
“I...” Cassia hesitated, uncertain how to respond. After Dante’s betrayal, she’d sworn off romantic notions like fate and destiny. And yet, sitting across from this man in this beautiful vineyard, she couldn’t deny the strange pull she felt. “I’m not sure what I believe anymore.”
Kris nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. “Fair enough.” He leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Look, I won’t pretend this isn’t awkward. But since you’ve come all this way, why don’t I show you around? Give you a proper tour of the vineyard. Explain what we’re trying to build here.”
Hope flickered within her. “So, there might still be a position?”
“Yes,” he said with quiet certainty.
“Then I might just become a believer,” she replied with a smile.
“When I have shown you everything,” he began, “I know you will.”