Chapter Twelve – Cassia
Cassia slid her phone into her jacket pocket, the residual tension from that call still buzzing through her veins.
Dante’s timing could not have been worse. Kris had been about to share something with her, something that was obviously important to him. Something he was willing to trust her with.
But now the moment had gone. Ruined by Dante.
Just as he’d ruined so much else in her life. Did that mean she had already made her decision? That there was no way back?
For so long, all her plans, hopes, and dreams were tied up with her relationship with Dante. When he’d asked her to marry him, it was like a dream come true.
As a child, she’d always fantasized about getting married. Of walking down the aisle with the man of her dreams waiting for her, ready to promise her forever.
If she rejected Dante now, would she ever get the chance again?
Or was that just her mother’s voice in her head?
Cassia was suddenly aware of Kris watching her, his expression pained.
Of course, it was pained. When he’d come to talk to her tonight, he could never have expected to get caught up in her messy drama.
Yet here he was, his expression filled with concern for her.
Or was it a concern for his business? He must have heard at least some of the conversation. Now he must be worried he’d made a mistake taking a chance on her. After all, until she’d arrived in town after seeing that stupid advert, the vineyard restaurant was on the back burner. Now he’d persuaded his family to move forward with the plan.
Was he thinking he’d made a mistake putting his trust in her?
“Come on,” Kris said and guided her back toward the trail. “Let’s get you back.”
She didn’t argue. Although she’d said she’d go back to the guest house alone, as her mind cleared, she remembered where she was. In a forest on a mountain. A mountain where bears, wolves, and mountain lions lived. It was no place to be wandering around alone. Especially at this hour.
“Thanks,” she said, not trusting herself to say more, even though thanks seemed totally inadequate.
“No trouble at all,” he assured her as they set off toward the guest house.
“Sorry,” she murmured, guilt threading into her voice. “You were about to tell me something, then I—then my phone rang, and I basically shut you down...”
Kris gave a small shake of his head. “It’s okay. It can wait.” He winced slightly as if remembering how close they’d come to him revealing…something. She still didn’t know what, exactly, but clearly it was big. “And if you need to talk, I’m here.”
Cassia had never been good at sharing her innermost thoughts. After she’d found out Dante was cheating on her, he’d called her a closed book.
An accusation that had stung because there was some truth to it. She didn’t find it easy to open up, to let people in. But right now, even though she barely knew Kris, she found herself wanting to share.
“My ex-fiancé, Dante, called,” she said, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. “We were engaged until I found out he was cheating on me with my best friend. That’s why I left... That’s why I came here.”
Kris’s footsteps faltered slightly on the path beside her as she felt him tense. “I’m so sorry.”
“He wants me back,” she continued, her voice hardly more than a whisper. “Says he made a mistake.”
“Do you want him back?” Kris asked, his voice carefully neutral.
Cassia considered the question. Just a few weeks ago, she might have said yes without hesitation. But now...
“I don’t know,” she admitted. “Part of me does. I mean, for the last couple of years, our lives have been intertwined. You know?”
“Yes,” he said hoarsely.
Had she caused some past memory of a bad relationship to surface? Or worse, had he lost the love of his life?
She hated the idea of anything causing him any pain.
“Sorry, you don’t need to hear my troubles,” she said and stared straight ahead into the gathering darkness.
“Your troubles are my troubles,” he said, his tone lighter, but there was an undercurrent of something deeper beneath it. Then he added, “While you’re working at the vineyard, your happiness is important to all of us.”
She glanced at him, trying to read his expression in the gathering darkness. Was he simply being a good employer? Or was there more behind his words?
“I appreciate it,” she said. “And it won’t affect my work. I promise. I’m just…reeling. One phone call, and suddenly my ex is begging for me back, wanting to fix everything. As if it never happened.” A bitter note tinged her laugh. “But it did happen. He cheated, and now I’m supposed to act like it’s all forgivable? That’s the part that kills me.”
A hush stretched between them as Kris tightened his jaw and his eyes flashed with something primal. Something that sent a shiver down her spine. Not of fear. She doubted she could ever fear this man.
It was more of a thrill. As if an instinctual part of her was reacting to him.
Yet when he spoke, his tone was gentle. “You said you needed space, right? Then that’s exactly what he should give you. If he truly loves you, if he’s truly sorry, he’d respect your time to heal. And your choice. Because you don’t owe him anything just because he suddenly realized his mistake.”
“That’s…exactly what I said,” she replied, her breath wavering as a potent mix of emotions pulsed through her. Pain and anger, and also a flicker of relief that Kris understood. “I guess I never realized he might come crawling back. And ironically, I was afraid maybe I was jumping into something else too fast.” She hesitated, glancing toward Kris, but he didn’t flinch. “I mean, with the restaurant,” she added hastily, “not…well, you know.”
He nodded. “I get it. You’re second-guessing yourself.”
Cassia let out a shaky laugh. “You have no idea. A couple of days ago, I was in a city apartment, feeling like my world was caving in. Now I’m on a mountain, planning a restaurant with a family I’ve only just met, and I’m…enjoying it more than any job I’ve had before.” Her voice caught. “It makes me think maybe I’m just on the rebound. That I’m only throwing myself into this because I’m scared to be alone, or because I’m angry at him. And that’s not fair to your family, or you.”
She’d braced for Kris to look crestfallen, but his expression softened with empathy. “I can’t speak for your ex, but I know my family is happy you’re here. And me…” He trailed off, pushing a pine branch aside for her to pass. “I’m…happy, too.” He paused and then added, “That doesn’t mean you owe us your future.”
Cassia’s throat tightened at the earnestness in his tone. Yet she got the feeling that it was exactly what she owed him. Because her future was here with him. It was a done deal.
But she could not trust her feelings. Not when they were so heightened after the phone call. As for Kris, he was simply being kind.
Or maybe he was simply trying to persuade her to give herself time, give herself two weeks to think things over because that’s what he needed from her.
Two weeks to plan the menus for the vineyard restaurant. Two weeks to fulfill the bargain they’d struck.
“You make it sound so simple,” she whispered. “But I’m still terrified of making a mistake.”
“Then let’s keep it professional, like you said.” He paused, letting the words sink in. “You commit to the restaurant at least for the two-week trial. We get the opening off the ground. After that…well, hopefully, you won’t vanish on us. But if you do…” He let out a ragged breath. “We’ll deal with it then.”
She was right. This had everything to do with the restaurant. How foolish she had been to think otherwise.
When he’d brought her up here to talk about his family being different, his big secret was probably to do with the Thornberg wine. Some secret blends they used. Or something unique about the barrels they used.
She swiped at a stray tear that threatened to escape. “Right, yes. The two-week trial. As we agreed,” she repeated. “As for afterward, it’s not that I will leave you high and dry. But realistically, once the restaurant is open, and the menu is set, you might not need me.” She forced a weak smile. “A pairings consultant can swing by once a month, update a few items…that’s all.”
A subtle crease appeared on Kris’s brow. “We’ll always need you,” he said, so quietly she almost missed it. Then, as if catching himself, he cleared his throat and added in a more pragmatic tone, “I mean, your expertise. But yes, if you wanted to scale back, that’s your call.”
Her heart squeezed painfully. He said he’ll always need me. The way he looked at her…made her want to believe that their connection was more than a rebound, more than a fleeting comfort. But then she remembered her ex’s words: You’re the only woman I want.
She’d heard it all before. Where had it led?
To pain and heartache.
They crested a small rise in the trail, and the lights of Bear’s Rest Guest House came into view through the trees. Cassia’s steps slowed. She didn’t want him to leave. She didn’t want to be alone with her thoughts. She would never have guessed, when they set off on their walk to talk, that things would have turned out this way.
Side by side, they walked silently toward the guest house. The evening air had grown cooler, and Cassia pulled her jacket tighter around herself, feeling the chill seep deeper than her skin.
When they reached the porch, Kris hesitated, his large frame silhouetted against the warm glow from the windows. “Will you be okay?” he asked, his deep voice gentle in the darkness.
Cassia nodded, not trusting herself to speak. A part of her wanted to ask him to stay, to talk more, but the rational side of her brain knew that would only complicate things further.
“Thank you for walking me back,” she managed finally, her fingers fumbling with her keys.
“Always,” Kris replied, and something in that single word made her heart stutter.
He waited until she had the door open before stepping back. “Get some rest, Cassia. Tomorrow’s another day.”
For a moment, she thought he might lean in and kiss her. Her heart raced, wishing he would cross that line.
But Kris stayed where he was. His arms twitched at his sides as if he was waging an internal battle to either gather her close or keep a respectful distance. At last, he stepped back, offering a gentle smile. “Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
“Of course,” she murmured, tears prickling again at the corners of her eyes. “And I promise I won’t let this interfere with my work. I’ll have those updated pairing notes first thing…”
“That’s not what I meant,” Kris cut in gently, a hint of regret in his tone.
She forced a faint, shaky laugh. “I know. I’m sorry.” Tipping up on her toes, she placed a swift, light kiss on his cheek. It was an instinctive move, one she instantly regretted.
What was she thinking?
Kris froze, his eyes widening slightly at the unexpected gesture. The warmth of his skin lingered on her lips as she pulled away, her face flushing with embarrassment.
“I…” she started, but the words caught in her throat.
Kris’s hand came up slowly, his fingers brushing the spot where her lips had touched his cheek. The gesture was almost reverent, and his eyes, when they met hers, held something wild and tender all at once.
“Cassia,” he whispered.
The night air seemed to crackle between them, charged with unspoken feelings. For a heartbeat, Cassia thought he might close the distance between them, might pull her into his arms and kiss her properly. Part of her—a growing, insistent part—wanted him to.
But instead, he took a deep breath and stepped back, his hands dropping to his sides.
“Goodnight,” he said, his voice rough with restraint. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the moonlit path. Cassia watched him go, her heart aching with a longing she couldn’t fully understand. Only when he disappeared from view did she finally step inside and close the door behind her.
The guest house felt emptier than it had before, despite its cozy furnishings and warm lighting. She leaned against the door, eyes closed, trying to make sense of the tumult of emotions coursing through her.
What was she doing? Kissing Kris on the cheek after explicitly telling him they should keep things professional? After her ex had just called begging for another chance?
She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions. The vineyard, Kris, Bear Creek—they all felt right in a way her life with Dante never had. But was that real, or was she just running from one bad situation into another?
But in her heart, she knew. Knew that her dream of marrying Dante had been just that, a dream, a fairy tale.
Whereas this new life, and her feelings for Kris, were real. But did he feel the same way?
Or had she blown it all up with that stupid kiss?
However, when she pressed her fingers to her lips, still tingling from the touch of his skin, and recalled the expression in Kris’s eyes, she realized the kiss was anything but stupid.