Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
PIPER
“Welcome to Belladonna Ridge.”
Arthur steps forward with his arms spread wide, showcasing the magnificent expanse of the vineyard before us.
It stretches endlessly across the rolling hills beneath the Texas sky with row after row of grapevines glowing beneath the late afternoon sun. Golden light spills across the landscape in soft ribbons and the breeze carries the earthy scent of fresh vines through the air.
It’s so breathtaking it looks like it can’t be real.
I’m immediately reminded of one of my all-time favorite movies, A Walk in the Clouds. The vineyard in that movie was something else. This is just like that.
And we’re finally here. Levi and I just arrived in this little slice of heaven.
We were greeted straightaway by Arthur and Ellie Mae.
They brought us right out here to see their prized vineyard.
I’m still staring, completely awestruck.
My gaze wanders over the stone pathways weaving between the vines toward a sprawling white estate nestled farther up the hill. Beyond it sits the winery itself.
For a second, I genuinely forget we’re still in Texas.
“It’s so beautiful,” I breathe, keeping my voice low, almost reverent.
Arthur’s grin widens instantly, like he’s been waiting for one of us to say it.
“Wait until sunset,” he says proudly. “That’s when this place really starts showing off.”
“It’s as pretty as a postcard,” Ellie Mae joins in. “And not that different from any of them vineyards in France and Italy.”
Arthur nods his agreement, raising his polished oak walking stick. He used it to lift one of the low-hanging vines while he spoke. “I may sound big-headed, but I think my place is better.”
“Of course, you would say that.” Levi smirks, slipping his sunglasses from his face.
Arthur scoffs. “Damn right.” He gestures dramatically toward the vines. “Boy, this place produces some of the finest Bordeaux-style blends in the world.”
Ellie Mae loops her arm through mine with a soft laugh. “Here he goes.”
Arthur ignores her completely.
“We grow primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot,” he says, already heading down the stone pathway between the vines. “The soil composition out here is perfect for structure and depth. Hot days. Cool nights. Gives the grapes balance.”
Levi glances toward me and smiles.
I smile back, and we follow Arthur down the path. He continues talking like a man entirely in his element.
“We age everything in French oak barrels imported directly from Bordeaux. That’s where the spice and vanilla notes come from.” He points toward the winery building farther ahead. “Humidity is controlled carefully. Temperature, too. Winemaking’s half chemistry, half instinct.”
“And one hundred percent obsession,” Ellie Mae adds fondly, casting a glance at her husband.
Arthur points at her immediately and winks. “That’s why it works.”
We follow him farther down the rows of vines while the sun warms my shoulders and the breeze dances softly through my hair.
Everywhere I look feels cinematic.
Eventually, we reach a section where a group of workers move carefully through the vineyard carrying baskets filled with dark grapes.
“Full harvest is not until the event next week,” Arthur points out. “But they’re getting a head start. We have a lot of harvest this year.”
“Sounds good.” Levi nods.
“Come on, let’s go talk and leave the ladies. I want to show you the older section.” Arthur’s smile brightens.
“Oh God, does this mean you’re going to talk my ear off?” Levi jokes.
Arthur swats his legs with his stick. Ellie Mae and I giggle.
“Ouch.”
“Now listen here, son, you could do well to learn a thing or two from a man like me. Come on now.” He cocks his head toward the path.
Levi chuckles and walks ahead, glancing briefly at me before refocusing on Arthur.
“Right, it’s our turn to talk business,” Ellie Mae says, tugging on my arm. “I thought we could talk and have some sweet tea.”
“I’d love that.”
She leads me farther down the winding stone pathway until we reach a white wooden gazebo tucked between the vines at the edge of the hill. Climbing roses twist around the pillars with pale petals that dance in the warm breeze, and ivy trails along the railings in thick green ribbons.
The sight makes me smile.
A small wrought-iron table sits in the center of the gazebo surrounded by cushioned cream chairs. Before we reach, a young woman in a crisp linen uniform appears carrying a silver tray.
The scent of fresh pastries, butter, and warm sugar hits me, and my mouth waters. The last time I smelled anything like this was my last dinner with Aunt Bess.
The woman carefully sets down the tray along with a glass pitcher of sweet tea.
When we reach the table, I see the delicious array of pastries.
I can’t wait to dive in. There are fresh peach scones, miniature lemon cakes, strawberries dipped in chocolate, and flaky pastries dusted lightly with powdered sugar.
God, who cares about diets when food looks this good?
Ellie Mae smiles at me. “I can see I did good.”
“You certainly did. These look amazing.”
“I baked them all myself.”
I gasp. “What? No way.”
She nods proudly. “I did. Cooking and baking come second nature to me.”
“That’s fantastic.”
“Please sit.” She gestures to the chair opposite hers.
I sit, and she does, too.
“Well,” she says brightly as the maid pours the tea for us, “now we can properly talk.”
“Yes.” I’m nervous but excited. I knew she was going to talk to me today, so I came with a sort of mini pitch, though she still hasn’t told me what her new business is yet.
I have a lot more to explain about my business than I did when we first started talking about working together. Since then, I’ve had my website designed and set up with a coming soon banner across it so I can collect expressions of interest.
So far, apart from Ellie Mae, I’ve had ten new people approach me, each destined to bring in more money than I’ve ever made in my life.
I’m so eager to get started.
“Tell me where you are. Are you any closer to opening?” Ellie Mae sips her tea.
“Everything is pretty much good to go, but I’m still waiting on an office building.
There’s a space I really want, but I’m on a waiting list. I’ll know if I can even make an offer in a few weeks,” I explain.
“I’m planning to launch online in three months’ time.
I hired a business manager and an assistant; both can start then.
Hopefully, the office space won’t be too far along after that. ”
I’d love to have the building all sorted out before the end of the year. It’s proven quite difficult to get a good location. I either have to join a waiting list and go through a rigorous interview or get somewhere that’s not so good—I don’t want that.
One of the fastest ways to go out of business is a bad location where there’s not enough foot traffic, or people just aren’t interested.
Ellie Mae looks impressed. “My gosh, girlie. This is such good news. Look at you already hiring people and all. You really sound put together.”
I grin, leaning into the table. “I realized I had to if I wanted to make a good start. I will still personally handle all the projects myself and see each one through beginning to end, but I wanted the extra support.”
“Of course. That leaves you with room to focus.”
“Yes, exactly. And it’s going to be a lot of work, especially for me breaking out in a market that’s already competitive.”
“Don’t you worry about competition. People will go to you because they love you.”
“I really hope so. I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.”
She laughs warmly. “Because you have. And I can tell Levi supports your dreams.”
The smile on my face is made of the deepest gratitude. I can’t tell her about the money Levi gave me, but I can tell her about the heart behind it. “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him. He’s been my angel.”
Weeks ago, I thought about how I moved to New York for a fresh start and met him, but there’s so much more to it than that. He also unlocked my heart.
“He is a real keeper, Piper.”
“Yeah. He is.”
“Eat, let me tell you about my business.” She perks up.
I sit straighter, too, keen to finally know what it is. I grab a peach scone and almost melt when I eat it. It tastes fantastic. I wish Alexis were here feasting with me.
“I am pleased to announce I’ll be opening a spa retreat.”
I gasp and clasp my hands together. That is a brilliant idea; I can see Ellie Mae being right at home with something like that.
“Oh my God, that is amazing.”
“Thank you. It’s going to be located right here in Texas. I love living in New York. Shopping is great when Arthur’s busy, but I like it here more. This is home. As Arthur and I slow down, we’re going to make a gradual move back.”
“I can understand why.” I glance around me.
“I should be ready to launch by the end of the year, so I think that fits right in with your launch plans.”
I smile wider at that. “I still can’t believe you want me.”
“My girl, you sound like you know your stuff, and more importantly, I like your heart. I could go somewhere else and get a good service because I’m Arthur Lockwood’s wife, but you… I know you’ll provide me an outstanding service because you want me to have the best and do well.”
I nod, glad she can see that about me. “That’s true.”
“Then it looks like I made the right choice.”
“Thanks again.”
“You are most welcome. Now eat up. I want to show you the hall where the gala is going to be held tonight. I decorated it. It’s beautiful, if I do say so myself.”
I giggle. “I’m sure it is.”
* * *
By the time the gala begins, Belladonna Ridge is glowing beneath the Texas night sky.
String lights glow between the vines looking like tiny stars and lanterns have been placed near the round dinner tables for those who want to eat outside.
Like all the other events, it’s a great turnout. People are everywhere, laughing and talking while waiters move gracefully through the crowd carrying trays of wine and bourbon.
Everything feels warm here.
Like Southern charm wrapped in elegance.
Ellie Mae and I stride toward it.
I smooth my hands down the soft fabric of my dress as I step farther onto the lawn. She insisted on dressing me, which somehow resulted in me wearing a pale champagne-colored gown.
It’s stunning. So is my hair. I had a stylist for that, who teased it into loose waves that settle around my shoulders.
“There they are,” Ellie Mae points ahead at Levi and Arthur standing on the terrace.
They’re next to a wine display surrounded by a group of businessmen.
The two are talking heartily, but the instant Levi sees me, his entire focus shifts.
I find myself smiling.
Excusing himself, he walks straight toward me without hesitation. God, butterflies explode in my stomach.
“I’ll take this as my cue to leave.” Ellie Mae smiles back at me sweetly, tips her head at Levi when he reaches us, and continues on toward Arthur.
Levi drifts toward me and takes my hand.
“Butterfly.”
“Mr. Wicked.” I glance up at him and smile.
“Come dance with me.”
“Of course.”
He guides me beneath the canopy of lights, where music and laughter drift through the warm night air. He pulls me close, and we sway to the soft country music drifting from the live band.
“You disappeared on me today,” he murmurs, holding me closer.
“I was busy being emotionally adopted by Ellie Mae.”
“She really likes you.”
“Yes. She told me she wanted to spoil me because she doesn’t have daughters.”
“That sounds like her.”
His hand settles against my waist while mine slides onto his shoulder.
“I’m glad we got to come here.” I’ve been meaning to say that. “I’m glad we got to do everything. Although I know we didn’t exactly plan to.”
“Life has a funny way of taking you in different directions. Or meeting people you never thought you’d meet.”
“It certainly does. I simply walked into your club one night, we met, and this is what happened next.”
“Yeah.” He smiles faintly. “I didn’t know my year would end up looking like this.”
“Me neither, Levi Vale.”
I smile up at him. He seems more perceptive tonight. He’s even looking at me differently. More meaningful. I know why.
These are our final two weeks together. Neither of us has said anything. I’ve felt that it was because neither of us wanted to.
I’m being careful, and he’s being careful.
We both wanted to live in the blissful bubble we created until it’s time to leave.
That’s the part that worries me.
I don’t want to leave.
The music slows around us, and Levi pulls me closer still. My body melts naturally against his, and I rest my head against his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of him.
Keeper.
That’s what Ellie Mae called him earlier.
A keeper.
The question is…
Could I keep him?
My heart already knows the answer to that.
Because somewhere along the line, Levi Vale didn’t just grow on me.
I fell for him.
Of course, that should terrify me considering everything I went through with Reece, but this feels nothing like that. This feels nothing like anything I’ve ever had.
This feels safe.
He feels safe.
A little like home.
And that’s something worth remembering.