Chapter 15 Cru
CRU
After calling in a favor from another winemaker in the valley, I was able to arrange for Daphne and me to take a private flight to álamos, where Tryst’s ranch was located.
I could’ve contacted Press or Beau, but I didn’t want to.
My relationship with Daphne was too new to involve either of them.
It wasn’t that I felt threatened or even that she’d be uncomfortable.
It was more that I wanted what was between us to stay our business a little while longer.
Her family and mine knew, and by this point, so did Roan Norman, or at least I hoped he did.
Other than that, I wasn’t ready to share our news.
“Tell me about it,” Daphne said on the flight from San Luis Obispo to the airstrip Tryst had created on this ranch.
“I told you our house was designed and constructed using the traditional Indian architectural system known as Vastu shastra.”
She nodded. “I’ve been reading about it. It’s quite fascinating.”
“Tryst owned the property for several years before he built on it. The story is he was hiking in the area the day he first met the woman who would become his wife. He says the two were on a ridge, and he pointed to the valley below, telling her that’s where they’d live once they were married.”
“So romantic.”
I wriggled my brows. “Runs in the family.”
She smiled, leaned forward, and kissed me. “Tell me more.”
“The first structure was a temple, followed by a water room. It’s similar to a pump house, but like every other structure on the property, it incorporates Vastu principles.”
“The science of keeping the five elements of nature—earth, water, fire, air, and space—in balance in order to maximize ‘positive vibrational energy.’”
“You sound just like him when he talks about it.”
“You miss him.”
I leaned against the seat and sighed. “He’s the only link I have to my father. The two were different as night and day, yet so alike. I can’t explain it. Anyway, now, there’s a main house, a meditation center, several casitas, and a therapeutic riding program.”
“I can’t wait to see it.”
The plane landed an hour later, and out the window, I saw Tryst waiting with a golf cart. Brix was with him, and they both waved.
“It’s tradition that the first place anyone visits on the ranch is the temple,” I told her while we waited for the airstairs to be put in place so we could deboard.
“I’d love it.”
“You know, I’ve been thinking about it and can’t believe you and Tryst never met.”
“We have, but it’s been a while since I last saw him.”
“Daphne, welcome,” my uncle said, drawing her into an embrace as soon as our feet hit the ground.
“Hey, man,” said Brix, doing the same with me. “Glad you brought her here.”
“How’s Addy?”
“Beautiful. Amazing. The reason the sun rises and sets each day.”
I chuckled, but I knew exactly what he meant. I felt the same way about Daphne.
“I’ve arranged for you to stay in the sunrise casita,” Tryst said when we hugged.
“I told Daphne we should visit the temple first.”
“As well you should.”
Our time on the ranch flew by. While we’d spent several days there, when it came time for us to leave, it seemed far too soon.
We’d made the most of our visit, riding out into the valley every day and talking and laughing over dinner with Brix, Addy, and Tryst. Daphne even tried to get me to do yoga with her every morning.
After a couple of failed attempts, I told her I’d be happiest just watching her, which she thankfully agreed to.
Tryst was scheduled to meet us at the casitas to drive us to the airstrip, but when I saw him pull up, he looked troubled.
“What is it?” I asked, meeting him outside.
“I need to speak with Daphne.” He brushed past me and walked in the front door. Rather than follow, I waited where I was.
“We’re visiting the temple,” she said when they joined me outside.
“Okay.” I walked over to the golf cart.
“Not you,” she said.
I looked between her and Tryst. “What’s going on?” I asked.
“Trust, nephew,” was his only response.
Daphne leaned up and kissed my cheek. “This seems important to him. He said we wouldn’t be long.”
I didn’t like it, but I did trust Tryst enough to accept there was something he felt he had to discuss with Daph, and for some reason, they had to do it in the temple.
When they drove away, I went back inside and waited.
It wasn’t long before they returned, maybe twenty minutes at the most. While Tryst seemed less anxious, Daphne’s demeanor hadn’t changed. She was as happy and relaxed as when we had breakfast together earlier.
“Everything okay?” I whispered when she greeted me.
“I think so.”
“We should be on our way,” said Tryst once I’d put our bags on the back of the cart.
When we pulled up to the plane waiting for us, I walked Daphne over to the airstairs. “I need to talk to my uncle. I’ll just be a minute.”
She kissed me and put her fingertips on my furrowed brow, rubbing it until I relaxed. “Go ahead. I’m fine, Cru. You needn’t be so worried.”
“What’s going on?” I asked again when I returned to the golf cart where my uncle sat.
“It’s for Daphne to figure out.”
“What is?”
“When the time comes, I pray she clearly sees the right path.”
I looked behind me, making sure she was inside the plane.
When I saw she was, I sat beside him. “What’s this about, Tryst?
Are you thinking Daphne will want to be with Beau again?
If you do, I can tell you that isn’t possible.
First of all, she doesn’t want it. Second, he’s with Sam now. They’re engaged.”
Tryst closed his eyes and shook his head. “Not Beau.”
“You aren’t going to tell me anything else, are you?”
His gaze met mine. “I am not, Enzo.”
“What happened at the temple?” I asked Daphne an hour into our flight.
“Nothing, but everything, if that makes sense.”
It didn’t, but I nodded anyway. “What did Tryst talk to you about?”
“He didn’t. In fact, he didn’t go beyond the entrance.”
My eyes scrunched.
She shrugged. “He told me to go in, stand in the very center under the skylights, and he’d wait.”
“And then what?”
“As soon as I was inside, the sun broke through the clouds. I raised my face as the heat from it bathed me in light like I’ve never known.
I turned in a circle, letting it wash over me.
I cried, but I can’t explain why. Then the light went away.
I thought I’d feel cold, but I didn’t. I only felt at peace. ”
Tryst’s words, after all she’d just said, made even less sense to me. And, unlike her, the last thing I felt was a sense of peace.