38. Mackenzie
Mackenzie
Sloane and I have driven down to the supplier who is going to sell us the rootstock of Vidal for the spring planting.
I wanted to confer with them about the drainage.
That parcel of land is inclined to be mucky, and it would make more sense to put in the drainage before the vines.
I asked Sloane to come along as a learning exercise for him, and it was a long day of talking vines – with crappy driving on either end of it.
The congestion on the Queen Elizabeth Way was unbelievable and by the time we get back to Empire, I just want food.
It’s raining and a bit cool, which was why we chose to head to the grower today. We’re partway through the harvest of the white grapes for table wine, but won’t really dig into the red until next week. Maybe the week after. I want as much as possible of this year’s sunshine on those grapes.
“Buy you dinner?” I suggest and Sloane is on board with that. This guy must eat his weight in protein every second day. He’s young and interested and focussed. I like his dedication to the work and can see a bright future for him in viticulture. He’s really blossomed since I took Opa’s advice.
I park down the street from The Carpe Diem Café before I see the red sports car closer to the restaurant.
I hesitate just a second. I can’t change my mind now without Sloane asking questions.
The only people who know about me and Jake are my friends, and they’ve probably assumed it’s over after nothing happened at Daphne’s wedding.
Maybe it is over.
Of course, we get to the door of the café at the same time as Jake. If he didn’t look slightly surprised to find us behind him, I’d think he planned it this way.
“Going in?” he asks and Sloane nods agreement. Jake holds the door for me, and Sloane (being Sloane) saunters into the restaurant ahead of me. Jake lifts a brow and our gazes meet for an electric moment. I can see the question in his eyes, but I’ll shut that down fast.
He’s dressed down tonight, in jeans and boots and a leather jacket.
“It’s Mackenzie, right?” he says as if struggling to remember me. “Mackenzie Rhodes?”
He’s following my dating rules for Empire again, and I have to love that. “Yes, we met a few months ago. How nice of you to remember.”
A wicked glint lights his eyes, though no one can see it but me. “How is that parcel of land working out?”
“Very well. We’ve done all the soil tests and were just confirming the shipment of vines for the spring.” I gesture. “This is Sloane Lorrimer, my assistant viticulture manager.”
They exchange a nod, Sloane’s interest clearly on the board of specials.
“I’m glad to hear all is on track,” Jake says, as if he doesn’t want to end the conversation.
“You must still be settling your father’s estate.”
“Pretty much done with that, although some final details will take their time.” He glances my way, giving me a very blue look. “I’m just down here to move a mountain.”
I remember his reference very well and I can’t tear my gaze from his.
In fact, the world might have just stopped.
I manage to speak after a moment. “A mountain?”
Jake nods and hold up his hands. “Big mountain. Very big.”
“Then why move it at all?”
His smile flashes. “To prove myself worthy, of course.” There’s a warmth in his eyes that’s making it hard for me to think straight. Is Jake doing something for me? “The problem with moving mountains,” he murmurs, his tone confidential. “– is that it takes so much time.”
Aha.
“I’ll bet. How long do you think this mountain will take to move?”
His gaze flicks to the table where Mike is sitting.
Mike waves to Jake as if he could miss seeing his own brother in the restaurant when it’s comparatively quiet.
That’s when I see there’s a blonde woman with Mike, her manner expectant.
She’s wearing a pink and white suit and when she turns to look, I realize she’s that Dutch friend of Mike’s.
“I thought Elke had gone home already,” I say.
“Apparently, she is back,” Jake says under his breath. “And three guesses who’s on the menu tonight?”
“You don’t like being fixed up?”
“I hate being fixed up, especially when I’m busy moving a mountain for a woman I’d like to find me worthy.” His gaze collides with mine again.
“I missed the timeline on that relocation.”
“End of October, I’m hoping.”
“That’s only a month or so.”
“It feels like an eternity,” he confides, his gaze searching mine. “What if she gives up on me?”
“Are you that sure she would?”
“No. That’s part of what I love about her. She keeps me guessing. You have no idea how addictive that is.” He glances toward Elke and Mike, his manner thoughtful.
“Actually, I know exactly how addictive that is,” I say softly and once again, our gazes lock. This time, Jake smiles, just a little, and my heart is leaping all over the place one more time.
One month.
“Sorry!” Sylvia says as she appears before us. “I just got caught up there. Jake, Mike and Elke are waiting for you, just at the window.”
“Great. Thanks.”
“And Mackenzie, how about that corner by the fire that you like?”
“What about over there?” Sloane says, indicating the table beside Mike’s.
Sylvia looks at me and I shrug, wondering.
Jake gestures and I go first, Sloane following me this time.
Mike nods hello and Elke smiles at me before her gaze slides to Sloane and lingers.
No, it heats up. I sit down in time to see Sloane give her a slow perusal, smiling as he meets her gaze.
As Jake takes the seat beside her, Elke smiles at Sloane, the most obvious invitation in her expression I’ve ever seen.
Sloane, of the torn jeans, the protein fixation, the plaid flannel shirts and the beard oil of the day is captivating a woman carrying a purse that cost more than his annual salary.
I guess opposites do attract sometimes. I glance at Jake to see him mime relief, then grin, his eyes glinting as he joins the conversation at his table.
One month.
I can’t wait, but I have to.
The man is moving a mountain for me.
It probably would be tacky to squee.