“This is absolutely a date. In case there was any question.”
“Okay,” she murmured as he reluctantly released her chin and closed her door, then made his way to the driver’s side.
Ridge backed out of the driveway then began the journey across town where his half-cousin Avery had suggested a winery where she and her husband Logan had eaten on their first date. She insisted that the atmosphere was perfect.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going yet?” River pressed again.
Ridge simply chuckled as he turned the radio on to a local station.
“I’m guessing you don’t like surprises.”
“Not really, no.”
“You won’t regret this one. I promise,” Ridge said as he reached over and gripped River’s hand that was closest to him, intertwining their fingers together.
***
“You won’t regret this one. I promise.”
His words repeated over and over in her head. She had no reason to trust him and no reason not to, just years and years of past experiences where promises were made and then broken. This one was simple, though. Would she regret allowing him to take her to an unfamiliar area? River hadn’t made many friends in Carson yet, just her coworkers. And though Poppy was family to Ridge, she made sure that her boss knew she would be with him that evening. River had even tried to weasel out information from Poppy on the dinner’s whereabouts, but she wasn’t talking.
She wasn’t sure why she was on edge, especially since Ridge had been nothing but sweet and understanding. He also had his own daughter which gave him major bonus points.
He must have sensed her unease about the situation because he gently squeezed her hand, drawing her attention to him and away from her passenger side window. He looked at her with fondness and affection, notions that immediately set the swarm of butterflies loose in her stomach.
She returned his smile and asked him about his day. They spent the remainder of the ride making small talk until they pulled up in front of a large wooden and stone structure.
River hadn’t been paying attention, her focus on Ridge’s mouth as he spoke; otherwise, she may have recognized the rows upon rows of grapevines as they traveled down the gravel lot.
“What is this place?” she asked as he parked the truck. He kept her in suspense as he exited the truck and made his way around to her side. With an outstretched hand, he helped her exit the vehicle, but the heel of her boot caught on the running board as she stepped down and she tumbled forward right into Ridge’s arms. She could imagine that it looked as if she had planned the move to the naked eye, but being around Ridge simply made her clumsier.
“Sorry about that,” she told him as she pressed both hands to his chest to stand.
“Never hurts to have a pretty girl in my arms. You all set?” he asked her as he reached inside the truck for her jacket and purse, handing them off to River.
“Yep. So, where are we?”
“This is Carson Mountain Winery. It’s one of the oldest wineries in the valley. About seven years or so, they completely renovated the building and added a restaurant and lounge area. At least that’s what I’m told. Avery and Logan highly suggested it.”
“Wow,” she whispered as she tucked her hand into the bend of Ridge’s arm as he escorted her up the massive staircase to the entrance.
River had thought the outside of the building was impressive, but as she stepped inside, she was taken aback by the location’s interior beauty. Massive fireplaces gave way to stone chimneys reaching high above the three-story main area. Across the way, walls of windows showcased the sunset over the mountains' crest, glistening its bright reflection onto the lake. To River, it looked like a painting. She had never seen anything so breathtaking.
“Oh my gosh. Ridge, this is stunning.”
“It really is. I came to check it out earlier this week to make the reservation. I thought you might like it.”
“Like it? I’m blown away. My goodness, if dinner is only half as good as this view, then I can honestly say this is the best date ever.”
Ridge laughed as he guided her toward the restaurant’s entrance. “So, you finally agree it’s a date then?”
“Well, I thought the kiss earlier would have acknowledged that.”
“True.”
The woman standing at the host booth quickly ushered them to a private table tucked within an alcove of the restaurant. As much as River would have liked to sit by a window for the view, she enjoyed the cozy nature of the niche. With only a small opening for the server, it was as if she and Ridge were in their own little space. It was cozy and romantic, something River was certain Ridge had insisted on when he made the reservation. He was going through a lot of trouble to impress her and River only hoped that she didn’t disappoint him in return.
After perusing the menu, they both placed their order with the server and spoke about Ridge’s life in California and her time in Asheville. Delilah came up in conversation a few times, but Ridge was quick to turn the conversation away from his daughter. River understood that he wanted their date to be focused on the two of them, but she missed the little darling.