Her cheeks flamed red as she carefully finished the sandwiches while I went and found a blanket. Wnce we were packed, we headed down into the valley to the back of the vineyard.
We found a private place a mile out into the field where I parked the cart and got out to spread the blanket on the ground.
She carried the lunch basket and placed it on the blanket. Then she pulled her sunglasses down off her forehead and peered out into the distance. “I can see why you bought this place. It’s breathtaking. And when I think I’ve seen all of its beauty, it surprises me again.”
The remark reminded me of the way I felt about her. “I can say the same thing about you.” I sat down on the blanket and she joined me, opening the basket.
“I bought this place for my grandparents.” I told her as I stared out across the rolling hills and smiled.
She placed my sandwich in front of me and I wasted no time taking a bite.
She fidgeted with hers, removing its wrapper. “Did they live here?”
“No, they died when I was young, but they’d drive me and Robert out here and let us look around. My grandmother, Emma, had always wanted to own one; she always said if either of us ever got rich, she wanted a vineyard.”
“That’s who the winery is named for? Emma’s Taste of Heaven?”
I nodded. My grandmother had always hated her name, but I’d thought it was beautiful, like her.
“You’re such a family man. I can’t believe you didn’t settle down years ago.” She looked up and bit her sandwich with much more grace than I had mine.
“I never found anyone I wanted to settle down with.” Until now. But I kept that to myself. I wouldn’t ruin a perfectly good picnic with her telling me she didn’t feel the same.
“Do you think you ever will?” She lowered her chin keeping her eyes on me.
I already have. “I think so.”
The shimmer in her eyes dulled and she averted her gaze to the vineyard in the distance. I contemplated telling her how I felt, but instead I decided showing her was much better.
I leaned across our impromptu lunch and captured her chin between my fingers to draw her attention back to me. Her eyes searched mine as I closed the distance and kissed her. She sat back and regarded the sandwich in her hand. She tossed it to the plate between us, pushing it out of the way as I laid her back against the soft cotton of the quilt beneath us.
I had indeed found the person I wanted to settle down with, and in my heart, I wondered if we were on our way already.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Luna
It had been two days since Gabriel and I had had our picnic and my feelings had only grown stronger. I couldn’t wait for him to come to bed at night, and not only because we’d made love every night since, but because I loved being near him.
The excitement in the house had died down with Sandra gone and Harbor had called Gabriel earlier in the day to tell him he wasn’t coming back anytime soon. Gabriel couldn’t argue with the young man and told him to inform the police, which Harbor agreed to do.
I’d been in the pool most of the afternoon, floating on a raft as I read my book at the shaded end of the pool. The only soul I’d seen was Carl walking from the house to the back car port, where he took off toward the winery.
Once I got out, I’d headed up to the shower where I rinsed off the pool water and sunscreen and washed my hair. My mind kept thinking of life before and how I’d been happy, but not fulfilled. Not like I was when I was with Gabriel.
I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him, so I knew it was now or never. I had to speak my mind. I had to tell him that I was falling for him and that I didn’t want the annulment.
After drying off and dressing for bed, I went downstairs to see Gabriel. I had so much on my mind, and I didn’t know where I’d start to explain the way I felt and what I wanted. I didn’t want to come across as needy or desperate, especially if he didn’t feel the same, but I was sick of waiting for him to admit any of his thoughts or feelings.
There was something about the way we had sex, it was more than that, more than motions and meaningless gratification. When I was with him, it was love making: heartfelt and true. I needed to know where his head was at. When he lay atop me, kissing me tenderly and with care, I would never be convinced he didn’t care greatly for me, maybe even to a degree of love. And if it weren’t love, then perhaps it could grow into it.
I hoped and prayed that the chance of it would be enough for him to keep the marriage and give it a shot.
I found him in his office with his head buried in his work, the screen of his laptop reflecting off his face. He didn’t look up as I entered, and I thought there had to be something interesting there to keep his attention. I walked in and sat down across from him. When he glanced up, I realized he had his phone to his ear.
“I’m on it. I wish they’d told us sooner.” He finished his call and dropped the phone to his desk.
“When are you coming to bed?” The past few nights he’d gone with me, and though it was a tad early, I hoped I could convince him to follow.