He wasn’t referring to the wine. The innuendo was clear. She licked her bottom lip.
Tanner’s nostrils flared. He looked as if he might grab her. This time the kiss wouldn’t be a practice one, she was sure.
The moment was shattered when Malcolm slapped him on the back. “Tanner, how’re you doing this evening? We missed you on the course. I’d hoped we would get a chance to talk.”
Tanner’s attention went to Malcolm and that suited Whitney fine. She wasn’t sure she could have handled the intensity she’d seen in Tanner’s eyes if they had continued uninterrupted.
The two men talked about general hospital business and Whitney stood by listening but not really understanding the nuances of the conversation. Still, she enjoyed the rumble of Tanner’s voice as it became animated about an issue. She was content to just listen to him. Mercy, she had it bad. Just like trying to return a cork to a bottle once it was out, there was no going back. She was falling for Tanner.
Marie had just touched Malcolm’s arm, reminding him it was time for the tour, when Charlotte, hanging on the arm of a distinguished-looking man with snow-white hair, entered the room. Everyone in the room looked in their direction. The atmosphere took on a tense air.
“Well, it looks like we can start now that all the guests are here.” The distaste in Marie’s voice was unmistakable.
“Yes, it’s time,” Malcolm said in a pacifying voice as he took her hand. “Ladies and gentlemen, I believe they’re ready to show us the winery now.”
As if on cue, a young man dressed identically to the bartender came to stand at Malcolm’s side.
“Please follow me,” the young man said as he opened a wrought-iron door and walked along a passage. Whitney, Tanner’s hand at her elbow, followed the other members of their small group through the stone opening into a modernized cement-floored room with large aluminum vats.
The guide began telling them how the grapes were harvested and pressed. Charlotte and her partner, who Whitney hadn’t been introduced to, came to stand beside her and Tanner. The entire time the guide was talking Charlotte was busy whispering in the man’s ear and giggling. Once Whitney saw him give her butt a squeeze and was disgusted by the display. It was as if Charlotte wanted everyone to pay attention to them. A few times she noticed Tanner glancing in their direction. Did this show bother him as well? Was Charlotte putting it on for Tanner? As if he knew what she was thinking, his arm came around her waist and brought her close.
“Now, if you’ll follow me,” their guide announced, “we’ll go into the cellar where the wine is stored in oak barrels to let time create our award-winning vintages.”
They entered another room where barrel after wooden barrel were piled on top of each other in ranks. They were stacked well above Tanner’s head.
Whitney pulled at her shawl, trying to bring it up over her bare shoulders as the coolness of the windowless wine cellar surrounded her. Tanner’s fingertips brushed her arm. Why did she have to love his touch so much? The wrap was lifted off her. Seconds later, it came to rest across her shoulders.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His voice warmed her as much as the material around her.
They continued down the wide aisle until they came to an area where three formally dressed tables were set for dinner. A single candle flickered in the center of each.
“Everyone.” Marie gained their attention. “This is where we’ll be having dinner tonight.
“Charlotte and Max, you’ll be at this table.” She pointed to one to her right. “Ellen, you and Carlos will be joining them. Lucy and Rick, you’ll be at this table with Whitney and Tanner.” She touched the table closest to her. “Sue Ann and Russell, you’ll join Malcolm and I here.” She indicated the table off to the right.
Whitney couldn’t deny she was relieved not to have to spend the entire dinner with Charlotte. The woman rubbed her up the wrong way for more than one reason. What Tanner had ever seen in her Whitney couldn’t imagine.
Tanner held the chair for her to sit. His hand brushed her neck as he moved to take the chair at her left. A shiver of pleasure went through her. Had he done that on purpose? Her reaction to him was on overload tonight. The romantic setting must be getting to her.
A waitress came to stand beside the table and popped the cork off a bottle of red wine. She presented a glass to Tanner. He sipped and nodded. She then poured each person at the table a glass.
Whitney liked their tablemates, Lucy and Rick. She had gotten to know Lucy a little during the trip to town but found Rick an interesting yet bookwormish type. Their conversation was steady and often drew laughter. Whitney felt herself relaxing. Midway through the meal she’d forgotten all her worry over whether or not she might fit in.
“I can’t believe I’ve found someone as interested as me in growing violets,” Lucy commented.
“Just goes to show you never know about people until you get to know them,” Tanner said as he looked at Whitney. “We always get surprised.”
Was he talking people in general or her in particular? How had she surprised him? Why would he be interested enough to notice? After all, she was only his matchmaker.
“Yeah, and after this weekend I’d be surprised if I get that promotion as Director of Infectious Diseases,” Rick said.
Lucy placed her hand over his. “Now, you don’t know that.”
“I just have a feeling,” Rick said.
“What do you mean?” Tanner asked.
Rick lifted his glass. “I don’t think you need to worry. You’re the perfect person for the cardiothoracic department. It’s just something Malcolm remarked that Max had said.”
Tanner turned in Charlotte’s direction. She was laughing loudly. “He does seem distracted.”
“Don’t give up hope yet, honey,” Lucy encouraged.
Rick shrugged and took a sip of his wine. “Let’s talk about something else.”
By then the salad had been removed and the entrée of prime rib and roasted potatoes with green beans was placed in front of them. As they ate they discussed a recent movie.
Whitney enjoyed the delicious food too much. Tanner smiled at her as she put the last bite in her mouth. “Good?”
“Yes.”
“I like a woman who enjoys eating.” Tanner’s attention returned to his plate.
A sick feeling formed in Whitney’s stomach. Her fork hit the edge of the plate with a clink. Tanner glanced at her. His expression turned from one of happiness to distress. His hand took hers under the table and squeezed. “Did I say something wrong?”
He truly looked perplexed. Whitney felt sorry for him. “No. I’m fine.” She made herself smile. Would she ever reach the point where she didn’t think every remark regarding her and food was a negative one?
Minutes later the waitress removed their plates and brought another with chocolate à la mode on it. Whitney stuck the tines of her fork in it and put a bite in her mouth. The shot of chocolate tasted wonderful but she took no more of the dessert. She saw Tanner look at her uneaten sweet but he said nothing.
With dinner finished, Marie stood. “Before we all go on our separate ways for the evening I’d like to give you a little idea of what we have planned for tomorrow. First, we’re going on a hot-air balloon ride. We’ll have to be up before daylight but I promise it’ll be worth it. If you haven’t seen Napa from the sky you haven’t seen Napa. Cars will be outside the main entrance to take you to the field at six thirty.” Charlotte groaned loudly as Marie continued, “The rest of the day is yours. Dinner is at eight beside the pool. Casual dress is fine. Malcolm and I have enjoyed having you here.”
She and Tanner said their good-evenings to Lucy and Rick then thanked Marie and Malcolm for the nice dinner. Tanner pushed the door of the cellar open for her to precede him out. It had turned dark
. The moon was big and full against the night sky and the air was cool.
“The hot-air balloon ride sounds awesome. I’ve always thought they were so beautiful.” Whitney pulled the shawl up around her shoulders. Tanner helped her adjust it.
“It should be fun.” Tanner’s words didn’t sound all that heartfelt. Whitney didn’t have time to question him before he said, “It’s a beautiful night. How about a walk?”
She wasn’t sure she should take the chance on being alone with him on a moonlit night but after the meal she’d just eaten she could use some exercise. She wasn’t looking forward to returning to the room where they would be closed up together. He had too much sex appeal to ignore. Feelings that had nothing to do with looking for a wife for him had crept in, feelings that would only break her heart in the long run if she were to let herself act on them. It might not be a safe idea but she agreed. “I guess so.”
Tanner offered her his arm. She placed her fingers in the crook and he set a leisurely pace toward the rows of vines to the left of the winery. The paths between the rows were so well maintained the walking was easy.