I thought I needed something new.”
He ran his fingers through her hair, touching her chin as he did so. “I like it.” Then he caught her gaze. “But you could be as bald as an egg and I’d love it, because it’s you.”
She touched his hair, which was rather shaggy at the moment. “I’m not sure I could love you as well if you went bald,” she teased. “I rather like your hair, you know.”
He hauled her into his lap. “So you just like me for my looks? I never knew you were so shallow.”
“There are so many things you don’t know about me.” She touched his mouth with a finger, which he kissed.
Looking outside at the falling rain, she laughed suddenly.
“What is it?” he asked.
“You said you didn’t remember, but this is just like when you walked me home.” She smiled at him, her eyes shining. “That was the day I fell in love with you, the first time, you know.”
He brushed her cheek with his fingers. “I lied, you know, about not remembering.” Her eyes widened slightly. “I remember seeing you that day, getting drenched, and how you wouldn’t talk to me for the entire walk home.”
“I was just too shy to talk to you. You held the umbrella over me while you got soaked.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist again with her perched on his lap. “And I’d do it again. I love you, Graciela.”
She laid her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat as the rain fell outside their safe haven.
Epilogue
With the coming of spring came the beginning of wedding season once again. After hosting its sixth wedding, River’s Bend started to come back to life. The harvest looked good, and with the revenue from weddings and other events, the vineyard began to turn a figurative new leaf. Soon, they’d actually be making money again.
Jaime had returned to his position as the executive chef, while Grace had decided to apply to grad school come the fall. After much debate with her parents, she moved in with Jaime after spring break, although Carl had not been particularly fond of his unmarried daughter “shacking up with his former employee.” She’d also begun painting again, and although she was often frustrated with the results, Jaime had encouraged her to continue. One night, Grace had gotten up the courage to ask if him if he’d let her paint him—and in the nude, no less. Some painting had occurred, but things had devolved when Jaime started literally painting Grace before they toppled to the floor, laughing and kissing.
Now the trees were changing, and the white buds flourished on the pear trees. Going outside was like a petal tornado if the wind were blowing, and Grace loved every minute of it. When Jaime wasn’t busy working, they would take walks around the town, and they particularly liked to go to the spot down by the river where they’d talked so many months ago.
Standing outside River’s Bend at the beginning of May, Grace looked up at the clear sky, closing her eyes. It was the first really warm day of spring, and everyone it seemed had come to River’s Bend’s first annual farm to table event. Hosting chefs, farmers, and other merchants from across the state, the event bustled with activity. Grace had only seen Jaime this morning for a few moments before he’d had to go into work. Right now, he was giving a demonstration while his audience applauded.
“Having a good time?” Gavin walked up to her with Emma in tow. Emma clutched her dad’s hand, as she was shy around crowds like this.
“I am. What about you? I feel like I haven’t seen you two in ages.” Grace smiled at her niece, who gave her a tentative smile back.
“Busy. My job wants me to return to Boston. They were never fond of me telecommuting, and now they think it’ll be better in the long run if I return.” Gavin grimaced. “But Emma just started school here, and I'd hate to make her start elsewhere a second time.”
Emma didn’t say anything. Grace was once again struck by how much her niece looked like her sister-in-law Teagan, but she also had the blonde hair that was common in the Danvers family.
“How is Teagan?” Grace asked softly.
“I haven’t heard from her, but as far as I know, she’s doing all right.” He didn’t volunteer any more information than that, and Grace couldn’t blame him. She knew their divorce was soon to be