Brody - Ellie Masters Page 0,57

then. Even now, I want it.

“I suppose I can ask Mark to sit with her…”

“Yes, do that.” His eyes brighten. “We’ll cook up something special. Um, do you mind if Asher and Evie are there?”

“Who’s Evie?”

“Asher’s fiancée.”

“Asher’s engaged?”

“To a great girl.”

“That’s funny.”

“Why?”

“Who would’ve thought any of the La Rouge triplets would settle down?”

“Miracles happen.” He glances at my left hand, and his gaze lingers for longer than it should. “You never know what the future holds, Miss Grace Atwood.”

The future isn’t something I think a whole lot about. In fact, it’s more of the present I lament.

No sex with Brody means no working him out of my system, but as we meander back down the trail on horseback, I wonder if that’s what I want at all. The desire to trust him stirs within me. Our chemistry is undeniable, explosive, and crazy insane. Our past is ugly and complicated, although laced with some of the best memories of my life.

As far as my future?

That’s hard to say.

Once we’re back into clear reception, I call Mark and ask if he can look in on Mom. He says yes, enthusiastically, and another realization runs through me. Have I been keeping him away from his sister? Mom’s time left with us is limited, counted in months, if not weeks. I do everything for her. Have I inadvertently pushed Mark away? I hope not and resolve to be better at making time for him to spend with her, both alone and with me. After Mom’s gone, it’ll just be the two of us, and I don’t want any regrets.

I’m blessed we share such a tight bond.

Instead of taking me home, Brody guides the horses to La Rouge Vineyards. Nervous energy spikes through me. I’ve only been here once before. That night changed my life, but I try to focus on the positives.

La Rouge is much like Atwood Estates, only bigger. Atwood Estates is a small, family winery. La Rouge is also family run, but they have a much larger operation. The differences are subtle but distinct. Mechanization for one thing. Irrigation is another major difference. Their vines sit heavy with grapes as the harvest nears. I want to see their processing facilities but don’t want to appear too nosey.

My gut says Atwood Estates should be doing much better, but I don’t have the knowledge or experience to back that up, and I’m cautious in the questions I aim at Mark. He needs to know I trust him, and those kinds of questions don’t help with that. I want to ask the hard, intrusive questions about crop yield, production, wages, and all the rest.

The ground below the horses’ hooves levels off, and I pull myself from troubled thoughts. We meander onto La Rouge property, and I can’t help but gape.

“Wow!” The barn Brody leads me toward is massive. I expect something much smaller, but he takes me to a commercial-sized facility. Then I remember the La Rouge brothers operate a trail riding side business, but I thought they kept those horses in the pasture neighboring the barn.

The door to the massive structure stands open. Brody takes us inside, then dismounts. I practically salivate watching the way his muscles bunch and flex. Brody in a suit is a force to be reckoned with, but Brody dressed down in faded blue jeans and that green and black shirt of his is drool worthy.

Like I did on the trail, I wait for him to help me down. He doesn’t ask me to wait; I simply sit in the saddle and wait until he helps me down.

“How’d it go, bro?” A voice, which sounds nearly identical to Brody, calls out from inside the barn. “Did she feed you your balls?” Asher exits one of the stalls carrying a shovel and slams to a halt. Identical to Brody in every way, the only thing distinguishing them is the color of their shirts. Asher wears red and black, whereas Brody dons green and black. “Um—hello there.” The corner of his mouth tugs up in a smirk.

“Asher, do you remember Grace?” Brody shakes his head as he helps me out of the saddle.

“Hi, Grace.” Asher removes the cowboy hat from his head and holds it close to his chest. “I take it you didn’t disembowel, dismember, or otherwise rip my brother a new one?” He tucks his chin.

“I did not.”

“It’s been a long time, and it’s really nice to see you again. This is an unexpected pleasure.” His intonation rises in a